A heartbreaking incident shook the anime collector community when an avid collector returned home to discover their beloved anime collection in ruins. The damage was extensive, with the wrecked figurines, DVDs, and comics amounting to a staggering value of ¥4,000,000 (YEN) or $35,000 (USD).
This value was calculated at the time of the incident. Today, this is worth an estimated $27,500 USD.
The Internet’s Response To The Demolished Anime Collection
This heart-wrenching incident, circulating on the internet intermittently since November 2013, resurfaced recently, reminding collectors of the fragility of their prized possessions.
One Reddit user said they would never collect anything ever again if it were to happen to them.
The devastating scene caught on video showcased limited edition Gundam comics, DVDs, and action figures across the floor.
Gundam, a Japanese science fiction and military franchise renowned for its large robot icons, features buildable action figures. Their price goes to upwards of $500 online, making them highly coveted by collectors.
Many online users wondered how this catastrophe could happen, as the Gundam connoisseur who shared the video was away from home at a grandmother’s funeral. It was later revealed that his relatives were staying at his house overnight for the duration of the funeral, as well as his nine-year-old nephew. The child was able to break into the Japanese man’s locked room and wreak havoc upon all 45 comics, 41 limited edition action figures, 38 figurines, 33 CDs, nine sets of DVDs, and a computer set-up that he had owned.
I couldn’t help but kneel on the floor. I burst into tears seeing my Legens of the Galactic Heroes BD-Box get ruined
Gundam Collection Owner
The BD-Box he referred to is an exclusive Blu-Ray disk that can cost up to $300 or more on eBay.
A Bittersweet End to the Mishap
Rather than giving up, the collector decided to calculate the total cost of the damages. The final tally amounted to a staggering 4 million yen (equivalent to USD 35,982). Initially met with sincere apologies from the mother, the situation took an unexpected turn when the collector demanded repayment for the destruction.
The mother’s tone quickly shifted, and she threatened to sue for fraud. She exclaimed, “Where did you get all that money to pay for the collection?”. Dismissing the severity of the incident, she asserted that it was just a case of a naughty child’s mischief. She adamantly questioned the legitimacy of the demanded sum. However, the husband intervened, stating “If I destroyed your bags and shoes right now, you would be mad too!”
Fortunately, the ordeal was solved when the couple’s parents saw videos depicting the aftermath caused by their poorly behaved grandchild. Realizing the gravity of the situation, they agreed to pay a total of 4 million yen to the Japanese man. The young boy was subsequently disciplined. He faced restrictions from participating in celebratory events such as birthdays and Christmas, and had no more privileges of receiving presents or money.
Although the collector was able to get the money he spent on his prized possessions back, the hard work of sourcing and finding the limited items could never be repaid.
Stay safe!
New to Crazed? Sign up for our newsletter! Subscribe now
