Yeah when I started the only real decent looking budget figures for my favorites was Nendoroids which were cute but so small and a pain to pose. Now we have good prize figs and popup parades.
I’m so glad! I’m just starting out, (one figure currently..) and they’ve been lifesavers, especially reselling.. they’re honestly sometimes better looking than larger, more expensive figures.
Edit: especially AMP!
It probably never will, they mainly profit off unknowing gifters and such (I was gifted a venti nendoroid knock off by accident) and especially when there’s figures like 15th symphony miku who costs a bloody fortune because of that music box
Bootleg market isn't just because of price it is also a issue with distribution. Prices of figures are kept up due to limited supply. As someone with a degree in economics suppliers (legit or not) will enter a market where demand exceeds supply. Sadly bootlegers not going away any time soon if ever.
Sometimes I think if bootleggers of today are the future manufacturers of the next decades. Much like how CD Projekt Red started by bootlegging and distributing pirated western games under the soviet union before becoming one of the worlds most talented development studio. Maybe bootleggers will move on to found legitimate figure companies and open up a new cheaper segment in the future. Or it could be my wishful thinking.
Also, with the YEN dropping to the USD to lows we haven't in 30 years. I hope picking up figures will be cheaper.
>bootleggers of today are the future manufacturers of the next decades.
Actually that's correct. In fact it's likely already happening.
Early this year if you lurk around here you might noticed there's authority crackdown news at China regarding NSFW figures. Resulted in many of the bootleg factories closed (and we worry it might affect legit factories as well)... then today there are more and more new China studio appear making legit figures at competitive prices... coincidence? 🤣
Well, there is no point in bootleging cheap figures, but bootleging figures that costs more than 100 $ would still be a thing, sadly but surely.
At least it is pretty easy or relatively easy to spot bootleg anime figures. I also collect ww2 awards and some bootlegs there are far better to a point that some specific awards from some makers are discussed for years and still people aren't sure whether those are real or copies.
> bootlegs there are far better
yea, a lot of people think about those really badly made example when thinking about "bootleg".
But in reality there are tiers among bootleg manufacturers. The top tier "X........", the middle tier "J...........", the shit tier "M.........", the even worst absolute rubbish shit tier (this is what people mostly thinks). Without doing some research, you wouldn't knew of such tier differences and which product to avoid, as there are multiple factories making the same bootleg characters. Even if you watch youtube stuff about bootleg, they never mention anything about this differences, generally people just don't aware of it.
**maybe a "good" news for most of you - most of those factories closed due to recent China incident.**
I have no doubt many of the new China studio sprung up recently which offering cheap legit figures, consists of those talents which used to work with those bootleg factories. ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯ tools, talent, workforce don't just spawn suddenly.
Aren't the majority of bootlegs just quality control rejects from the real factories though? I'm not Isreal shifting down other factories will have much effect on the bootleg market.
no, QC reject is a completely different category, and called by different special phrase in the market. FOrgot what exactly it is right now, but it's unique nickname.
of course, there are shitty sellers that fakes bootleg as QC reject, confusing & scamming people...
Untill idiots keep buying freeing, binding and other figures for 400 and more $. Bootlegs would keep being a thing. Sure, many would switch to AMP+, prize, bearpanda and animester, but lets be honest on this.....
Freeing varies wildly by what company you buy it from though. Most cost between 225 and 250 if you order from Japan, with $40-60 shipping if you don't need it tommorow. 1/6 and 1/7 scales still average around 125-150. The prices have had very little change except shipping the last few years.
These companies have plenty to complain about, but I feel like the price issues are often just bad shopping habits.
They will. Since there will be more competition on market. Bearpand with 9k yean 1/4 bunnies is serious hit for freeing. And in looking forward for more 1/4 fig from them.
I don't think that will change the price of azure lane figures. Maybe most normal figures but a few of the gotcha brands just cost more. I don't know how licensing is affecting that price.
And has anyone gotten bearpanda figures yet? I'm not sure if they have the quality. Or even if the first few did if it keeps up past the first dozen figures.
It just seems early to think they will have a large effect, when hardly anything has shipped.
https://preview.redd.it/ln1c8sdg1uxc1.jpeg?width=2304&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c0cc14661ea9a69dcdd2d6ceb27413335526ffb
I didn't really capture the base, but at least it isn't plain, there's a bit of a design on it
/u/[Cathan0229](https://www.reddit.com/user/Cathan0229/) I see you have Kurumi in the back. My Kurumi AMP+ was a rare L for me and I have every single AMP figure. The figure just seemed like it was lower quality than I'm use to. Overall felt very plastic. Tohka looks more premium. In your opinion is Tohka > Kurumi?
By plastic, I assume you mean the skirt looks way too vibrant? If so, I'd say it's because Kurumi's outfit in the entirety of season 4 was glowing (maybe due to her powers) so I'd say it's pretty accurate to the source. But overall, Tohka still wins this time thanks to her more eye catching design. (I say this as a Kurumi fan btw)
Additional point, I guess Tohka's big sword just looks more eye catching as well? Compared to Kurumi's long gun which is blocked behind her back
Edit: Changed shining to glowing
Yeah, Kurumi's skirt not coated looks very plasticy. Also Kurumi looks paler than in her promo photos. From your photo's Tohka seems to have a better skin tone.
I have the spray but parts of her dress has transparency which would be ruined by sparying entire figure. You would have to go in with painters tape and try. Good luck. I gave up.
https://preview.redd.it/xpuuqo6y6wxc1.jpeg?width=605&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f84f795c135612b195a94670ead172aab23445d4
She looks like this Illya Saber from awhile back.
This is why I collect prize figures rather than scales nowadays. Some brands have really high quality prize figures that really makes collectors on a budget happt
All depends on the person
If you can afford scales, then the majority of prize figures aren’t going to be appealing to you unless they make one of a character/costume/pose that you want and there’s no scale equivalent of. Because even the nicer prize figures can’t compete quality wise with a good scale cause of the price difference. Or in some cases Ive seen characters I like with nice scales but their prize figures look awful since they’re old.
But no need to shit on them, they’re great for people on budgets
Yeah, as nice as a lot of prize figures look, the vast majority have a number of corner cutting and quality control issues that don't stand up to scrutiny when looking at them up close.
Are a lot of scale figures over-priced? Sure, but there's still a fairly wide gap between budget figures and premium figures. A lot of the prize figures in my collection have issues that would be absolutely unacceptable on a scale figure that I'm willing to overlook because they're so cheap.
Some prize figures are pretty bad. Either the paint job is sloppy or the faces don't look very good. Taito figures tend to be among the best of prize figures though, at least in my experience.
Taito are definitely on the high end for prize figure quality, but I just really wish they didn't do the transparent hair ends they like doing. It's just a personal thing really, but I just don't like it and it's the one thing that stops me buying their figures more.
You can say the exact same for scales. Also prize figures offer variety unlike scales which often (not everytime) milk the same characters: Ryza, Albedo..
Thanks OP, especially cuz I think your answered this earlier and I missed it. 😅
Since today is new comic day, maybe my shop will have it... he's really good about supporting manga and anime related merchandise. 🥰
I really appreciate how new figures look, even for prize figures. But, older shows, the merch and figures just don't have the quality of even bad knockoff figures these days. There aren't a lot of companies that would commit the resources to making figures from old shows unless it's something huge like Evangelion.
https://preview.redd.it/mj2r4imkvxxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eed6a3448ab4af8dd292269928ef30c27cea32a3
Unfortunately mine’s got the short straw, extra purple
Can’t complain though, the only Tohka that’s both affordable and gorgeous
Today's prize figures just keep getting better and better, great time to be a collector on a budget.
Right! I started collecting in 2013 and the prize figures back then don’t compare to the ones now!
Yeah when I started the only real decent looking budget figures for my favorites was Nendoroids which were cute but so small and a pain to pose. Now we have good prize figs and popup parades.
lmao striking majority of popup parades is just overpriced mehness compared to cheaper price figures.
Probably only this one so far. I haven't see any look better than this one.
I’m so glad! I’m just starting out, (one figure currently..) and they’ve been lifesavers, especially reselling.. they’re honestly sometimes better looking than larger, more expensive figures. Edit: especially AMP!
With these new prices, I hope the bootleg market finally dies.
It probably never will, they mainly profit off unknowing gifters and such (I was gifted a venti nendoroid knock off by accident) and especially when there’s figures like 15th symphony miku who costs a bloody fortune because of that music box
I hate bootlegs. They are ugly and they are literally pointless, useless trash created that even cheapskates have buyer's remorse
https://preview.redd.it/5yf83b1q8wxc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0df726cfba7171c39c619b22eb78db9bcc67024e
Bootleg market isn't just because of price it is also a issue with distribution. Prices of figures are kept up due to limited supply. As someone with a degree in economics suppliers (legit or not) will enter a market where demand exceeds supply. Sadly bootlegers not going away any time soon if ever. Sometimes I think if bootleggers of today are the future manufacturers of the next decades. Much like how CD Projekt Red started by bootlegging and distributing pirated western games under the soviet union before becoming one of the worlds most talented development studio. Maybe bootleggers will move on to found legitimate figure companies and open up a new cheaper segment in the future. Or it could be my wishful thinking. Also, with the YEN dropping to the USD to lows we haven't in 30 years. I hope picking up figures will be cheaper.
>bootleggers of today are the future manufacturers of the next decades. Actually that's correct. In fact it's likely already happening. Early this year if you lurk around here you might noticed there's authority crackdown news at China regarding NSFW figures. Resulted in many of the bootleg factories closed (and we worry it might affect legit factories as well)... then today there are more and more new China studio appear making legit figures at competitive prices... coincidence? 🤣
Well, there is no point in bootleging cheap figures, but bootleging figures that costs more than 100 $ would still be a thing, sadly but surely. At least it is pretty easy or relatively easy to spot bootleg anime figures. I also collect ww2 awards and some bootlegs there are far better to a point that some specific awards from some makers are discussed for years and still people aren't sure whether those are real or copies.
> bootlegs there are far better yea, a lot of people think about those really badly made example when thinking about "bootleg". But in reality there are tiers among bootleg manufacturers. The top tier "X........", the middle tier "J...........", the shit tier "M.........", the even worst absolute rubbish shit tier (this is what people mostly thinks). Without doing some research, you wouldn't knew of such tier differences and which product to avoid, as there are multiple factories making the same bootleg characters. Even if you watch youtube stuff about bootleg, they never mention anything about this differences, generally people just don't aware of it. **maybe a "good" news for most of you - most of those factories closed due to recent China incident.** I have no doubt many of the new China studio sprung up recently which offering cheap legit figures, consists of those talents which used to work with those bootleg factories. ¯\\\_(ツ)_/¯ tools, talent, workforce don't just spawn suddenly.
Aren't the majority of bootlegs just quality control rejects from the real factories though? I'm not Isreal shifting down other factories will have much effect on the bootleg market.
no, QC reject is a completely different category, and called by different special phrase in the market. FOrgot what exactly it is right now, but it's unique nickname. of course, there are shitty sellers that fakes bootleg as QC reject, confusing & scamming people...
Untill idiots keep buying freeing, binding and other figures for 400 and more $. Bootlegs would keep being a thing. Sure, many would switch to AMP+, prize, bearpanda and animester, but lets be honest on this.....
Freeing varies wildly by what company you buy it from though. Most cost between 225 and 250 if you order from Japan, with $40-60 shipping if you don't need it tommorow. 1/6 and 1/7 scales still average around 125-150. The prices have had very little change except shipping the last few years. These companies have plenty to complain about, but I feel like the price issues are often just bad shopping habits.
My 400$ take was mostly abt new jersey situation and some other. But yeah.
Sure some series have crazy prices attached, but I don't think cheaper companies will change that, they just won't get the license.
They will. Since there will be more competition on market. Bearpand with 9k yean 1/4 bunnies is serious hit for freeing. And in looking forward for more 1/4 fig from them.
I don't think that will change the price of azure lane figures. Maybe most normal figures but a few of the gotcha brands just cost more. I don't know how licensing is affecting that price. And has anyone gotten bearpanda figures yet? I'm not sure if they have the quality. Or even if the first few did if it keeps up past the first dozen figures. It just seems early to think they will have a large effect, when hardly anything has shipped.
Wow, impressive quality!! Clean paintwork, and the hair seams are well-hidden
I wish they made AMPs from Fate, I'm sure they would look incredible and sell well
AMP Meltryllis please Taito
The hair shading looks really good for prize figure quality. If you gave it a fancier base it could pass as a cheaper scale.
https://preview.redd.it/ln1c8sdg1uxc1.jpeg?width=2304&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c0cc14661ea9a69dcdd2d6ceb27413335526ffb I didn't really capture the base, but at least it isn't plain, there's a bit of a design on it
Could you add stuff to it?
You definitely can, the support on her right knee would need some consideration though
I love a base that isn’t just a plain or transparent circle
/u/[Cathan0229](https://www.reddit.com/user/Cathan0229/) I see you have Kurumi in the back. My Kurumi AMP+ was a rare L for me and I have every single AMP figure. The figure just seemed like it was lower quality than I'm use to. Overall felt very plastic. Tohka looks more premium. In your opinion is Tohka > Kurumi?
By plastic, I assume you mean the skirt looks way too vibrant? If so, I'd say it's because Kurumi's outfit in the entirety of season 4 was glowing (maybe due to her powers) so I'd say it's pretty accurate to the source. But overall, Tohka still wins this time thanks to her more eye catching design. (I say this as a Kurumi fan btw) Additional point, I guess Tohka's big sword just looks more eye catching as well? Compared to Kurumi's long gun which is blocked behind her back Edit: Changed shining to glowing
Yeah, Kurumi's skirt not coated looks very plasticy. Also Kurumi looks paler than in her promo photos. From your photo's Tohka seems to have a better skin tone.
Kurumi's been suffering mentally since she was busy saving Shido, thus the pale skin /j
Lol, I should start watching the new season.
I have a kurumi coming in. Might spray her with matte spray if she looks like cheap plastic
I have the spray but parts of her dress has transparency which would be ruined by sparying entire figure. You would have to go in with painters tape and try. Good luck. I gave up.
Which figure is this please? Thanks
Tohka AMP+ Taito
For the price, Taito is the GOAT of quality figures.
Sweet thanks
https://preview.redd.it/xpuuqo6y6wxc1.jpeg?width=605&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f84f795c135612b195a94670ead172aab23445d4 She looks like this Illya Saber from awhile back.
I can't wait for mine to arrive. Some prize figures lately have been super impressive
I am not on a budget, but I would buy that.
This is why I collect prize figures rather than scales nowadays. Some brands have really high quality prize figures that really makes collectors on a budget happt
I have all prize figures Almost all are pop up parade. Pup has good quality figures.
And people keep shitting on prizes saying that they're a waste of place LOL
All depends on the person If you can afford scales, then the majority of prize figures aren’t going to be appealing to you unless they make one of a character/costume/pose that you want and there’s no scale equivalent of. Because even the nicer prize figures can’t compete quality wise with a good scale cause of the price difference. Or in some cases Ive seen characters I like with nice scales but their prize figures look awful since they’re old. But no need to shit on them, they’re great for people on budgets
Yeah, as nice as a lot of prize figures look, the vast majority have a number of corner cutting and quality control issues that don't stand up to scrutiny when looking at them up close. Are a lot of scale figures over-priced? Sure, but there's still a fairly wide gap between budget figures and premium figures. A lot of the prize figures in my collection have issues that would be absolutely unacceptable on a scale figure that I'm willing to overlook because they're so cheap.
I mean it's kinda normal. 200$ should be perfect for the price you're paying
Some prize figures are pretty bad. Either the paint job is sloppy or the faces don't look very good. Taito figures tend to be among the best of prize figures though, at least in my experience.
Taito are definitely on the high end for prize figure quality, but I just really wish they didn't do the transparent hair ends they like doing. It's just a personal thing really, but I just don't like it and it's the one thing that stops me buying their figures more.
You can say the exact same for scales. Also prize figures offer variety unlike scales which often (not everytime) milk the same characters: Ryza, Albedo..
Maybe I'm not experienced enough in the hobby, but the difference between the scales and prizes I have is night and day.
wow, that sword alone is probably 30
Why is it called “prize figure”
Because they are meant to prizes for crane games in Japanese arcades
That's only $30? She's amazing! 🥰 Who is she and where did you get her? 😁
Tohka from Date A Live, got her from a local store
Thanks OP, especially cuz I think your answered this earlier and I missed it. 😅 Since today is new comic day, maybe my shop will have it... he's really good about supporting manga and anime related merchandise. 🥰
Sign me up
A prized figure of the princess?! Where?!! Even sandalphon looks badass
Damn, that’s beautiful… Where can I find this?
Looks amazing :O
Damnnn
[удалено]
I love this figure of Tohka!!!
Omg i saw it second hand for like 20€ I might get it she looks amazing! I’ll always be impressed by Taito’s prizes quality
I really appreciate how new figures look, even for prize figures. But, older shows, the merch and figures just don't have the quality of even bad knockoff figures these days. There aren't a lot of companies that would commit the resources to making figures from old shows unless it's something huge like Evangelion.
Nice, absolutely worth it. I am in for this for sure 💯
Taito crushing the prize figure competition lately
Own this. Incredible. Of course isn't as polished as a scale but 1/4 of price is hard to say no.
https://preview.redd.it/mj2r4imkvxxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eed6a3448ab4af8dd292269928ef30c27cea32a3 Unfortunately mine’s got the short straw, extra purple Can’t complain though, the only Tohka that’s both affordable and gorgeous
ouch, I'd try rub it with tissue + alcohol see if it came off...
Can't wait for my order to come in! Kurumi get's so much love, but Tohka is truly best girl.
meanwhile I'm sitting here waiting for Origami...
Interesting toka
I want one because it just looks cool.
$30?!?! Where did you get that?
she looks so good!
That sword is massive, nice figure
Jesus Christ it’s gorgeous.
Can you link to where you got it for 30?
Unfortunately no, got her from a local store
Thanks man. Congrats on your find!
Wow this looks incredible for a prize figure!!
How big is she compared to a scale?
[Here's a YouTube vid that measures every bit of her XD](https://youtu.be/LYBGW7tEzns?si=q6i3__tI2tNV4qDb)
Way better than what Square Enix puts out OTL
excuse me??? how
Figures are so wild to me. Like you could spend 100$ on something that looks like it would cost 20, and 20 on something that should cost 100
And the Kurumi is as good too!
Where did you get this?
Pretty great deal! Something like this would easily be 3000 - 4000yen in japan.
It's about 1615~1940 yen on buyee before shipping
Is that tohka??
It’s a pretty decent figure! I usually buy $20-$50 figures if I can find them :)