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Figurine collecting: Invaluable beyond their worth
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Not toys: Agustin Purnamasari is a baker who first joined S.H. Figuarts Indonesia, an informal community of figuring collectors, and then started collecting action figures and collectable figurines, such as this set from 'Suicide Squad'. (Courtesy of Agustin Purnamasari) (Courtesy of Agustin Purnamasari/Courtesy of Agustin Purnamasari)
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em>Action figures and collectable figurines are not toys, say collectors, who regard them as an art form and collecting them as a lifelong passion.
Collecting action figures and other collectable toys may seem like a childish hobby for many people, if they even accept it as a “legitimate” hobby. For people who pursue the hobby, collecting figurines is for any age and requires passion and commitment, just like any other hobby.
Marvin Leonard, a doctor from Sambas, West Kalimantan, has been collecting action figures since 2018 after a friend introduced him to the hobby.
"I was visiting [his house] when I saw his collection. I thought to myself, 'Wow, this guy really has quite a collection.' I asked him about the price of his smaller figurines, to which he answered Rp 700,000 [US$48.92]," he recalled of the moment he discovered the hobby.
At that time, Marvin wondered why someone would spend such a large amount of money on a toy. But he became interested, and started collecting action figures after the encounter.
"Most of my collection are just figurines, not action figures. The difference is in that you can put an action figure into different poses,” he said. In contrast, figurines had just one pose.
"My first figurine was a Dragon Ball character, which I bought for around Rp 300,000,” said Marvin, referring to the popular Japanese manga and anime series. He then felt it “was lonely and needed friends. The rest is history".
While Marvin is relatively new to collecting figurines, Robby Umbara, who works in the trade industry, said he had been collecting figures since he was little.
"I guess I just never grew up. Boys will be boys," Robby said.
"One of the reasons I still collect figurines is [nostalgia]. It's also an act of 'revenge'. When I was little, I couldn't always buy what I wanted. I began collecting more intensely after I reached adulthood and got a job. My collection has characters that I relate to, the characters I grew up watching [on TV]," he said.
Bennyardo Gerson and Muliady Kodrata also started collecting because of nostalgia.
"My parents told me I showed an interest in action figures since I was a toddler," said Muliady. His interest was first piqued by a Pinocchio figure that another child had when the two shared a hospital room.
"To me, they are very interesting, as they emulate the anatomies of humans, animals or even imaginary creatures. As they can be placed in [different] poses, I sometimes imagine they are real, especially if the figures are of superheroes," said Muliady.
Meeting a community
While many collectors join a community after they pick up the hobby, it was the other way around for Agustin Purnamasari. The native of Yogyakarta, who owns a bakery, started by joining the S.H. Figuarts Indonesia community.
"I began collecting after I joined in 2015," she said. "Since then, I have also participated in gatherings, exhibitions and movie screenings. These activities were refreshing to me, as I can relieve stress from work."
As its name indicates, S.H. Figuarts Indonesia is dedicated to collectors of S.H. Figuarts action figures, produced by Japanese toy company Bandai Co.’s Tamashii Nations divisions. First released in 2008, the figures' main appeal is that they are more affordable compared to action figures produced by other manufacturers and said to be an upgrade from Bandai's previous line.
"The [S.H. Figuarts] line is an evolution of the SHS line," said member Zephyr Martin, referring to the Souchaku Henshin Series. "The previous line focused more on the apparel of the figure, namely their armor. The SHF line is beter articulated and more proportionate."
According to Wisnu Tri Laksono, another member, S.H. Figuarts Indonesia was founded in 2011.
"The group is not 'official', in the sense that it is the only one recognized by Bandai. There have been many similar groups, but we are definitely the largest," said member Indra Sugianto.
Indra acknowledged that the pandemic had disrupted the activities of the community, which held no major events in the last two years. Before the pandemic, the group would gather to discuss their collections, share information on upcoming models and hold exhibitions.
"There are still exhibitions in Surabaya, but [regional members] are no longer invited to showcase their collections. It severely affected the bonding between our members. I hope we can resume [activities] as usual this year," he added.
Emotional value
Robby said he did not really keep count of the number or value of his figurine collection, but said his collection filled a little over "one whole room".
"Whether someone's collection is big or small is relative. We cannot determine the [figurine’s] value from the price tag. It is the emotional attachment that matters," he underlined.
"I display them in the room that I use as my office. I feel more relaxed working from home alongside my [collection]," Robby said.
Similarly, Muliady said he had never really calculated how much his collection was worth.
"The value would be frightening if expressed in [money]," said Muliady. "I have more than a thousand action figures, excluding the one I’ve owned since childhood. My expensive action figures are limited editions. For example, I preordered Hot Toys' Hulkbuster for Rp 12 million. It costs over Rp 50 million now."
It was the same for Gerson, whose collection ranges from McDonald's Happy Meal toys to Kamen Rider action figures.
"None of my figures were expensive when I bought them. They are, however, expensive now, due to their rarity and historical value," said Gerson, who had never calculated his collection’s value, either.
"I'm sure you could buy a car," he said, but added, "I will never sell them. Let them be my legacy for my children and grandchildren."
'Childish' hobby
Both Marvin and Robby said their loved ones had never disapproved of their hobby, or at least, had never expressed their disapproval.
"I think no one [in my family] dares to protest. I mean, it's my money anyway, not theirs. Had they complained, I would've answered, 'I do what I want with my money and my room,'" Marvin remarked.
"I think I'm among the lucky ones," Robby said. "My wife is pretty understanding of my hobby. Even before we got married, she already understood that this was my hobby."
In contrast, however, Agustin, Gerson and Muliady had all received some form of criticism over their collections.
"I explained to [the naysayers] that as long as I used my own money and it makes me happy, they should support me," said Agustin.
Meanwhile, Gerson said he was used to hearing people criticize his hobby as useless. "I told them this hobby was just like investing in gold. The more [you have] and the longer you keep it, the more expensive [the figurines] become."
For Muliady, his parents and peers both disapproved of his hobby, but he simply brushed off their remarks.
"Action figures are just another form of art. They are no different from carvings, statues, paintings and installation art [...]," said Muliady. "I get that not everyone enjoys art, but I sure hope this hobby won't be perceived as something childish anymore."
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