Home Comics & Toys Hit or Miss: Why do people collect figures and toys?

Hit or Miss: Why do people collect figures and toys?

2 min read
138

collectibles

I’m a self-proclaimed geek, with eclectic tastes that tap in to many facets of geekdom. As such, many of my friends are also geeks. Many of them have a habit of buying collectibles. They’ll spend hundreds and thousands of Rands to buy merchandise and memorabilia of things they love. And it baffles the hell out of me.

I just don’t get it. I don’t understand why people spend fortunes on things that sit there, looking nice and doing nothing. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging. I think people should be free to spend their money on whatever they want without having to feel guilty about their hobbies and passions. I also understand that many of these things are collectible for a reason – that in the future, because of their rarity, they may actually be worth something. Mostly though? They sit in display cases and look pretty.

I don’t think I’ll ever understand it – so I asked two of our own collectors why they collect these things.

Here’s what Darryn had to say:

“There’s a certain joy to collecting anything, but I think toys just manage to scratch an itch that I could never fulfil as a kid. For me, it’s not just about being able to own something that I could only dream of having when I was a child, but also the fact that I’m in a position to get my hands on something that is even better than what was available then. A good action figure gives you that wonderfully warm feeling of nostalgia.

But a great action figure? It’s more than that, it is actual art that you can adjust and display. I could wax lyrical about how I also feel that collectible toys are a solid investment or how I could get high for days after huffing the smell of freshly opened plastic, but that’s not why I grab them whenever I have the chance. I just love toys, and always will. And nothing beats the fact that just staring at a beautifully detailed sixth-scale figure, results in a visual form of catharsis for me personally.”

Alessandro’s also an avid collector.

“For me, collectibles are less about completing a set and more about showing admiration and love for a particular franchise or brand. I own many, many Star Wars figurines, all of which are just used as display pieces to make it perfectly clear to anyone that there’s a lot of love for the series in my immediate vicinity. It’s a rewarding way to outwardly show my love for something, and I equally appreciate a lot of the craftsmanship that goes into figure creation too.”

I can respect that. I may never understand that, but I can respect that. What about you? Do you go cuckoo for collectibles, or do you also struggle to comprehend the fascination with figurines?

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.

Last Updated: February 10, 2017

138 Comments

  1. Umar

    February 10, 2017 at 10:35

    Because they smell really, really good. It’s intoxicating.

    Reply

    • PurplePariah

      February 10, 2017 at 10:40

      So do new magazines and books. And I hardly even collect the latter, despite enjoying them far more than any toy or figurine.

      Reply

      • Original Heretic

        February 10, 2017 at 10:42

        I’m a total book collector. I currently need new bookshelves.

        Reply

        • Ir0nseraph

          February 10, 2017 at 10:44

          I enjoy reading but I have gone the E-book route, the storage just got too much and since the young one’s arrival in our house, storage is very important.

          Reply

          • Original Heretic

            February 10, 2017 at 10:45

            I’m at the stage where I need to watch my lad if he gets anywhere CLOSE to the study. He likes invading the bookshelves, intent to rip up another book.

          • Ir0nseraph

            February 10, 2017 at 10:45

            XD
            Mine is still crawling so safe for now 🙂

  2. Ottokie

    February 10, 2017 at 10:35

    I would have hundreds of figures if they were affordable.

    Reply

    • PurplePariah

      February 10, 2017 at 10:41

      I have one figure. It’s round.

      Reply

  3. Neji

    February 10, 2017 at 10:37

    Does Lego count?

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      February 10, 2017 at 10:37

      Fire Marshall Bill says yes.

      Reply

      • Neji

        February 10, 2017 at 10:38

        aaaawwww yesssssssssssssssss!
        Lego Technic FTW

        Reply

    • miaau

      February 10, 2017 at 10:37

      Um, if it does, then scratch what I just wrote….

      Reply

    • Captain JJ

      February 10, 2017 at 11:37

      I have a bunch of Star Wars Lego sets, so I would think maybe so. It may not be a “figure” like the article suggests, but it’s a collectible for sure.

      Reply

  4. miaau

    February 10, 2017 at 10:37

    I like to look at them, to hold them and see them. But to buy?

    No, I will not buy them. Clutter, clutter and more clutter.

    Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      February 10, 2017 at 10:37

      Yeah, I amlike this too. I can appreciate that they look nice. I don;t need to own the stuff.

      Reply

    • PurplePariah

      February 10, 2017 at 10:39

      Yup, I’m exactly the same. I appreciate the level of detail in particularly good pieces, but I once got 2 Warcraft figures in some box edition of Warcraft 3. They’re sitting at the bottom of a box somewhere in my garage.

      Reply

      • Captain JJ

        February 10, 2017 at 11:32

        Yea. I just have the Witcher and Skyrim medallions.

        Reply

  5. Ir0nseraph

    February 10, 2017 at 10:42

    I bought a bobble head and 2 Guardians of the Galaxy Plushies, but just because they were cheap and I hate walking out of Rage empty handed, and now they are buried somewhere in my house.
    The collectibles is cool but i don’t need to own them.

    Reply

  6. Original Heretic

    February 10, 2017 at 10:44

    The only time I would ever get a figurine is if it came with a special deluxe edition of a game.

    But since I don’t bother paying an extra R500 – R1 000 for a deluxe edition, I never get them.

    They are awesome though. My Assassin’s Creed obsessed buddy has gotten every deluxe edition of the AC games, so he’s got ALL those kickass figurines. They look brilliant.

    Reply

  7. Kromas Ryder

    February 10, 2017 at 10:45

    People collect Art. This is a type of Art. My desk is littered with Art.

    My desk is cluttered as well. 😛

    Reply

  8. VampyreSquirrel

    February 10, 2017 at 10:45

    I have a few figurines, and I love having them. I’m surprisingly proud of them xD

    Reply

  9. Alien Emperor Trevor

    February 10, 2017 at 10:46

    I think collectibles are cool – some of them are amazing pieces of art. I’ve got a few of my own but I definitely wouldn’t call myself a collector. The character really has to mean something to me in order for me to open the old wallet and spend the money – like the three I have of a certain Star Wars character.

    Reply

    • Umar

      February 10, 2017 at 10:50

      Yeah. Trev’s figurines are actually really cool. I remember how impressed I was when I saw his 3 Jar Jar figurines.

      Reply

  10. Gavin Mannion

    February 10, 2017 at 10:46

    I do actually collect empty beer bottles… looks pretty cool in my lapa

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      February 10, 2017 at 10:50

      At least it’s empty, it has served it’s primary purpose with pride 🙂

      Reply

  11. DragonSpirit009

    February 10, 2017 at 10:50

    I like to collect dragon figurines but not so much gaming or movie/anime or whatever ones. For me collecting the dragon statues/figurines is to show my love for the mythical creature but I’m also dumb stuck in awe on how many different shapes and detail there are on these figures. Even the smallest scale is something wonderful.
    Sadly I haven’t collected any in awhile due to money matters but I hold my head up high with the ones I already own.

    Reply

    • Lu

      February 10, 2017 at 10:53

      I only own a little plastic dragon I got for my birthday, which sits on my LOTR box 🙂

      Reply

      • DragonSpirit009

        February 10, 2017 at 11:00

        I have there little guys at my desk here at work… Got them as a gift one year from a friend hear at work. She knows me to well. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8abf7b954c290c55d23ee086f4005555efe62a5367407efb83ef89442e29caa1.jpg

        Reply

        • Kromas Ryder

          February 10, 2017 at 11:00

          Those are nice.

          Reply

        • Lu

          February 10, 2017 at 11:29

          awesome

          Reply

        • Banana Jim's Final Form!

          February 10, 2017 at 12:44

          Those are amazing! Marry that girl! MARRY HER!

          Reply

          • Ottokie

            February 10, 2017 at 12:53

            Hey Jim… hover over Dragon’s profile and check the bio 😛

          • Admiral Chief

            February 10, 2017 at 12:54

            Its like he has no idea how to speak to a lady

          • Ottokie

            February 10, 2017 at 12:55

            Typical AI

          • Captain JJ

            February 10, 2017 at 12:55

            Wait. Maybe this will help him, seeing as how he’s AI.
            01101100 01100001 01100100 01111001

          • Admiral Chief

            February 10, 2017 at 13:00

            Kekekeke

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 13:03

            Now that’s just rude…. I would never do that!

          • Captain JJ

            February 10, 2017 at 13:03

            Haha.

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 13:00

            Hey, I know how to impress the ladies….

            http://www.gifbin.com/bin/1236337872_fat_guy_shooting_his_gun.gif

          • Admiral Chief

            February 10, 2017 at 13:01

            …by playing with a doucheflute aka vapestick thing?

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 13:02

            Uhm… yes?

          • Captain JJ

            February 10, 2017 at 13:04

            By shooting your load as quickly as possible?

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 13:04

          • Captain JJ

            February 10, 2017 at 13:04

            Haha. Whaat. Never seen this before XD

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 12:57

            That shouldn’t stop her! This is the 2017s, man! 😀

          • Ottokie

            February 10, 2017 at 12:58

            xD

          • VampyreSquirrel

            February 10, 2017 at 12:58

            I’m pretty sure she doesn’t swing that way.

          • Captain JJ

            February 10, 2017 at 13:05

            But swings go back and forth. In two directions. That’s kind of what they’re all about 😛

          • DragonSpirit009

            February 10, 2017 at 13:08

            Not this SWING!!

          • Captain JJ

            February 10, 2017 at 13:12

            Haha. The intention was to mess with Banana, but things just got out of hand 😀
            Okay, wait…I see how open for trolling that sentence is.

          • PurplePariah

            February 10, 2017 at 13:13

            Yeah that’s a slippery topic 🙂

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 13:14

            One does not simply mess with the nana…. without running the risk of brain damage….

            https://imgflip.com/s/meme/One-Does-Not-Simply.jpg

          • PurplePariah

            February 10, 2017 at 13:15

            Oh no. Is that an… Is that an AVO shape?

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 13:16

            An Avo shape? The nerve…. GET OUT OF HERE!!!

          • PurplePariah

            February 10, 2017 at 13:17

            But I’m not scared of long fruit people. Only round ones. YOU’RE NOT ROUND!

          • Banana Jim's Final Form!

            February 10, 2017 at 13:19

            I’m probably on a NPA/CIA/FBI/MOSSAD watchlist now for googling “tiny round bananas”

            https://i.ytimg.com/vi/y_eE83HmRb0/maxresdefault.jpg

          • Ottokie

            February 10, 2017 at 13:19

            xD

          • PurplePariah

            February 10, 2017 at 13:19

            LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          • DragonSpirit009

            February 10, 2017 at 13:20

            You should be lucky that you at least found round banana’s and not something else XD

          • DragonSpirit009

            February 10, 2017 at 13:15

            Good thing I don’t take you guys serious XD

          • VampyreSquirrel

            February 10, 2017 at 13:12

            You’d know all about that, right JJ?

          • PurplePariah

            February 10, 2017 at 13:13

            Oh right, because people use his eyebrows as swings! I get it!

          • Captain JJ

            February 10, 2017 at 13:14

            uhmmm

        • Yondaime

          February 16, 2017 at 09:12

          Have you married her? if not, WTF ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE?!

          Reply

          • DragonSpirit009

            February 16, 2017 at 09:37

            Firstly… I don’t swing that way XD
            Secondly I don’t break up marriages XD

          • Yondaime

            February 16, 2017 at 09:40

            Oh well, we tried.

  12. PurplePariah

    February 10, 2017 at 11:00

    I don’t even buy collector’s editions. The post cards and other shit just sits in a box, unused and unloved. Like Trevor on a warm summer’s day. Or any other day.

    I mean, what?

    Reply

  13. Daniel Hallinan

    February 10, 2017 at 11:00

    I think it’s a mix of things, it’s a different flavour of urge for every person. For me, I don’t really have any collection itch, but I do like having things I like looking at around.

    I am VERY picky when it comes to figurines / statuettes / models (whichever term one prefers). It may be because I put a lot of effort when painting miniatures and love detail on them so I appreciate it when I see it (and notice it when it’s poor), or because my mother is graphic design lecturer and I grew up knowing to look at stuff critically.

    I’ve yet to find ANY collector’s edition figure that’s good enough to interest me, for example, which is a large part of why I feel no urge to get any of them. I grabbed the Homeworld Remastered one and… yeah, I do actually regret it. It’s neat, but it’s not “look at it every day” neat. At least I’m honest 😛

    This does mean I tend to focus more on figures based either on animated or illustrated sources, as the more detailing something has the easier it is for me to find fault in how that detailing is painted (as an example). It’s a bit tough to like detailing when more often than not I put more effort into detailing when painting myself (not a criticism – I’m fully aware that if you’re making hundreds of something you can’t exactly afford to put that much effort into it).

    To give an idea of how picky I am, even though I keep my eye on new stuff coming out of Japan (since that’s where the vast majority are made), I still only have four figurines that I enjoy keeping out. This isn’t due to lack of finances, just a lack of stuff that “meets my standards”. (I grossed myself out by saying that…). Every now and then there’s a mini that REALLY tempts me – it’s a great facial expression that gets me most of the time, but I often warn myself off it by debating if it’s worth the price.

    …you also do just have people who have poor impulse control. The value in held in the initial discovery and/or the acquisition, rather than it’s presence as it stands there. This being what I work to avoid.

    Reply

    • Daniel Hallinan

      February 10, 2017 at 11:01

      Rereading this, I feel like I was sitting in an armchair, sipping tea, and puffing a pipe as I wrote it xD

      Reply

      • Banana Jim's Final Form!

        February 10, 2017 at 12:43

        It was beautiful; It moved me. 😀

        Reply

    • Geoffrey Tim

      February 10, 2017 at 11:02

      Was wondering when we’d have another Dan essay comment. <3

      Reply

      • Daniel Hallinan

        February 10, 2017 at 11:04

        Turns out I like talking about things that I can contribute to.

        Who knew? 😛

        Reply

  14. The D

    February 10, 2017 at 11:01

    For those of you wondering, I have way too much plastic sitting above my head while I type out nonsense: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f04af8051c072e93523e9070b05dc948dd86b9050ad40d1e77ef4e5252a79654.jpg

    Reply

    • Kromas Ryder

      February 10, 2017 at 11:02

      Only 2 Batmans (Batmen? There can only ever be 1 Batman). Disappointing. 😛

      Reply

      • The D

        February 10, 2017 at 11:04

        More are on the way 😀

        Reply

        • Kromas Ryder

          February 10, 2017 at 11:04

          Did you type that in a Batman voice? 😛

          Reply

          • The D

            February 10, 2017 at 11:25

            maaaaaaaarthaaaaaaaaaa

      • VampyreSquirrel

        February 10, 2017 at 11:13

        You should see Garth’s (Valshen) collection… it’s seriously impressive.

        Reply

        • PurplePariah

          February 10, 2017 at 11:17

          Does he keep them in his beard? 😛

          Reply

          • VampyreSquirrel

            February 10, 2017 at 11:19

            A few of them probably… though I can’t guarantee that his beard is strong enough to hold some of that awesomeness.

    • Geoffrey Tim

      February 10, 2017 at 11:02

      So much stuff above your head, and nothing in it. *shrug*

      Reply

      • The D

        February 10, 2017 at 11:04

        OH YOU

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        February 10, 2017 at 11:55

        It is filled with weird, weird things

        Reply

    • Mistake Not...

      February 10, 2017 at 11:28

      I’d be happy to take some off your hands. Especially armoured Batman. That takes up waaay too much space. Messes up your Feng shui.

      Reply

      • The D

        February 10, 2017 at 11:34

        As my father so often likes to tell me:
        Do you want to die young?

        Reply

        • Mistake Not...

          February 10, 2017 at 11:35

          Yes, if it means I get to be buried with that beautiful figure.

          Reply

    • Magoo

      February 10, 2017 at 12:01

      Trandformers! Robots, in, Darryn’s shelf.

      Reply

  15. Captain JJ

    February 10, 2017 at 11:27

    Why not? There’s nothing quite like a physical version of something you’ve seen on tv or in a game.

    Reply

    • Joseph

      June 30, 2019 at 08:27

      Yes, nothing like the cold dead stare of a plastic waifu. Nothing quite like the masculinity and power of a miniature Godzilla. Nothing like the multilayered wonder in analyzing the mysteries and subtle suggestions of a Super Mario bobble-head. Whenever I gaze at my Shrek poster with yearning, I really feel like an onion.

      Reply

  16. Mistake Not...

    February 10, 2017 at 11:32

    For me, the long and short of it is: It makes me happy. There’s no better reason, I feel, to do things than if it makes you happy, unless it’s, like, serial killing or something.

    Reply

    • Joseph

      June 30, 2019 at 08:19

      I like eating McDonald’s every day of my life. It’s killing my health, but who gives a shit. It makes me happy. If I die early, at least I die happy. Glad we agree.

      Reply

  17. RinceThis

    February 10, 2017 at 11:38

    And the corporates coming up with new IPs for you to waste money on LOVE you as much as you love your toys… http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11115/111151641/4836953-agent-smith-evil-laugh.gif

    Reply

    • Captain JJ

      February 10, 2017 at 11:41

      Yea, in some cases the focus on toy sales mess with movies. Like SW ep VII for example.

      Reply

      • RinceThis

        February 10, 2017 at 11:42

        Don’t bring logic to this! The kids will cry!

        Reply

        • Captain JJ

          February 10, 2017 at 11:46

          “Logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end of it.” – Spock.
          I believe he also said something like “May the force be with you.” XD

          Reply

    • Banana Jim's Final Form!

      February 10, 2017 at 12:47

      You shut your mouth – I have a box filled with Disney Infinity figures!!!

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        February 10, 2017 at 14:15

        Anything beyond that? 😀

        Reply

        • Banana Jim's Final Form!

          February 10, 2017 at 18:35

          I have an ovg action figure…

          Reply

  18. Magoo

    February 10, 2017 at 12:00

    I really dislike it when people make a yes/no poll and then add an opinion to the end. No I don’t collect figurines but if you do, that’s okay, I feel you man. I would too if I had more money.

    Reply

    • Captain JJ

      February 10, 2017 at 12:02

      Might look funny if the entire comments section was just people going “yes” or “no” 😛

      Reply

      • Magoo

        February 10, 2017 at 12:03

        I’m talking about the poll above. 😛

        Reply

        • Captain JJ

          February 10, 2017 at 12:04

          Yea. I do agree with that actually. My reason for saying yes, or no, isn’t the same as everyone elses. Kind of stops me from voting at all sometimes.

          Reply

          • Magoo

            February 10, 2017 at 12:30

            At least you can still vote for beer.

            That should be an option of every poll/election ever.

  19. GooseZA

    February 10, 2017 at 12:06

    I think they’re awesome but I never buy because:

    a) They’re damn expensive.
    b) I haaaaaaate clutter. I need my surfaces to be clear and empty. Clutter stresses me out.

    Happy to frame prints of stuff I like and hang it on walls though as it looks neater.

    Reply

  20. Banana Jim's Final Form!

    February 10, 2017 at 12:32

    The only problem with collecting figurines (if you’re a single male) is that you’re basically like that poor diseased featherless peacock strutting his stuff, you’re not going to get a mate. It’s like being a brony while a few years away from 40. Keep that level of crazy till after you’ve secured a mate, gotten married and made sure she or he can’t leave you …. EVER (like hiding her/his Slovenian passport – and keeping her/him tied up in the basement)

    Heh heh heh heh!

    Nah! I’m joking guys, collecting figurines is an awesome hobby, and there’s nothing like displaying your proud collection on a shelf.

    Reply

  21. Sageville

    February 13, 2017 at 13:25

    I guess the exact same questions can be asked of those who have “art” on their walls, or ornaments on their shelves or more than 3 pairs of shoes in their closet…

    Those are considered “Norms” and are acceptable – whereas there is a stigma attached to geek related hobbies…. fek, we all know this otherwise we wouldn’t even be on this site, Geoff is just a troll!

    Reply

    • Joseph

      June 30, 2019 at 08:09

      “Art” on people’s walls tend to have aesthetic purposes in terms of interior design, and in some cases it’s a simple expression of the owner’s tastes. To be honest, I think hanging a painting or two on a wall looks a lot less deranged and shallow than a guy who obsesses over a megalithic shrine dedicated to commercialism and bland fictional characters.

      Reply

    • Joseph

      June 30, 2019 at 08:09

      “Art” on people’s walls tend to have aesthetic purposes in terms of interior design, and in some cases it’s a simple expression of the owner’s tastes. To be honest, I think hanging a painting or two on a wall looks a lot less deranged and shallow than a guy who obsesses over a megalithic shrine dedicated to commercialism and bland fictional characters.

      Reply

  22. Avithar

    February 13, 2017 at 14:48

    i have a ton of Batman stuff… even ran out of space but i am still adding more to my collection.

    Reply

  23. ShiroNeko

    September 24, 2018 at 06:06

    I love anime, like super love it. But I do not have a single figurine of a character. I Have a few plushies of mascot character. (white and black mokona, a shadow heartless, and a Totoro plush, but that’s it. I don’t get the obsession of having plastic models of ones favorite humanoid characters. I’d much rather have a necklace or bag the character has, sadly these sorts of things are very rare, especially high quality ones.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Spyro Reignited Trilogy – Switch review: Fun with fire

I’ll forever associate Nintendo with platformers and collect-a-thons. You could blam…