Funko Changing the Toy Industry?

[lozan106]

Hi everyone, As I have walked through numerous Targets, Hot Topics, Box Lunches, Walmarts, I have noticed that other toy companies have been turning out similar products to Funko. I know that bobble heads have been around since the beginning of toy companies producing pop culture items, but how about Pops, Dorbz, and Mystery Minis? I have seen many companies that have products such as (I will list similar products that match Funko's) : Domez (Mystery Minis), Vinylmation (Dorbz), Brick Headz (Dorbz). I have also seen similar products to Plushies as well. Can anyone tell me whether or not Funko has indeed changed the toy industry with their products or has Funko found out a way to make these products that much better? I'm hoping the documentary covers this topic but if it doesn't, hopefully it can be covered here!

Thanks!

[supertoygiant]

Vinylmation has been around before Dorbz. I would not not consider Brick Headz anything similar to Dorbz. But your point is well taken. Other toy companies always try copy success. It happen when skylanders came out. You had Disney infinity, Lego and others jump on the figure to life Bandwagon. Now if you go back a several years, First run Mighty Muggs mostly resemble Dorbz and came out many years before dorbz, but never really took off.

[Gothamite]

One could just as easily argue that other countries and cultures influenced Funko's toy designs. I don't think Funko is really an innovator or even a trendsetter. They just happen to do certain things better than others. Funko has had mis-steps as well (eg Vinyl Vixens and Idolz, even though some people here really like them).

[NCDS]

Have you watched the "Toys That Made US"? Your question is an interesting one but I also think it might be to early to really answer. However these documentaries on Netflix discuss the same concepts for toys in the 80's. I found them really fascinating.

One thing I would like to see is more companies treating their fans/collectors like Funko does.

[Mos_Eisley]

I'd say there's a lot of copying that goes on in all directions for any popular products, regardless of who is making them.

[anime23]

Vinylmation has been around before Dorbz. I would not not consider Brick Headz anything similar to Dorbz. But your point is well taken. Other toy companies always try copy success. It happen when skylanders came out. You had Disney infinity, Lego and others jump on the figure to life Bandwagon. Now if you go back a several years, First run Mighty Muggs mostly resemble Dorbz and came out many years before dorbz, but never really took off.

I was wondering that I thought Disney's Vinylmation was out before Dorbz but I couldn't be sure on the timing.

[WildberryPOPtarts33]

This is sort of related, but alot of the people that are in the circles that I'm in (in terms of collecting interests etc) have started to make a shift towards designer toys, and in a pretty dramatic fashion.

[Classier]

Mystery toys and plush figures predate Funko’s by years. They didn’t invent them.

[Jortega321]

They made it mainstream and cool again!

[dexiesmom]

I think they definitely made pop culture toys much more mainstream with their wide range of licenses and with Pops being cute and price point friendly to those outside of the collector market.

[buddylee]

the vinyl toy and blind box market was done long before Funko. difference is that Funko has so many licenses, which increases appeal. Plus their push to make it more mainstream, while the previous companies kept it more niche.

[Squird]

It's a two-way street. I think Pop was influenced by Mighty Muggs and dunnys. Dorbz are based in part on chibi-style toys and maybe Hallmark Itty Bitty. Vinylmation has been around for years and falls from the Dunny-like platform figure as well. The new 5-Star line looks a lot like Cosbaby figures. Everything is inspired by something else. Funko has managed to put it all on a bigger stage.

[jigsaw]

i dont know how i feel about these 5 star line.....

[CaseyJones14]

One word - licenses.

Funko has 9 million of them and takes full advantage of nostalgia. Sure other companies might have some stuff that brings back memories, but Funko has a loooot more items that remind me of my childhood. That's where I believe they have the upper hand and I think it would be very difficult for another company to take advantage like Funko already has.

[Tynett]

As it relates to the documentary, this topic isn't directly covered in it. It's more about the culture of our community than the products themselves which I hope will really connect with audiences.

I think licenses as mentioned above are a large factor but also licenses for figures that other companies shies away from as perhaps not generating enough income. Funko really does service the fan by pursuing things we loved that weren't completely mainstream or assured profit lines. They make what they love and assume a few others will love it too.

[Sarcasticguy]

Designer toys have been around forever, but you would only see them in import stores or specialty stores... I think Funko has really helped bring a lot of these styles into the popular light (using their own flair obviously), which is awesome. It's great to see other toy companies starting to realize that the collectible market is legit and following suit.

[randig]

Funko Chang(ED) the Toy Industry?

or

Funko (Revolutionized) the Toy Industry?

They have for sure left a footprint on the toy game

[FearlessPhotog]

I don’t know about changing the toy industry. Hasbro, Mattel and Lego are in a whole other league, and they’re main bread and butter still comes from toys for children. Funko has definitely succeeded in getting a ton of licenses and making collectibles from genres that the big toy makers would never consider, but maybe they will in the future!

[Jalapenopete]

Have you watched the "Toys That Made US"? Your question is an interesting one but I also think it might be to early to really answer. However these documentaries on Netflix discuss the same concepts for toys in the 80's. I found them really fascinating.

One thing I would like to see is more companies treating their fans/collectors like Funko does.

Great insight you are right how the big toy companies looked at each other from star wars to the g i joes

[lozan106]

Thank you everybody for your responses. You learn something new everyday! I had no idea how many different elements have been well in existence from the beginning of time, but when your a kid a toy is a toy! Now as an adult and collector, I can't believe the many depths the toy industry has had in place for decades! Thanks once again, Funatics!

[Jango_Fresh]

I will say how much they care, interact, give back to thier fans is something no other toy company is doing. Maybe I am wrong, but I think this is what's sets them so far apart and builds the core of this community.

[funkosundae]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Can't beat Funko ... just join them.

[MadLove]

I will say how much they care, interact, give back to thier fans is something no other toy company is doing. Maybe I am wrong, but I think this is what's sets them so far apart and builds the core of this community.

This!!

They didn’t come up with those ideas but I think they definitely brought collectible toys into the more mainstream. Their involvement in their own community, focus on nostalgia and current pop culture and all around accessibility of their basic products have definitely acted as a gateway for a lot of people into the world of toy collecting.