New Hikari Funko Vinyl ~ What's Caught Your Eye?

[grandpa_stern]

Not sure if anyone's interested but here are some pics of the two Hikaris I picked up at SDCC. There's a more translucent shot of Ice Batman and some good shots of the neat coffin packaging of the Jumping Ghost hikari. The Jumping Ghost Hikari didn't come with a "Limited Edition" sticker on the box or a numbered card like the others, just FYI.

Jumping Hikari in box

http://i.imgur.com/Urk2Kbw.jpg

Jumping Hikari lid off

http://i.imgur.com/bfTchTq.jpg

Back of jumping Hikari

http://i.imgur.com/UcyQPaN.jpg

And Ice Batman

http://i.imgur.com/lW4tnWR.jpg

[profb]

Really want a nvs batman anyone have any good leads on 1 for a reasonable price?

[grandpa_stern]

Just got my gold Batman and TMNT. They look a lot better than I expected!

[saintofspinners]

Hi,

I just joined this forum in a desperate search for info on those walking ghost Hikaris. The Jiangshi's. There are about 5 colorways I want. Plus the 'monk' style.

As I am new to Funko can anyone tell me where and when these might be distributed. Where I can buy them from? If the colors like clear gold were SDCC only?

Thank you.

[dakook]

Hi,

I just joined this forum in a desperate search for info on those walking ghost Hikaris. The Jiangshi's. There are about 5 colorways I want. Plus the 'monk' style.

As I am new to Funko can anyone tell me where and when these might be distributed. Where I can buy them from? If the colors like clear gold were SDCC only?

Thank you.

They are gonna release a new hikari every friday. You can pre order them from http://www.entertainmentearth.com/hitli ... p=&x=0&y=0 You have to pre order them quick because they sell out very quick. You can also order them on amazon or ebay.

[saintofspinners]

You rock!

[Scotty]

Question re availability of Hikari: there have been and will be retail sales of the Hikari line, not all will be limited runs and exclusives. The first ones that hit the retail market were sold in very limited numbers to retailers by Funko, like 5 per retailer with a couple/few exceptions. As the line grows and proves to be a seller, I believe the availability with grow as well. Of course, I know Brian was very excited about the ability to have lots of colorways for these, so there will probably be quite a variety, which could also produce a bunch of limited editions, as well.

Saintofspinners: not sure when the Hikari in MindStyle's case will be available. At the con, for sale, there was only the Mystic Power Jianshi--dark guy in the coffin-box. Then at Fundays we saw the Freddy Creature, the Jianshi Freddy in the coffin-box (so cool), and the 1/5 clearish Hakari retro Freddy. Were there others?

[ShoMeNodder]

And some of those are 1 of 5s, so chances are slim of ever getting them.

[funkystark]

First of all, I'm insanely Jealous of that gold Freddy, congrats Nikko!

Second I wasn't entirely sold, borderline not even a fan of Hikari.. now that I've seen them in person, I'm trying to make space for my new hikari display!! Amazing pieces and so many cool lines coming in the future.

[Kitzka]

Hikari 1/5 Gold Freddy!
So lucky to get this last night!

that Freddy is incredible! thank you so much for sharing pics of him! he is going to be a wonderful addition to your funko collection.

Lara

[lovetheangels]

I got the ice batman and rain batman. Not exactly sure how this whole line is going to do? I stopped by the funko booth usually later in the day and the Hikari were still available with almost everything else out for the day. Some of these limited edition 500 cost 50 and the aftermarket sale aren't much more than 50. Usually that is a pretty good indicator or how well a toy will sell and the demand. If a 500 and 300 run doesn't sell out at comic con there may not be that much of a demand. I think the 50 dollar price point hurts this line. In my opinion most people will still settle for the 8 to 10 dollar pop.

[grandpa_stern]

Hi,

I just joined this forum in a desperate search for info on those walking ghost Hikaris. The Jiangshi's. There are about 5 colorways I want. Plus the 'monk' style.

As I am new to Funko can anyone tell me where and when these might be distributed. Where I can buy them from? If the colors like clear gold were SDCC only?

Thank you.

There's a picture of the SDCC Sheriff in a link I posted above. He's not clear. Very metallic with many bright colors.

[Pumpkin King]

Thing is Ken, most people who collect Funko , collect Pops. And they are use to a $10-15 toy. It is something new to the average Pop collector and the designer toy audience hasnt quite found out about this line yet. But with Mindstyle showing them off at con, I think they will. Pops didnt sell in record numbers at first either, took about a year.

You are paying for a limited hand crafted better quality vinyl. With that comes the price range which is on point with most average vinyls.

[Squird]

That clear Freddy is amazing! Never saw it but now I want it .

Hikari are amazing in person. I think that once they get out into world, especially the designer toy crowd that sales won't be an issue.

[Pumpkin King]

That clear Freddy is amazing! Never saw it but now I want it .

Hikari are amazing in person. I think that once they get out into world, especially the designer toy crowd that sales won't be an issue.

Church!


Sorry, heard that once on Breaking Bad and always wanted to use it.

[Scotty]

Completely get it when someone's mind is changed after they see these puppies in person. They look cool in the pics, but like something completely different in person. I wasn't even a fan of the batman sculpt when I saw them in person at Toy Fair, but couldn't resist buying the Ice and Red Rain Batman Hikari when I saw them up close.

Becuase of the pricepoint, I'll just buy a couple/few of each figure I like and be content. Now just to figure how I come up with more display room.

[Pumpkin King]

Right Scotty....a few... Ha!

[PopCollector]

These Hikaris really looks good in person. Saw these at B&N! Now seeing them in person makes me want to add these to my collection. Love the different colorways which means not a good thing for completists.

[grandpa_stern]

Yeah, the colors, man. The colors! I had to make myself swear to only get the ones I want and not ALL of them.Luckily, the tie died hippy looking Batman Hikaris did not appeal to me.

[Squird]

Gotta watch out on the colorways. I have some vinyl toys in multiple colors. Looks great. Gets expensive.

[nikko]

Question re availability of Hikari: there have been and will be retail sales of the Hikari line, not all will be limited runs and exclusives. The first ones that hit the retail market were sold in very limited numbers to retailers by Funko, like 5 per retailer with a couple/few exceptions. As the line grows and proves to be a seller, I believe the availability with grow as well. Of course, I know Brian was very excited about the ability to have lots of colorways for these, so there will probably be quite a variety, which could also produce a bunch of limited editions, as well.

Saintofspinners: not sure when the Hikari in MindStyle's case will be available. At the con, for sale, there was only the Mystic Power Jianshi--dark guy in the coffin-box. Then at Fundays we saw the Freddy Creature, the Jianshi Freddy in the coffin-box (so cool), and the 1/5 clearish Hakari retro Freddy. Were there others?

The Freddy Creature is 1/24 not 1/5.

The Gold Clear Freddy Hikari and the Blue one are both 1/5

[rumblethejungle]

Anyone have a picture of the blue freddy? Have to know which one I need to hunt down first

[nikko]

I had the chance to get the Blue Freddy, but I decided to get the Gold one

[CP3x]

Definitely want to snag a tiedye hikari leo. They look awesome in person. Also congrats on that 1/5 gold Freddy. Was there at Fundays. Super jealous!

[profb]

Bah how did I miss the red rain batman? Where did he drop at?

[wardengorri]

Anyone have a picture of the blue freddy? Have to know which one I need to hunt down first

i think it's this one from instagram during fundays.

[Sjhova1]

Nikko, that hiakri freddy is amazing!!! congrats

[Poncho Pete]

First look I've had of that blue. Amazing.

[BigM]

Does anyone have details/pics of the mindstyle ones?

[grandpa_stern]

Which ones do you mean? There's pics earlier of in the thread of the ones at the Mindstyle booth. Not sure how they are separating them any more. What I can say is that they have these versions with some kind of weird strings of plastic in them that look like organs and skeletal systems from a few feet away. DO WANT!

[NightmareMermaid]

I'm really looking forward to seeing what Funko does with Disney Hikari. Based on what's been done so far, I think Marshmallow would look really good in this style.

[Pumpkin King]

Interesting how much hate this line is getting from the art toy world. Been reading how people think the paint mixture and colorways are bad. And, the big sticking point, how a Japanese inspired line is being mass produced in China. Although most of the line is not what I would call mass produced. Maybe the ones that are around 3000 pieces. I think people are just angry that a company as big as Funko are now making sofubi vinyls.

[grandpa_stern]

Interesting how much hate this line is getting from the art toy world. Been reading how people think the paint mixture and colorways are bad. And, the big sticking point, how a Japanese inspired line is being mass produced in China. Although most of the line is not what I would call mass produced. Maybe the ones that are around 3000 pieces. I think people are just angry that a company as big as Funko are now making sofubi vinyls.

Yeah, there has been a ton of hate for these since day 1. Whatevs. I bought the ones I liked. I think some of the paint schemes are brilliant. I'll put money down that eventually they are going to make a character that everyone wants and then people will be coming out of the woodwork trying to get the others because they overlooked them. To each their own, I guess.

[saintofspinners]

Most Japanese "art" toys are in runs of 5-30 average. 1000+ is mass produced in comparison. You are also talking hand sprays on the art toys vs assembly line spray for these.

There will always be hate.

To those that want this toy, like myself, enjoy for ones own pleasure and let others enjoy what they will.

That being said...argh! Where can I find my Jiangshi's?!?

[Pumpkin King]

I think the biggest thing is these being mass produced. Sofubi art is normally made in very small quantities by teams of 1-5 people. Sometimes two guys sit in a 10 x 10 room working on each piece to create this kind of art and it takes them days if not weeks to produce. The idea of them being not made in Japan, but also on a much larger scale, is probably the sticking point for a lot of sofubi collectors. It's that the original tradition and process of making Japanese Sofubi art is now being done in a very opposite manner.

I am not bashing on the Hikari line myself btw. I personally love being able to buy quality sofubi for 40-50 bucks. But it's interesting to share feedback and ideas.

[grandpa_stern]

Discussion is great. I love these discussions. I love learning about these brightly colored pieces of plastic and their history. It's funny, though. The more I collect, the more it seems like it's not really about the toys. People get so hung up on run numbers and process, etc. If you don't like it and you don't want it, don't buy it - at least that's my personal motto. Some of the Hikaris are 500 run and people scoff and say its not rare enough. Compared to what? What does that even have to do with it? Same with Pops!. People talk about the 1000 runs being rare and man they get shouted down. I understand informing someone that, no, actually, 1/5 is rare and 1/1000 is not. But the vehemence behind it is crazy. (None of this was directed at Chris by the way, just making conversation).

These Hikaris actually got me looking at "real" Hikaris, so I say they aren't the devil. Collect and let live.

As for the Sheriff Hikari, I'm guessing Mindstyle will be selling whatever leftovers they had at SDCC at NYC. So maybe start begging a boardie to get one for you!

[Pumpkin King]

I agree. I think this will be a window for collectors who knew nothing about the culture to further explore the art and process of making sofubi style art toys.

This was just a part of a discussion I had today with a couple of independent sofubi artists and Brian Flynn of Super 7. Very interesting discussion though.

[grandpa_stern]

Dang, would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that conversation!

[Pumpkin King]

Not to worry, just gave you most of the highlights. Ha

[saintofspinners]

I think you two are on SB as well.

I wish Funko did a calendar of drop dates. I've got an itch and the only cure is some gold fade Jiangshi.