Should i collect anime

Acrylic Stands. All Figures. Trading Figures. Every one of us knows the feeling. How do you show your dedication to the characters you laughed, cried and eventually fell in love with? We spoke to Kirsty, a year-old anime figure collector, to find out how she got into the hobby, and why she thinks you should too. With a collection including 13 Nendoroids and plenty more on pre-order!

Anime figures do that for me. There are lots of varieties of anime figures. Prize figures and Funko Pop! Vinyls are on the cheaper end, while Nendoroids, Figmas and scale figures start to get more expensive. Some collectors enjoy owning and displaying an array of different types of figures, while others prefer to focus their collections on a select few figure lines.

For example, Kirsty mostly collects Nendoroids. If you are unfamiliar with Nendoroids then you may not know what makes them so special. Fully adjustable, they often come with props and parts for endless posing possibilities.

This sets them apart from other figures that are designed to stay in a strict pose. Anime is every bit an art, and so is collecting the posable representations of the anime characters. One may marvel over why anime action figure collectors indulge in such fuzz. Why do they collect something way behind their maturity levels? And all these posh figurines do is sit and collect dust. Collectors adore the representation of the character they love and idolize.

Collecting anime figures fathoms a more or less certain attachment to the figure you are collecting. There is a personal involvement present that comprise to the emotions and character of the anime action figure. To anime collectors, the figures represent a person rather than an object.

An interesting feature to anime toys collecting is that they come in a variety of styles. Anime action figures are works of art; they are highly detailed making them enviable and pricey, but for a true anime fan, it is money well spent, enjoyed and fulfilled. With regards to the manga characters, the anime figures are great ways to expand outside the sphere of comics and black and white pages.

Anime toys and collectibles bring dear additions and a sense of completion to an action figure collectors pile. There is no particular way or methodology mandated to collecting anime toys but there are formulated tips that can somehow help aspiring collectors start their collections or guide serious collectors in improving their already awesome pile. Before starting your anime collection, know first what anime do you like best, specifically which character. As mentioned earlier, anime collectors find a feeling of intimacy and attachment to the anime toys they are collecting because of what it represents.

It would also be best to know the variety of anime there is as well as their genres and themes. This is how the bulk of collectors start getting into the hobby. One figure turns into two figures and soon you have a mighty collection on your hands. But there are also other motivations outside of enjoyment of an anime series alone.

Other things to consider are:. While reasons to start collecting are aplenty, there are also concerns about starting one. Firstly, make sure you have the space to keep a figure. A desk, table, or a cabinet would be suitable - just make sure you have somewhere to put figures if you were to buy one. Luckily figures come in a wide range of sizes. Hobbies that seem a bit niche can draw some negative comments. A lot of community members feel like they will be harshly judged for their love of all things anime.

But anime is becoming more accepted year after year — from a U. S presidential candidate quoting lines from a Pokemon movie to a certain billionaire having a Full Metal Alchemist icon as his Twitter profile — and the perception around Japanese pop culture outside of Japan is definitely changing. The most important thing is that your hobbies bring you joy - so keep calm and collect on! Perhaps the largest barrier for most is the price.

Spending hundreds of dollars on a hobby is quite prohibitive and leav es you wondering: why is it so expensive? In a nutshell, manufacturers put such a stringent focus on quality that prices are unavoidably high. That said, there are ways of keeping costs down. Buying used figures from trusted vendors can dramatically cut the price down while maintaining good quality.

Prioritizing and saving up for one figure or one set at a time is another way to start collecting without being daunted by the cost. Prize figures are also much easier on the wallet since they are usually more simple. On the bright side, figure collections, if kept in nice condition, tend to appreciate as time goes on. Unlicensed figures do exist, but these should be avoided at all costs. Not only does this impact the perceived support an anime receives remember how series can get greenlit from great merchandise sales?

Make sure to check out our guide on bootlegs to learn more about avoiding them. Starting with your personal selection of anime is the best way to start. Start searching through the different offerings for each series or character. Many online shops break down their catalog by series, making this even easier for shoppers. Take a look at all of the different figures and see if there is something you might want to pick up. If you do not have a clear series or character in mind, maybe start with what category of figures you like the best.

Some beginner-friendly figure types are Nendoroids, Pop Up Parade, prize figures, and small plushies. Other than price, these are small enough to be displayed quite easily in most rooms. A Nendoroid , for instance, will only take up a small amount of desk space. It can be daunting for a complete novice to sort through unfamiliar themes when questing for the right figure, but having a good browse on anime figure websites is a fantastic way to familiarize yourself with prices and your own preferences.

Important: Understand that these items are from Japan and there could be customs issues with certain types of figures e. Check how your country handles these things. Keep in mind that it could also take a while for your figure to arrive.

A few days wait is the absolute minimum, but it can sometimes take up to a few weeks or months. If your local shop is out of stock, they, too, will need to order from Japan. If you have a local hobby shop that stocks anime figures, go check it out!