The model maker Kotobukiya’s European website is about to launch and anime fans in the UK have the chance to get their hands on official products like the two statues they have for pre-order. The first is Iron Man 3 while the second is Asuka Langley from Eva!




There is also a contest on their Facebook page to win one of the statues which ends today so hurry and get involved.
 

A model maker opening operatins in EU is an interesting development.

Kotobukiya aren't too bad but it's I guess I'd be a little more excited if it was Good Smile or Alter. Personally I believe that the majority of Alter figures are far superior to Kotbukiya's but to be fair, there were some nice things on display at Wonfes.

The only Kotobukiya ones I really like are the Evangelion ones, sadly I already pre ordered the latest Asuka one, but will add it to my favourites incase of reprints or newer models

The first ever figures i got were Akira and Shiki from Togainu no Chi and they are done by Kotobukiya. Very lovely indeed.

My body is ready for model kit purchasing.

Holy crap... I actually want that Asuka model...

Except they're not opening operations in Europe as all items ordered from their EU site will be shipped from Hong Kong, so there'll still be the threat of customs charges (I heard this from someone on another forum who asked them through their facebook page).

This further incursion from Japanese companies into the space of directly selling to the EU market always worries me. I don't think my fears have yet been proven to be 100% well founded in any specific instance, but there have been a few things that have come close enough.

Why, what are these fears you have?

So...what's the difference from ordering from a Hong Kong or Japanese site?

It would have made sense if they at least had a European address to send things to so that we avoid customs (like what PlanetAxel used to do iirc) but...

There is a quotation that I have heard from more than one old timer along the lines of "nobody ruins anime like the Japanese" when it comes to actual Japanese companies conducting business in the West, and I have already seen similar worrying developments in the way that Good Smile Company, to name one recent example, has gone about things.