11+ Main types of anime figures: Do you own them all?

Anime figures come in many forms, and each type gives collectors a different way to enjoy their favorite characters. Understanding the main types of Anime figures helps you choose pieces that match your budget, space, and collecting style. In this article, Japan Figure will guide you through the most common anime figure types and what makes each one worth considering.

1. How are types of anime figures classified?

Anime figures are usually classified by how they are made, displayed, and used. While some categories overlap, collectors often identify figure types through poseability, scale, material, brand, rarity, and intended purpose.

• Poseability: Static figures are fixed in one pose, while articulated figures allow movement for posing and photography.
• Scale / Size: Smaller figures like Nendoroids are around 10 cm, while scale figures are often produced in 1/7, 1/8, or larger formats.
• Material: Most anime figures use PVC and ABS, while resin is often used for premium statues or limited pieces.
• Brand / Series: Certain figure types are strongly linked to brands such as Good Smile Company, Bandai, MAFEX, and Max Factory.
• Intended use: Some are made mainly for display, while others are designed for posing, photography, building, or casual collecting.
• Rarity / Edition: Prize figures, limited editions, exclusives, vintage figures, and event-only releases all appeal to different collector groups.

2. 11+ Main types of anime figures: The collector’s ultimate guide

Choosing the right anime figure type is easier when you understand what each category is designed for. A scale figure may look beautiful in a display case, while a Figma or S.H. Figuarts is better if you enjoy posing and recreating action scenes.

2.1 Plastic Models

Plastic models are figure kits that come unassembled, so the experience begins before the figure is even complete. Collectors usually build the parts by hand, and some also paint, panel-line, or modify the kit to create a more personalized final piece.

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Their appeal comes from the process. Instead of simply placing a figure on a shelf, plastic models give collectors the satisfaction of building something step by step, which makes the final display feel more personal.

• Materials: Plastic, mainly PS and ABS
• Size / Scale: Varies depending on kit type
• Poseability: Varies after assembly
• Accessories: Optional parts, weapons, decals, effect pieces depending on kit
• Popular brands: Bandai, Kotobukiya, Good Smile, Aoshima
• Price range: Low to mid

2.2 Action Figures

Action figures are designed for collectors who want movement, interaction, and dynamic display options. With articulated joints, they can be posed in fighting stances, casual scenes, or photography setups.

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They are popular because they make characters feel more alive. Instead of being locked into one sculpt, action figures let collectors recreate favorite anime scenes or adjust poses to match their display style.

• Materials: PVC, ABS
• Size / Scale: Usually around 12–18 cm
• Poseability: High
• Accessories: Interchangeable hands, faces, weapons, effect parts
• Popular brands: Bandai, Good Smile Company, Max Factory, Medicom Toy
• Price range: Mid

2.3 Model Train Figures

Model train figures are small miniature figures often used in dioramas, layouts, and scale environments. They are not always anime-focused, but they can be useful for collectors who enjoy building scenes around their main figures.

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Their charm lies in atmosphere. While they may not stand out individually, they help create a fuller display when used with buildings, vehicles, or miniature backgrounds.

• Materials: Plastic, resin
• Size / Scale: Very small, often based on train layout scale
• Poseability: None
• Accessories: Usually minimal
• Popular brands: Tomytec, Kato, Greenmax
• Price range: Low

2.4 Scale Figures

Scale figures are fixed-pose figures made according to a specific size ratio, such as 1/7 or 1/8. They usually focus on sculpt accuracy, painting quality, and display impact rather than movement.

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Collectors love scale figures because they often feel closest to a premium artwork piece. A well-made scale figure can capture the character’s expression, outfit, pose, and atmosphere in a way that feels polished and shelf-worthy.

• Materials: PVC, ABS
• Size / Scale: Commonly 1/6, 1/7, 1/8
• Poseability: None
• Accessories: Usually limited, sometimes bonus parts
• Popular brands: Alter, Good Smile Company, Kotobukiya, Aniplex, FREEing
• Price range: Mid to high

2.5 Nendoroid Figures

Nendoroid figures are small, chibi-style collectibles known for oversized heads, cute proportions, and interchangeable parts. Despite their compact size, they often include expressive faceplates, accessories, and small props.

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Their biggest appeal is personality. Nendoroids make it easy to create playful displays, swap expressions, and collect multiple characters without needing as much shelf space as larger figures.

• Materials: PVC, ABS
• Size / Scale: Around 10 cm
• Poseability: Medium
• Accessories: Faceplates, hands, props, stands, effect parts
• Popular brands: Good Smile Company
• Price range: Mid

2.6 Prize Figures

Prize figures are usually more affordable figures originally made for arcade prize machines in Japan. They tend to have simpler sculpting and finishing compared with scale figures, but many still look impressive for their price.

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They are popular among beginner collectors because they offer an easy entry point. If you want to build a collection without spending too much, prize figures are often one of the most practical choices.

• Materials: PVC, ABS
• Size / Scale: Usually medium size, around 15–25 cm
• Poseability: None
• Accessories: Minimal
• Popular brands: Banpresto, Sega, Taito, FuRyu
• Price range: Low

2.7 S.H. Figuarts

S.H. Figuarts is Bandai’s articulated figure line, known for action-heavy characters and detailed posing options. These figures are especially common for anime, tokusatsu, superhero, and martial arts franchises.

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Collectors choose S.H. Figuarts when they want strong articulation without sacrificing character accuracy. The line is especially appealing if you enjoy recreating fight scenes or displaying characters in motion.

• Materials: PVC, ABS
• Size / Scale: Around 14–16 cm
• Poseability: High
• Accessories: Interchangeable hands, faces, weapons, effect parts
• Popular brands: Bandai / Tamashii Nations
• Price range: Mid to high

2.8 MAFEX Figures

MAFEX figures are articulated collectibles produced by Medicom Toy, often praised for their balance of sculpt detail and poseability. They are especially popular for superhero, movie, and anime-inspired characters.

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Their appeal comes from flexibility and visual realism. Compared with some other action figure lines, MAFEX often aims for a more polished display look while still offering enough articulation for dramatic posing.

• Materials: PVC, ABS
• Size / Scale: Around 15–16 cm
• Poseability: High
• Accessories: Alternate heads, hands, weapons, stands, effect parts
• Popular brands: Medicom Toy
• Price range: High

2.9 Figma Figures

Figma figures are articulated figures by Max Factory and Good Smile Company, designed to keep anime-style proportions while allowing smooth posing. They are often used for photography, desk displays, and scene recreation.

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Collectors like Figma because they feel expressive without being too bulky. The joints are usually designed to blend into the sculpt, so the figure remains clean-looking even when posed.

• Materials: PVC, ABS
• Size / Scale: Around 13–16 cm
• Poseability: High
• Accessories: Faceplates, hands, weapons, stands, effect parts
• Popular brands: Max Factory, Good Smile Company
• Price range: Mid to high

2.10 Gunpla (Gundam Plastic Models)

Gunpla refers to Gundam plastic model kits that are assembled by the collector. The experience ranges from simple snap-build kits to advanced models with inner frames, decals, and detailed armor parts.

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This category is loved because it combines anime collecting with hands-on hobby building. Many collectors enjoy the building process as much as the finished model, especially when customizing colors, adding panel lines, or upgrading parts.

• Materials: Plastic, mainly PS and ABS
• Size / Scale: HG 1/144, RG 1/144, MG 1/100, PG 1/60
• Poseability: High after assembly
• Accessories: Weapons, shields, decals, effect parts depending on grade
• Popular brands: Bandai
• Price range: Low to high

2.11 Other Figures

Other figures include niche categories such as resin statues, garage kits, trading figures, busts, chibi figures, and limited event items. These pieces may not fit neatly into standard categories, but they can become important parts of a collection.

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Their appeal often comes from rarity or uniqueness. Some collectors enjoy these figures because they offer something different from mainstream releases, especially when the item is limited, handmade, or tied to a specific event.

• Materials: PVC, ABS, resin, mixed materials
• Size / Scale: Varies widely
• Poseability: Usually none, but depends on type
• Accessories: Limited or varies by release
• Popular brands: Various manufacturers, garage kit makers, event creators
• Price range: Low to premium

Learning the main types of Anime figures helps you build a collection with more intention instead of buying based only on character popularity. Visit Japan Figure to explore anime figures by type and find the pieces that match your display style, budget, and favorite series.

FAQs - Common questions about anime figures types

Understanding different anime figure types helps you shop with more confidence, especially when comparing price, size, brand, and display purpose.

What types of anime figures are there?

The main types of anime figures include scale figures, Nendoroids, prize figures, action figures, Figma, S.H. Figuarts, MAFEX, Gunpla, plastic models, and resin statues. Each type differs in size, material, poseability, detail, and intended use.

What are the different types of figurines?

Figurines can be static display pieces, articulated action figures, model kits, miniature figures, resin statues, or collectible chibi figures. Some are made for display only, while others are designed for posing, photography, building, or limited-edition collecting.

What are 5 types of toys that have been popular in the past?

Five popular toy types include action figures, dolls, model kits, trading cards, and construction toys. Anime figures often overlap with these categories, especially when they include poseable joints, buildable parts, character-based designs, or collectible series releases.

Rikuya Takamine

Rikuya Takamine has been writing about Japanese pop culture for over seven years. With a background in media and communications, he covers major TCG releases and collectible figure launches with accuracy and excitement for leading Japanese pop culture platforms.

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