Goal: I'd like to put together a thread which will help those who want to support the anime industry by spending some of their hard-earned money on it. Hopefully this thread will be somewhere that they can go to for some advice. So, I'd like to ask the forum members for their help in suggesting good places to go (not just online, but physical stores too, if you can think of any). I don't want to limit the advice to anyone because of their geographical location, so don't limit your suggestions to American retailers. I'll try to edit this post regularly with any ideas you give. How to spot bootlegs: Offering unlicensed anime on DVD or VCD with English subtitles. (The occasional Japanese release does have English subtitles) English and Chinese subtitles available. Large number of episodes per disc. (6 is rare on an offical release, 7+ is highly dubious) Suspiciously low price. (This one is a lot harder to spot) (NOTE: These are general guidelines. In some rare cases official releases may fit some of these criteria, or some bootlegs may not fit any of them. Please be careful) DVDs International http://www.dvdpacific.com (Deals in $(USD), but prices can be displayed in many other currencies) http://www.yesasia.com (Not just anime, not just Japan) http://www.fye.com/ Europe http://www.archonia.com (Based in Belgium) America http://www.deepdiscountdvd.com (Might be suitable for international orders) http://www.animeonestop.com (Anime section of http://www.digitaleyes.net) http://www.animecornerstore.com United Kingdom http://www.play.com (For Region 1 DVDs visit http://www.playusa.com) http://www.up1.co.uk (AKA United Publications) Sweden http://www.webhallen.com Finland http://www.filmifriikki.fi Manga See Sway's Where to buy Manga thread. Music See Sway's Where to buy japanese/anime music thread. Merchandise America http://www.animenation.com http://www.animecornerstore.com Europe http://www.archonia.com (Based in Belgium) United Kingdom http://www.natsukianime.co.uk
I personally use ebay. XD (Well for Japanese versions) I know of another site (not by name but by the layout of it) that sells full box sets are reasonable prices. When i find it i'll post it up for you.
I personally just go to my local comic book store. They normally have what I'm looking for. ...or I just do a quick search on Ebay.
F.Y.E. (For Your Entertainment)- I don't know if it's only an American store, but depending on the store itself, you can find pretty good deals. http://www.fye.com/ And, as always, www.amazon.com is always a good bet.
I was actually sort of surprised when I went to Best Buy & was looking at the movies & saw an entire section just for anime. I was there with my sister (who is older than me) & she was looking for me & she found me in the anime section of the movies (& shows) freaking out because I'd found every season of InuYasha & Fullmetal Alchemist on DVD. I don't know if it was just my local best buy but chances are it's all Best Buys in general would have anime.
I normally use Amazon, or in the High Street big shops like HMV and Virgin (now Zavvi) are good. But more specialist shops like World's Apart (The ultimate geek shop XD) are great aswell.
