The Different types of Japanese Figurines

The world of anime figures in Japan is a thriving subculture, offering a staggering array of collectibles for fans. These detailed representations of beloved characters come in a surprising variety, catering to different preferences and budgets.

From highly articulated action figures to meticulously crafted scale figures like Tsume, the Japanese market provides a unique experience for collectors seeking the perfect piece to bring their anime fandom to life. So, let's delve deeper and explore the fascinating types of anime figures waiting to be discovered in Japan.

Gashapon

The term gashapon (ガシャポン) should be familiar to you: it's used both to designate the machine that randomly dispenses small plastic balls containing an object from a collection, and to designate said object.

The principle is simple: insert some change, turn the wheel and, hey presto, a ball falls at random. Inside this ball is an object, usually a toy or figurine!

While in France we sometimes come across them at the entrance to supermarkets, in Japan it's a veritable social phenomenon!

Just stroll down any street and you'll come across a gashapon. There are even entire stores, on several levels, filled ONLY with these machines!

And if there are so many machines, it's because there's an incalculable number of gashapon to discover: from the unusual to the kawaii, from the useless to the original, there are gashapon for everything and anything.

In the world of manga and anime, we frequently find cute and surprisingly well-made gashapon for a bargain price of between 300 and 500 yen 

The most recurrent is the tiny figurines you can hang on your phone: all the anime and manga titles of the moment are featured, whether they're big hits or lesser-known.

We also regularly find chibi models of our favorite characters from the title: Detective Conan we find the various characters reduced to a child's age swimming in their oversized clothes, in the image of Conan when he ingested APTX 4869; for Kimestu no Yaiba we find them awakening from a long sleep, in the likeness of Nezuko, and so on.

Buy Anime Merchandise Now

Chibi

And speaking of chibi (ちび), we could actually dedicate an entire section to the subject: chibi figurines are available from virtually every manufacturer, and sometimes even several types!

While the term chibi is certainly no stranger to you, let's remind you what it's all about:

Chibi(ちび/チビ) is a Japanese term for a child or small person. In Japanese pop culture, chibi is used to refer to a character drawn in reduced size, often with a small body and a big head, who is meant to be cute.

In the world of figurines, there are a whole host of chibi ranges, such as :

• Chibi Master and Chibi Kyun Chara: produced by Banpresto and Bandai respectively, these figurines offer similar features. Expect to pay between 10 and 20 euros for a 6-8 cm figure.
• Chokorin Mascot (ちょこりんマスコット): sold in blind boxes (“blind boxes” whose contents are unknown), they measure around 5 cm and cost around 10 euros each. They have the particularity of all having the same body position.
• Petit Chara (ぷちきゃら): originally sold in blind-boxes, Petit Chara are now sold in a single box containing the entire collection. This features the characters in themes such as matsuri or Christmas. Consumers can sometimes choose between 2 models, with color variations on the clothes or different facial expressions. Expect to pay between 60 and 100 euros for a box of several figurines, each measuring around 6 cm.
• Look Up (るかっぷ フィギュア): the latest from MegaHouse, here the characters are always seated and stare at us with their big eyes! Expect to pay around 50 euros for a figurine or a set of figurines measuring around 11 cm.
• Q Posket : recognizable by their characteristic faces (huge eyes, rosy cheeks, small noses and very thin lips), these figurines measure around 13 cm and retail for 25 euros. Each person is entitled to 2 versions: A or B. One features the official colors, the other a variation on more pastel tones.
• Figuarts Mini: articulated at arm level, these figurines cost around 25 euros and generally measure 9 cm.
• And, of course, Nendoroid, to which we'll devote the next section.

Also Read: HOW TO BUY ANIME FIGURES FROM AMIAMI JAPAN

Nendoroids

Since the very first Nendoroid (ねんどろいど) was released in 2006, this figurine range has quickly become a fixture in the figurine world. Every new announcement from the manufacturer, Good Smile Company, is eagerly awaited by the huge fandom behind Nendoroid, both in Japan and abroad.

Particularly prized for their kawaii appeal, it's above all the fact that the figurines are articulated and modifiable that has won them over.

Each Nendoroid has two or three faces, several pairs of arms and legs, and various accessories. And that's what we love about Nendoroid: everything is designed to match the character's personality as closely as possible.

The main idea behind Nendoroid is quite simple: to be able to stage scenes and give life to your figurine thanks to the different positions you can adopt.

The number of possible combinations is infinite, as you can mix and match elements from one Nendoroid to another to create your own interpretation of your favorite character, or even create a character from scratch!

There's little chance of getting bored of a Nendoroid, since you can simply change its face and position to suit your current mood or the setting in which you're integrating it.

Speaking of scenery, you can also purchase sets for classrooms, temples, gyms, supermarkets and much more, into which you can integrate your Nendoroid or other articulated figurines.

Buy Anime Figures Now

Articulated Figures

Although Nendoroids are the best-known articulated figures in the industry, there are other models too:

• S.H. Figuarts: certainly the second best-known range of articulated figures in the business, since it dominates the market with its huge collection of characters. Supplied with various accessories, faces and hands, S.H. Figuarts measure around 14 cm and generally cost around 60 euros.
  
  
• Figma: direct competitors of the latter, these figurines come to us from Max Factory and offer much the same performance as the S.H. Figuarts, but with a number of additional accessories and a level of detail that justify prices between 10,000 to 15,000 yen.
  
  
• Myth Cloth: entirely dedicated to the Saint-Seiya universe, this range of figurines comes to us from Tamashii Nations, and has established itself in the hearts of fans of the title thanks to the quality of its production. All the characters are featured, with their incredible, meticulously detailed armor. Expect to pay between 10,0000 to 20,000 yen for an 18 cm figurine, with prices varying according to the character and the complexity of his armor.

Scaled Figures

Unlike articulated figures, Scaled (スケールドフィギュア) are fixed figures that are not intended to be modified. The manufacturer has chosen a position for his figurine, and that's how it's displayed.

By “Scaled” we mean “scaled to scale”: these figures respect the proportions of the characters, and we often see a reference such as “1/7” or “1/8” to indicate the ratio of the figure to the actual size.

This type of figurine is the most difficult to find, as there are so many models available, with prices sometimes varying by as much as a factor of two.

Among the entry-level figures, we can cite Taito's DXF, Sega 's SPM or Banpresto 's EXG, all of which offer similar features: expect to pay between 3,000 and 4,000 yen for an 18 to 22 cm figure, with very decent quality for such a low price.

Sign Up Now!

As for the more qualitative figurines, which we differentiate by a more elaborate staging (position, base, etc.) and a deeper level of detail (work on colors, movements, etc.), we find several main ranges, including :

• Figuarts Zero: this range offers excellent value for money. Expect to pay between 5,000 and 10,000 yen for a figurine with an elaborate design and often very dynamic stance.
• G.E.M.: these come from MegaHouse and are distinguished by their original settings, which reflect the characters' personalities, and by the quality of the figurines, both in detail and paintwork. Sizes vary according to character position, and prices range from 10,000 to 20,000 yen.
• ARTFXJ: surely one of the most sought-after ranges on the market, these Kotobukiya figurines have made a name for themselves with their impeccable quality and originality. It's not uncommon for ARTFXJs to quickly run out of stock and suffer huge inflation on the second-hand market. Sure values like this one are snapped up like hotcakes! Sizes vary according to the model, and you can expect to pay between 10,000 and 15,000 yen, depending on the work done on the figurine.

Realistic Figures

And to conclude this overview of the different types of figurines, let's talk about realistic figurines. These are distinguished by the materials used in their manufacture, which justify both limited editions and rather expensive prices.

These are generally resin figurines, which are considered more like real statues than “simple” figurines.

In this category, Tsume is certainly the best known. Their reputation is well established: even though prices can reach over 100,000 yen, Tsume figures are always sold out during pre-orders.

Also Read: WHAT ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE ANIME FIGURES?

This craze is justified by the beauty of these figurines, their imposing size and their uniqueness, which will enhance your collection.

There's also Prime 1 Studio, with its enormous figurines and busts worth hundreds, even thousands of euros for the most masterful works!

We hope you've now found the types of figurines you like best!

How can I buy Japanese Figurines on ZenMarket?

ZenMarket is a purchasing intermediary for Japan, also known as a purchasing proxy, i.e. a service enabling you to buy products from Japanese sites if you don't live in Japan.

It's worth noting that the vast majority of Japanese sites and stores do not deliver outside Japan. ZenMarket is the indispensable intermediary for all those Japanese products you can't buy any other way.

To find out step-by-step how to order all your figurines from Japanese sites via ZenMarket without speaking Japanese, read our complete guide! 

And if you're looking for Japan figurines, we recommend you take a look at our special Japan figurines showcase, grouping figurines by series, franchise, manufacturer, etc.