Shopping keywords for anime, etc. goods
This is a supplement to my previous posts about buying stuff from Japan. Even for stores that offer English versions of their sites (Amazon Japan, Mandarake), using titles and keywords in kanji/hiragana/katakana will usually get you the best search results. Fortunately, getting the title for a specific Japanese series isn’t hard as long as Wikipedia has a page on it, but figuring out the keywords to narrow your search for specific goods can be more difficult. Below are some of the most common merchandise terms, along with some others that may be of use for the overseas otaku.
アクリルスタンド=acrylic stand (a character/image cut out of acrylic that stands on a base)
バッジ=badge (usually a pin back)
ブロマイド=“bromide (a photo or print, usually of an actor or character)”
カレンダー=calendar
ケース=case (phonecase, etc.)
クリアファイル=clearfile
コースター=coaster
コラボカフェ=collaboration cafe (a tie-in cafe that usually includes limited edition goods)
コスプレ=cosplay
フィギュア=figure
イラストカード=illustration card (a bonus given with manga or other goods)
色紙=shikishi (a thick paper board used for illustrations)
キーホルダー=keyholder/keychain
リトグラフ=lithograph
ノート=“note (notebook)”
ぬいぐるみ=nuigurumi (stuffed toy)
パンフレット=pamphlet/programme for a show, movie, or performance
ピン=pin
ピンバッジ=pin badge
トランプ=playing cards/“trump”
ポストカード=postcard
ポスター=poster
シール=“seal (sticker)”
下敷き=shitajiki
スマホクリーナ=smartphone cleaner (a small piece of special cloth)
ステッカー=sticker
ストラップ=strap (usually a charm on a cord used to decorate phones, etc)
タペストリー=tapestry/wall scroll
テレカ=“teleka (telephone card)”
手ぬぐい=tenugui (Japanese handtowel)
特典=tokuten (a bonus included with an item)
ウィッグ=wig























