Three Nendoroids for the Price of One Scale Figure: What That Choice Taught Me

Winter 2009: Three Faces of the Same Character

This was the scene I first encountered on the third floor of Kotobukiya's main building in Akihabara. The same character, contained in three different boxes. A 10cm Nendoroid for 1,200 yen, a 15cm figma for 7,000 yen, and a 23cm scale figure for 25,000 yen. At the exchange rate then, roughly 15,000, 85,000, and 300,000 won respectively. As a novice, my thinking was simple: why does the same character have a twenty-fold price difference?

Now I understand. We weren't choosing between prices—we were choosing between philosophies. Would you take palm-sized cuteness, the freedom to change poses daily on your desk, or the serenity of opening the glass case once a month to dust and contemplate? Nendoroids, figmas, scale figures, and prize figures—these four paths each render characters into three dimensions in different ways, and your first choice determines which way your display case will lean.

Let me state the conclusion first. The difference between categories isn't just size and price. They differ in sculpting philosophy, production process, durability, and distribution structure. This is why, when choosing your first figure, you must ask not "which one looks pretty" but "how do I want to keep this character by my side?"

Prize Figures: The Gateway That Began at the Arcade Crane Game

Prize figures were born as crane game prizes in Japanese game centers. SEGA, Banpresto, and Taito are the main players. Until the mid-2000s, they were perceived as merely "cheap figures you win from crane games," but in the 2010s their sculpting quality rose dramatically. Banpresto's Ichiban Kuji line in particular surprised communities with paint quality rivaling scale figures.

Prices typically range from 1,500 to 3,000 yen. By Korean direct-purchase standards, 20,000 to 40,000 won. Heights are mostly 15-20cm, corresponding to 1/8 to 1/10 scale, though exact scale isn't marked. Sculpting is simple. Minimal part separation, hair rendered in chunky masses, facial shading handled with decals or single-color painting. But this makes them durable. Often they won't break even if dropped while unpacking from a delivery box.

The real appeal of prize figures is release speed. When a popular anime airs, figures appear during the broadcast itself. Scale figures require waiting a year after the series ends, but prize figures go up for pre-order around when the opening theme becomes familiar. That momentum captures fan enthusiasm. I too won a prize figure of an anime heroine at a game center in 2008, and that was the entrance to this abyss.

Nendoroid: An Infinite Loop of Expressions in 10cm

Good Smile Company's Nendoroid line has exceeded 2,000 varieties from its 2006 debut through 2024. Two-head-tall proportions, approximately 10cm height, 3-5 interchangeable face plates, and 4-6 sets of hand parts comprise the standard configuration. Prices range from 5,000 to 7,000 yen, roughly 70,000 to 100,000 won.

The essence of Nendoroids is expression. You can swap between peaceful default faces, smiling faces, and flustered faces to create desktop dramas. Joints use a ball-joint system, allowing free rotation of neck, shoulders, waist, and legs, though the range of motion is narrower than figma. Instead, they concentrate on cuteness. The two-head proportion makes any character look approachable.

Storage is easy. Box size is about 15×15×10cm, fitting precisely into IKEA Kallax shelf compartments. Weight is only 100-150g. No burden in a travel bag, and an unobtrusive size for an office desk. But this very size is the trap. Once the "it's small, so one more" logic activates, half a year later an entire shelf section is filled with Nendoroids.

What distanced me from Nendoroids was 2011. I had collected 12 Nendoroids of favorite characters, when one day I realized: I hadn't changed their expressions in over three months. The swap parts lay sleeping in zipper bags inside a drawer. I wasn't the type to enjoy posing and swapping. From that point, I pivoted toward scale figures.

Umamusume Pretty Derby Mihono Bourbon [CODE: ICING]Ver. 1/7 Scale Figure →

figma: 15cm of Freedom for Posing Play

figma is a poseable figure brand launched by Max Factory in 2008. Though part of the same Good Smile group as Nendoroid, the philosophy is opposite. Height 13-15cm, head-to-height ratio 1/12 to 1/10, over 20 articulation points, 3-4 interchangeable faces, 6-10 sets of hand parts. Prices range from 7,000 to 9,000 yen, roughly 100,000 to 130,000 won.

The essence of figma is posing. You can kneel them, rotate arms behind the head, lift one leg into a kicking pose. A dedicated stand supports the waist, enabling floating poses. This is why those with figure photography hobbies prefer figma. "Figure travel" photos—taking them outdoors to sit on benches or stand before flower beds—are mostly shot with figma.

But articulation trades off with durability. The more joints, the higher the probability of loosening. After two years of frequent pose changes, shoulders or hip joints loosen and arms drop on their own. Every figma collector has experienced at least once a wrist joint breaking while removing and attaching swap parts. In my case, a figma purchased in 2013 had its neck joint suddenly loosen one day in 2016, fixing the head at a 90-degree angle.

To enjoy figma long-term, you must accept the paradox of "not handling them frequently." Finding one pleasing pose and fixing it, storing swap parts in the box—this extends their lifespan. If you want to change poses daily, you're better off buying two of the same character.

Scale Figures: The 25,000-Yen Decision for One Shelf Space

Scale figures are fixed (non-poseable) three-dimensional renderings of characters in accurate proportions. 1/7 scale is standard, with heights roughly 20-25cm. 1/8 is slightly smaller, while 1/6 or 1/4 exceed 30cm. Prices typically range from 15,000 to 40,000 yen, roughly 200,000 to 500,000 won, though large works can exceed 1,000,000 won.

The essence of scale figures is sculpting. Each strand of hair molded as separate parts for assembly, gradient painting on skirt linings, small props arranged on bases to recreate a single scene. Craftsmen called genga-shi hand-sculpt the prototype, and through the decoration master (deco-master) they indicate the painting direction. Mass production occurs in Chinese factories, but quality control standards differ by manufacturer. Alter, Good Smile, Kotobukiya, and Max Factory are the four main pillars.

Scale collectors divide into two types: character-focused collectors and prototype sculptor devotees. The former buy any manufacturer if it's a beloved character. The latter follow specific sculptors' styles. For example, if you admire Tsukaguchi Atsushi's sharp lines or Nanaya Tsukasa's soft curves, you collect figures they've worked on regardless of manufacturer. I lean toward the latter.

The real threshold for scale figures isn't price—it's space. One 1/7 figure requires minimum space of 15cm wide, 15cm deep, and 30cm tall. The box is even larger. One shelf can hold eight Nendoroids but only 2-3 1/7 scale figures. To collect ten, you must empty an entire IKEA Detolf display case. And at that moment, you reach the境地 of "buying furniture for figures."

Nendoroid - Nisekoi: Marika Tachibana →

Between Deco-Master and Mass Production: What to Check Before Pre-Ordering

Scale figure pre-orders are a gamble. Manufacturers reveal the deco-master (paint sample) at Wonder Festival or online showcases, and accept pre-orders based on those photos. Release is typically one year later. The problem is that deco-master and mass production can differ.

This happened with the first scale I pre-ordered in 2010. The deco-master had transparent gradient in clear parts at the hair tips. The mass production version didn't. Solid plastic. Facial shading was also shallower. The deco-master had three highlights in the pupils; mass production had two. That difference changed the expression. After that day, I stopped pre-ordering. I decided to wait until mass production reviews appeared.

Now, thanks to Twitter and YouTube, mass production unboxing reviews appear on release day. Even without reading Japanese, you can judge from photos alone. Check whether hair part seam lines are visible, if paint bleeds exist, if the base is warped. If it looks acceptable, then I buy a reissue or used copy. Even if I miss first-edition bonuses, I gain peace of mind.

Of course, exceptions exist. Alter is famous for virtually no gap between deco-master and mass production. Over 15 years I've bought over 20 Alter figures, and have never once been disappointed. Good Smile is also stable. Conversely, some minor manufacturers occasionally cause regret when you pre-order trusting only the deco-master.

Why Only the Leftmost Figure Yellowed: The Path of Sunlight and Degradation

Summer 2015. The skirt of a figure placed at the left end of the display case turned yellow. A white skirt had become cream-colored. The figure at the right end of the same shelf was fine. The cause was the window. The left side of the display case was near the window, and afternoon sunlight between 2-4 PM slanted in, directly hitting only the left figure.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and ABS resin are vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. Long-term exposure causes discoloration, fading, and cracking. Light tones like white, pale yellow, and sky blue change first. Clear parts are no exception. I've seen multiple cases of clear blue parts turning milky after two years.

To completely block sunlight, blackout curtains are essential. Placing the display case on the wall opposite the window is safest. But if room structure makes this impossible, at minimum draw curtains during afternoon hours. LED lighting has virtually no UV, so it's safe. Installing LED strips inside the display case is better than sunlight.

Heat also requires caution. When summer temperatures in a sealed room exceed 35 degrees, PVC softens. Thin parts warp, joints loosen, or in severe cases melt. During summer 2018 vacation I left for a week with the air conditioner off; returning, I found one figure's hair parts had warped about 5 degrees in gravity's direction. It never returned.

figma The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Link: Twilight Princess ver. DX Edition →

War with Dust: Why It Accumulates Even with the Glass Door Closed

Even with the glass door closed, dust accumulates. IKEA Detolf display cases don't seal perfectly at door gaps. After just three months, a thin dust layer appears on figure shoulders. Characters in black clothing show it more prominently.

Soft brushes are best for dust removal. Makeup brushes or camera lens cleaning brushes work. Wet wipes are absolutely forbidden. They scratch painted surfaces or leave moisture stains. Air blowers also require caution. High pressure can break thin parts. After blowing away a hair ribbon decoration on a figure in 2012 with an air blower, I only dust by hand.

I recommend a monthly routine of opening the case door to dust. In that process, you examine figures closely and rediscover details that moved you when first purchased. Shading inside skirt pleats, tiny text on shoe soles, each link of a necklace chain. Cleaning is tedious, but it's also time that reminds you why you collect.

The Box Storage Dilemma: Between Resale Value and Room Space

Should figure boxes be discarded or stored? In the used market, prices differ 30-50% depending on box presence. A popular figure discontinued in 2007 sells for 400,000 won with box, 200,000 without. Even one box crease affects the grade. Japanese used shops classify box condition as A, B, or C, and A-grade versus C-grade can differ by 10,000 yen.

But boxes are large. A 1/7 scale box measures roughly 30cm wide, 30cm deep, 40cm tall. Collect ten figures and boxes alone fill one closet section. Until 2014, I stored all boxes. Half my studio apartment closet was boxes. When moving, I realized: am I living to preserve boxes, or to enjoy figures?

Now I keep only boxes for figures at risk of discontinuation and limited edition boxes, discarding boxes for frequently reissued products. Popular works from Good Smile or Alter get reissued even five years later. If you don't plan to sell, boxes are just baggage. Instead, I wrap figure bodies in two layers of bubble wrap for storage. Even without boxes, they can be moved safely when relocating.

FAQ

Should beginners buy Nendoroids or scale figures first?

If you want to enjoy characters with multiple expressions and poses, I recommend Nendoroids; if you want to appreciate a single scene with high completion, choose scale figures. With a budget under 100,000 won, start with Nendoroids or prize figures to identify your preferences, then transition to scale figures. For your first scale figure, choose your most beloved character, but select a manufacturer with proven mass production stability like Alter or Good Smile.

How significant is the sculpting difference between prize figures and scale figures?

Prize figures handle facial shading with decals or simple painting, and express hair as large chunked masses. Scale figures divide hair into dozens of assembled parts, apply multiple highlight layers inside pupils, and shade each clothing wrinkle. Up close, prize figures feel like toys while scale figures feel like sculpted artworks, but when placed on a shelf 30cm away, that difference becomes less apparent.

What do you do when figma or Nendoroid joints loosen?

When joints loosen, one method is to thinly coat the joint ball with clear nail polish, then let it dry to increase friction. Alternatively, Good Smile's official website sells replacement joint parts for a fee, so you can check international shipping availability and purchase. However, part replacement risks breaking other areas during disassembly, so watch YouTube disassembly videos beforehand and proceed carefully.

Which is more advantageous: pre-ordering scale figures or buying reissues?

First-edition pre-orders allow you to receive bonuses (acrylic stands, bonus bases, etc.) and obtain the figure on release day, but risk gaps between deco-master and mass production. Buying after reissue or checking mass production reviews lets you confirm actual quality and gain peace of mind, but popular works may carry used market premiums during gaps between reissues. I pre-order from manufacturers I trust like Alter, and wait for reviews from manufacturers I'm encountering for the first time.

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May good connections reach your display case today as well.