Fantastic Funkos And Where To Find Them
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If you’re anything like me (and if you’re reading this, you probably are), you get a lot of joy from all things pop culture. I’ve lost my head and heart to characters, campaigns, and cliffhangers, and counted myself as a proud member of many a fandom. So when I discovered Funko Pops, it was like finding a symbol of my undying devotion that looks really good on my shelves.
Funko HQ: Where It All Began
The birthplace of Funko, and the present-day home of Funko HQ, is Washington State. The first Funko Pop was released in 1998, a bobblehead mascot of the Big Boy restaurant chain. It’s fair to say the company took a while to gain ground. The real magic started when it was taken over by Brian Mariotti in 2005, who remained as CEO until 2023. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Mariotti discussed the early days of his Funko reign and how they started with just three licenses: Marvel, DC, and Star Wars. Twenty years later, Funko holds over 1,100 licenses. As its former President, Andrew Perlmutter, said to Forbes, “We’re not a toy company, we’re a pop culture company.”
Just How Many Funko Pops Are There?
The quick answer is thousands. 2023 figures estimate the number of unique Pops as over 13,000, but with new products hitting the shelves (digital or otherwise) every month, it’s hard to keep up with exact numbers. As I’m writing this, there are more than 150 new Pops “coming soon” to the Funko website. Funko has a finger in just about every pop-culture pie you can think of – you can even get a custom-made Pop of yourself! The best thing about Funko is that no matter the format of their product, they never lose the feeling of a character – the thing we love, or love to hate.
A Frenzy of Funkos
When it comes to finding a collectible you like, it’s safe to assume that Funko has you covered. Not only because of their incredible range of characters and personalities, but because they have a lot of product lines. They have bobbleheads, action figures, plushies, miniatures, popsies, pins, keychains, board games, accessories, and more. Each line has limited editions to haunt collectors’ dreams and bring them to Comic-Con every year in the hopes of snagging exclusive items. There are too many categories for one person to handle, so I’ll use some fan favorites to give you a taste.
Anime
It’s no surprise that Funko’s anime products are some of the best-selling. Anime characters are usually instantly recognizable thanks to their unique characteristics and style and this translates fantastically to Funko designs.
Disney
The Disney brand encapsulates a lot more now than it did back in the day. While also celebrating the new era of Disney movies and acquisitions, Funko never forgets the nostalgic among us.
Superheroes
The superhero revival of the last twenty years has filled our screens, comic books, and minds with new and old characters. And Funko has been there every step of the way. Their creative team has their collective ear so close to the ground, they seem to know what fans want before we do.
Enough Talk – Where Can I Buy Funko Pops?
Friends, it’s a great time to be alive. In many ways, but especially because there are lots and lots of places to buy Funko Pops. Aside from the Funko website, wholesalers like Fugitive Toys and Entertainment Earth offer incredible selections of Funko products. You can often get Funkos in-store or online at big box stores like Walmart, Target, and Barnes & Noble, although their selection will vary depending on location and what’s popular at the time.
Amazon and eBay host a variety of large and small sellers. They’re often great places to find older or more obscure products. If there’s a really special Funko you have your heart set on, check them out. If you’re starting or adding to a collection, make sure the products you choose are in good condition – and beware exorbitant shipping costs.
It’s important not to forget your local comic book and collectibles stores. Not only do they often stock premium products, they’re also a great place to meet like-minded people and keep up with the best of pop culture.
A Fond Funko Farewell
So there you have it: all the reasons to love Funko and where you can buy your next favorite collectible. Whether you’re a fan of manga, anime, comic books, video games, movies, TV shows, or the many other aspects of pop culture, Funko is guaranteed to have a Pop you’ll love.
Do you own any Funko Pops? What character or person would you most like to have in Funko form? And don’t forget to sign up to our email list to get Finds of the Week and our free newsletter, PopPulse Digest, delivered straight to your inbox each and every week.
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