I just got a couple of anime-style mini katanas, and now I’m trying to figure out the best way to display them. Right now, they’re just sitting on my desk, and it doesn’t do them justice. I’ve seen people using wall mounts, lighted shelves, even glass cases. I don’t want anything too expensive or complicated, but I’d love some ideas to make my setup look cleaner and more themed. How do you guys show off your collections?
I had the same problem when I started collecting. I didn’t want to spend a ton either, so I built a simple wall shelf with LED strips behind it. Looks awesome at night! If you’re going for something more anime-specific, check out
https://mini-katana.ca/collections/manga-katana/ — their designs are already super display-friendly, and you can pick a few that fit a certain color scheme. Mixing different character blades on one shelf gives it that “museum meets fandom” vibe.
A friend of mine once set up his collection with a rotating base under a glass dome — looked like something straight out of an art gallery. I think adding a few small props, like scrolls or mini lanterns, helps make the whole setup feel more alive and less like just a row of swords.