razgriz

It's all relative. The Leonardos are shops that specialize in buying/selling pre-owned model kits, aftermarket parts, modeling reference books, etc. so while the prices may be lower compared to the States, they are actually overpriced when you compare to other places in Japan. Plus they are located in Akihabara, so you pay the location tax as well. On the other hand, since they are specialist stores, they are good places to go if you don't have the time to look for a better deal on a specific kit. Meanwhile, Bookoff is a nationwide chain that specializes in pre-owned books, CDs, games, and other media, but has started dealing in hobby items in recent years. Since the staff are not hobby specialists, they often don't know how rare/valuable a kit is and you can find a lot of gems. There will be some damaged boxes or kits that are missing parts/decals (these are generally sold at a nice discount though), but you can always ask them to let you see the contents before you buy (I don't think Leonardo lets you do this). If you don't mind a kit that has the parts bags opened or a kit that is missing the assembly manual but is otherwise complete, or you just need some parts for a project, you can get some great deals.

Hit up some Bookoffs, especially the Super Bazaars, and you'll be adding to your stash in no time. Ran into these at Bookoff Super Bazaar Nagareyama the other day.

This was at the AmiAmi 2nd shop in Akihabara.

The actual stores are dangerous as well. I stopped by the Ikebukuro Mandarake the other day and left with my wallet 11,000 yen (incl. tax) lighter.

Other Hasegawa 1/48 kits and egg planes and Bandai 1/72 kits are elsewhere. A few more kits are still in Japan.

Yes. The Shizuoka Hobby Show has traditionally been dedicated to the makers of "standard" models (ships, cars, fighter planes, trains, etc.) and R/C-related companies (cars, helicopters, planes, engines, radios, etc.). It also has a heavy focus on local companies like Tamiya and Hasegawa, because the area is the origin and heart of the Japanese model/hobby industry. Bandai and Tokyo Marui (airsoft guns) are actually oddballs among the exhibitors, and companies like Wave and Kotobukiya that have a heavier focus on anime/figures don't show. But that is starting to creep in more. First it was the car model companies releasing Ita-sha, then it was the Idolmaster planes and Girls & Panzer, and this past year was the Kankore boom. The market for standard model genres continues to shrink, so the companies do these kinds of collaborations to reach new buyers in order to survive.

It looks like the theme for their 2013 Shizuoka Hobby Show exhibit will be Angel Birds. Ground and in-flight displays, should be quite a sight! *Edited to add: From Cancer's blog, this is where ppl are signing up: http://ridersbbs.bbs.fc2.com/

There's certainly more than just this one guy. Some are active at WonderFes, some have built models featured in Macross The Ride articles in Japanese hobby mags. From what I understand they are a loose organization and anyone is free to contact them and submit models for display consideration.

Here we go, milking the 1/48. VF-1A Angel Birds listed for next month's Shizuoka Hobby Show: http://www.hasegawa-.../shs/index.html More interested in that -19 with "high manuever missiles"...

Some good stuff at this year's JMC (model contest sponsored by Hasegawa). http://www.cmt-model.jp/jmc/jmc-2010sokuhou1.html