PSA: Why You Should NEVER Buy from Kazemode (And How to Spot Anime Fashion Scams)
- Imani
- Oct 15
- 6 min read
THE PROBLEM WITH KAZEMODE
If you've been searching for anime fashion online, you’ve probably seen Kazemode popping up on Instagram ads and TikTok. Their website looks sleek, their prices seem “too good to be true,” and the products look like they could be your favorite anime merch.
And that’s exactly why you need to be careful.
Kazemode is not a legitimate anime fashion brand. They’re a dropshipping scam operation that steals designs from both independent creators and officially licensed brands, reselling cheap knockoffs at inflated prices.
Some people argue they’re just reselling or dropshipping products, and others claim “it doesn’t matter because unofficial brands are technically stealing too.” That’s not entirely true , official brands like Otaku Shop and Steady Hands are victims too. When you buy from Kazemode, you’re funding theft and low-quality production, not supporting creators.
WHAT DOES KAZEMODE ACTUALLY DOES
1. They Steal Designs from Real Brands
Kazemode doesn't create original designs. Instead, they:
Scrape images from legitimate anime fashion brands (indie designers, officially licensed collaborations, etc.)
Use stolen product photos on their website to make it look like they have inventory
Fulfill orders through cheap dropshipping suppliers (usually from AliExpress or similar platforms)
Send customers low-quality knockoffs that look nothing like the advertised product
Translation: You're paying $40-80 for a $5 shirt from a factory that's ripping off someone else's hard work.
2. They Have No Official Licenses
Kazemode claims to sell “official anime merchandise,” but there’s zero licensing:
Studios like MAPPA, Bones, or Ufotable see $0
Indie creators get $0
Your money goes straight to a faceless scam operation
3. Customer Service is Non-Existent
Scroll through Kazemode's Instagram comments, Reddit threads, or Trustpilot reviews. You'll see the same complaints over and over:
"My order never arrived"
"I received the wrong item"
"The quality is terrible, nothing like the photos"
"I've been trying to get a refund for 3 months"
"Customer service won't respond to my emails"
Kazemode doesn’t care about individual customers. They run ads, take your money, and move on.
4. The Quality is Abysmal
Even if your order does arrive, here's what you can expect:
❌ Thin, scratchy fabric (nothing like the "premium cotton" advertised)
❌ Faded, cracked prints (low-quality screen printing that peels after one wash)
❌ Incorrect sizing (their "Large" might be your "Small")
❌ Cheap construction (loose threads, uneven hems, poor stitching)
❌ Colors that don't match the photos (expect washed-out, dull versions)
You're essentially paying $50+ for something worth $5 on AliExpress.
Here's one of my followers sharing their recent experience with Kazemode, along with some other TikTok users who have also fallen victim.
video from user: @monstermayhm
@maj3gg
HOW KAZEMODE ACTUALLY SCAM CUSTOMERS
Create a flashy website using stolen brand photos
Run aggressive Instagram/TikTok ads
Take orders and payments upfront
Place bulk orders with cheap manufacturers overseas
Manufacturer ships low-quality items, or nothing at all
Ignore complaints, comments, and repeat
They even copy official brand homepages and logos to look authentic, only to redirect you to another site
RED FLAGS: HOW TO SPOT FAKE ANIME FASHION SITES
🚩 Red Flag #1: Prices Are “Too Good to Be True”Premium anime hoodies or tees for $20–30? Real merch costs money due to licensing, quality fabrics, and ethical production.
🚩 Red Flag #2: No Clear Brand StoryNo founder info, no company mission, vague “About Us.” Real brands share their story and production transparency.
🚩 Red Flag #3: Stolen or Stock PhotosDo a reverse image search. If the same photos appear on AliExpress, other drop-shipping sites, or unrelated brands, it’s a scam.
🚩 Red Flag #4: Suspiciously Long Shipping“Ships in 2–4 weeks” = typical dropshipping red flag. Legit brands ship quickly from their warehouses.
🚩 Red Flag #5: No Social Media EngagementMany followers but little real engagement. Only spammy comments like “🔥🔥🔥” or “Nice!”
🚩 Red Flag #6: No Licensing InformationLegit merch shows official licensing badges and studio partnerships. Kazemode does not.
🚩 Red Flag #7: Poor Reviews or No ReviewsCheck Reddit, Trustpilot, and Google reviews. Kazemode consistently has 1-star complaints and scam reports.
POPULAR VICTIM PRODUCTS (SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON)
Some of Kazemode’s most notorious stolen items include:
Stolen Product
Original Brand
WHY PEOPLE STILL FALL FOR IT
Aggressive ads on TikTok and Instagram
Comments are turned off, so it's hard to see the victim's complaints
Flashy visuals and professional-looking websites
The assumption that they’re “just reselling” or dropshipping
Belief that unofficial brands deserve it
Reality check: Some official brands do get scammed. Buying from Kazemode hurts creators, not just the “unofficial” ones.
WHERE TO SHOP SAFELY INSTEAD
If you want quality anime fashion that supports creators:
Officially Licensed Brands:
Uniqlo UT (Studio Ghibli, Jump collaborations)
Hypland
BAIT
BoxLunch
Anime Gear Guru
Steady Hands Apparel
Torokami
Allegory
WHO GETS HURT WHEN YOU BUY FROM KAZEMODE
1. Independent Designers
Many indie anime fashion creators pour their heart, time, and money into designing original pieces. When Kazemode steals their designs and sells cheap knockoffs, it:
Steals their revenue
Devalues their work
Makes it harder for them to stay in business
Support the real creators. They deserve your money, not scammers.
2. Officially Licensed Brands
Brands that pay licensing fees to legally use anime IP are competing with counterfeiters who pay $0.
When you buy from Kazemode:
The anime studio gets nothing
The licensee loses a sale
Counterfeiters profit
If you love anime, support the industry by buying officially licensed merch.
3. You (The Customer)
You get:
A terrible product
Wasted money
Frustration trying to get a refund
Potential credit card fraud (sketchy checkout processes)
You deserve better.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ALREADY ORDERED FROM KAZEMODE
Step 1: Dispute the Charge
Contact your credit card company or PayPal immediately:
Explain you were sold counterfeit goods
Request a chargeback
Provide evidence (screenshots, emails, product photos)
Most credit cards will side with you if the product is not as described.
Step 2: Document Everything
Screenshots of the product listing
Photos of what you actually received
Email correspondence (or lack thereof)
Shipping tracking info
This helps with disputes and warns others.
Step 3: Leave a Review
Help others avoid the same mistake:
Google Reviews
Trustpilot
Reddit (r/AnimeDeals, r/Scams)
Better Business Bureau
Social Media
Your review could save someone else from getting scammed.
Step 4: Warn Your Friends
Share this post. Tag people who might fall for it. Spread the word.
The more people know, the less power scammers have.
📺 CHECK OUT MY TIKTOK SERIES: "SCAM OR LEGIT"
I’ve been breaking down anime fashion scams like Kazemode in real time on TikTok — showing stolen product photos, fake websites, and actual customer stories.
🎥 Watch my TikTok series “Exposing Anime Scam Brands?” to see visual breakdowns of:
Side-by-side comparisons of real vs. fake brand photos
Clips from customers who got scammed
How to do a quick background check before you buy
👉 Follow me on TikTok @AntiWeebImani to stay up to date on the latest scam alerts and legit anime fashion finds.
🚨 REMINDER: REPORT ANY KAZEMODE ADS YOU SEE
If you come across Kazemode ads on Instagram, TikTok, or Google, please report them. Here’s how:
On Instagram:
Tap the three dots on the ad → “Report Ad” → “Scam or Fraud”
On TikTok:
Tap “Share” → “Report” → “Misleading or scam”
On Google / YouTube:
Click the info (ⓘ) icon → “Report this ad” → “Scam”
Every report helps get these scams removed faster and protects other anime fans from being tricked.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Kazemode is a scam: they steal designs, send low-quality or missing products, and profit off your love for anime.
✅ Support officially licensed brands and independent creators
✅ Get quality merchandise you’ll actually enjoy
✅ Avoid scams that waste your money
Your move: Stay safe and shop smart.
⚠️ Disclaimer
Some of the brands featured in my Anime Merch Brand Directory and recommendations are unofficially licensed. That means they create original, anime-inspired designs that pay homage to the culture, but they are not officially partnered or licensed by the anime studios or production companies.
I only include reputable, transparent brands that:
Clearly state their unofficial status
Produce original, high-quality work
Do not steal designs or artwork from other creators
Are trusted by the anime fashion community
Always do your own research before purchasing. When possible, support officially licensed creators — but know that many independent, unlicensed brands are still doing amazing, ethical work within the anime-inspired fashion space.
Pin this post. Share it. Save someone from wasting their money.
🚫 Say NO to Kazemode.✅ Say YES to quality, authentic anime fashion