do anime action figures get made anymore

by Isaac Corwin 6 min read
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Even though it is relatively popular, anime is still not mainstream enough for there to be anime figures on the shelves of Wal-Mart and Target across the world. It would be a waste of money to produce that many. A limited number of these figures are made, and once that figure is done being produced, it is unlikely it will ever be produced again.

Full Answer

What are anime figurines and how do they work?

What are Anime Figurines? To put it simply, a figure is any 3D representation made in the likeness of a person (real or fictional) or thing. Figures are usually characters from TV shows, anime, or even their toy line — these figurines form their own unique category of merchandise and are made by a variety of companies in a variety of styles.

What are Anime scale figures?

Scale Figures Anime scale figures are a type of fixed-pose figure that is sized based on the “actual” dimensions of the anime character. These proportional figurines will include a size reference, like 1/6th or 1/2th. This means that the figure’s dimensions have been shrunk down to a sixth or half of the character’s actual size, respectively.

How are action figures made?

The design of the action figure comes next. This is typically done by artists who do sketches and then 3D models of the figures. The modeling software involved in this process allows the artists to make a 3D representation of not only how the figure will look, but how it will work as well.

Why do we love anime figures?

As part of the Otaku culture, the anime figures are essential they represent together with other items our true love for anime and manga.

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How much do anime figurines sell for?

Types of Anime FiguresTypes of Anime FiguresRetail CostGarage Kits$100 – $1000Figma / Action Figures$30 – $100Nendoroid$45 – $200Funko Pop Figures$5 – $504 more rows•Jun 24, 2022

Do anime figures increase in value?

Some people buy figures as financial investments as the majority of figures historically increase in value over time. Others buy figures to show off their personality. It's not just about the anime they like, but also the style of the figures that reflects their personality, be it cutesy, shounen or edgy.

Why are anime action figures so expensive?

The anime's production company does smaller batches, so they know that they aren't going to waste money on unsold products. They know if they make limited run items, collectors will flock to the items and have them sell out every time.

Where are anime figures manufactured?

To have an anime figure factory in Japan itself is indeed very rare. As you might have already known, most anime figures are made in China.

What are those anime dolls called?

In Japan, the term "figure" can refer to dolls and other collectible figurines. Figures based on anime, manga and bishōjo game characters are often sold as dolls in Japan.

How can I get anime figures?

The 5 Best Sites to Buy Authentic Anime FigurinesAmiAmi.Solaris Japan.Akiba Soul.Crunchyroll Store.HobbySearch.

How are anime statues made?

The moulds are used by pouring the material from which the figure is made. For example, hot, molten PVC is poured on the moulds and then cooled so it can take the shape of the figure or the part. The figures are usually done with PVC (soft plastic) and ABS (hard plastic).

Can you 3D print anime figures?

Anime 3D Model Many sites offer high-quality, authentic and creative anime characters you can 3D print at home. Many of these 3D printing anime figures accurately reflect the original character's look. There are many free anime 3D models to make.

Why is good smile so expensive?

Making nendoroids is a very manual process, so Good Smile Company can't make many at once. Their main production factory is located in China which 90% of the products are made there. But they also have a factory in Japan as a research and development center.

Who makes good anime figurines?

The 7 Best Anime Figurine Brands for Consistently High QualityGood Smile Company. Amazon. The Good Smile Company is one of the most reputable anime figurine brands around. ... Aniplex. Amazon. ... Kotobukiya. Amazon. ... Bandai Namco. Amazon. ... Square Enix. Amazon. ... Alter. Amazon.

Is Bandai a good brand?

Bandai. Bandai is one of the toy industry's biggest powerhouses, and for good reason. The company is among the best toy brands of all time, having been responsible for the Tamagotchi, countless video games, and a huge range of collectible action figures and scale model kits.

Why are anime figures made with PVC?

The PVC Figures are made of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC). Its simple manufacture, low cost and easy ductility (they don' t break when bending or twisting) mean that 90% of the Anime Figures sold are created with this material.

Where are anime figures distributed?

Many anime figures are not distributed in the West. Some are only distributed in Japan and maybe South East Asian countries. If you lived in one of these countries, those figures could be significantly cheaper—sometimes half the price.

Is anime mainstream?

Even though it is relatively popular, anime is still not mainstream enough for there to be anime figures on the shelves of Wal-Mart and Target across the world. It would be a waste of money to produce that many.

Is Overwatch an anime?

The mold, the colors, and painting is just superior in every way. Yes, I know Overwatch is not an anime; however, Good Smile puts the same effort into their Overwatch figures as they do all of their other figures—many of which are related to various anime.

What are Anime PVC Figures?

The PVC Figures are made of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC). It' s one of the most used plastics at the moment when making Figures, whether they are Anime, Series, Movies, Comics, etc. Its simple manufacture, low cost and easy ductility (they don' t break when bending or twisting) mean that 90% of the Anime Figures sold are created with this material.

Maintenance of the Anime Poly Vinyl Chloride Figures

As we' ve said in the previous sections, PVC is one of the best and most delicate materials for anime figures on the market. You have to be careful not to put your figure in the sun, as heat sources can destroy your collection piece. Make sure that your Figure doesn't accumulate dust, as it affects the paint and sticks to it.

Process of making an anime figure in PVC

If you want to know how they make anime PVC figures, here we show you a summarized video, in which the master sculptor known as Bome, from the company Kaiyodo, elaborates the figure of the female character Corticarte Apa Lagranges from the visual novel Shinkyoku Sokai Polyphonica.

The Best Anime Figures in PVC

Do you want to know which Anime PVC figures are the most sold? Here you have the best selling PVC Anime figures on Amazon.

When did action figures come into existence?

Action figures only really came into their element during the 80s. Before 1983, it was illegal to create TV programs based on toys. This meant generating a buzz for an action figure was hard, to say the least. As soon as this restriction was removed there was a huge influx in television programs like “He-Man”.

What is the plastic used in action figures?

The plastic used for the skin/body of an action figure may be made from a softer plastic such as PBS. This why it is slightly less rigid to touch and generally more smooth/soft feeling. Other components, such as weapons, clothing, or accessories may often be made from ABS. ABS is very strong and far less flexible.

How long does it take to print an action figure?

One action figure could take up to and even surpassing an hour to print and then the same again to cool. This means even if the printer is working 24 hours a day it can only produce 12 action figures. You would need thousands of 3D printers to come close to even the smallest of production lines.

Can you buy manufacturing rights for an action figure?

Planning takes part equally before and after the acquisition of manufacturing rights. You likely can’t even purchase the rights unless you have a solid plan in place, and once you do have the rights you need to begin not only planning the action figure but its accessories (if there are any) and the marketing behind it.

Can action figures be assembled?

Unlike figurines that are typically one part, action figures are often comprised of many different parts. The individual parts of the figures are produced separately. These must all be carefully assembled. It is not always possible for a machine to do this, so human input is needed in some cases.

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Licensing

Materials and Production

  • When it comes to the production of anime figures and figurines, the production process is likely similar to the production of action figures—I have a whole article dedicated to this here. To summarize, the steps to making these figures will go something like this: permissions, planning, design, prototyping, manufacturing, and then marketing. This i...
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Supply and Demand

  • Anime figures would not be as expensive as they are if there were not enough people out there who are willing to pay those prices for the figures. When it comes to anime figures, mass appeal is not necessary to make a profit. As with anything, there just needs to be enough dedicated people out there—the rest don’t matter. Even though it is relatively popular, anime is still not mai…
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Distribution

  • Many anime figures are not distributed in the West. Some are only distributed in Japan and maybe South East Asian countries. If you lived in one of these countries, those figures could be significantly cheaper—sometimes half the price. If you purchase a figure from Japan or another foreign country, the cost of international shipping is going to increase the amount you will pay fo…
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Conclusion

  • Supply and demand, the quantity and quality of the figures, licensing, and distribution are all major factors in determining the price of anime figures/figurines. In a nutshell, that sums things up. It’s difficult to determine the costs of licensing as most of those conversations take place “behind closed doors” and we are not privy to that information. If you would like more information on th…
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