The Habit of Removing from Cart the Moment I Saw a B Grade
When I found that out-of-print scale I'd been searching for in the used corner of a major Japanese hobby shop, I closed the page the moment I saw the "B" in the grade column. I followed the community advice to only buy A-grade items to the letter. Three months later, the market price for that figure jumped 1.5 times, and only then did I start properly reading the grading charts. I learned too late that the "B" in B-grade doesn't mean defective—it refers to box condition, and that the figure itself could still be unopened.
Japan's used figure market grading system categorizes items from A to C based on a combination of whether opened, box damage level, and accessory completeness. Even within B-grade, "box corner dented, figure unopened" and "figure opened and repackaged, box good" are completely different products. Judging by the grade letter alone means you'll either miss out on good out-of-print items or receive something below expectations. To get straight to the point: the grading chart isn't a cipher, it's an instruction manual. By cross-referencing each shop's published grading criteria with the detailed description on the product page, you can pick out B-grade items that are as good as new.
Why Do 10-Year-Old Japanese Used Figures Come Out Like New
When I purchased an Alter 1/8 scale from 2012 as used in 2023, even the blister tape hadn't been removed. It was classified as B-grade rather than A-grade because of minor compression marks on the box corners, but the figure itself was factory-fresh. Cases like this aren't unusual in Japan's used market. Many items are put up during collection purges after being purchased and stored without ever being opened.
Japanese collectors' storage culture makes this possible. Storing the entire box before putting it in the display case, using desiccants for humidity control, and placing items away from direct sunlight are standard practice. Thanks to this, even figures over 10 years old circulate without paint discoloration or part deformation. Conversely, the reason "no box" is common in Korean used transactions is that boxes are often discarded first due to space constraints. Japanese used shops treat the box, blister, instruction sheet, and accessories as a set—if even one is missing, the grade drops. This strictness paradoxically creates trust in the used market.
I once found a Good Smile Nendoroid as used that had been out of print until its reissue. A-grade, box included, all accessories confirmed. The price was about 120% of retail, but the premium market rate at the time exceeded 200%. Since this was before the reissue announcement, used was the only option. When I opened the box, even the protective film inside the blister was intact, and the instruction sheet didn't have a single fold mark. Someone had bought it and never taken it out even once.
Between Grades A and B: What One Letter Decides
Most Japanese used shops use either a 3-tier system of A, B, C or a 4-tier system of S, A, B, C. The detailed criteria vary slightly by shop, but the general framework is similar. A-grade is unopened or only displayed after opening, almost no box damage, all accessories included. B-grade has box dents or scratches or signs of figure opening, possibly missing some accessories. C-grade has severely damaged box or paint chipping/missing parts on the figure itself.
The key point is that B-grade doesn't mean the figure itself is damaged. Cases of B-grade classification for "box corner dented, figure unopened" are common. Conversely, even A-grade can be "opened and repackaged, box in good condition." This is why you must read the product description provided along with the grade letter. When photos are attached, zoom in to check box corners, blister tape, and parts arrangement.
When ordering a used scale from a Japanese mail-order site, I saw the description "箱に凹み・スレあり、本体未開封" (box has dents and scratches, figure unopened) for a B-grade item and placed an order. The box that arrived had one corner compressed about 1cm, but the blister was in factory condition. I essentially secured what was practically new at 15% less than A-grade. If you don't consider the box itself a collection item, B-grade is the best value choice.
Anime "BOCCHI THE ROCK!" Hitori Gotoh Maid Ver. Non Scale Figure →How People Looking for Out-of-Print Figures Read the Grading Chart
When searching for scales that have been out of print for over 5 years with no reissue news, the used market becomes the only option. How you read the grading chart at that point determines purchase success rate. First, read the detailed description before the grade letter. Check whether there's a phrase like "all accessories confirmed" and judge whether the box damage affects figure protection. Second, if photos are attached, check the parts arrangement inside the blister. If it's in factory packaging, that's proof it was never taken out.
Third, compare grading criteria between shops. The same condition might be classified as A-grade at one place and B-grade at another. A B-grade from a shop with strict standards can be in better condition than an A-grade from a shop with loose standards. Fourth, cross-reference the accessory list with the original product information. Especially confirm whether all replacement face parts and hand parts are included. Missing even one limits display options.
When I found a Kotobukiya 1/7 scale from 2015 in 2024, I compared inventory at three Japanese used shops. Shop A had A-grade at 18,000 yen, Shop B had B-grade at 14,000 yen, Shop C had B-grade at 15,500 yen. Shop B's product description said "figure unopened, small tear on box side." Shop C said "opened and repackaged, box good." I chose the Shop B item, and upon arrival the blister tape was in factory condition. The box tear was under 1cm and had no effect whatsoever on figure storage.
The Real Thing Encountered in Front of a Used Shop Display Case
I once saw the same figure displayed by grade side by side in a display case at an underground used shop in Nakano Broadway. A Max Factory figma product was sorted into A-grade, B-grade, and C-grade with price tags attached. A-grade with unopened blister was 15,000 yen, B-grade with box corner compression was 12,000 yen, C-grade with no box and only the figure in plastic wrap was 8,000 yen. Seeing it with my own eyes made the meaning of the grading chart crystal clear.
When I picked up the B-grade product's box, the corner was dented about 2cm, but the blister was fine. I asked the shop staff whether the figure had been opened, and got the answer "confirmed unopened." Just box damage made it 20% cheaper than A-grade. The C-grade had no box at all and the figure was being stored in simple packaging, with fine dust on the joint areas. No problem for display purposes, but the collectible value was clearly lower.
At a used corner in Akihabara Radio Kaikan, I once saw a product marked "first-run bonus included" in addition to the grade. The grade was B, but it was more expensive than A-grade because it included a first-run limited acrylic stand inside the box. Proof that the presence or absence of bonuses affects price. If you want the first-run bonus when looking for out-of-print figures, you need to check not just the grading chart but also bonus inclusion.
Nijisanji Amamiya Kokoro 1/7 Scale Figure →What I Realized Calculating Forwarding Service Fees: The Intersection of Grade and Value
When buying directly from Japanese used shops, considering forwarding service fees and customs changes the criteria for grade selection. The larger and heavier the box volume, the higher the shipping cost, so the "no box" option can actually be more economical. In fact, some Japanese used shops offer a "figure-only shipping available" option. If you don't consider boxes collection items, the strategy of purchasing C-grade figure only and saving on shipping is valid.
Conversely, if you're considering resale, A-grade is the only answer. In Korea's used market, "box included, unopened" is a condition that can command premium prices. When you buy A-grade products from Japanese used shops and resell them years later, they sometimes trade at prices higher than purchase price. Especially limited editions or event bonus products see market prices rise over time.
When I ordered two B-grade scales at once through a forwarding service, the shipping fee came out double what I expected due to box volume. The figure prices were cheap, but the total was similar to A-grade direct shipping. Since then, before choosing a grade I check box dimensions and weight, and get a shipping estimate first. Most Japanese used shop product pages list box dimensions (width × depth × height in cm) and weight (g). Entering this information into a forwarding service fee calculator lets you compare actual total spending by grade.
What the Grading Chart Doesn't Tell You: Paint Discoloration and Parts Hardening
The grading chart evaluates box, accessories, and whether opened, but can't reflect paint discoloration or plastic hardening from time passage. PVC material especially can develop stickiness from plasticizer leaching or yellowing of white parts after over 10 years. Even A-grade unopened products from before 2010 carry this risk.
Some Japanese used shops add a phrase like "paint condition confirmed good," but not all shops do this. One case circulating in the community is the clear parts yellowing of Good Smile Nendoroids released in 2008. There are multiple reviews of people purchasing A-grade items but finding the clear stand yellowed when they opened the blister. The grading chart only guarantees whether opened, not material deterioration.
When purchasing used products with old release dates, check the material characteristics by manufacturer in advance. Alter and Max Factory tend to have high paint stability, but some Chinese OEM products have reported discoloration even within 5 years. Searching for "condition after 10 years" in community reviews or YouTube unboxing videos lets you gauge long-term storage risks for that product.
TV Anime "Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines!" Anna Yanami NON Scale Figure →FAQ
Should I really avoid used grade B?
No. B-grade only means box damage or signs of opening, not figure defects. If you confirm the phrase "figure unopened" in the product description, you can get a figure as good as new at a cheaper price than A-grade. If you don't consider boxes collection items, B-grade is the best value choice.
Do grading criteria differ between Japanese used shops?
Yes, detailed criteria vary slightly by shop. The same condition might be classified as A-grade at one place and B-grade at another. You need to check each shop's grading criteria chart and compare the detailed wording in product descriptions. A B-grade from a shop with strict standards can be in better condition than an A-grade from a shop with loose standards.
Is it safe to purchase figures over 10 years old as used?
Box and accessory condition is confirmed by the grading chart, but paint discoloration or plastic hardening isn't guaranteed. PVC material especially faces risks of plasticizer leaching or yellowing after over 10 years. It's advisable to search for long-term storage cases of that product in community reviews or unboxing videos, and check material stability by manufacturer in advance.
How should I choose grades when using a forwarding service?
Since box volume and weight directly affect shipping costs, before choosing a grade, input the box dimensions (cm) and weight (g) information from the product page into the forwarding service fee calculator. Even if B-grade is cheaper than A-grade, the total including shipping might be similar. If you don't value boxes, you can find shops offering a "figure-only shipping" option and save on shipping costs.
---
The grading chart isn't a cipher—it's a tool. Don't be intimidated by one letter; read the description that follows and zoom in on the photos. The opportunity to welcome an out-of-print grail like new is closer than you think. I hope good connections reach your display case today as well.