My Anime Figure Journey

Everyone had unique things to do on their life and that includes your hobby, I never thought that I would be hook on to this and that’s collecting anime figures. I don’t know how, when, where I was attracted in figures, but I know this was a thing to me now. I know others might not be interested in this kind of thing, and others may say that I am bragging my luxury (for me) but all I can say was this brings me joy that’s why I want to share my figure journey. Ready or not bear with my article.

Who says that toys were only for children? Adults can still have toys for themselves and that includes me. Growing up does not have to mean growing old as well, this was one of the key recipes in order for you to have a good life, one thing I learned from “Michael V” a multitalented comedian/artist from the Philippines. The one thing that he said that left a mark in our hearts was “because we are growing old, we do not play anymore but the truth we grow old because we do not play anymore, do not be childish, but have the heart of a child.” This is true and I learned a lot from him.

I’ve been collecting figures for almost 2 and a half years, that journey was fun, hilarious, consumes a lot of money and more. I was influenced to collect figures because of my love in anime, I can call myself weeb sometimes but one thing for sure that I love anime so much. Anime brought happiness to me and I learned a lot from it, anyways getting back on my story I remember the first time I have a figure for myself. It started when I’m on my work, I was finished eating lunch after that I checked my phone and used the Shopee App (Online Shopping app) since it was sale that time, I browse on products that was offered in the app. I happened to encounter this certain figure that was offered for a cheap price which I immediately add to my cart then placed order, I didn’t know yet the difference between fake and authentic so it was okay for me as long the product will be safe and no damage. A week after I received my first ever figure, as I received my parcel, I was filled with excitement to open it and see for myself, I opened it and assemble the figure myself. I was really happy that time, I already expected that it would not be perfect but worth for its price. Later on, I just realized that the first figure that I had was “Bootleg” a terminology in toy community, in simplified term it was fake. It was my first time on figure but that didn’t stop me, I studied it on the internet and learned a lot of things regarding figures, my friend who was also collector help me to learn about this hobby because he happens to see my myday on my first figure and ask if I have an idea on what I bought.

Moving forward on my journey as I learned more about figures, I started to invest on authentic one’s than on fake but to be honest having a bootleg figure or KO figure was not bad, still after knowing how to check an authentic figure I bought five more bootleg figures because it was cheap and money wise but comparing to the details and quality than the authentic one it had a lot of difference. The price of bootleg figure that I bought was 400 to 500 pesos compared to my authentic figures that starts at 850 pesos up to 5,000 pesos, too much difference in price, right? Figure collecting was a hobby for someone who can afford it, I am not saying that others can make this a hobby but make sure you have the money to spend on your wants. Since I have a job having this kind of hobby was not a problem but to be honest it can empty your pockets especially when the figure that you’re looking for is for sale by shops/sellers online.

I have collected almost a hundred figures in this short span of time, I gave some on my friends, I display the others, while I sell my other figures when I really need funds. If you asked me how many figures that I bought in a month? I think I bought 3 to 5 figures depends what kind of figure it is, and it was included in the line of my collection. Right now, I am minimizing collecting for the meantime because we have pandemic and the money that I earned from my job was prioritize on needs. I can say that my figure journey was one hell of adventure, started from bootleg up to authentic and continue collecting up until know. As of now I have a lot of pre orders figures from Japan and waiting for them to received here in the Philippines. Collecting a figure was not a bad thing and it was really fun once you started it, you just have to control spending if you really want to start to collect. Figures help me lessen my stress and it made me happy everytime I see it, it was really fun and can’t wait to collect more. This is my figure journey and I am glad to share mine, thank you for your time reading!