It seems that quality anime related shops are springing up everywhere these days (God bless the internet eh?).

Mech-a.com is slightly more unusual in that they're a UK based company specialising in a wide range of mechs and Kubrick's who have a lot of product knowledge and love of all things large, stompy and metallic. We wanted to interview the people behind the site and find out what makes them tick.

First off, tell us a bit about the store - when it opened, where you're based, those involved and what it aims to achieve.

We started a few months ago, with the aim of bringing a wider variety of Japanese toys to the UK. We¹re all graphic designers whose backgrounds are in the music, video games and film industry ­ generally motion graphics and media design. Our shop reflects this in terms of the products we sell. I started doing record covers for drum and bass labels when I was in college, so the look of the site is important to us. We can talk about the look of the site because we know we offer a great service (based upon the feedback we receive from customers).

What do you offer that's unique?

We import items direct from Japan, to get some great exclusives and products based upon fan favourites that are usually hard to get over here. Kubricks and trading figures are sold as sets making them easier to collect complete sets and chase figures. Free gifts with orders, because we value our customers. Products are reasonably priced (when you consider they come from Japan).

Do you have any future plans to expand the business? Perhaps a store that covers merchandise that's not necessarily mecha related?

We¹re constantly expanding, with recent additions being Moomin and Pingu toys! Kubricks, action figures or film toys are just as important. We love Kubricks which is why we like to photograph them and integrate them in 3D backgrounds we create. We also sell Japanese toys of American characters such as the forthcoming Spiderman version of Takara¹s Microman and the Batman (animated) vinyl statues by Medicom. Storytelling (as a theme) is important as one of the reasons we love toys is because of the fondness we have for the shows and films. The two priorities are product quality and good design so we also sell Artist/ Designer toys and vinyl.

Are you mecha nuts yourselves?

Of course, but Science Fiction is the main theme on our site. Robots have a great visual presence and encapsulate many themes that make sci-fi relevant to the current state of the world. Look at how Yoji Shinkawa¹s Metal Gear designs are used to discuss themes of WMD proliferation, as one example. The reason why our design company is called Mecha Production Facility is because we intend to create our own products (which will be robot themed).

What's your favourite mecha line at the moment?

Gundam Fix Figuration - these deluxe figures bring Katoki Hajime¹s redesigns to life with great detail and amazing decals. Soul of Chogokin also, for the weight and quality of the die-cast metal figures (articulation on these is marvellous). Binaltech Transformers for being a true advancement of the line (Die-cast metal replicas of actual cars that transform).

Finally, any words for those who might be reading?

Get in touch, let us know what you think of the store and what you want to see.

You can vsit the store at www.mech-a.com


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