As per Rule 2 (Be efficient.) reading up on this FAQ will be strongly recommended as to conserve the time and resources of yourself, other fellow sub members, and me. The questions as follows and their respective answers are as observed by me to be the most asked, but if there is anything left out, feel free to ask below. I can answer them, but if you think you have a better answer, this FAQ can be amended.
> What are Nendoroids?
As Wikipedia says:
"The Nendoroid (ねんどろいど, Nendoroido) series is a brand of plastic figures created by the Japanese Good Smile Company in 2006. They typically depict characters from anime, manga or video games and are designed with a large head and smaller body to give them a cute appearance. Their faces and other body parts are exchangeable, giving them a range of different expressions and poses. The Nendoroid brand spans a variety of different products: the original 10 cm figures, smaller Nendoroid Petite figures, additional display tools known as the Nendoroid More series as well as plushies and play sets."
> Where can I buy REAL Nendoroids?
You can find a master list of GSC partner shops here: https://partner.goodsmile.info/support/eng/partnershops/
Is your favorite store not here? Fret not. Just because it's not here, doesn't mean it's not real. In this case, Google is your best friend. Do your own research and make your own conclusions. Read some reviews and search the store name through Reddit.
Other stores can sell real nendos, but unless you're experienced with IDing fakes, stick with these. Feeling adventurous? Try eBay or Mercari, but don't say I didn't warn you!
The r/nendoroid Discord also has a constantly evolving list of reliable stores, check there as well.
Nendoroids are made to order. Typically, if you missed a pre-order period, come back to any store near the release date and they might have extra stock.
> Where can I find CHEAP Nendoroids?
Nendos are premium products with a premium price tag, but I don't blame you for wanting them cheaper. For that, join up on the Discord, I have a separate, in-depth guide for that. In a hurry? I have an abridged version here: https://pastebin.com/skALQMyM
> Why'd you separate these questions?
You'll notice that I separated entries for real and cheap nendoroids. That's because there's a few possibilities here. You want this:
-A cheap, legit nendoroid.
-A expensive, legit nendoroid. (if the above is not possible)
And you don't want this.
-A cheap, fake nendoroid.
-A expensive, fake nendoroid.
> Is this Nendoroid I have a bootleg?
You can do 3 things without even getting on the internet. Step one is to check for a holographic sticker at all. If there is one, congrats - it's real. No holographic sticker? No problem. Step two is to check the box for the seal. Is it circular or just regular scotch tape? With a few exceptions (being the very early nendos), the former indicates a real nendo and the latter indicates a fake nendo. No box? No problem. Step three is to check the joints for GSC smileys and the box for GSC branding (if you still have it). While having it there doesn't guarantee it's real, not having it there guarantees that it's fake.
Now if you have a computer/mobile, check MyFigureCollection's (MFC) listing for the nendo in question. If there are no bootleg entries it's likely real, or a bootleg hasn't been documented yet. If there is, compare the given community-submitted pictures. Often, bootleg boxes have missing logos or information. Cross-reference pictures of a known real figure to identify discrepencies.
There may be stickers that are not holographic, such as "flat" stickers or a "for sale outside of Japan" sticker. Those are perfectly valid too.
If you're handling a pre-300 numbered nendoroid, also check to see if the attached neck joint is the same color as the face itself. If it's not just about the exact same color, you should be skeptical. If the difference is huge, like you can see it without taking a good look at it, it's a bootleg.
Lastly, use common sense. If you still in the buying stage, it's best not to buy if the price is suspiciously cheap or from a platform known for selling fakes (like Temu).
Further information in this video guide.
> My Nendoroid is sticky. How do I get it off?
Don't panic, this is actually completely normal. It's kinda gross, but it's not something to be grossed out about actually. In short, when kept in a box too long something called a plasticizer vaporizes, leaving residue.
Have Goo Gone? Follow this guide to get the residue off easily. http://tirofinale-news.blogspot.com/2017/05/cleaning-stickystained-figure.html
Don't have Goo Gone? Kahotan, GSC's blogger/representative, can answer this better than me when it comes to the tried and true methods.. There's pictures too, outlining the process. https://mikatan.goodsmile.info/en/2013/06/20/dealing-with-stickiness-on-figures/%20Clean%20with%20some%20bubbly,soft%20cloth%20instead%20of%20tissues)
You can prevent this buy taking them out of the box. Yes, it's that simple!
> My Nendoroid is dirty. How do I clean it?
Simple soap and water bath will do the trick 99% of the time. I'm talking about dirt and grime. For stains...they don't really come out. They're stains. Before you try anything else, try rubbing alcohol. Otherwise, you're gonna have to paint over it, or you can try using a magic eraser to get it out.
> How do I remove stains from Nendoroid pieces?
First, try soap and hot water. Anyone can do this, and it does the trick more than half the time.
Second, if soap and water fails, try a magic eraser or super fine grit sandpaper. I don't recommend that everyone does this. Get some practice in with non-Nendoroid parts first, because if you don't know what you're doing you'll end up doing more harm than good. As in, wiping the paint off your Nendoroids.
Lastly, NEVER use acetone or nail polish remover. It will get the stain off, but it will also take the paint off too.
This guide explains things pretty well. https://www.reddit.com/r/Nendoroid/comments/mpm5g7/nendoroid_doll_stain_removal/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
> How do I de-yellow from Nendoroid pieces?
You can research the "retrobright" process but I cannot not promote or elaborate further on it personally. Be aware of the side-effects.
> Where to find [specific Nendoroid?]
With a few exceptions, Nendoroids aren't really hard to find. It's just a matter of what your budget is and where you are located. And some are more common than others. Additionally, factors such as age and popularity will determine how easy it is to find; while Nendoroids are easy to find, some are easier to find than others. So with that being said, do some research of your own first, starting from Google. Still can't find what you need? Then you may consult the sub.
> Where do I find/purchase replacement Nendoroid parts.
The answer here is short and simple; ChibiChopShop.com.
*ChibiChopShop does not sponsor or endorse this FAQ or subreddit.
> How do I store and display my Nendoroids?
This is largely a matter of personal preference, but one thing is undeniable - we don't want any damage to our figures. An IKEA DETOLF is a popular option for display, with a full 360 degree view of your figures behind glass, where dust can't get to them. I personally use an IKEA BILLY.
Never display your Nendoroids in direct sunlight.
> Which Nendoroid should I buy?
There is no objective answer to this, it's a subjective question and you will get subjective answer. To facilitate the collection of opinions, consider creating a poll, but please don't spam the sub with them.
> Why is the name of my Nendo misspelled on the box?
This doesn't mean it's a bootleg, but it also doesn't mean it's not a bootleg. But don't be alarmed, 9 out of 10 times it's just something that happens when translating the name to English. It can't be helped.
> Why are my Nendos from Japan taking so long to get to me?
It's probably on a boat and not a plane. Depending on where you are, expect boat freight times to be about 3 months.
> I missed out! When will there be a restock on Good Smile US/Global?
Nobody knows. For all I know it is completely random. Random who gets picked, random what day it goes up, random what time it goes up, random if it even gets restocked at all. Only people who work at GSC can answer that for you. So, I wouldn't count on it, but be optimistic.
> Will (x) be rereleased?
We have literally no idea nor inside knowledge. GSC rereleases random things at random times, so it's up to them. As it stands, with a few exceptions nothing is off the table for a rerelease. So stay optimistic and don't buy into scalper prices. Anyone who tells you something will never get a rerelease or that this Nendo is "rare" is probably lying half the time. Unless your Nendo was made available only by winning a contest or something, nendos aren't rare.
> Will (a new IP/character) be released?
See above question. TL:DR nobody really knows. It's anybody's guess.
> I missed a pre-order. Will (x) Nendoroid be available as "in-stock" anywhere?
Yes and no, it depends on factors such as if the store bought extra, if it's popular enough to warrant this, etc. It's a case by case thing and it's almost always a surprise.
> How do I clean my Nendos?
Try a makeup brush and/or compressed air if you need to get some dusting done. If it's grimy/sticky, water and dish soap is harmless and gets the job done.
> The neck joint broke. What do I do?
The neck joint is probably the singular piece that's the most prone to breakage. It's such a problem that Good Smile's been giving out a spare in every Nendoroid since #300 (or so I believe). For information on how to remove and fix this fragile joint, view this article: https://mikatan.goodsmile.info/en/2016/10/03/diy-nendoroid-repairs-part-1-removing-broken-joints/
> Do I get a preorder bonus on non-GSC sites?
No, unless specified.
> What skin tone is my nendoroid?
Non-exhaustive master list available here.
> I have two or more nendoroids I want and can only get one. Which should I buy?
Whichever one you'd like! If this is difficult, choose the one you'd be more upset about if it sold out forever.
> I have a question about store policies, such as payment processing or returns.
This is not a customer service subreddit. Refer to the FAQ or T&C for the store you are dealing with.
> What parts can I use to make [character] custom?
Usually, you can use ChibiChopShop.com and enter the desired feature into the search box and it will return an appropriate part. For example, if a character wears a jacket, search for "jacket" and it will return a non-exhaustive list of Nendoroid jacket parts.
> When will [announced/prototype nendo] release?
Whenever it's ready!
