why are anime statues so expensive

by Wade Walker 7 min read
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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.Jun 26, 2021

What is the most expensive anime figurine?

When One Piece Gold was released, Tokuriki Honten introduced the world to the most expensive anime figure ever made: a gold figure of Monkey D. Luffy himself. It's not the most polished work of art, but it is made of solid gold, adding its uniqueness.

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 figures so popular?

The reasons behind collecting figures are as vast and unique as anime figures themselves. For many, it's a way to surround your physical space with some of your favorite characters. For others, it's a competition to build a collection that can rival those of even the most seasoned collectors.

Why are resin figures so expensive?

It's very heavy, giving collectibles a substantial, stone-like feel and balance. It allows of an intense amount of small surface and paint detail. As a general rule, resin collectibles are more pricey in their initial offering but also retain or even increase their value overtime.

How much is an average anime figure?

You can often see the same anime figures that cost anywhere from $50 to $100 US over in the United States inside Japanese claw machines. It's not just that some claw machines in Japan have nicer things, but it's because the cost of production is vastly lower when it is domestic.

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).

What are anime figurines called?

Figures based on anime, manga and bishōjo game characters are often sold as dolls in Japan. Collecting them is a popular hobby amongst Otakus. The term moe is otaku slang for the love of characters in video games, anime, or manga, whereas zoku is a post-World War II term for tribe, clan or family.

Why are Nendroids so expensive?

So, why are nendoroids so expensive? The simple answer is that you pay for what you get for. Nendoroids that are authentic and not bootleg are made with high quality. Prices for each nendoroid can greatly change due to supply and demand for a certain character.

How do you maintain an anime figure?

WashingFill a container with lukewarm water. ... Optional: Disassemble your figurine. ... Soak your figurine (or figurine pieces) in the water for about 5 minutes. ... Squirt (or rub) soap on a new, soft-bristled toothbrush and begin gently brushing the figurine. ... Rinse all the soap off the figurine using warm water.More items...•

Do resin statues last?

Resin does fine except that the paint will fade eventually. Depending on the color and the quality of the paint used and how much sun the statues are in, they may even fade in a season.

Are statues a good investment?

The short answer is yes. Sideshow Collectibles are indeed a good investment that can see a significant increase in value and at the very least will maintain their value. While most people collect these statues purely as fans, below are four reasons why investing in these statues can also make financial sense.

Can resin statues get wet?

Hand-painted poly-chrome finishes can even be achieved. It is important to note that while resin statues and sculpture do well in rain and can handle temperatures above freezing, they are not as resistant to harsh winter conditions.

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.

Compare that to the average cost of Anime merchandise

The average product (like the device you’re reading this from) costs more than the average Anime merch.

2. Cost of Producing Anime

They say the average Anime episode costs $100,000 to produce. According to a 2015 post shared by Crunchyroll.

3. Nostalgia

a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

5. Lack of Sales

Just as Goboiano stated in their Anime post, some Anime ‘s don’t make enough money at all.

1. Anime figures use high quality materials

If you’ve ever bought your own anime figure, or you know a friend who collects figures, then you know each figurine feels premium.

2. Supply and demand plays a big role in anime figure prices

The supply of anime figures is scarce. By definition they’re rare collectibles that usually don’t resell once they’re out of stock (unlike a commodity like a Vegetable or a mug for example).

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Licensing

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I’m jumping right into the meat of this. Licensing is one of the big reasons why anime figures have those hefty price tags. A toy manufacturing company cannot just make any character from any franchise that they want. They need to get permission from the Anime production companies to do it first, even if there is hig…
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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 is not a post about how anime figu…
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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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