.:SHOPPING COMPANION:.

Buying Tips

+ Probably the best thing you can do when buying Mew Mew merchandise is simply to be aware of what exists, how it is packaged, and the average selling price. Keeping an open eye is the best way to make sure you're not going to get cheated.

+ Try to avoid buying toy weapons and cosplay items that are not sealed in their boxes. According to Korean Yank, "...all of these items have certain ways to light up and make sound. If you get a toy weapon with the box and directions, the pictures at least guide you with what is supposed to be done. For hygiene purposes, I'd say get [a cosplay set] that's never been opened and is still in its box." If an item comes in official-looking packaging, you can also be much more confident that your item is not a bootleg or fan-made item. If an item is still in its original box, there is less chance that pieces are missing. Some items (such as the Mewberry Rod) can rip or crack easily.

+ This same principle applies to dolls and figures. Many times sellers put dolls up for auction that are missing pieces of clothing or accessories. Sometimes figures are missing stands. When you buy them unopened, they are less likely to get banged up or scratched during shipping, and you can be sure that the parts are all there. Some toys come with extra cards and/or stickers that you won't get otherwise.

+ Compare shops for the best item price. It is also good to compare sources and photos of the item to make sure the one you are buying is authentic. Also, don't hesitate to ask sellers questions.

+ Make sure you trust the seller. On eBAY, check the user's rating and feedback, and be sure to keep contact open after winning the item.

+ Keep in mind that some media (videogames, DVDs) will only play in Japanese systems. Music CDs are an exception and will play in all players.

+ Be aware of what items are actually rarer than others. Often sellers will advertise items as "rare" to get more interest (and more money), when the items are actually fairly easy to find.

Known Bootlegs (a.k.a. Fake Items)
Bootleg items can usually be semi-easily. They tend to have sloppier paint jobs and packaging (or no packaging). With paper media, bootleg items sometimes include a mix of anime and manga images or fandrawn images. Be sure to look closely at details in clothing and coloring.

+ Tokyo Mew Mew Sticker Sheets - These particular sticker sets feature square stickers that are cropped oddly. Later sheets feature both anime and manga images as well as doujinshi and fanart images, including that of a character from another series called Tenshi no Shippou, Chu! with long reddish hair and brown eyes.

+ Tokyo Mew Mew Figure Set - These items were supposedly purchased from a hobby shop and come unpackaged. The most obvious giveaway is that Pudding's outfit is similar to Lettuce's and all girls lack garters. The molds and paint jobs are additionally sloppy. These figures are based off an official set which look like [this].

+ Tokyo Mew Mew Poster - While the other images have been made into posters and other merchandise, the image at the top right was the cover of an adult Japanese fan comic, which is a dead giveaway that this is a bootleg.

+ Tokyo Mew Mew DVDs - These could be placed in either category. Any DVD advertised with more than around five anime episodes (per disc) ,in Japanese audio with English subtitles are fan-made DVDs with Honobono's (or another group's) fansubbed episodes burned onto it. The exception is the Mandarin dub which released the anime in two seasons with Japanese and Chinese audio. Some of the other international dubs also offer box sets. No official DVDs have been released with Japanese audio and English subtitles. This is my point.

Known Fan-made Items (these generally advertise being made by hand
I have listed these seperately because these items usually state that they are not official. Some fan-made items are well-crafted and well worth the money, even if they are not authentic Mew Mew merchandise.

+ Catgirl Ichigo Plushie - As seen on DeviantArt, this plushie sold for over $50USD and is the only one of its kind. Though the item is not official, it was crafted well, and practically puts the UFO catcher plushies to shame.

+ Car Decals - Available in Ichigo, Zakuro, and Masha.

+ Lapel Pin Sets - Though some sets are official, and there are even collectible pins, some are also fan-made. Some of these are really nice, while others are kinda sloppy.

+ Italian Slide Charms - Featuring virtually every character; uses screencaps from the anime. These seem to be nicely crafted.

+ Tokyo Mew Mew Fan Comics - These are very popular in Japan and there is a whole sleu of them available. Known as "doujinshi" in Japan, collectors should be aware that MOST (maybe as much as 90%) of these Mew Mew fan comic books are meant for adults because they feature very graphic and erotic material. It's actually quite sick; I've never come across a clean one that has been published. However, there may be some clean titles available in Japan, and some do feature nice artwork and storyline for the first half of the book. [Note: Some clean English webcomics are available online. =3]

Some things that DO NOT exist (at least not officially)
+ Character CDs for the aliens and male characters
+ UFO catcher plushies of the boys, aliens, R2003, or Berry
+ An "a la mode" anime, movie, or OAV (sorry, but there are only 52 episodes and 9 total manga books)
+ A fanbook for the second half of the series

Places to Buy

+ Anime conventions and bookstores (manga).
+ eBAY.com often has a good variety of Mew Mew items.
+ Says Korean Yank: another good place for TMM merchandise is registering through Rinkya Auction Services. They help you bid on items from Yahoo! Japan auctions that refuse to send items outside of Japan.
+ Anime Collectibles (6" Dolls)
+ Anime Stop! (UFO Plushies, Figurines) <