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Anime Collecting Terminology

Understanding the Acronyms on Your Favorite Anime Collectibles

By Katherine Luther, About.com

Wondering what NRFB or HTF means? In the world of collecting, there are a number of acronyms used to describe a particular item. Know your terms and you'll have an easier time figuring out what you want to pay.

Here's some of the most common acronyms you'll find:

  • NRFB - Never Removed From Box
  • MIB - Mint in the original factory box.
  • Sealed - Never opened.
  • MIP - Mint in original factory packaging.
  • A/O - All original. The item comes with everything it was originally released with.
  • NM - Near mint.
  • MNB - Mint, no box.
  • MNP - Mint, no package
  • Exclusive - Created exclusively for a particular retailer or distributor; no other store will carry this particular item.
  • Collector's Edition - An upgrade edition of an item that includes special goodies such as DVD extras, production artwork and the like. Not all Collector's Editions are Limited Editions.
  • Limited Edition - Only a certain number of this release or item was produced so once they're gone, they're gone. All limited editions would be considered to be collector's editions.
  • HTF - Hard to find.
  • Prototype - Products that never actually made it to market. What you're buying is the original design sample.
  • Mint & Complete - The item is in mint (excellent) condition and has all of the extras it should.
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