What is Anime Figure – Something You Need to Know!

What is Anime Figure – Something You Need to Know!

Nowadays when we, Otakus, talk about “figure”, it usually refers to anime, manga, video game related character models. Specifically, it should be anime figure. However, if I tell you that it is not exactly. Then, what is anime figure? What does it mean actually?

What is Anime Figure?

Yes, we cannot just use “figure” to describe anime figures. Perhaps they are similar, the proper interpretation is quite clear and accompanied by the development of the market. In order to help you better understand what is anime figure, I have prepared this article for your easy reference.

Table of Content

Original Character - Death Garage Kit Figure
Original Character - Death Garage Kit Figure

If you are newbie of the anime figure world, hopefully this article could provide you a foundation knowledge of it. Whereas, if you are an experienced Otaku, you are welcome to share or to provide your valuable advice below.

Something You Need to Know – How to Say the Word “Figure”

As mentioned, we got used to picturing anime related character models as “figure”. However, this way of saying “figure” seems commonly be found in Hong Kong only. It is not exactly the same in other areas.

In Taiwan, most of them call it Garage Kit, PVC or Figure. In Greater China, however, there is no standardized translation for the meaning. They interpret it from the Japanese フィギュア to Garage Kit. However, it is only one of the meanings of フィギュア. According to Japanese Wikipedia, the word フィギュア incorporates all types of humanoid model. For example, the characters attached to railway or military models, the mini models of specified characters. Also, it includes models of cars, buildings, plants, insects, paleontology or fantasy. The term “figure” can also refer to dolls, statues and other collectible figurines in Japan.

It seems quite confusing to put all the sayings together to explain the word “figure” without any detailed information. Don’t worry, let’s move on to discover it in details.

The Origin and Meaning of Anime Figure

In the past, many toys factories would make a prototype for their new design before product launch to the market. This prototype is for further producing the mold for replication. This is so calls “首辦” (shǒu bàn) in Chinese. Thereafter, people have gradually changed to use another word “手辦” where it may be due to misunderstanding. However, it is more likely due to the same pronunciation with the original word, “首辦” (shǒu bàn). The modern one “手辦” is often regarded as completely painted finished humanoid model. That is what we, Otakus, are currently saying – Figure/Anime Figure. However, it seems deviated with the origin and meaning of “首辦” (shǒu bàn) or prototype.

Figure is Not Figure

Original Character - Death Garage Kit Figure Parts
Original Character - Death Garage Kit Figure Parts

Now that we realized the modern word “手辦” is potentially a misunderstanding. So, what is anime figure actually? In English, the meaning of “手辦” should be Garage Kit (GK for short). Further elaborate, it should be unpainted assembly model kit representing the personality of prototypes.

GK can also be named as resin kit because it is usually made by resin. Many people misunderstand that all types of humanoid model are made of resin. Yet, it is not the fact actually. However, by the characteristics of resin, it is very suitable for detailed expressing characters of model in detail.

In addition, GK players require to do their own polishing, assembling and coloring, etc. operations. Although it requires more time, craftsmanship and equipment, this is exactly the charm of playing GK.

From the above elaboration, the modern word “手辦” or interpretation of “figure” is totally different from original.

Change of Market

In early years the market of figure has not yet flourished, sometimes it is not easy to find model kits. Western amateurs thus used their garages, which they usually used it as workshops, to produce their own model kits. The term GK comes from it. GK at first is self-creative by amateurs with less costly to create the molds. However, resin casting is the most labor-intensive and the molds used are worn down by each cast. Usually, it cannot be used repeatedly for more than a dozen of times.  Therefore, it limited the number of productions.

Model manufacturers followed the market to produce their GK even though there are limitations on production.  Also, they have further improved and modified it from the perspective of materials and finished products.  This direction aims to overcome the limitations and become cost-effective. For example, the materials like Polyvinyl Chloride, Polystyrene, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, etc. are some of the most common materials in current market.

Today, with the continuous improvement and development of production technology, the market of small-scale production of GK has weakened. As replacement, those completely painted finished models seems become the market majority instead. Owing to market changes, the original meaning of the word “手辦”/figure is not the same now.

What is Anime Figure – You Should Know Now!

Up to now, we have gone through how to say the word “figure”. We have found out that although locations are difference, all of us are describing the same thing. That is the word “figure” is related to character models of anime, manga, video game.

Further, we have traced back to the origin and meaning of the word “figure” from both east & west. It let us know that we incorrectly comprehended “figure”. The origin of “figure” should be Garage Kit instead.

By understanding what is Garage Kit, we step forward to slightly touch on its material and production processes. After that, we realized the reason of scale down of GK market and the raise of completely painted finished model in the current market.

It is clear now about the word “figure”. However, I pretty want to simplify all the meanings, misunderstandings of the single word “figure”. So, I prefer to rephrase it as “Anime Figure, which should be more direct reflecting our (Otakus) hobby, I believe.

What is anime figure? It’s our amazing world!

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