Dakimakuras anyone?

That whole site is bootleg? so I shouldn't buy any of those? Is there a noticeable difference in quality from bootleg and the official? Why isn't the official one available? And what website would you recommend I buy from?

Yes, as are most sites you can find by searching "dakimakura" via Google. Unfortunately websites that sell legitimate covers are almost always in Japanese; only a few have an English option.

There can be. The main difference between the one you linked and the one I linked would be material; the bootleg uses peach skin while the legit cover uses Seiren's 2-way Roika. There is a huge difference in the feel and image clarity of the two materials. Some people who have experience with both peach skin and other materials don't mind peach skin (I personally don't like it myself), but generally everyone agrees that 2WT/2WR (2-way Tricot/roika) are the superior material.

There will also be some differences in the actual image; bootleggers just rip sample images from the internet and print via that, which can lead to a lower quality print or them having to change some things, depending on what's visible (in the case of the one you're interested in, there's probably quite a bit of different in the boob/groin area, as that's where Evening Call has the sample bar obscuring the image.)

Official covers work on a preorder basis; they're expensive to print, so the artists accept preorders that way they know exactly how to order and it doesn't come out of their own pocket; if they just ordered 30 covers and only sold 2, they'd be out a good deal of money. The preorder method solves this problem, but unfortunately it means that items may not be available after the preorder period.

As for what website to buy from, it depends entirely on what cover you want. The main difference between bootleg stores and legit stores is that bootleggerss are stealing images from everywhere, whereas individual sites are only selling their own work; a bootlegger might have a ton of different covers for sale but a legitimate site might only have a few.

You are making it very difficult for me to want to buy a dakimakura. Is there any way for me to get one that I like, not necessarily one I linked earlier that is an official one?

Haha, sorry. Truthfully, it's a pretty complicated hobby when you first get into it. I'd be more than happy to look around for you, if you want. Are there any other characters you really like in particular?

well Urd and Ryomou Shimei are my favorites but I like many girls. I guess if you are going to help me out you can start with those and I will come up with others later

The Evening Call Urd is the only one I'm aware of for her; I looked around and managed to find on on YJA (Yahoo Japan Auctions), you would need a proxy to buy her, but she's listed at a fairly reasonable price compared to MSRP. If you're interested and don't know how to use a proxy, I can point you in the right direction.

I know Ryomou Shimei has quite a few more covers, so let me see what I can dig up. Unfortunately, most of the ones of her were released a few years ago, and I'm only finding a relative few available.

You didn't find much? and whats the deal with proxy? what is that it sounds like a hassle.

Once again it goes back to the fact that most covers are only available during a limited window. After that window, you have to resort to buying from things like auctions (YJA is essentially the Japanese eBay) or specialty shops like Mandarake. There are a handful of Ryomou covers that have released, but the stores I just mentioned don't currently have any for sale.

A proxy is a middleman. The majority of stores in Japan don't ship internationally. For a fee, a proxy will order it for you, taking care of any communication, and then ship it to you.

as upset as this may make you this is all way to much of a hassle I don't see why I would want to go through all of it instead of just getting one of those bootleg ones. I don't see why anyone would do all that nonsense

LOL
What's happening echoeagle3? Welcome to the thread.
You're free to get what you want. If you're new to dakimakura, just go with what is cheap and what you like. Hell, if you see something on eBay that you like, go for it. Most of them are only like $20-30. If they turn out to be something you like and have a greater interest in then I'd definitely recommend getting a real (non-bootleg) cover; the materials are exponentially better!

Since it's such a niche hobby, we all like to support the artists whenever we can. But again, seeing as how you are new to daki, test the waters a bit. Have fun with it and feel free to ask us any questions. Just know that when it comes to bootlegs, most of us in the thread are in opposition to them. ;)

We go through it because it's worth it. I've come across a few bootlegs in my days of collecting and they don't compare to the real thing. That and I'm financially capable, so I don't mind spending the money to support artists; for me it's as much a moral issue as it is a quality issue.

It's unfortunate if that's the route you decide to take, but it's your choice. I was just merely offering you the same advice pretty much everyone else in this thread would have given.

I greatly appreciate the advice and the assistance you have given. Perhaps in time I will come to your way of thinking. For now It is not practical for me

There are a few people like me who bought bootlegs and immediately regretted it. I bought 3 bootlegs when I first started to get into dakimakura ignoring what everyone said about bootlegs. That was pretty much a waste of money. Sure, I got dakimakura that were out of print and hard to find, but you realize right away they aren't very good.

They feel heavy even though it's a soft pillow. The material has a weird feel to it and the image quality is poor.

I think some people don't mind bootlegs, and that's fine. Everyone has their own preference, but I feel that once you see a real dakimakura whether from your own purchases or from a friend, you immediately can tell the difference. You immediately realize that they aren't even close in comparison.

support the artist and buy the real mccoy and they continue making new shit =D fuck the movie/music industry, my money goes to daki lol i just ordered this one: http://www.nijigenshingu.info/makura/img2013/34386986.jpg oh man the fabric is so much better too but w/e your choice...

edit: i can order that one but i have to go to the even to pick it up. my deputy serviced asked me if i still wanted to order it and also asked if i was gonna go pick it up. aaahh.. what a slap in the face. =( oh well...

Zengar, I finally found a shot of the one Marks cover you were asking about a few weeks back; it's a lot older than I thought it was. Was apparently released in 2002:

http://st-momo.hanya-n.net/item/mint_rina1.html
http://st-momo.hanya-n.net/item/mint_rina2.html

A shot of another older Marks cover that's currently on YJA:

http://st-momo.hanya-n.net/item/0503.html

Wow, it's ancient indeed, I appreciate that.
BTW, Marks seems to have a new Sakura Miku and is it me or there's another Sena.>_>

And Anko is a IM character?

Any pics somewhere?

Yeah, the Sakura Miku is just the same exact pose as the Race Queen Miku, with the relevant Sakura Miku coloring. Hadn't picked up on the new Sena, though. :o

No sample on the Anko cover yet, unfortunately. :(

Stylus' new Carnelian cover is up for web order now; First handful of orders actually get some of the leftovers from the event and don't have to wait for the reprint.

Yeah, I remember the last time they had some stock of the Maid Bride and were selling her offer at the same time as starting a new preorder. Personally, I would prefer getting a new print myself, as I usually use the full storage period SMJ gives, and them getting a package in sooner just means I have to pay sooner. :P

Pay as in bulk shipping costs? On that note, how long does SMJ hold things? Still haven't used them, but it wouldn't hurt to know about alternatives that have a little more structure than Yokatta if a given order calls for it.