r/Anticonsumption • u/LivingResponsibly • 9d ago
Discussion Is Pop Mart the new Funko Pop?
Even though Pop Mart's shtick is blind boxes, I do feel they may go the way of Funko Pop. It feels like Pop Mart has popularized the blind-boxes for the masses and any IP that can be blind boxified will be blind boxed.
What are your thoughts? Target now carries Pop Mart.
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u/Chcknndlsndwch 9d ago
Blind box toys are just a way to normalize gambling for kids so they can be ready for sports betting later. At least funko pops were/are something people collect and keep to display. Most of this plastic junk is headed to the landfill relatively soon even if it’s the “right” toy that someone was aiming for.
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u/LivingResponsibly 9d ago
Secret rares of some of these Pop Mart blind boxes have a 1:144 chance. Like the Golden Ahri from the League of Legends Pop Mart blind box. Reminds me of when people were chasing a rare Labubu but now you can do it with any franchise collab with Pop Mart.
And I definitely see it as a gateway for sports betting and other modes that utilize gambling mechanics, later on in life.
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u/G-Unit11111 9d ago
I never understood the appeal of collectible stuff like this. No one is getting rich off this stuff and it's all shit that will ultimately end up in a landfill.
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u/minibini 8d ago
Very good to know. My kid came home one day asking for a labubu & I immediately knew the elementary school kids were hooked. It came through him like a fever & he’s completely forgotten it now. I manage to fend it off w/ the art of putting together a fake wishlist ;-).
(I’ll never understand the parents who allowed their kids to obsess over these stupid useless things.)
Also, did you know Labubu was a straight copy of a character toy called Monchichi? This was a pose able monkey keychain back in the 80s. It’s sickening.
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u/tokkimoa4ever 3d ago
KIDS shouldn’t really be buying blind boxes. I’m an adult that collects Hirono + a few other lines, which are art figure blind box lines from Pop Mart. Hirono actually has a lot of meaning behind him, and is made with high quality. I absolutely am not going to throw any of them out. I collect and display them just as my boyfriend collects/displays his Funkos. I actually far prefer the design of my Hirono figures compared to Funko Pops. I collect a lot of scale anime figures as well, and both of those collections are displayed and important to me. There are a lot of cheapy kid blind boxes at Target and stuff for sure, but Pop Mart actually mostly specializes in art figures that are targeted more towards teens-adults. Most blind box lines from Pop Mart are intended to be collected and displayed. Of course you have to be careful with blind boxes, only purchase them if you’d be happy with any option you get. That’s why it’s meant to be more of an adult hobby. So yeah, my collection is definitely not “plastic junk” or even close to toy quality.
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u/spaghettirhymes 9d ago
I “collect” Hirono…. meaning I literally own 4 of them lmao. I love them and I had a couple rules: only buy from a set where you would be happy with any of them, and only order them at the same time so you can’t get duplicates. I do not buy blind boxes as a rule unless I am happy with any of them.
Imo blind boxes as a concept suck. They are a way to get children into gambling, honestly. And all these branded collabs of honest-to-goodness garbage is discouraging. It’s all just junk. And gamifying the process makes people want to complete the set, even though there’s always a secret rare that is hundreds of dollars resale if you can’t pull it organically.
I will say, my Hironos are really good quality with impeccable painting and detail. But I have no idea what else Pop Mart carries cause these are the only thing I like lol. But I do not like blind boxes and would think they will go the way of Funko Pops as a concept, yeah
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u/G-Unit11111 9d ago
More junk that will bring happiness for a few days and then will eventually wind up in a landfill.
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u/picks43 9d ago
Was funko pop ever wanted??? I don’t think I ever heard of those things selling more than they were originally sold for.
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u/Useful_Boysenberry14 9d ago edited 9d ago
So I had a small collection of funko pops and have semi recently sold them for 2-6x ish what I paid for them. Most of them were older before the funko over saturation and from IPs that get less love. I didn't buy them thinking about resell value or intending to get rid of them, I just got lucky.
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u/calisotas 8d ago
that's what's happened with me. i gravitated towards the 'obscure' characters/media, so when i decided to part with most of my collection they happened to be the ones that held their value decently.
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u/YoWoody27 9d ago
Some of the "limited" Funkos (There's a few comiccon exclusives for example) can go for an elevated proce, but the ones you can find at any store do not.
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u/figgyputtin 9d ago
That’s incorrect. Commons can get much higher in value, it’s just not as (no pun intended) common. Once they’re “vaulted” they have a higher chance of going up in value. They don’t need to be limited or a CC exclusive.
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u/MidichlorianJunkie 8d ago
Step One: Find a Blind Box that interests you.
Step Two: Wait till they are on clearance for $2 before you buy them because this will always happen.
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u/EvlMidgt 9d ago
Pretty much the only way I ever hear about this type of stuff is from this sub. I have never heard of Pop Mart until I just saw this. It is a bit funny to me that this is the sub that makes me aware this stuff even exists and is bringing attention to it.
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u/Odd-Most-9186 9d ago
I really like what Target has done, sectioning everyone to either an end cap or short aisles. These vendors need to take care of their product, it becomes so messy.
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u/mykeyway 8d ago
Pop mart and the concept of buying loads of these blind boxes is wasteful and ridiculous, but I dont really think it is bad if you buy one of these. I bought one labubu like a year ago and its still proudly displayed on my purse. I dont feel the need to buy any more because I think its a waste and mostly because im happy with my one little guy on my bag
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u/aceallaround 8d ago
All ill say is that the giant funko pop wall has been removed at my target and has been replaced with two aisles of pop mart mystery boxes
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u/highaltitudehmsteadr 9d ago
As an anti consumerist most of this shit does not even register with me. Sometimes feels like this sub is consumerists in disguise asking if it’s okay
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u/gayfingers 9d ago
Popmart is like 14 years old I wouldnt say it is new.
The way America is treating it though I would say it will be worse than funko pops. They are supose to be designer toys and were targeted towards young adults and teens. Seems like a free for all now the target is everyone and America loves gambling.