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Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:47 am
by heroic_decepticon
Inspired by Stormrider's article about toyshops in Japan here: Seibertron.com Presents Shopping for Transformers in DenDen (Electric City) Japan

I'm posting my 'report' on where to find Transformers toys in Tokyo and hope it will be helpful to anyone visiting Japan for Transformers.

Full report on where I went and which toy places have G1 Transformers are in the following chapters below (too many pics to post here).

Chapter 1: In which the purpose is unveiled

Chapter 2: In which we visit the Mandarake Complex

Chapter 3: In which we visit Mandarake (Shibuya)

Chapter 4: Mandarake Complex Akihabara Redux

Chapter 5: In which we visit Mandarake Nakano

Chapter 6: The Acquisitions

Chapter 7: The Japan January 2010 "Best Of" Tally

***

These are what I bought from my trip.

Image

Video of lots of G1 Transformers in a Mandarake shop: http://good-times.webshots.com/video/3099417180100811158TvcgKs

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:51 am
by Diem
Akihabara eats all my paychecks. :sad:

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:21 am
by IceWilly
Great thread. I will be going to Tokyo the first week of April. I will be packing light, so I don't know exactly what I will be able to find and more important bring back with me... but it will be interesting

thanks

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:02 pm
by Trikeboy
that was a good read. Even though it was a G1 themed trip, I am not sure I could have passed on the Primus with Unicron head that was in the shop window at Mandarake Nakano.

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:47 pm
by kirbenvost
Is that...Sixshot? :shock:

Man, my girlfriend and I were going to go to Japan with some friends this summer, but now I think we're only going to Vegas. I really wanted to go to the Motherland of Transformers! :lol:

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:52 pm
by It Is Him
heroic_decepticon wrote:Inspired by Stormrider's article about toyshops in Japan here: Seibertron.com Presents Shopping for Transformers in DenDen (Electric City) Japan

I'm posting my 'report' on where to find Transformers toys in Tokyo and hope it will be helpful to anyone visiting Japan for Transformers.

Full report on where I went and which toy places have G1 Transformers are in the following chapters below (too many pics to post here).


You sir, have one of the best collections I have ever seen.

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 6:06 am
by heroic_decepticon
It Is Him wrote:
heroic_decepticon wrote:Inspired by Stormrider's article about toyshops in Japan here: Seibertron.com Presents Shopping for Transformers in DenDen (Electric City) Japan

I'm posting my 'report' on where to find Transformers toys in Tokyo and hope it will be helpful to anyone visiting Japan for Transformers.

Full report on where I went and which toy places have G1 Transformers are in the following chapters below (too many pics to post here).


You sir, have one of the best collections I have ever seen.


Thank you sir!

I have recently updated a post which consolidates my disparate shots of TFs (I'm hopeful to get my collection in one and the same country over the next 2 years): http://heroicdecepticon.blogspot.com/2009/08/mini-transformers-gallery-two.html

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:36 pm
by Jazz-1982
What a great report of your trip. I live in Tokyo and you certainly gave anyone coming over here looking to buy G1 Transformers a great guide to follow.

Mandarake in Akihabara is just fantastic, I went last week and they had the most expensive Transformer I have ever seen - Black Zarak boxed in mint condition for around $1,400 not to mention boxed Scorponok, Shockwave, Reflector & another boxed Primus with Unicron head. I could have spent a cool $3000-$4000 in there easy.

Liberty is as you said not as good but it's worth a look. If anyone likes Star Wars then they have the biggest Star Wars selection I've ever seen on the top floor. For Transformers you usually have to be patient as they charge really high prices when something just comes in but almost always gradually reduce these over a couple of months. For example a boxed Devastator was originally $600 but went down to $150 over time.

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 4:56 pm
by IceWilly
I searched this out the other day... I will be going there next week for two weeks. Plan to stop in the Mandrake stores and see what I can find. Maybe a cheap device label ravage is still kicking around somewhere....

Re: Trip to Tokyo - G1 Transformers focused toy shop report

PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 12:05 am
by Diem
Mandarake and Liberty are probably the best for a combination of selection and not crazy prices. There are a lot of other shops I like though, especially Volks for American imports. The complex near the JR exit has a lot of good shops. It's a shame that Hobby Japan closed down, they had some great prices.

Tokyo Matrix: how often do you go to Akihabara?