From Anime Kid to Seriously Japan: A Collector Story

Why this brand exists — and how Japan changed the way we collect

Intro: Where This Story Starts

Seriously Japan started with a lifelong love of anime, games, and collecting.

Like many people who grew up in the 90s, those interests never really disappeared — they expanded. Anime, Pokémon cards, games, and later collectible figures were always part of my world. Over time, that passion led me into other fields, eventually taking me to Japan, where I lived and worked for several years.

That experience changed how I see toys and collectibles — and why Seriously Japan exists today.

Discovering the Depth of Japan’s Collector Culture

Living in Japan made one thing clear very quickly:Japan has a toy and collectible culture that simply doesn’t exist in Australia.

It isn’t limited to one famous district or a handful of well-known stores. While places like Akihabara are part of the landscape, much of the real depth lives beyond tourist routes — spread across local towns, regional cities, second-hand chains, and independent stores that most visitors never encounter.

There are years’ worth of products that never make it to Australia. Entire character lines, niche releases, and variations remain largely unknown unless you spend time on the ground and understand where to look.

That difference reshaped how I thought about collecting.

Learning What Confidence Really Means as a Collector

Like many collectors, I learned some lessons early on.

You buy something you love, only to later realise it isn’t what you thought — the condition isn’t right, the authenticity is unclear, or the seller didn’t explain what mattered. Those moments don’t just disappoint you; they teach you how important confidence is.

Confidence doesn’t come from hype. It comes from understanding standards, knowing what questions to ask, and trusting where something came from.

Long before Seriously Japan existed, experiences like Anime at Abbotsford helped build that awareness — not by telling me what to buy, but by showing what real collecting looks like.

From Local Knowledge to Seriously Japan

While studying and working in Japan, I began sourcing and selling Japanese goods to support myself. I spent time visiting stores across different cities — second-hand shops, character stores, and independent retailers shaped by local collectors, not tourist demand.

What stood out wasn’t just quantity, but variety.

In Japan, even less mainstream characters often have dedicated merchandise. Fans who care deeply about a specific character can actually find items that reflect that connection — not just the biggest franchises.

Over time, it became clear that access was the real challenge — not interest.

Why Seriously Japan Exists

Seriously Japan exists to remove the uncertainty from buying Japanese toys and collectibles.

We’re a collector-run store that sources directly from Japan, focusing on items that aren’t typically available in Australia. From research and sourcing to authenticity checks and logistics, we handle the hard part so buying feels simple, safe, and confident.

• For collectors: access to items with real stories — where they came from, how they were found, and why they matter.

• For parents: toys designed differently from mass-market options — toys that look good, work properly, and are played with again and again.

Built on Care, Not Shortcuts

Seriously Japan isn’t about volume or trend-chasing.

It’s about sourcing with care, explaining what makes each item worth owning, and handling every order with the same attention to detail and customer respect that Japanese retail is known for.

Because buying from Japan should feel exciting — not risky. And collecting should feel considered — not confusing.

Closing Thought

Seriously Japan exists to make authentic, Japan-exclusive toys and collectibles accessible to Australians — without the hassle, risk, or uncertainty of importing.

Collector-run. Carefully chosen. No second-guessing.