Starting an anime figure collection can be exciting, but with so many figure types, brands and price ranges, it can also be a little overwhelming. This beginner’s guide explains the main types of anime figures, trusted manufacturers, pre-orders, display tips and what to check before buying your first anime collectible.
How to Start Collecting Anime Figures
Anime figure collecting is a fun way to celebrate your favourite characters, series and artists. There is no correct way to build a collection. Some collectors focus on one anime series, while others collect favourite characters across many franchises.
Before buying your first figure, it helps to understand the different types available and why prices can vary so much.
Learn the Different Types of Anime Figures
Prize Figures
Prize figures are one of the easiest ways to start collecting. They are usually affordable, look great on display and are available for many popular anime series.
Brands such as Banpresto produce a huge range of prize figures featuring characters from series including Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, Demon Slayer and many more.
They are a great choice if you want to build a larger collection without spending hundreds of dollars on each figure.
Nendoroids
Nendoroids are smaller, stylised figures with oversized heads and interchangeable faces, hands and accessories.
They are popular with collectors because you can change their poses and expressions. Many Nendoroids also include accessories based on memorable moments from the anime or game.
POP UP PARADE
POP UP PARADE figures are designed to sit between lower-priced prize figures and more expensive scale figures.
They are generally easy to display, have good detail and are available across a large range of anime, games and pop culture series.
Scale Figures
Scale figures are generally aimed at collectors looking for more detail and premium finishes.
You may see sizes such as 1/7, 1/8 or 1/6 scale. The smaller the second number, the larger the figure usually is in relation to the character's intended size.
Scale figures can feature detailed sculpting, elaborate bases and higher-quality paintwork, but they can also cost considerably more than prize figures.
Choose Characters You Actually Like
It can be tempting to buy a figure simply because it is rare, popular or discounted.
A collection usually becomes much more enjoyable when you focus on characters and series you genuinely like.
You could build a shelf around one series such as One Piece, Dragon Ball or Naruto, collect different versions of one favourite character, or simply buy individual figures that catch your attention.
There are no rules.
Set a Budget
Anime collecting can become expensive very quickly, especially once you start looking at premium figures and pre-orders.
Setting yourself a rough collecting budget makes it easier to decide what is worth buying.
If you are new to the hobby, starting with more affordable figures can also help you learn what styles, sizes and manufacturers you prefer before purchasing more expensive pieces.
Check the Size Before Buying
Product photos can make a figure look much larger or smaller than it really is.
Always check the listed dimensions before purchasing, particularly if you have limited shelf space.
Also remember to allow extra room for the figure's base, accessories and poses.
This becomes especially important when displaying larger scale figures or building a collection inside a cabinet.
Understand Anime Figure Pre-Orders
Many anime figures are announced months before they are released.
Pre-ordering gives collectors the opportunity to secure an upcoming figure before stock arrives.
Popular figures can sell out before or shortly after release, so pre-ordering can be useful when there is something you definitely want.
Release and arrival dates can sometimes change due to manufacturing, international shipping or distributor delays, so estimated arrival dates should always be treated as estimates.
Buy From Trusted Retailers
Unfortunately, counterfeit anime figures do exist.
Extremely cheap prices, poor packaging, unusual paintwork and sellers with unclear sourcing can all be warning signs.
Buying from an established collectibles retailer helps reduce the risk of receiving counterfeit products.
Mighty Toys works with official brands and authorised Australian distributors to supply genuine anime figures, Funko Pop! Vinyls, Pokémon products and other collectibles.
Think About How You Will Display Your Collection
A good display can make even a small collection look impressive.
Bookshelves, display cabinets and wall-mounted shelves are all popular options.
Try grouping figures by anime series, character, colour or figure type rather than placing everything randomly.
Keeping your display away from strong direct sunlight can also help reduce fading over time.
Dust is another consideration. Enclosed cabinets require less cleaning, while open shelves are easier to rearrange when new figures arrive.
Keep the Packaging
Even if you prefer displaying your anime figures outside their boxes, consider keeping the original packaging.
Original boxes make figures much easier to safely transport or store later and may also be useful if you eventually decide to sell or trade something from your collection.
Flattening packaging is generally not recommended for premium figures because the internal plastic packaging is often designed specifically to protect that particular figure.
Your Collection Does Not Need to Be Huge
A great collection does not need hundreds of figures.
Ten figures you genuinely love can make a better collection than shelves filled with products you purchased simply because they were available.
Start slowly, discover which manufacturers and figure styles you prefer and let your collection grow naturally.
Anime figure collecting should ultimately be fun.
Whether you are buying your first Banpresto figure, looking at your first Nendoroid or considering a premium scale figure, choose something that you will enjoy seeing on your shelf every day.
