Obtaining originals could be purchased at live events in Japan via WonderFest, Treasure Festa or C3
If you can’t attend the live events, then your next chance to obtain them would be through these New/Second hand stores, some will require a proxy, some sell directly to overseas customers.
Other times you will be able to purchase “directly” from a sculptor via Booth, but unless it’s a digital download, you will be forced to also use a proxy or forwarding service to be able to get a kit, that will eb up to you to decide what service is best for you.
Mandarake
A second hand chain store in Japan offering only original kits
Ships internationally.
Rakuten
New and second hand goods.
Requires a proxy to purchase.
Surugaya
Second hand in Japan, only sells original goods.
Requires a proxy to purchase.
Yahoo! JP Auctions
Auction site, second hand and new goods.
Requires proxy to purchase.
Surugaya English ships internationally HOWEVER I’ve found that the prices are extremely overinflated compared to the original listing on their Japanese only site (I’ll be calling that the “Gaijin tax”) BEWARE, locate the original jp page listing and compare the prices, most times you’ll be paying way less even when using a proxy to purchase
Volks USA sells most Charagumin Kits directly.
Tips for purchasing on Japanese sites:
Try using any of these Japanese terms to help you search specifically when looking for garage kits:
ガレキ
ガレージキット
レジンキャスト
樹脂キャスト
followed by the character or the sculptor’s name also in Japanese.
Do Not… I repeat DO NOT purchase from ebay Thai Sellers! Or from ExtremeModel, ModelKitOnline or any other site from Thailand. If you need to know why, please check out this video on the topic
Checkout my *Ultimate Shipping List* Here, these are almost all the materials and tools you see me use in my videos!
Ready to shop?
Click here to go to my very extensive list of hobby tools and materials available on both Amazon US via my storefront.
Please not that the links are associate links, anything you purchase with them will help my channel and page at no extra cost to you, so help a girl out!
Specialized tools and materials from Hobby Link Japan that I personally use and recommend.
WAVE USB polisher
GodHand: God brush Mensoufude (Fine point brush) M
GodHand: God brush Mensoufude (Fine point brush) S
GodHand: God brush Mensoufude (Ultra Fine point brush) L
GodHand: God brush Mensoufude (Ultra Fine point brush) S
C-Line No 3 0.8mm Brass wire
C-Line No.2 0.5mm brass wire
C-Line No. 1 0.3mm Brass wire
Flex File Holder Set
Tamiya Hard Coated file Pro 3mm
Banda Spirits Entry Level Nipper
HG Special Shape diamond file (oval point bends)
HG special shape diamond file (flat point bends)
Special shape diamond file (half circle point bends)
Procon Boy FWA double action 0.2mm
Carbide Scrapper tool
If you have local hobby shops around your area, I would totally recommend you give them a visit, they normally have a good selection of materials and tools, if you can’t find what you’re looking for locally, online would be your next stop, so here’s a list of websites that I personally visit when I need something I can’t get here:
- Amazon – Good place to get some mats and tools, although before you make a final purchase, check out ebay for the same products as some sellers tend to get greedy and charge you twice the price.
- Volks USA – Carries some gaia notes paints and thinners, but at a premium price, upside is that if you’re in the US and need paint ASAP, you’ll get in 3-5 days (2 if you’re in California) PLUS note: You can purchase Charagumin kits here as well.
- Brookhurts Hobbies – Also a California based shop, good selection of Mr Hobby paints and tools, a little pricey tho.
