When collecting figures, there are moments when you can pre-order a pre-release item. "It's a new release of a character I love, so I want to secure it early." "I'm worried it'll sell out after release." "I'm not sure it'll be reissued, so I want to pre-order." Pre-order items are handy in such cases.
However, figure pre-orders are a little different from regular items. Because you order while the item isn't in hand yet, if you don't carefully check the release date, arrival timing, estimated dispatch, sales unit, and whether cancellation is possible, you may feel "this wasn't what I expected."
This article explains, in beginner-friendly terms, the points to check before buying a figure pre-order.
What you'll learn in this article
- The difference between release date and arrival timing
- Items to check before viewing a pre-order
- How to read sales unit, BOX, and random items
- Cancellation policy and return terms
- Checkpoints for outer-box condition and accessories
What Is a Figure Pre-order?
A figure pre-order is an item you can order before it's released.
After a maker announces a new figure's release, shops and online stores may start accepting pre-orders. Pre-ordering reduces the hassle of hunting for the item after release and makes it easier to avoid missing popular items.
Popular works and characters especially can run low on stock after release. So many people check items at the pre-order stage when they definitely want them.
On the other hand, a pre-order item is not an "arrives right now" item. The planned release date and arrival timing are often in the future, and in some cases the release date changes.
When buying a pre-order, it's important to carefully check the conditions written on the product page, not just the image and price.
First, Check the Difference Between "Release Date" and "Arrival Timing"
What's especially easy to mistake with figure pre-orders is the difference between "release date" and "arrival timing."
The release date is the maker's planned release day. The arrival timing is when the item is expected to come into the shop. These two are not the same.
For example, even if the maker's release date is late June, the shop's arrival can be early July. The actual dispatch timing changes depending on transport, inspection, supply route, and the shop's processing.
- Release date: the maker's planned release day
- Arrival timing: when the item is expected to come into the shop
- Estimated dispatch: when the shop expects to ship to the buyer
- Estimated arrival: when it's expected to reach the buyer
When buying a pre-order, it's safer not to think "release date = the day it reaches me."
"Scheduled for Release in [Month]" Is Not a Specific Arrival Date
Figure product pages sometimes say "scheduled for release June 2026," "scheduled for July release," or "release month undecided."
What to watch here is that "scheduled for release in [month]" doesn't necessarily mean it arrives at the start of that month.
Even if it says "scheduled for June release," whether it's early, mid, or late June differs by item. Furthermore, due to maker circumstances or distribution, the release timing can be delayed to July or later.
With pre-orders, a change in the planned release isn't rare. If you need it by a specific date — for a gift or event — caution is needed. If you absolutely have a deadline, choosing already-released items or items with a clear estimated dispatch is safer.
The Meaning of "Ships Sequentially After Arrival"
A phrase you often see in pre-order descriptions is "ships sequentially after arrival."
This means that after the item arrives at the shop, orders that are ready are shipped in order.
In other words, it isn't necessarily shipped the moment the item releases. Because there's a flow of arrival, inspection, order processing, packing, and delivery arrangement, the actual dispatch can take a little time.
Also, even if you pre-ordered the same item, the dispatch order can change depending on order date, intake quantity, payment status, and delivery method.
When buying a pre-order, check not just the "planned release date" but also "roughly when it ships after arrival" and "whether an estimated dispatch is written."
Always Confirm the Sales Unit
What's especially worth confirming for figure and anime-goods pre-orders is the sales unit.
The sales unit means how many pieces and types you can buy for that price.
Figure and goods product images sometimes show multiple characters or multiple types together. But just because several appear in the image doesn't necessarily mean it's a set sale.
- Multiple characters appear in the image, but only one type is for sale
- It's a lineup-introduction image, and the actual item is only the one in the title
- It's a single sale, not a BOX sale
- It's random or individual, not a full set
- The base and background parts are for photography and not included
Before buying a pre-order, check the product name and description to see "whether it's the price for one," "a set price," or "a BOX sale."
The Difference Between "Set," "BOX," and "Single"
For pre-orders, the words "set," "BOX," and "single" appear. Each means something different, so it's reassuring to confirm before buying.
Single Sale
A single sale is sold per single item. Even if multiple types appear in the image, only the character or type listed in the product name may be the target.
- XX figure A
- XX acrylic stand, character name
- XX plush, 1 piece
In this case, basically consider it the price for that single item.
Set Sale
A set sale is a format where multiple items are sold together. The product name or description may say "full set," "two-figure set," or "complete set." However, judging it's a set from the image alone is risky. Always confirm via the product name or description.
BOX Sale
A BOX sale is a format where multiple items are sold by the box. It's common for trading items. However, some items don't give you all types even if you buy a BOX.
- Does it say "all types included in 1 BOX"?
- Does it say "all types may not be included"?
- Is it "random inclusion"?
- Is it the "maker's set inclusion ratio"?
Confirming this is important.
For Trading Items, Confirm Whether It's "Random"
Among figure-adjacent goods, trading items are common. A trading item is a random format where you don't know which character or design is inside.
- Trading can badge
- Trading acrylic stand
- Trading card
- Mini figure
- Rubber strap
- Keychain
Even if a trading item shows all types in the image, a single random one may arrive. If you only want a specific character, always confirm whether it's a random item or one where you can choose the character.
The Product Image May Be an "Illustration Image"
A pre-order item's image may not be a photo of the finished product.
At the figure pre-order stage, color samples, samples under supervision, CG images, and prototype photos are sometimes used. So the actual released item may differ slightly in color and fine specs.
- Is the image a color sample?
- Is it a sample under supervision?
- Is it a photo of the actual item?
- Are all accessories included?
- Are the background and base included?
- Are face plates and swap parts included?
Since a pre-order item is a pre-release item, the final specs may change. Don't judge by the image alone — check the description's "specs," "accessories," "size," and "material" too.
Confirm the Size and Scale
When pre-ordering a figure, size matters too.
Product pages may state "height approx. X cm," "1/7 scale," "1/8 scale," or "non-scale."
For scale figures, the same character feels different in size at 1/7, 1/8, or 1/6. The display space also changes with the pose and base size.
- What's the height in cm?
- Is it the size including the base?
- What are the width and depth?
- Will it fit on the shelf?
- How does it balance lined up with other figures?
Large figures and ones with effect parts especially can take more space than imagined. Thinking about the display spot before pre-ordering helps you avoid trouble after it arrives.
Check Not Just Price but Shipping and Payment Timing
When buying a pre-order, check not just the item price but also the shipping and payment timing.
Depending on the shop, you may pay at pre-order, or at arrival or dispatch. With credit cards, it may be charged at order or at dispatch.
- Item price
- Shipping
- Payment method
- Payment timing
- Whether there are fees
- Whether items can be combined
- Whether it'll be a split shipment
When ordering multiple pre-orders together, caution is especially needed. If you order items with different release months at once, all items may ship only once they're all in, or they may ship separately by item.
Confirm Whether You Can Cancel
Figure pre-orders may not be cancellable after ordering.
Because shops purchase and secure stock based on order numbers, pre-orders can have stricter cancellation conditions than regular items.
- Is cancellation possible after pre-ordering?
- Is there a cancellation deadline?
- Can you cancel after payment?
- What's the cancellation handling if release is delayed?
- What happens with a long delay or release cancellation?
Especially when pre-ordering expensive scale figures or large items, it's safer to confirm the cancellation conditions before ordering.
Check the Return and Exchange Terms Too
When buying a pre-order online, check the return and exchange terms too.
Mail-order guidelines require disclosing items such as the return policy in ads. And explanations of mail-order returns note that when a no-return policy is stated, its content may take priority, so it advises checking the return policy before ordering.
- Handling of initial defects
- Handling of in-transit damage
- Whether outer-box scratches or dents are eligible for exchange
- Whether buyer's-convenience returns are possible
- Whether opened items can be returned
- Who pays return shipping
Especially for collection purposes, many people care about outer-box condition. However, the outer box may be treated as packing material to protect the item, and minor scuffs or dents can be ineligible for exchange.
Watch for Outer-Box Scuffs, Dents, and Tape Marks
For figure pre-orders, not just the figure but the outer-box condition is a concern.
Even for new unopened items, fine scuffs, dents, crushed corners, and tape marks can appear on the outer box during distribution and storage.
- Is there a note about outer-box damage?
- Are outer-box scratches eligible for return/exchange?
- Can a new unopened item still have box scuffs?
- Is a shipping box included?
- Is it shipped in the maker's shipping box as-is?
The figure's condition and the outer box's condition need to be considered as separate issues. If you want perfect outer-box condition, confirm the shop's standards in advance.
Consider the Possibility of Delay or Cancellation
With pre-orders, there's also the possibility of release delay or cancellation.
Figures go through many steps — manufacturing, supervision, transport, distribution — to reach sale. So they can be delayed by weeks to months from the original plan.
A release delay itself isn't unusual. However, if buying for a gift or event, a delay can make it miss your schedule.
When buying a pre-order, rather than treating the planned release date as an absolute arrival date, it's safer to view it as "a schedule that can change."
The Difference Between Pre-order and Released Items
Pre-order and released items differ a little in what you should check before buying.
For pre-orders, since they aren't released yet, you need to check the release date, arrival timing, cancellation conditions, and the chance of spec changes. For released items, since they're already on the market, it's important to check stock status, estimated dispatch, condition, and price differences.
What to Check for Pre-orders
- Planned release date
- Estimated arrival timing
- Estimated dispatch
- Whether cancellation is possible
- Sales unit
- Chance of spec changes
- Payment timing
What to Check for Released Items
- Whether it's in stock
- Days until dispatch
- New or used
- Outer-box condition
- Price
- Seller trustworthiness
- Return and exchange terms
Cautions When Pre-ordering Expensive Figures
Scale figures and limited-spec figures can be high in price. When pre-ordering an expensive figure, check especially carefully.
- Is it really a character you want?
- Do you have a place to display it?
- Will payment overlap in the release month?
- Does the budget overlap with other pre-orders?
- Can you cancel?
- Is a release delay a problem?
- Is the outer-box size too large?
Figures can have a long gap from pre-order to release. The more expensive the item, the better to decide after considering your budget and display space, rather than pre-ordering on impulse.
Cautions When Ordering Multiple Pre-orders Together
When ordering multiple pre-orders together, watch the shipping method. Especially when ordering items with different release months together, handling differs by shop.
- All items ship together once they're all in
- Items ship sequentially as they arrive
- Split shipment by release month
- Pre-order and regular items can't be combined
- Shipping is charged per split shipment
For example, if you order a June item and an August item together, the June item may not ship until the August item arrives. If there's something you want sooner, ordering separately can be the better choice.
Pre-order Checklist
- Is the product name correct?
- Is it the character/type you want?
- When is the planned release date?
- When is the estimated arrival timing?
- When is the estimated dispatch?
- Is the sales unit single, set, or BOX?
- Is it a random item?
- Is the image a photo of the actual item or a sample?
- What accessories are included?
- Is the size/scale no problem?
- How much is shipping?
- When is payment?
- Can you cancel?
- Are the return and exchange terms clear?
- What's the handling of outer-box damage?
- Is a release delay a problem?
- Do you have a place to display it?
- Is the budget reasonable?
Checking with this list makes pre-order purchases less likely to go wrong. Noting the items to check before pre-ordering also helps when you revisit the product page.
Common Mistakes
I Thought the Release Date Was the Arrival Date
The release date is the maker's planned release day and isn't necessarily the day it reaches the buyer.
I Thought All Types in the Image Would Arrive
If the image is for lineup introduction, only the one listed in the product name may arrive.
I Didn't Realize It Was a Random Item
With trading items, you may not be able to choose the character you want.
I Thought I Could Cancel
Pre-order items may not be cancellable after ordering.
I Thought a Small Box Scuff Was Exchangeable
Minor outer-box scuffs and dents may be ineligible for exchange.
I Ordered Several and Dispatch Was Delayed
Ordering items with different release months together can hold all items until they're all in.
Such mistakes are easier to avoid by checking the product-page description and the shop's terms.
FAQ
Are figure pre-orders guaranteed?
Even if you pre-order, changes can occur due to intake numbers or maker circumstances. Release delay, release cancellation, and intake-number changes are also possible.
Will it arrive on the release date?
The release date is not necessarily the arrival date. Because shop arrival, inspection, dispatch prep, and delivery take time, it can arrive after the release date.
Can I cancel after pre-ordering?
It depends on the shop's terms. Figure pre-orders can be non-cancellable, so confirm the cancellation conditions before ordering.
Multiple characters appear in the image. Will they all arrive?
Not necessarily. It may be a lineup-introduction image. Check whether the product name or description says set, BOX, or all types.
Does buying a BOX get me all types?
It depends on the item. Some say "all types included in 1 BOX," while others say "all types may not be included." Check the description.
If the outer box is scratched, can I exchange it?
It depends on the shop's or maker's standards. Minor outer-box scuffs, dents, and crushed corners may be ineligible for exchange.
Is it OK to order pre-order and regular items together?
It depends on the shop. Regular items may not ship until the pre-order arrives, or it may be a split shipment. Check the shipping and dispatch timing.
Summary: For Pre-orders, Always Check "Release Date, Arrival Timing, and Sales Unit"
Figure pre-orders are a handy way to secure items you want early.
However, unlike released items, pre-orders can have their release date and arrival timing changed. And even if multiple types appear in the image, the actual sale may be a single item or a random sale.
- Release date: the maker's planned release day
- Arrival timing: when the item is expected to come into the shop
- Sales unit: what arrives for that price
Just checking these three greatly reduces pre-order mistakes.
Further, it's reassuring to also check the cancellation policy, return and exchange terms, outer-box handling, payment timing, shipping, and shipping method.
A figure pre-order is also a time of looking forward to a favorite character's new release. That's exactly why it's important to confirm the necessary info before buying and pre-order with confidence.
