9 Anime Figures Worth Starting a Collection With
Funko’s Naruto Uzumaki figure costs the least and needs no assembly, making it the easiest first purchase. Banpresto’s Kyojuro Rengoku prize figure adds sculpted detail in a fixed pose, and Good Smile’s Nendoroid Tanjiro Kamado introduces swappable faces and jointed limbs for collectors ready to pose their figures.
New collectors typically choose between three product families: stylized Funko vinyl, detailed but static Banpresto prize figures, and poseable Good Smile Nendoroids. Each trades cost against sculpt detail and how much a figure can actually move.
Anime figures span several distinct product lines rather than one category, each with its own scale and price tier. We compared articulation range, display footprint and price against character availability across today’s most popular series.
Our top picks
Funko Pop! Naruto Shippuden Naruto Uzumaki (Six Paths Sage Mode)
Stylized proportions and a fixed vinyl pose keep manufacturing costs down, so this figure carries the lowest price here. General retailers stock it alongside specialty hobby shops, which makes it an easy first purchase for anyone new to collecting.
Pros
- Lowest price point in this comparison
- Sold at general retailers, not just hobby shops
- Displays straight out of the box, no stand needed
Cons
- No articulation or pose options
- Simplified sculpt skips fine detail
Banpresto Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba Figure Vol.11 Kyojuro Rengoku
Banpresto’s prize-figure line swaps articulation for one carefully sculpted, hand-painted pose that reads more like a display statue than a toy. Kyojuro Rengoku appears mid-action here, a popular entry character for Demon Slayer collectors starting a shelf.
Pros
- Sculpted detail closer to a display statue
- Popular character among Demon Slayer fans
- Priced between Funko and premium articulated lines
Cons
- Fixed pose cannot be repositioned
- Base stability varies by pose
Good Smile Company Nendoroid Tanjiro Kamado
Interchangeable faceplates and swappable hands come standard on this Nendoroid, letting one figure show several expressions on a shelf. Its large-head, small-body proportions introduce joint articulation without the cost of a full-scale figure.
Pros
- Interchangeable faces add display variety
- Jointed limbs allow real posing
- Compact size fits a small shelf
Cons
- Small accessory parts are easy to misplace
- Costs more than Funko or most Banpresto figures
Banpresto Demon Slayer World Collectable Figure Nezuko Kamado
A smaller scale than Banpresto’s main prize-figure line brings this Nezuko Kamado closer to Funko pricing while keeping sculpted, hand-painted detail. Collectors building a multi-character shelf on a limited budget gain the most from this size.
Pros
- Costs less than full-size prize figures
- Hand-painted detail beyond simplified vinyl styling
- Small footprint suits displaying several characters together
Cons
- Smaller scale loses some fine detail up close
- No articulation for repositioning
Funko Pop! Dragon Ball Z Super Saiyan Goku
Dragon Ball fans get the same stylized vinyl format as Funko’s Naruto figure, an equally low-cost and widely stocked starting point. Matching scale with other Funko Pop figures makes mixing series on one shelf simple.
Pros
- Matches scale with other Funko Pop figures
- Low price supports collecting multiple characters
- Stocked widely at general retailers
Cons
- No articulation or pose variety
- Stylized proportions differ from the source art
Banpresto Naruto Shippuden Vibration Stars Naruto Uzumaki
Mid-action sculpts define Banpresto’s Vibration Stars line, in contrast to the standing poses common elsewhere in its prize-figure catalog. This Naruto figure captures a jutsu-casting stance for a more dramatic shelf display than a static pose offers.
Pros
- Dynamic action pose stands out on a shelf
- Sculpted detail typical of Banpresto’s prize line
- Recognizable character from a long-running series
Cons
- Needs a wider display footprint than standing figures
- No articulation for adjusting the stance
Good Smile Company Figma Tanjiro Kamado
Figma trades Nendoroid’s chibi styling for realistic body proportions and a joint system built for dynamic action poses. Collectors who already own a Nendoroid often step up here for continued articulation with a more natural scale.
Pros
- Realistic proportions compared with Nendoroid styling
- Full joint system for dynamic action poses
- Included stand supports mid-air posing
Cons
- Highest price point in this comparison
- Joints need care to avoid loosening over time
How they stack up
| # | Model | Scale | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funko Pop! Naruto Shippuden Naruto Uzumaki (Six Paths Sage Mode) | Approximately 3.75 inches | Best overall starter | 9.2 | Check price |
| 2 | Banpresto Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba Figure Vol.11 Kyojuro Rengoku | Prize figure, roughly 6 to 7 inches | Best sculpted detail | 8.9 | Check price |
| 3 | Good Smile Company Nendoroid Tanjiro Kamado | Approximately 4 inches | Best for poseable collecting | 8.6 | Check price |
| 4 | Banpresto Demon Slayer World Collectable Figure Nezuko Kamado | World Collectable, roughly 2 to 3 inches | Best budget collectible | 8.3 | Check price |
| 5 | Funko Pop! Dragon Ball Z Super Saiyan Goku | Approximately 3.75 inches | Best for Dragon Ball beginners | 8.1 | Check price |
| 6 | Banpresto Naruto Shippuden Vibration Stars Naruto Uzumaki | Prize figure, roughly 6 inches | Best dynamic action pose | 7.9 | Check price |
| 7 | Good Smile Company Figma Tanjiro Kamado | Approximately 5 to 6 inches | Best step-up after Nendoroid | 7.7 | Check price |
What matters most
What are the main types of anime figures? Funko Pop uses stylized, fixed-pose vinyl at the lowest price point. Banpresto prize figures add sculpted, hand-painted detail in a single static pose for a mid-range cost. Good Smile Company’s Nendoroid and Figma lines add real articulation, priced higher for that added engineering.
Fixed pose or articulated: which matters more for a first figure? A fixed-pose figure like Funko or Banpresto looks complete straight out of the box, with no joints or accessories to assemble. Nendoroid and Figma figures reward collectors who enjoy swapping faces, hands or weapons to change a display over time.
How much shelf space does each figure line need? Funko and Nendoroid figures share a small footprint, so a single shelf can hold several in a row. Banpresto’s larger prize figures and Figma’s dynamic poses need more depth, especially action stances that extend outward from the base.
Should a beginner collect one series or mix characters? Many collectors start with a favorite series, such as Demon Slayer or Naruto, and buy across figure types for the same character. That approach shows the practical differences between a Funko, a Banpresto prize figure and a Nendoroid side by side.
Questions worth asking
What is the difference between a Nendoroid and a Figma?
Nendoroids use chibi-style proportions with a large head, while Figma figures use a more realistic body scale and a joint system built for dynamic action posing.
Are Banpresto prize figures worth buying for a beginner?
Their sculpted detail at a mid-range price makes them a natural step between low-cost Funko figures and pricier articulated lines.
Do Funko Pop anime figures show much sculpted detail?
They use simplified, stylized proportions instead of realistic sculpting, trading fine detail for a lower price and wide availability.
Which anime figure line is easiest to display?
Fixed-pose figures like Funko and most Banpresto models need no assembly or stand adjustment, so they display straight out of the box.
Can Nendoroid figures actually move their joints?
Yes. Jointed limbs plus interchangeable faceplates and hands allow genuine repositioning rather than one fixed pose.
Is it better to collect one anime series or mix characters as a beginner?
Starting with one favorite series helps a beginner compare figure types before branching into other anime and price tiers.
Do Banpresto prize figures come with a display stand?
Many dynamic poses include a fitted base for stability, though flatter standing poses sometimes rely on the figure’s own footing.
How much should a first anime figure cost?
A first figure can range from an inexpensive Funko Pop to a mid-range Banpresto or Nendoroid, depending on how much articulation and detail matters to you.
Nendoroid vs Figma: which suits a first articulated figure?
A Nendoroid costs less and suits smaller shelves, while a Figma suits collectors who want realistic proportions and a fuller range of motion.
Are prize figures like Banpresto the same quality as Nendoroid or Figma?
Prize figures focus on sculpted paint detail in a fixed pose, while Nendoroid and Figma add engineering for articulation, which is why they cost more.
Final word
Start with a Funko Pop figure when budget and easy display matter most, since it costs the least and skips assembly entirely. Move to a Banpresto prize figure for noticeably better sculpted detail, then try a Nendoroid once face-swapping and articulation become the priority.
Rachel Simmons
Rachel previously worked in child-product retail and brings a practical, detail-first eye to gear reviews, focusing on safety standards, ease of use and the fine print that matters most for new caregivers.
