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Hobbylink Japan

For many a mecha modeler this is the first and almost only source for plastic models and resin garage kits. Even if you don't buy what you're looking for from them, their website is great for visual reference, since they have pictures of most every product they offer.

Located in Gunma, Japan.

Things to be aware of: 1) Not everything that is listed on the website is in stock. 2) Although it is run by a former American, Scott T. Hards, not many empolyees there have a very developed understanding of the english language, so being patient and mindful of that couldn't hurt.

Prices are very low, but shipping can be a real bugabear sometimes, especially if you order printed material.   (11/30)

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Rainbow Ten Hobby

The other big online hobbyshop in Japan. Their website is not as complex or as developed as HLJ's, but they offer very good service. The owner is Japanese with a rudimentry understanding of written english, so be mindful of that. If you follow the example on the "How to Order" page and keep your sentences short and clear in your emails, you probably won't have any problems.

As I understand it they only list what they have in stock.

Located in Shizuoka, Japan.  (Same town as the headquarters of the Tamiya company)

Prices are very low, not always as low as HLJ, but they have a very rapid turnaround. The owner   (11/30)

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Anime Nation

Plastic models, and a lot of other Anime goods.

Located in Clearwater, Florida.

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The Anime Palace

Plastic models, figures, and lots of Anime goods.

Located in Dublin, Ohio.

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Drooling Anime Fan Sales

Plastic models, and other Anime goods.

Located in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

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House of Anime

All kinds of anime goods and plenty of plastic kits. The special thing about the House is that if your order is for more than $10.00 USD you get free shipping.

Located in Norcross, Georgia.

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Kimono My House Toys

Plastic models, figure kits, diecast toys, and lots more! A short qoute from them about the new version of their website, "We've completely redesigned it with powerful search and browse features, and we now securely accept credit cards. We have over 3000 items in our database, including many items not available anywhere else!"

Located in Emeryville, California.

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Nikaku Animart

Garage kits, plastic models, vinyl figure kits, and lots more!

Located in San Jose, California.

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VOE Anime Online

Garage kits, plastic models, and lots more!

Located in Atlanta, Georgia.

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East Coast Model Center

Has mecha models by Ban Dai. They're in the figure models section.

Located in Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada.

NOTICE: Their prices are in Canadian dollars! Before you go to East Coast Models, you can load a handy Currency Converter in a second browser window.

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Harry's Hobbies & Supply

Plastic models, anime magazines, and lots more!

Located in Garden Grove, California.

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Legends Toys & Hobbies

Lots of Anime plastic models and anime model magazines.

Located in Rowland Heights, California.

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Marc's Models

Specializes in rare, out-of-production Macross, Mospeada, Dougram model kits.

Located in Redford, Missouri.

Some of the prices may make your wallet whimper, but he has some pretty darn rare kits.

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First State Comics

Has Gundam, Macross and Star Blazers plastic models. Also has a section just for the line of Gundam Markers.

Located in Bear, Delaware.

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Kenmore Komics & Games

A comicbook store that has a number of anime plasctic models.

Located in Akron, Ohio

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Splash Page Comics & Toys

Plastic models, diecast toys, artbooks and more.

Located in Kirksville, Missouri.

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Anime Box

A company in Hong Kong that specializes in doing recasts of Japanese garage kits. The bulk of what they offer are recasts of long out of production kits and "event only" Jaf-Con kits.

Located in Honk Kong.

Things to be aware of: 1) The words legal and recast just don't go together. 2) The most typical problem one might run into with a recast is poor molding (mold seams that mar detail, uneven or stepped moldseams which are nightmarish to contend with).

All warnings aside, if you're looking for some of the really rare "event only" Jaf-Con kits, more than likely you are going to have to look at recasts.

Prices are said to be reasonable.   (11/30)

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Anime Plus Online

Garage kits, plastic models, and lots of Anime paraphernalia. Also has an online otaku chatboard.

Located in Northridge, California.

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Newtype Hobbies & Toys
1414 9th Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94122

Tel: 415 713-3077

"Newtype is one of the old shops that was bringing kits over before the web hit as a commercial venue, as such their business model is a bit outdated, but they have a ton of resins you won't find anywhere else. I have even found kits at Newtype that I could no longer find in Tokyo!

Unlike GTC They specilize in resin and other garage kits (rather than plastic kits). Their prices are reasonable considering their stock, and they have always been very good about shipping and not carrying recasts (so there is no need to worry about getting "ripped off").

They don't have a web site, and I think they charge $3-$5 for their catalog, but if you call early in the day the owner is usually there, and he is quite knowledgeable about mech models, so can often help you over the phone."

- Above description was posted to rec.arts.anime.models by L. M. Lloyd

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Galactic Trade Commission
10185 Switzer
Overland Park, KS 66212

Tel: 913 492-2169

If you frequent rec.arts.anime.models you might have heard of GTC. They're (why I use "they" I don't know, it is one guy) a mecha model mail order service. They specialize in mecha models of the eighties, if there's a '80s vintage model that you cannot find anywhere else, GTC is likely to have a few in stock. All those hard to find, long out of production Crusher Joe, Dorvack, Dragonar, Dougram, Ideon, Lensmen, Macross, Southern Cross kits... GTC has them. Their 28 page catalog is jam-packed with B&W pictures of kitboxes.

The 28 page catalog is available for $3.00.

Things to be aware of: 1) This is a one man operation, and it shows. 2) He doesn't have an email address, nor website, nor a newer catalog than the 1994 edition pictured at left. 3) His service is slow, slow, slooowwwwww. 4) It has been suggested that when corresponding or ordering from him to keep copies of every letter you send him and his replies, & taping the phone conversations might not hurt either. 5) In short he is mercurial, as are his prices (none of the prices in the catalog are up to date). 6) He's been known to even hold orders paid with a "money order" for a 2-week waiting period.

I know what you're thinking, "With all that, why would anyone in their right mind do business with this guy?" It boils down to this, he has kits that are almost impossible to find anywhere else.