Collectible figures are a popular form of merchandise that often take the form of characters from a variety of different series from pop culture. While figures for some television and video game series are also made, most Japanese figure manufacturers often focus on popular anime and manga characters. As such, hundreds upon thousands of individual figures with iconic poses are available for purchase from many different vendors like physical stores and online shops. Several different styles of figures are also available that each have their own set of perks and drawbacks. Some of the more widely available types of figures are action figures, scale figures, and chibi figures.
Action Figures
These figures are similar to what many in the Western world are familiar with, but are often taken to the next level when talking about otaku merchandise. While many often think about cheap plastic toys designed for children when thinking about action figures, these figures are of much higher quality and are often much more expensive than what you would find in a child’s toy box. Despite the notable difference in quality, however, these figures still function similarly to other action figures. Otaku merchandise labeled as “action figures” often have a great amount of articulation, particularly in the joints, allowing for a user to create a variety of different poses with the figure. Rather than playing with them, though, those that buy these figures often use their flexibility to recreate iconic scenes and poses from whichever series the figure came from. Cosplayers and artists can also use these figures as a reference to create poses that a specific character would make.
One of the most widely known lines of action figures is the figma brand, which is owned by Good Smile Company. This series of figures has released hundreds of different articulated action figures that often include various accessories as well. The figma line began in 2008 with a figure of Yuki Nagato from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series. Today, the regular figma line has reached nearly 500 unique figures (though there are other figma lines as well). Some of these figures include blank, skin tone colored mannequins designed specifically for artists to use as a reference. One of the most prominent figma sculptors is a man named Asai Masaki (who also goes by the nickname APSY). He has contributed his talent to over 600 different figma figures.
figma Crow (Persona 5) figure
Scale Figures
Scale figures are seen much more like collector items than action figures are, as they often have no articulation whatsoever. Though these figures offer little to no customizability, they often make up for this drawback with the sheer amount of detail and design that is put into them. As the name might suggest, “scale figures” are figures that attempt to perfectly recreate a given character to the very last detail. Scale figures can often be told apart from other figures by a fraction in their names, which usually refers to how big or small a figure is. For example, a figure with the fraction “1/8 scale” notes that the figure is one-eighth the size that the character would be in real life. A particular characteristic of most scale figures is that they often portray their characters in poses or unique outfits that make them stand out from other figures. There are several scale figures that portray female characters in rather risque outfits and poses, though others with a focus on more standard poses are available as well. Due to the sheer amount of detail and work that goes into scale figures, they are often the most expensive and can sometimes cost several hundred dollars.
Kotobukiya is one of the more popular producers of scale figures. Though the company also manufactures scale mecha model kits, their ArtFX J figure series has caught the eyes of many fans. The company has created well over one hundred different figures in dynamic poses that show off their respective character’s personality. Figures of characters from many popular series have been created and include classics like Yu Yu Hakusho and Yu-Gi-Oh! to more recent hits like My Hero Academia, Fire Force, and Attack on Titan. Matsumoto Kouei is a sculptor that has worked on dozens of different figures for Kotobukiya, many of which are from the aforementioned ArtFX J line.
ArtFX J Attack On Titan Levi 1/8 Scale Figure by Kotobukiya
Chibi Figures
Chibi figures often refer to figures of various characters that take a smaller, cuter approach. This is, of course, in reference to the term “chibi”, a Japanese slang term used to call something small or cute. These figures often have much larger heads and smaller bodies than usual, putting much more significance on the character’s eyes and face. Due to their smaller size, chibi figures are usually cheaper than most action or scale figures, making them great for collectors on a tighter budget.
The most popular brand of chibi figures by far are Nendoroids, which are also created by Good Smile Company. One thing that makes Nendoroids special is that, like action figures, they have a rather impressive amount of articulation, allowing the figure to be posed in a variety of different manners. Other extra parts inspired by each figure’s respective character are also included, further increasing the amount of potential customization. These parts often come in the form of face plates with various expressions, weapons or items, and visual effect pieces. Currently, there are over approximately 1300 Nendoroid figures have been announced, an overwhelming number for fans to look through. Although there are a number of sculptors that work on Nendoroid figures, many of them are collectively credited as “Nendoron”.
Nendoroid Rem (Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-) figure
Links
Figma Persona 5 Crow figure
ArtFX J Attack on Titan Levi 1/8 Scale Figure
Nendoroid Rem Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World- figure
Table of Contents
Since the publication of the manga in 2012 and its anime adaptation in 2014, Haikyuu!! quickly became the most popular volleyball series both nationally and internationally. After this phenomenon, in addition to scale figures, a great number of Nendoroid figures based on the seri...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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High School DxD is a widely known anime series that debuted in September 2008, and has many popular sculpted figures from the series. Most of the High School DxD figures are of the several female characters that vie for the affection of the main male protagonist, Issei Hyoudou. T...
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Hunter x Hunter is a popular manga and anime series that saw its first boom of popularity after the first anime adaptation that aired a total of 62 episodes from 1999 to 2001. This version was later dubbed and released for English speaking audiences in 2008. A second wave of popu...
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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a manga that was first published in 1987 and eventually got an anime adaptation in 2012. Its unique style has made it one of the most popular and influential series in the anime industry. Many figures inspired by the series have been created and th...
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JoJo's Bizarre Adventure is a series that is incredibly well known in the anime and manga world. Though the original manga began in 1987, the recent anime adaptation in 2012 proves that it is still incredibly relevant. The series’ iconic poses, extravagant costumes, and uniqu...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Kingdom Hearts is a popular video game series and the result of a collaboration between Disney, Square Enix and Pixar. Many Kingdom Hearts figures have been produced and feature some of Kingdom Hearts’ most popular characters, such as Sora and Kairi. Because of their fine detail,...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
Kizuna Ai figures are small, realistic model figures based on the popular online persona and virtual YouTuber Kizuna AI. There are well over a dozen different figures based on the character that come in a variety of different styles such as Nendoroids, themes, and outfits. Three ...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
Kizuna Ai is a popular character that brought the “Virtual YouTuber” trend into the limelight. As the character gained popularity among fans, many different collectible figures inspired by her design were made. Some of the most popular figures based on Kizuna Ai are from the Nend...
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The popular series Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! (often shortened to just Konosuba) has had numerous figures following its manga adaptation and anime airing. The illustration for the adaptation is by Masahito Watari and Joseph Yokobori. The anime productio...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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In 2006, Good Smile Company in Japan created a special brand of figurines called “Nendoroid”. They are marked by a characteristic disproportion of head to body ratio. The character is given an overly large head in relation to its small body. It was thought to be a new and cute ki...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
My Hero Academia is a popular anime series that aired in Japan in spring of 2016 and was later broadcast in the U.S. in 2018. Since its airing, many of the series’ characters have been released as figures. Many are either in their school uniforms or in their unique and eye-catchi...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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During Spring 2014, the anime adaptation of No Game No Life aired and gained massive popularity as an isekai anime. Due to the massive popularity of the diverse characters, many figures based on the series were produced, which all show off their interesting sides that may have be...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
No Game No Life Label is a super popular isekai anime series that aired in Spring 2014. Of the many characters appearing in the series, one of the main characters, Shiro, is very popular and has many fans wishing for her to be their little sister. Many of the adorable figures of ...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
One Piece is a major anime that aired in Fall 1999 based on the original manga created by Eiichiro Oda. Since it is such a popular and long series there are many different figures that are released due to many new characters that appear and gain popularity. Also, due to the fact ...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
One Piece is a very famous series that began airing in Fall 1999 and became one of the most most popular series ever known. The One Piece franchise has many different figures available due to the popular demand and some of the most popular figures are of the 'cat burglar'...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
Roronoa Zoro was the first character to join the Straw Hat Pirates in the hit anime One Piece, which began airing in Fall 1999. One Piece is a widely known series throughout the world and continues to air to this very day, resulting in all sorts of products being available. From ...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
Re: Zero Label is a worldwide light-novel and anime sensation that first aired on television in April 2016, has had many figures of the characters released. Many feature cool outfits and poses that relate to popular moments from the series. Some of these poses may come from iconi...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
Rem figures are in very high demand among fans of the Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World anime series, which has become increasingly popular ever since 2016, when it first appeared on television. Rem is a particularly popular character that has many figures showing the chara...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
Rem Nendoroid are some of the most popular figures of the Re: Zero series. These figures feature cute, small nendoroid sized versions of Rem in her signature maid uniform. While many of these products highlight the twin maid from the Roswaal mansion, there are also chibi figures ...
Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
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Last updated at, 02 Feb 2021
