Action Figures & Collectables

That familiarity is a big part of action figures. You know Woody by the cowboy hat and pull-string voice box. Buzz Lightyear has his Space Ranger suit. Shadow is unmistakably part of Sonic’s world. He-Man has changed considerably since the original Masters of the Universe figures, but the character has never disappeared. New films, games and television series keep giving established characters another appearance, and older designs regularly return too.

Collectables have developed around many of the same interests. A small figure, keyring or mystery plush can be just as recognisable as a larger action figure. Blind boxes add the surprise of not knowing which character is inside until they are opened, while other collectables let you choose the exact character you want.

There are some genuinely clever ideas among the newer figures as well. Toy Story 5 Interactables recognise compatible characters and can talk to one another when they are placed face to face. Armorsaurs takes a different route, with pilot figures that fit inside compatible Armor-Up dinosaurs. They are very different toys, but both show how far character figures have moved beyond the simple figures many of us grew up with.

For younger characters such as Dog Man, newer gaming favourites and long established names such as He-Man, the appeal starts with recognising someone you already know. Sometimes it is the latest version. Sometimes it is a design that has been around for years. And sometimes it is simply the character you were hoping to find.