Anime figures as art 101
Christine Gellel of Amedama no Heya looks at Anime figures like they are art. At Malta Comic Con 2016, she gave a primer in the different types of figures available, why it is important to not buy knock-offs and how to repair common problems that occur with the figures after purchase.
There are a variety of materials that the figures may be made from. The most common materials used today are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Both are plastics, but PVC is lighter while ABS is stronger.
Authentic figures are expensive. They have a higher level of quality control, are not mass produced, use only high quality materials and the money goes to the designer, the painter and the other creative people behind the product as well as the producer and the distributor. Bootlegs only send money to the factory and the salespeople.
“A lot of craftsmanship is put into that figure,” says Gellel.
Bootlegs may have boxes that are different and do not include all of the information necessary. The box may also be missing the authentication sticker. The figure may be missing items, and the base of the figure may be different. An authentic figure is usually one piece; with a knock-off, you may see the seams. If you know about the figure before you purchase one, you will be able to stay away from bootlegs. Also, Gellel recommended not buying from eBay.
There are several types of figures. Prize figures are found only in Japan and can be very expensive for those outside of the country. Exclusive figures are in the same category as far as availability and cost. Trading figures are the ones that people may end up with doubles of. Scale figures are scaled from 1:1, or life sized, down to 1:10, about 7.41 inches. Figures may be posable or made from garage kits. Cast off figures have removable clothes, but these clothes may also remove paint form the figure.
A glass cabinet or feather duster can take care of the problem of dust on the figures. Just be sure to keep them away from the sun and other light that may discolor the figure. If the figure starts to lean, it’s okay to use a blow dryer or hot water to soften it up and bend it back into place.
“PVC does not break,” says Gellel. Just be sure to put the figure in cold water once it is straightened.
There are a variety of materials that the figures may be made from. The most common materials used today are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Both are plastics, but PVC is lighter while ABS is stronger.
Authentic figures are expensive. They have a higher level of quality control, are not mass produced, use only high quality materials and the money goes to the designer, the painter and the other creative people behind the product as well as the producer and the distributor. Bootlegs only send money to the factory and the salespeople.
“A lot of craftsmanship is put into that figure,” says Gellel.
Bootlegs may have boxes that are different and do not include all of the information necessary. The box may also be missing the authentication sticker. The figure may be missing items, and the base of the figure may be different. An authentic figure is usually one piece; with a knock-off, you may see the seams. If you know about the figure before you purchase one, you will be able to stay away from bootlegs. Also, Gellel recommended not buying from eBay.
There are several types of figures. Prize figures are found only in Japan and can be very expensive for those outside of the country. Exclusive figures are in the same category as far as availability and cost. Trading figures are the ones that people may end up with doubles of. Scale figures are scaled from 1:1, or life sized, down to 1:10, about 7.41 inches. Figures may be posable or made from garage kits. Cast off figures have removable clothes, but these clothes may also remove paint form the figure.
A glass cabinet or feather duster can take care of the problem of dust on the figures. Just be sure to keep them away from the sun and other light that may discolor the figure. If the figure starts to lean, it’s okay to use a blow dryer or hot water to soften it up and bend it back into place.
“PVC does not break,” says Gellel. Just be sure to put the figure in cold water once it is straightened.