What is a pre-order?
A pre-order is a reservation for a product that hasn't been manufactured yet. In the anime figure world, you're buying something that exists only as a painted prototype — a single hand-finished showpiece. The mass-produced version you'll receive is months away. This is normal. This is how the entire industry works.
The timeline — why it takes so long
From the moment a figure is announced to when it arrives at your door:
- Announcement — concept image or rough unpainted prototype shown at Wonder Festival, Smile Fest, or manufacturer blog post
- Unpainted prototype — 3D-printed or sculpted physical prototype revealed, usually 1-3 months after announcement
- Painted prototype — full-color showpiece that all marketing photos are based on. 2-6 months after announcement
- Pre-order opens — you can now reserve. Window is typically 2-4 weeks. Price, release month, and bonus details are confirmed
- Pre-order closes — production quantity finalized based on total orders. Point of no return for manufacturers
- Production — factory production in China, QC sampling, mold fabrication, paint matching. This takes months
- Release — ships from manufacturer to retailers to you. Total time: 6-18 months
Why 6-18 months?
Most anime figures are produced in a handful of Chinese factories shared across dozens of manufacturers. Good Smile, Max Factory, ALTER, Kotobukiya — they're all competing for the same production slots. Steel injection molds take weeks to fabricate. Each figure has dozens of parts requiring individual paint masking and QC. Modern 1/7 and 1/4 scale figures have extraordinary detail compared to even five years ago. Add global shipping logistics, and the timeline makes sense. It's not slow — it's precision manufacturing at scale.
How pre-orders work on Tokyofishmarket
- Browse pre-order listings — each shows estimated release month, price, and product details
- Place your pre-order — payment method authorized but not charged immediately
- Wait for production — we keep you updated on status changes and any delays from the manufacturer
- Release month arrives — once item is in stock, payment is captured and order is processed
- Shipping — order ships with tracking. The 48-hour inspection window applies just like any marketplace purchase
- If there's a delay — we notify you with the revised timeline. Your pre-order holds. You can cancel if delay is unacceptable
Payment timing
Pre-order payment works differently depending on the source:
- TFM direct inventory — payment authorized at order, captured at shipping. You're not charged until the item is ready to ship
- Marketplace listings — payment timing is set by the seller. Some charge at order, some at shipping. The listing specifies which
- The industry standard varies: AmiAmi charges at shipping (you pay nothing upfront). Good Smile and Tokyo Otaku Mode charge at order. Tokyofishmarket defaults to the collector-friendly model — pay when it ships
Delays happen. A lot.
Manufacturer delays of 1-6 months are extremely common in the figure industry. This is not a Tokyofishmarket issue — it's an industry reality. When ALTER says 'March 2026,' experienced collectors read that as 'Q2 2026, maybe Q3.'
- Delays are announced by the manufacturer and communicated to you via order page and email
- Your pre-order is preserved — you don't lose your spot
- You can cancel if the delay changes your plans
- No additional charges from delays — the price you locked in stays
- Some items have been delayed 12+ months. It's rare but it happens. The item almost always eventually ships
Cancellation policy
Pre-orders on Tokyofishmarket can be cancelled before the item enters shipping preparation. Once your payment is captured and the item is being packed, cancellation is no longer possible.
Pre-order pricing vs aftermarket
- General release figures — aftermarket can go above or below MSRP. Coin flip depending on popularity
- Limited editions and exclusives — aftermarket almost always exceeds MSRP, often 1.5-3x. Highly sought items can reach 5-10x
- Web exclusives (GSC Online Shop, Tamashii Web Shop) — produced in smaller quantities, consistently command premiums
- Re-releases crash aftermarket prices — if a manufacturer announces a re-release, the original's aftermarket value drops significantly
- Pre-ordering at MSRP from a discount retailer (AmiAmi offers 20-30% off) is the cheapest way to acquire most figures
Exclusive pre-orders
- Good Smile Online Shop Exclusive — bonus face plates or accessories not available at partner retailers
- Tamashii Web Shop Exclusive — massive portion of Bandai's collector catalog. Some use lottery for popular items
- Kotobukiya Shop Exclusive — bonus alternate parts or display options
- Event exclusives — sold only at Wonder Festival, Comiket, or Anime Expo. Extremely limited, highest aftermarket premiums
- P-Bandai — Bandai's premium direct platform. Regional availability varies
Pre-order tips
- Set a budget — easy to pre-order five figures in one month and forget you owe $800 six months later
- Track your pre-orders — use your TFM dashboard or MyFigureCollection
- Read the fine print on exclusives — know whether you're getting bonus parts or entire product is exclusive
- Don't panic-buy aftermarket — manufacturers re-release popular items. Check before paying 3x MSRP
- Delays are normal — don't cancel just because a figure is two months late
- Photos vs reality — painted prototype photos are hand-finished showpieces. Mass production will be close but not identical
- Combine shipments when possible — if multiple pre-orders release the same month, combining saves shipping costs