Wed, Feb 09, 2022 page2

• FEATURE: Collectors find new riches in figurines

  • By Chiu ching-luen, Cheng Ching-yi and Jonathan Chin / Staff reporters, with staff writer
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  As hobby groups explode on social media, figurine collection has been transformed from a pastime to an investment, collectors said.

  Tsai Chia-hang (蔡嘉航), a noted collector of figurines from central Taiwan, said he got into the hobby after being given an anime figurine five years ago.

  Tsai’s collection has grown to more than 1,000 figurines, which he displays at Tsai’s All Blue, a figurine-themed restaurant in Chiayi County’s Hemei (和美) that has become a mecca for figurine enthusiasts, he said.

  

  Tsai Chia-hang poses in front of his figurine collection in Chiayi County on Jan. 12.

  Photo: Chueh Ching-lun, Taipei Times

  The rising popularity of Japanese anime and manga around the world has boosted the value of figurines, making them the top revenue sources of toy manufacturers in Japan, he said.

  Some collectors seek figurines with potential collector’s value as a form of investment, Tsai said.

  The world of collectible figurines is divided between Japanese and US franchises, with the most popular examples of the former being figurines from the series One Piece, Naruto and Demon Slayer, he said, adding that new figurines are being created every year for collectors.

  The most popular US figurines are those based on Marvel and DC franchises, and the Transformers franchise, while Denmark’s Lego commands a separate and loyal fan base, he said.

  Collectors usually start the hobby through comics and animation, and come from all walks of life, Tsai said, adding that he has met a butcher, a lawyer and a police officer who are into collecting figurines.

  The most popular type are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) figurines, Tsai said.

  PVC figurines typically stand 15cm to 25cm tall and their prices vary according to quality, with the cheapest costing several hundred New Taiwan dollars and well-made ones from famous brands costing NT$3,000 to NT$4,000, he said.

  The value-holding quality of PVC figurines has increased following the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, adding that buyers should try to predict the figurines’ future value according to quality and quantity.

  PVC figurines should be kept in temperatures lower than 30°C to prevent sweating or mold, he said, adding that mold could spread to other figurines.

  On the other hand, so-called garage kits, which Tsai prefers, are figurines made of resin or artificial stone that offer better value due to their superior durability, workmanship, higher price and limited production, he said.

  Being more expensive, garage kits are also harder to get into and building a collection could cost tens of thousands of NT dollars, he said.

  People new to the hobby should start with figurines made by known Japanese brands, talk to experienced hobbyists and resist impulse-buying to avoid wasting money on fakes, he said.

  As anime or manga franchises can go out of fashion, buyers should gauge a series’ potential for lasting appeal before investing in its figurines, he said, adding that the size of pre-orders is another good indicator of value.

  People should not get into the hobby unless they have money, passion and the ability to do research, he said.

  “Nothing is worse than rushing in on the next hot thing and spending money hand over fist,” Tsai said.

  A Taipei man who asked to be identified as Jim said that his income has more than doubled since he started moonlighting as an online figurine trader.

  Jim said he makes NT$50,000 a month at his regular job as a sales and marketing manager, while his side job — which involves buying figurines for others from online vendors — brings in NT$80,000 a month, he said.

  He started buying figurines from US-based franchises in 2019 after watching the movie Avengers: Endgame, he said.

  Finding the merchandise in Taiwanese stores to be overpriced, Jim moved his search for figurines to Amazon.com and other foreign-based platforms, which proved easy to navigate, despite the language barrier, he said.

  He later began his business of buying figurines for other collectors for a commission, he said.

  Making a living off the figurines trade requires passion and being in touch with Taiwan’s otaku culture so as to anticipate client demand, he said.

  The trade is not without risks or volatility, he said.

  He once placed a nearly NT$10,000 order with a toymaker, only to see it suddenly go out of business and refuse to even acknowledge his request for a refund, Jim said.
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