You’ve seen them everywhere: lining the shelves at Target, peering out from comic book shop windows, and filling up your social media feeds. With their oversized heads, black button eyes, and uncanny ability to represent nearly every character in pop culture, Funko Pops have become a global phenomenon.
But where do you even begin? The wall of boxes can be intimidating. This guide will break down everything you need to know to go from curious observer to confident collector.
What Exactly Is a Funko Pop!?
At its core, a Funko Pop! Vinyl is a stylized, 4-inch (approximately) vinyl figure based on a character from pop culture. The key word is stylized. They aren’t meant to be hyper-realistic; instead, they share a distinct, uniform design that makes them instantly recognizable as Funko products.
Created by the Washington-based company Funko, the Pop! line covers a staggering range of licenses, including:
- Movies and TV Shows (Marvel, Star Wars, The Office, Stranger Things)
- Video Games (Fortnite, Pokémon, The Witcher)
- Anime and Manga (Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, My Hero Academia)
- Musicians, Athletes, and historical figures.
Each standard Pop! comes in a windowed box featuring the character’s name and a unique number within its specific line (e.g., “Star Wars #18”), making them perfect for display both in and out of the box.
The “Why”: Why Do People Collect Funko Pops?
What drives someone to amass a collection of these vinyl figures? The motivations are as diverse as the Pops themselves.
- Expression of Fandom: It’s the purest reason. You love a character or a franchise, and a Funko Pop! is a fun, affordable way to display that passion on your desk, shelf, or bookcase.
- The Thrill of the Hunt: Funko releases many limited-edition figures, including “Chase” variants and retailer exclusives. Finding that one rare Pop! you’ve been searching for in the wild delivers an unmatched sense of accomplishment.
- Nostalgia: Seeing a Pop! of a character from your favorite childhood cartoon or movie can instantly transport you back in time. They are tangible pieces of personal history.
- Aesthetic and Display: Let’s be honest—they look cool! A well-organized collection can be a stunning visual centerpiece in a room, telling a story about who you are and what you love.
- Investment: While most collectors are in it for the passion, some rare and discontinued (“vaulted”) Pops have seen their value skyrocket over time, turning the hobby into a potential investment.
Your First Steps: How to Start Your Collection Today
Ready to jump in? Here’s a simple, step-by-step plan to get started without feeling overwhelmed.
Step 1: Find Your Focus
Before you buy anything, take a moment to think about what you want to collect. With tens of thousands of Pops available, going in without a plan is a quick way to drain your wallet and run out of space. A focused collection is often more satisfying.
Consider starting with:
- A Single Fandom: Decide to only collect characters from Marvel, or just The Lord of the Rings.
- A Specific Character: You could build an impressive collection of just Batman or Spider-Man variants.
- A Type of Pop!: Some people only collect glow-in-the-dark Pops or metallic “Chrome” versions.
Your focus can always change, but having a starting point makes the process much more manageable.
Step 2: Set a Budget
This hobby can get expensive quickly. Decide on a reasonable monthly or weekly budget. A common Pop! typically costs between $12-$15, but exclusives and older figures can cost much more. Sticking to a budget keeps the hobby fun and stress-free.
Step 3: Buy Your First Pop!
This is the most exciting part! Don’t worry about rarity or value for your first purchase. Choose a character you genuinely love. This first figure is the anchor of your collection, a reminder of why you started. Pick one that makes you smile.
Step 4: Where to Buy Funko Pops
You can find Funko Pops in many places, both online and in-person.
- Big-Box Retailers: Target, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble have dedicated sections and often carry exclusive figures.
- Specialty Stores: GameStop, Hot Topic, and BoxLunch are hotspots for exclusive releases that you won’t find anywhere else.
- Local Comic Book Shops: Supporting local businesses is a great way to find hidden gems and connect with other collectors in your community.
- Online Retailers: Funko’s official site, Amazon, and Entertainment Earth are reliable sources for common Pops and pre-orders.
- The Secondary Market: Websites like eBay and Mercari are essential for finding vaulted or rare Pops, but be cautious of counterfeit figures. Always check seller ratings.
Understanding Key Funko Lingo
As you get deeper into the hobby, you’ll hear certain terms used frequently. Here are the basics:
- Chase: A rare variant of a common Pop, produced in a much smaller ratio (often 1 in 6). They usually feature a different pose, color scheme, or accessory and are marked with a special “Chase” sticker on the box.
- Exclusive: A Pop! that is only sold at a specific retail store (e.g., a “Target Exclusive”) or event (e.g., a “San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive”).
- Flocked: A Pop! covered in a soft, fuzzy material to mimic the feel of fur or fabric.
- GITD (Glow-in-the-Dark): A Pop! made with vinyl that glows after being exposed to light.
- Vaulted: This is Funko’s term for a Pop! that is no longer in production. Once a Pop! is “vaulted,” its value on the secondary market often increases.
To Unbox or Not to Unbox?
The ultimate debate among collectors is whether to display Pops in their box (“in-box”) or take them out (“out-of-box” or OOB). There’s no right answer—it’s entirely up to you!
- In-Box Collectors: Argue that the box protects the figure, preserves its value, and makes the collection easy to stack and organize. The box art is part of the overall package.
- Out-of-Box Collectors: Believe the figures are meant to be seen and appreciated from all angles, free from the glare of a plastic window.
If you decide to go OOB, be sure to keep the boxes and plastic inserts safely stored in case you ever want to sell them or move. For in-box collectors, consider buying plastic “Pop Protectors” to keep the boxes in mint condition.
Welcome to the Club!
Starting a Funko Pop! collection is a journey into the worlds you love most. It’s a way to connect with characters, celebrate stories, and join a vibrant community of fellow fans.
Remember the most important rule: collect what you love. Don’t worry about what’s popular or valuable. If your collection brings you joy, you’re doing it right.