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Interview with Tucky's Anime

Interview with Tucky's Anime

Written by Ross Locksley on 14 Jul 2011



Wouldn't it be great to be surrounded by sweet figures and merchandise 24/7? We took time out to chat with Michael Tuckwell, founder of Tucky's Anime to find out what it takes to make it in the world of anime merchandise (and how to survive the fans!)

First up, how did setting up your own online business come about?

It was one of two reasons really, first being I have done every job under the sun from shovelling garlic butter to building a skate park and the one lesson I have learnt is when you give 100% for someone else only they get the rewards. The second reason is my passion for anime and noticing that especially in the UK the choice and prices were a bit unreasonable and so I went to a local self-employment class and the rest, as they say, is history.

What was the most challenging part of the process, and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging part of starting up was funding. If I go back a year the country was all over with regard to finances -  we had a new PM and the usual sources of funding open to start ups were all but gone so where as about a year before I started I could get the money easily I found myself with a great plan but nothing. It took us two months before we could get any stock in at all and it was only a small range, but since then thanks to our customers we have re-invested in more stock and we have added more anime to our stocks; we have a more diverse choice with products and it’s still growing.

Was the online community helpful as you got started? Did you ask questions before setting up shop, or did you just dive in?

I had to do market research as any business would, scouting through potential competitors and prices and forums, gauging reactions to what people wanted and I believe we have taken all feedback to heart and now offer a service that puts its customers first. We regularly ask for suggestions as to what people want from us and it’s that feedback which has seen us bring in goods from shows like Ouran, Hetalia and Tsubasa and we are always looking for more suggestions. It’s great having a constant relationship with our customers and I dare say we will continue to grow and improve as time goes on.

How much interest did you have in anime/manga/figures before you started the venture?

I had a huge passion for anime - most people had Dragonball or Ultimate Muscle as their ‘gateway’ anime from when they were on Cartoon Network, but I can go back to 1994. I was nine years old when I went rummaging through my uncle's 2000 AD collection of Judge Dredd comics and I came across a comic from 1989 announcing the arrival of Akira in the UK - it had a chapter from the manga and from then I was hooked. I was one of the first in the country to get my hands on the Pokemon trading cards and games before they became huge and we saw people turn to crime for the shiny Charizard card! From there I've been hooked on all the usual otaku staples - Naruto, Bleach, One Piece, Fairy Tail, Death Note etc. Having an anime business was just a natural progression for me and my passion hasn’t dampened now my hobby is also my job.   

What’s the best part about owning your own anime-related business?

There’s lots of advantages - most people would say turning a hobby into a job ruins it and it becomes more about making money rather than enjoying anime in general. The best part has to be my customers (not being cheesey) but the amount of interesting characters you meet is fantastic. I have made friends all over the country from your usual student types all the way through to a cage fighter and they are why I do what I do.

And the worst?

The family stress I suppose. I have a daughter and a son on the way along with my partner and some times it seems like I am neglecting them at times while I'm working, but they are very understanding and a great help and it’s always a driving motivation to have the support of loved ones.


Ross Locksley
About Ross Locksley

Ross founded the UK Anime Network waaay back in 1995 and works in and around the anime world in his spare time.


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