What Are Figures?

Figures refer to character dolls designed based on anime and game characters. In a broad sense, figures include GK kits, Nendoroids, prize figures, PVC pre-painted figures, and action figures. Prices for figures usually range from tens to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on factors such as design, production craftsmanship, materials, and sculpting details.

GK in GK figures is an abbreviation for Garage Kit, which are model components that need to be painted by oneself, fully known as "unpainted resin model kits." Most of these components are made of resin, so many hobbyists also call them resin models; GK is the original meaning of the term "shouban."

Are you curious about the connection between the word "Garage" and figure models? This dates back to the 1980s. Initially, a group of collectors wanted to make models of their favorite movie or anime characters, but no one could produce what they wanted. Later, they decided to sculpt and create them themselves, making silicone molds and casting them in resin to sell or trade among collectors with similar interests. Because this industry was primarily carried out in personal garages or basements, the name "Garage Kit" was born. GK figure prices generally range from hundreds to tens of thousands, suitable for expert-level hobbyists because they require self-assembly and painting, which is very difficult.

Nendoroids refer to characters made in Chibi or SD (Super Deformed) styles. Chibi means small or short, commonly known as "Q-version." SD is translated as "Super Deformed," meaning that when designers sketch the character, they emphasize a small and chubby appearance, shortening the limbs proportionally and emphasizing a large head and big eyes, which highlights the cute "moe" appeal of Nendoroids. The first Nendoroid was Neko Arc, sold by Good Smile Company in 2006, followed by many more cartoon characters. Early Nendoroid characters came from popular anime such as Death Note, the Haruhi Suzumiya series, and Ghost in the Shell. Nowadays, popular movie characters can also be made into Nendoroids, greatly increasing sales because fans of movies and anime have a very wide global audience. Nendoroids allow for the replacement of body parts, including faces, backs, hair, heads, hands, feet, legs, and skirts. They are designed to spark interest by allowing players to set different character poses.

The term "Prize" in prize figures comes from Japanese, referring to prizes obtained through claw machines, events, lotteries, and other entertainment methods. For example, anime models caught from claw machines, giveaways from merchant lotteries, or cartoon characters exchanged for points at 7-Eleven are all considered prize figures. Prize figures have lower detail, fewer character movements, and simple painting processes; therefore, their prices are more affordable, making them very suitable for beginners just entering the hobby. Through prize figures, players can gradually learn about figure manufacturers, materials, and daily maintenance.

PVC figures refer to models made of PVC material, also known as "PF (PVC Figure)" or "PVC pre-painted figures." This material is very soft; when heated to high temperatures, the figure softens, allowing craftsmen to easily trim the character's shape, which then restores its shape after cooling. Due to this characteristic, PVC is very suitable for making figures with complex curves and large models, as they can be bonded using only hot glue. Compared to prize figures, PVC figures use richer colors, and some characters have special bases to match the figure's pose. Players can also change small items for PVC models, such as weapons in hand, allowing the characters to be posed according to their needs.

Action figures, as the name suggests, are figures that can move. The doll's body has about 13-14 points of articulation, allowing players to create various character poses. The main purpose of action figures is to create "characters that can move freely in the palm of your hand," so their hallmark is the presence of freely moving joints. Well-known action figure brands include Max Factory's Figma, Bandai's S.H.Figuarts, and Kaiyodo's Revoltech.