Hey there, fellow anime fans and collectors! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the rarest, coolest new merchandise from your favorite series. But let‘s be real – constantly scouring the internet and anime shops gets exhausting (not to mention expensive). That‘s why I was so excited to discover Akibento – a premium anime subscription box that delivers hand-picked, authentic Japanese merch straight to your door.
As someone who‘s been collecting anime figures, plushies, apparel and more for years, I know the thrill of unboxing exciting new treasures all too well. So when I first heard the buzz about Akibento from other fans, I knew I had to try it for myself. And let me tell you – this box does NOT disappoint!
In this honest, unsponsored Akibento review, I‘ll spill all the details on what this subscription service is really like. I‘ll cover what kinds of products you can expect, the overall value for money, how Akibento stacks up to other anime boxes, and most importantly – whether it‘s truly worth it for growing your collection. Get ready for some serious anime goodies!
What Is Akibento?
First, let‘s break down the basics. Akibento is a premium anime subscription box that‘s been delivering Japanese merch to fans worldwide since 2017. Each monthly box contains 6-8 items, which are always:
- Authentic & officially licensed
- Curated around a unique theme
- Often exclusive or hard to find outside Japan
- Worth $60+ total retail value
Boxes feature merch from a wide range of popular anime and manga series, like Naruto, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, and many more. The specific items and franchises change each month, so you‘ll continually discover new stuff to geek out over.
One thing I really appreciate about Akibento is the variety of items they include. You‘ll get everything from apparel and accessories to figures, plushies, home goods, and more. Some stand-out things I‘ve personally received are:
- An ultra-soft, oversized Totoro hoodie
- High-quality acrylic stands of chibi Naruto characters
- A collector‘s pin set featuring One Piece devil fruits
- A badass replica of the 3D maneuver gear from Attack on Titan
No matter what series you stan, Akibento does an amazing job curating items you‘ll love as a fan. But more on the actual merch later – let‘s talk about how the subscription works first.
How Akibento‘s Subscription Works
Akibento provides a whole bunch of customized subscription options so you can get the exact loot you want:
- Choose your plan type: Anime Box, Snack Box, or a bundle of both.
- Pick a duration: Opt for a one-month trial box or subscribe for 3 or 6 months to save per box.
- Wait for your shipment: Boxes ship worldwide in the first week of each month. Tracking details are sent to your email.
- Geek out! Unbox your nerdy treasures and add them to your collection or gift them to fellow weebs.
It‘s super easy and flexible, which is a big plus in my book. I personally started with a 3-month Anime Box plan to feel it out first before committing. Once I fell in love with the goodies, I upgraded to the 6-month Anime+Snack Box bundle to maximize the value and fun. (No regrets!)
So, how much does an Akibento subscription cost? Here‘s a quick price breakdown:
Akibento Subscription Plans & Pricing
| Plan | 1 Month | 3 Months | 6 Months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anime Box | $42/box | $40/box | $38/box |
| Snack Box | $27/box | $25/box | $22.50/box |
| Anime+Snack Bundle | $63/box | $60/box | $54/box |
No matter which plan you go for, you‘ll get free shipping worldwide, which is awesome. The longer your subscription, the more you‘ll save per box – up to $15 off per month with a 6-month bundle vs. paying month-to-month.
Considering the $60+ retail value in each standard box, you really can‘t beat the bang-for-buck, especially with a multi-month plan. But value is more than just numbers – it‘s about the curation too. So let‘s unbox what‘s inside an Akibento!
Akibento Anime Box: What‘s Inside?
By now, you can probably tell I‘m a big Akibento fan. But what really makes this subscription stand out is the sheer quality and thought put into every single curated item. The team sources merch from tons of up-and-coming anime as well as longtime favorites to keep things fresh.
For example, my very first Akibento box was the "Nine-Tailed Kitsune" theme, inspired by anime like Naruto, Kamisama Kiss, and Gugure! Kokkuri-san. Inside were:
- A Naruto collector‘s glass featuring the nine-tailed fox
- A fluffy Tomoe kitsune plushie with posable tail
- A Gugure! Kokkuri-san kitsune school bag
- An exclusive "Shrine Guardians" foil art print
- A nine-tailed kitsune enamel pin
- A Naruto ninja headband
- A pack of ninja star candies
I mean, come on!! As a big Naruto fan, I was absolutely over the moon. The merch quality was spectacular – even better than I expected. Everything was officially licensed with vibrant designs and well-made materials. The plushie and bag have become regular parts of my collection and cosplay looks.
That quality and relevance to my interests has stayed consistent over the year I‘ve been subscribed. I‘ve discovered so many cool anime series through the merch Akibento includes. And I‘m always amazed at how many items come in each box! Here‘s another example of what was in the "Battle Scars" themed box:
- Kaneki Ken‘s mask from Tokyo Ghoul
- Exclusive "Battle Scars" t-shirt and art print
- A Bakugo figurine from My Hero Academia
- Full Metal Alchemist metal keychain
- Shonen Jump manga sampler
- Akibento exclusive watercolor sticker set
- "Scar‘s X-Elixir" soda in a collector‘s can
Like, how awesome is that?! The mask was wearable quality, the shirt is ultra comfy, and that Bakugo fig was to die for. Every unboxing feels like Christmas morning. And the fact that many of these items are Akibento store exclusives or Japan-exclusives makes it feel extra special as a collector.
But I know what you might be thinking: "What if I get merch from an anime I don‘t like or already own?" While there‘s always a small risk of double-ups, Akibento does an amazing job including merch from a variety of franchises, both popular and niche. And honestly, the items are so well-designed that I find myself falling in love with new series because of them!
What Other Anime Fans Are Saying About Akibento
"But Mika," you say, "I‘m just one person! How do I know Akibento will be worth it for me?" Well, don‘t just take my word for it – there are THOUSANDS of happy Akibento subscribers out there! Just check out their 4.2/5 star rating on Trustpilot from over 500 reviews.
@AnimeLover92 on Twitter even went viral simping for Akibento:
"I‘ve been an Akibento subscriber for 8 months now and it‘s become a hardcore addiction. I‘ve discovered so many amazing series through the merch they include! The quality is insane for the price. If you‘re an anime fan, you NEED this box in your life!!"
Akibento is also a regular fixture at anime conventions across the US, where their booth always has lines around the block. I ran into these amazing cosplayers repping Akibento merch at Anime Expo:
[anime-expo-akibento-cosplay.jpg]And when the founder of Akibento, Jack Takehana, did a Reddit AMA, he shared some awesome behind-the-scenes insights on why the box is so popular:
"We founded Akibento to give fans worldwide an authentic way to celebrate their love of anime and connect with the community through merch. 70% of the items we include are exclusives you can only get through us – either made by our in-house designers or created in collaboration with Japanese companies. Everything is hand-selected by fans, for fans. That‘s what makes us unique."
With their commitment to quality, variety, and exclusivity, it‘s no wonder Akibento is growing by leaps and bounds. As of 2021, Akibento boasts:
- 150,000+ total boxes shipped worldwide
- 200+ Japanese licenses & companies collaborated with
- Subscribers in over 80 countries
- 95% average customer satisfaction score
I mean, dang! It‘s amazing to be part of such a passionate, global community of anime lovers united by merch. I‘ve even made a few new friends from bonding over our mutual love for Akibento‘s boxes. So while the goodies are amazing, it really does go beyond that.
Akibento vs. Other Anime Subscription Boxes
Of course, Akibento isn‘t the only anime sub box on the block. Some of their biggest competitors are Loot Anime, Japan Crate, Tokyo Treat, and Anime Bento. So how does Akibento stack up?
To save you some research, here‘s my personal comparison of how Akibento compares to other big anime boxes:
| Box | Avg. # of Items | Avg. Value | Popular Franchises | Exclusives? | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akibento | 6-8 | $60+ | Naruto, MHA, AOT | Yes | Free worldwide |
| Loot Anime | 4-6 | $60+ | One Piece, DBZ, SAO | Yes | $5-$10, US only |
| Japan Crate | 8-10 | $30+ | Ghibli, Evangelion, FMA | No | $5-$20 based on location |
| Tokyo Treat | 15-20 | $25+ | Pokemon, Kirby, Sanrio | No | Included in price |
| Anime Bento | 5-7 | $50+ | Bleach, Fairy Tail, HxH | Some | $6-$10 US, $20+ intl |
In my experience, Akibento really shines in terms of its exclusive, premium-quality items. No other box consistently provides such rare and unique merch – most only include mass-produced stuff you could find anywhere. The free worldwide shipping is also a huge plus.
Price-wise, Akibento is definitely one of the best deals for what you get. The only box that comes close is Loot Anime, but they don‘t ship internationally. Japan Crate and Tokyo Treat are much cheaper, but that‘s because they mostly contain mainstream candy and trinkets rather than fans-first collectibles.
At the end of the day, all of these boxes provide value in their own ways. But for serious collectors looking for those out-of-the-ordinary grails, Akibento can‘t be beat. Both the quality and variety are top-notch in my experience.
My Verdict: Is Akibento Worth It?
Whew, we‘ve covered A LOT about Akibento! Congrats if you‘ve made it all the way here, haha. But I‘m sure you‘re still wondering: is Akibento actually worth it? Here‘s my personal take after over a year subscribed:
- If you‘re a diehard anime/manga fan who loves unique, authentic merch: YES! Treat yo‘ self, you won‘t regret it.
- If you‘re a casual fan who only likes mainstream series: Maybe – you might not get the most out of the rare goods.
- If you prefer handpicking all your merch individually: Probably not – the surprise element is a huge part of the fun.
- If you‘re looking for the best value for money in anime boxes: Absolutely – the price to product ratio is insane.
At the end of the day, Akibento has provided me so much joy and excitement. Even after years of collecting, I still have a blast unboxing each new crate. There‘s just something magical about the surprise element combined with the stellar curation that makes it an otaku‘s dream.
I love knowing that every item has been hand-picked with fans in mind. And their support of indie artists and Japanese businesses is so cool. Even if I end up with the odd item I might not have picked myself, I‘m always impressed by the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Honestly, for under $40 a box, you really can‘t go wrong – especially since individual anime merch can easily cost double that. If you ask me, Akibento is 100% worth the investment for any serious fan looking to grow their collection. Heck, even if you just like a fun surprise each month, I highly recommend giving it a try!
The Final Verdict on Akibento
Well folks, I think this novel of an Akibento review has finally reached an end. Hopefully you‘ve found it helpful and enlightening in deciding whether this subscription box is right for you! In closing, I want to reiterate some key takeaways:
- Akibento delivers some of the rarest, highest-quality anime merch on the market via its monthly subscription boxes
- Each box includes 6-8 items worth $60+ with free worldwide shipping for under $40/month
- Subscribers consistently praise the variety, curation, and exclusivity of the merch, with very few complaints
- Compared to other anime sub boxes, Akibento offers the best balance of rarity, quality, and value
- It‘s a fantastic investment for serious collectors but maybe not casual fans
If you‘re still on the fence, I say go for it! Try out a box and see for yourself what all the hype is about. I promise you won‘t be disappointed by what you find inside.
I hope my experience and insights have helped paint a clearer picture of what it‘s really like to be an Akibento subscriber. I‘d love to hear YOUR thoughts if you decide to try it out – or if you‘re already part of the fam! Let me know in the comments what your most prized Akibento item has been.
As always, thanks for reading and happy unboxing!
