Five Tips for Collecting Designer Action Figures
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Understanding What Designer Action Figures Are
Designer action figures may depict a traditional superhero, such as Batman or Spider-Man, or they may be the unique creations of a particular artist or designer. Unlike regular action figures, designer figures are not mass-produced for children but are produced in small runs specifically for adults. They straddle the divide between what is considered "art" and what is considered "toy." It should also be noted here that although the term "action figure" is used to refer to this style of designer toys, some companies use the terms "statue" or "figurine." Technically, an action figure is a posable toy; not all of the designer toys that are called "action figures" are actually posable. The following five tips will help those new to the genre of designer action figures to get started with their own collection of these unique toys.
Designer action figures may depict a traditional superhero, such as Batman or Spider-Man, or they may be the unique creations of a particular artist or designer. Unlike regular action figures, designer figures are not mass-produced for children but are produced in small runs specifically for adults. They straddle the divide between what is considered "art" and what is considered "toy." It should also be noted here that although the term "action figure" is used to refer to this style of designer toys, some companies use the terms "statue" or "figurine." Technically, an action figure is a posable toy; not all of the designer toys that are called "action figures" are actually posable. The following five tips will help those new to the genre of designer action figures to get started with their own collection of these unique toys.
1. Start by Choosing a Subgenre of Designer Action Figure to Collect
Just as there are male action figures and female action figures, action figures who represent comic book heroes and action figures who represent movie characters, there are also a number of subgenres when it comes to designer action figures. Here are two of the most common types of designer action figures that collectors can choose from:
Urban Vinyl Designer Action Figures
Urban vinyl action figures, often just referred to as just urban vinyl, are figures that have been designed by artists to represent pop or urban culture. For example, urban vinyl action figures are often dressed to resemble urban youths, hip hop artists, or skateboarders. Urban vinyl action figures are also frequently non-human. One well-known line of urban vinyl is the Dunny character line, a series of rabbit-like creatures dressed in various unusual ways, such as in a gas mask, with a skull for a head, or as a demon.
Urban vinyl action figures, often just referred to as just urban vinyl, are figures that have been designed by artists to represent pop or urban culture. For example, urban vinyl action figures are often dressed to resemble urban youths, hip hop artists, or skateboarders. Urban vinyl action figures are also frequently non-human. One well-known line of urban vinyl is the Dunny character line, a series of rabbit-like creatures dressed in various unusual ways, such as in a gas mask, with a skull for a head, or as a demon.
Manga and Anime Action Figures
Some manga and anime action figures are designed with adults in mind. A prime example are the action figures designed by Japanese artist Shunya Yamashita, almost all of which are female characters depicted in sexually suggestive clothing and poses. Another example from this subgenre is the ARTFX J line of figures from Japanese toy maker Kotobukiya. This line has both male and female anime and manga action figures artistically designed and with careful attention to detail.
Some manga and anime action figures are designed with adults in mind. A prime example are the action figures designed by Japanese artist Shunya Yamashita, almost all of which are female characters depicted in sexually suggestive clothing and poses. Another example from this subgenre is the ARTFX J line of figures from Japanese toy maker Kotobukiya. This line has both male and female anime and manga action figures artistically designed and with careful attention to detail.
2. Alternatively, Collect Designer Versions of Traditional Action Figures
Because runs of designer action figures are so small, even characters that have been mainstays of the action figure genre for generations become quite valuable when they are re-imagined as designer toys. For instance, the toy maker mentioned above, Kotobukiya, produces not only hard-to-find anime figures but also traditional figures, like Batman. A Kotobukiya Batman character, however, is unlike any Batman figure produced by well-known toy makers such as Mattell or Hasbro. Because a Kotobukiya designer action figure is meant to be art, a designer Batman figure has every muscle, cape crease, and belt pouch visible.
Because runs of designer action figures are so small, even characters that have been mainstays of the action figure genre for generations become quite valuable when they are re-imagined as designer toys. For instance, the toy maker mentioned above, Kotobukiya, produces not only hard-to-find anime figures but also traditional figures, like Batman. A Kotobukiya Batman character, however, is unlike any Batman figure produced by well-known toy makers such as Mattell or Hasbro. Because a Kotobukiya designer action figure is meant to be art, a designer Batman figure has every muscle, cape crease, and belt pouch visible.
3. Learn About Different Types of Designer Action Figure Materials
One factor collectors consider when purchasing designer figures to add to their collection is the type of material used to create the action figure. The most common types of materials used in the creation of designer action figures are ABS plastic, PVC plastic, vinyl, resin, and polystone. Each type of material has certain implications for the collector.
One factor collectors consider when purchasing designer figures to add to their collection is the type of material used to create the action figure. The most common types of materials used in the creation of designer action figures are ABS plastic, PVC plastic, vinyl, resin, and polystone. Each type of material has certain implications for the collector.
ABS Plastic Action Figures
ABS is short for "acrylonitrile butadiene styrene." It is a hard, smooth plastic that is very durable but not very conducive to delicate details. However, the advantage of using ABS plastic is that figures are unlikely to break. Many Gundam anime action figures use ABS plastic.
ABS is short for "acrylonitrile butadiene styrene." It is a hard, smooth plastic that is very durable but not very conducive to delicate details. However, the advantage of using ABS plastic is that figures are unlikely to break. Many Gundam anime action figures use ABS plastic.
PVC Plastic Action Figures
PVC, which is short for "polyvinyl chloride," is the same type of plastic used to create the plastic pipes in most modern buildings. Although it is a softer plastic than ABS, it is still relatively durable. Because it is softer than ABS, PVC designer action figures are often depicted in much greater detail. People concerned with environmental issues, however, should be aware that the production of PVC releases many pollutants.
PVC, which is short for "polyvinyl chloride," is the same type of plastic used to create the plastic pipes in most modern buildings. Although it is a softer plastic than ABS, it is still relatively durable. Because it is softer than ABS, PVC designer action figures are often depicted in much greater detail. People concerned with environmental issues, however, should be aware that the production of PVC releases many pollutants.
Vinyl Action Figures
Vinyl is far more flexible and soft than either of the two other materials mentioned above. An example of a common vinyl toy is a "rubber" duck for the bathtub. Hollow on the inside, action figures created from vinyl are not nearly as durable as plastic figures. Because the material is so soft, though, it is one of the top material choices for creators of designer action figures. Unfortunately, vinyl is also one of the worst materials in this list for the environment.
Vinyl is far more flexible and soft than either of the two other materials mentioned above. An example of a common vinyl toy is a "rubber" duck for the bathtub. Hollow on the inside, action figures created from vinyl are not nearly as durable as plastic figures. Because the material is so soft, though, it is one of the top material choices for creators of designer action figures. Unfortunately, vinyl is also one of the worst materials in this list for the environment.
4. Consider Limiting the Designer Action Figure Collection to Environmentally Friendly Materials
The majority of designer action figures use one of the three types of materials listed above. Stricter environmental regulations in the West mean that the vast majority of designer action figures are produced in Asia, particularly in China. The fact that the designer action figures are difficult to produce without creating hazardous by-products leads some collectors to look for toys made from materials that are more environmentally friendly. Here are two material options for eco-conscious collectors.
The majority of designer action figures use one of the three types of materials listed above. Stricter environmental regulations in the West mean that the vast majority of designer action figures are produced in Asia, particularly in China. The fact that the designer action figures are difficult to produce without creating hazardous by-products leads some collectors to look for toys made from materials that are more environmentally friendly. Here are two material options for eco-conscious collectors.
Resin Action Figures
Resin is a hard substance that is not usually used for posable action figures but can still be used for figures with fine details. Although most resin is synthetically produced, it is less toxic than the materials mentioned above and is sometimes made from plants and trees.
Resin is a hard substance that is not usually used for posable action figures but can still be used for figures with fine details. Although most resin is synthetically produced, it is less toxic than the materials mentioned above and is sometimes made from plants and trees.
Polystone Action Figures
Polystone is a type of resin that is easier to mass produce. Like resin, it is hard but tends to be more brittle and breakable. Also like resin, polystone action figures can be created in relatively high detail.
Polystone is a type of resin that is easier to mass produce. Like resin, it is hard but tends to be more brittle and breakable. Also like resin, polystone action figures can be created in relatively high detail.
5. Know Where and How to Buy Designer Action Figures
Collectors looking for unique designer action figures, hard-to-find figures, or vintage characters in good condition turn to one of three places: the toy manufacturer's website, conventions, or eBay. Collectors buy directly from the toy manufacturer when they don't mind paying full-price and are interested in buying a specific new line of toys or complete sets. Companies worth noting in the designer action figure world include the aforementioned Kotobukiya, along with Munky King, Kidrobot, Super7, and Max Toy Company. This list is certainly not extensive; there are many other small companies whose toys are especially valued by collectors. When buying directly from the toy manufacturers, buyers should buy early and buy complete. Producing toys only in small runs mean that companies quickly run out of their latest figures, which is why buying early is important. "Buy complete" means that collectors would be wise to buy complete sets of toys rather than purchasing the toys piecemeal. Conventions, such as popular annual Comic Con in the United States or the Tokyo Toy Show in Japan, are great ways to find rare and vintage toys from professional collectors. Buying from vendors at a convention differs from buying from a toy manufacturer in that prices are more often fluid than fixed. While it's sometimes possible to haggle with a vendor at a convention, haggling usually isn't an option at a regular retail store or manufacturer's store. Furthermore, the same figure might be sold at two different prices in the same convention. Because toy prices vary widely from site to site and vendor to vendor, buyers should do some price research ahead of time.
Conclusion
Designer action figures are excellent collectibles because they have been designed specifically with collectors in mind. Created in limited edition runs only, all designer action figures are rare by their very nature, which makes them especially fun to collect. Although collectors can purchase designer action figures at conventions and directly from toy manufacturers, one of the best places to find designer action figures is on eBay.
Collectors looking for unique designer action figures, hard-to-find figures, or vintage characters in good condition turn to one of three places: the toy manufacturer's website, conventions, or eBay. Collectors buy directly from the toy manufacturer when they don't mind paying full-price and are interested in buying a specific new line of toys or complete sets. Companies worth noting in the designer action figure world include the aforementioned Kotobukiya, along with Munky King, Kidrobot, Super7, and Max Toy Company. This list is certainly not extensive; there are many other small companies whose toys are especially valued by collectors. When buying directly from the toy manufacturers, buyers should buy early and buy complete. Producing toys only in small runs mean that companies quickly run out of their latest figures, which is why buying early is important. "Buy complete" means that collectors would be wise to buy complete sets of toys rather than purchasing the toys piecemeal. Conventions, such as popular annual Comic Con in the United States or the Tokyo Toy Show in Japan, are great ways to find rare and vintage toys from professional collectors. Buying from vendors at a convention differs from buying from a toy manufacturer in that prices are more often fluid than fixed. While it's sometimes possible to haggle with a vendor at a convention, haggling usually isn't an option at a regular retail store or manufacturer's store. Furthermore, the same figure might be sold at two different prices in the same convention. Because toy prices vary widely from site to site and vendor to vendor, buyers should do some price research ahead of time.
Conclusion
Designer action figures are excellent collectibles because they have been designed specifically with collectors in mind. Created in limited edition runs only, all designer action figures are rare by their very nature, which makes them especially fun to collect. Although collectors can purchase designer action figures at conventions and directly from toy manufacturers, one of the best places to find designer action figures is on eBay.
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