Where do you buy your artbooks?

[Krad-Eelav]

Sometimes I browse my local bookstore (Barnes&Noble and Borders) to see if I got lucky that there's a good artbook there. I've found quite a collection by accident. Othertimes it's actually not much of a hassle to buy directly from the artist if they're used to that. (aka, Heise's artbook from http://www.heise.deviantart.com )

[kid_nemo]

(27-06-2010 05:17 AM)Nameless Wrote:  What I would really like to know is if anyone knows of a reliable retailer for other international artbooks, particularly books categorized as doujinshi? Amazon of course does not sell these, and I really try to stay as far away from ebay as possible but I've yet to find a retailer. Goodness knows I've wracked my brain out for months just trying to get the BRS Visual Works to no avail. *headdesk*

Oh wow! I'd love to know the answer to that one! I'd love to get a hand on some of Miwa Shirow's books myself. Animebooks and Mandrake usually have some doujinshi but the prices tend to run a bit high for my tastes. JPQueen is good for older doujins. There are a lot of hidden gems in the doujin/international artbook market, they're just hard to get a hold of.

[Nameless]

(29-06-2010 09:08 AM)kid_nemo Wrote:  Oh wow! I'd love to know the answer to that one! I'd love to get a hand on some of Miwa Shirow's books myself. Animebooks and Mandrake usually have some doujinshi but the prices tend to run a bit high for my tastes. JPQueen is good for older doujins. There are a lot of hidden gems in the doujin/international artbook market, they're just hard to get a hold of.

I'm not actually interested in doujinshi, but there are various artists who publish artbooks that become categorized as doujinshi or fanbooks get thrown into this category as well. The Ragnarok Online official artbook or various Touhou artbooks is a good example; trying to locate sellers for these is like looking for needles in the proverbial haystack.

I did find out however that my bf had purchased one of my artbooks from a place called Akadot, and it seems they carry some of these more elusive types of artbooks as well as the mainstream Japanese books, though their website lists it as "import books". It also lists adult material without screening so be wary if you're at work or in a public place with children while browsing for your next purchase. That aside, I did recieve my book from them rather quickly and in a very well packaged condition, fully giftwrapped as well but the giftwrap might simply be because it was sent to me as a gift.

[minomi]

i agree with what is most said here. I always get western or english art book all from amazon.com and get japanese artbooks from Amazon.co.jp .. amazon is very reliable with shipping and money cost. unless i can't find a certain book, i just google a trusted online bookstore to buy from. I just tried buying from basheergraphicsbookstore though it takes times to make an order, regardless it's another good source for books that i havent found on Amazon.

I also always buy manga online, but amazon's prices are a bit higher than elsewhere, so my favorite online store Robert's http://www.animecornerstore.com .. awesome manga and anime artbook prices as well as shipping.

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(29-06-2010 09:08 AM)kid_nemo Wrote:  

(27-06-2010 05:17 AM)Nameless Wrote:  What I would really like to know is if anyone knows of a reliable retailer for other international artbooks, particularly books categorized as doujinshi? Amazon of course does not sell these, and I really try to stay as far away from ebay as possible but I've yet to find a retailer. Goodness knows I've wracked my brain out for months just trying to get the BRS Visual Works to no avail. *headdesk*

Oh wow! I'd love to know the answer to that one! I'd love to get a hand on some of Miwa Shirow's books myself. Animebooks and Mandrake usually have some doujinshi but the prices tend to run a bit high for my tastes. JPQueen is good for older doujins. There are a lot of hidden gems in the doujin/international artbook market, they're just hard to get a hold of.

i share the same feeling of wanting to buy doujinshi online, but i haven't tried yet. Going to japan was my only opportunity to gab unofficial artbooks of doujinshis. this is a blog i always go to for future anime artbooks refrence and person has a How-to advice for buying doujinshi.. i haven't tried it yet but it could be helpful for you ^^

http://www.nattoli.net/question/6/how-to-buy-doujinshi

[Melody Kitn]

Has anyone from the UK tried Amazon.co.jp?

Curious to know if you've ever been hit with the VAT on an order and how bad it is?
(I seem to get targeted everytime my sister sends me a gift -.-; )

[Zeb]

Mostly Amazon JP and a local retailer who has contacts in Japan. Usually get the mail away stuff through him.

[apples]

Amazon has the best selection. Sometimes you can find awesome and unique ones at a second hand book store. I have an awesome rare book store near my house that I go have a look at when I am working on a tough project or essay.

[cooljoedog]

I get mine mostly from amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and hmv.co.jp

You be surprised...but hmv.co.jp usually have the same books as you are looking for in amazon japan. And their shipping is cheap and fast.
Hope that helps!