In 27 years of operation, the Pokémon Company has sold a whopping 440 million game units. Every new release from the company becomes a hit, primarily due to a large number of Pokémon enthusiasts. However, card games are not the only thing Pokémon is known for. Collectibles such as Pokémon Funko Pops also have a massive fanbase.
Pokémon Funko Pops are collectible figurines of Pokémon characters created by the company Funko. Some popular Funko Pops include Bulbasaur, Pikachu, Squirtle, and Charizard. Hardcore Pokémon fans collect these figurines not only for their aesthetic value, but also for monetary reasons. However, are Pokémon Funko Pops worth collecting? Let’s find out.
What Are Pokémon Funko Pops?
Funko is a famous collectible manufacturer making vinyl figures of pop culture characters. Due to the booming collectible market, the company now has licensing deals with gaming properties, films, sports, anime, music, and TV shows. One of these deals is with Pokémon. Funko creates Pokémon Pops for the most beloved characters in the Pokémon universe.
The popularity of Funko Pops is due to one of two reasons. The first is aesthetic or enthusiasm for the game. It’s the same principle by which people buy merchandise from their favorite YouTubers or pay thousands of dollars to get a signed t-shirt from their favorite sportsperson. The second reason is the rarity, which makes Funko Pops “collectible” in the real sense. While some Funko Pops are available on the website for as little as $12, others are rare and pricey.
Funko produces some figurines in a limited run. It means there are only a small number of figurines to grab. Likewise, they only sell some at certain places, such as San Diego or New York Comic-Con.
- Pearlescent shimmer coloring
- Pikachu stands approximately 6 inches tall
- Pop! Games Pokémon series
- Made by Funko for Pokémon Center
- Comes with "Pokémon Center Exclusive" sticker on box
How Much Do Pokémon Funko Pops Cost?
Prices of Funko Pops vary depending on the character’s popularity and the availability of the figurine. The average cost for a Pokémon Funko Pop is $12. You can buy the following Pokémon for this price:
- Munchlax
- Glaceon
- Alakazam
- Espeon
- Jolteon
- Flareon
- Scorbunny
- Eevee
- Leafeon
- Arcanine
Funko also makes some sets, such as a four-pack containing Eevee, Vaporeon, Jolteon, and Flareon, that retail for $60. The more exclusive and expensive Pokémon Funko Pops are only available for sale at Comic-Cons or special conventions. Prices are also higher for older figurines that are no longer in production. You’d have to purchase these through online auctions.
- Pop! Games Pokémon series
- 4 pieces in package
- Made from high-quality vinyl
- Figures range from 3.75-inches to 3.9-inches tall
Is It Worth Collecting Pokémon Funko Pops?
Whether or not you collect Pokémon Pops will depend on your preference and motives. If you’re a fan of the franchise and want to add figurines to your personal collection, it’s a good and enjoyable hobby.
Funko Pops are made with extreme detail and are high-quality products, making them a decent addition to any fan’s collection. Plus, there are so many characters to choose from, leaving you spoiled for choice. However, do note that this is an expensive hobby, especially if you collect rare and high-end Pokémon Pops.
You may be wondering if this hobby have any monetary benefit. The answer is — It depends on the characters you collect. If you have Pops that are no longer being produced or are becoming scarce, you can profit from your collection.
Similarly, if you buy Pokémon Pops from conventions and Comic-Cons, you can sell them online for a profit. You can find Pokémon fans all around the world, but not all can attend conventions in the U.S. So, many fans are willing to buy Pops from online stores, making the demand high.
Ways to Earn Through Pokémon Funko Pops
If you’re in the Pokémon Pop race for the money, here are a few ways to monetize your hobby.
Buying and Selling Online
A simple way to make money through Pokémon Pops is to buy and sell them online. However, we’re not talking about the $12 Pops. These are not currently appealing since they are readily available on the manufacturer’s website. That is not to say that they won’t ever be worth more, but if they do increase in value, it may be some time before you can sell at a profit.
The key is to do your research and find sought-after or rare Pops that people are willing to pay a lot of money for. One of the most expensive Pokémon Pops is the 843 Charizard (Metallic), listed on Amazon and eBay for $650. If you can buy exclusive Pokémon Funko Pops online or at conventions, you can re-sell them through eBay or other online marketplaces.
Trading With Collectors
If you cannot find rare figures elsewhere, you can trade them with other collectors. Look for specialized online groups and forums to connect with other Pokémon Pop fans.
For example, you can follow the Pokémon Pop Reddit thread and connect with other buyers and sellers. Reddit also has Funko Pop threads to socialize with like-minded people. You might also find hobbyist forums on Discord or Facebook where people trade Pokémon Pops and talk about everything Pokemon.
Attending Conventions
As notes, some Pokémon Pops are only sold at Comic-Cons since these are limited editions or are produced in small amounts. Either way, they’re scarce in the market.
Attend conventions and look for figurines of iconic characters with a considerable fanbase. Some examples are Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, Pawmot, and Charizard.
The convention-exclusive figurine of Pikachu-Blooming Curiosity currently costs $120 — ten times the price of regular Pops. Meanwhile, the Mewtwo Flocked (SDCC) figurine is $125. Some of the rarest convention-exclusive Pops cost $200 and above. Since many of these will not be sold again or are very hard to find, you can sell them for hundreds of dollars in profit.
Pokémon Funko Pops List: Which Figurines Are Worth Collecting?
Not all Pokémon Funko Pops are worth collecting since most will not grow in value. Here are some collectibles that can earn you a profit.
455 Charmander (10-Inch) [SDCC Debut]
There was a super-sized version of this Pokémon Pop, which you could get from your local Target, but that’s not the one you need to collect.
Another version of this Pokémon was available at the San Diego Comic-Con, which was much more valuable. That’s the one you need to get your hands on. It has been sold on auction sites for $100 and above.
851 Charizard
The 851 Charizard was more commonly available than the 455 Charmander when it was made. It was pretty popular at Game Freak, leading to quick sales. Now, you can only find it on online marketplaces and auction sites. It retailed for $30, but is available on online marketplaces for anywhere from $47 to $60.
453 Bulbasaur (Flocked) [ECCC]
- Limited edition figure from Emerald City Comic Con
- Can only be found on Amazon
- The flocked Bulbasaur figure stands approximately 3.75 inches tall
- Comes in window box for easy display
The 453 Bulbasaur (Flocked) was the 2020 Emerald City exclusive. Since this was a virtual event, it would have been easier for fans to buy this Pokemon Pop without standing in long lines.
However, the rarity of 453 Bulbasaur (Flocked) [ECCC] comes from its limited production. The company only produced a limited quantity, which sold out quickly. You’ll find the Spring Convention Exclusive figurine on Amazon for $142.
540 Eevee (10-Inch)
Eevee is a must-have for all Pokémon fans out there, so it makes sense why it’s sold out at official retailers. While it wasn’t produced in limited quantities, it is still hard to source since you can no longer buy it from the company or retailers.
The only way someone can get their hand on this figurine is by buying it from an online marketplace or auction. Although its retail price was $30, it has been sold for up to $128 on StockX. Meanwhile, its lowest price on eBay is $92.99, three times the retail price.
455 Charmander (Diamond Glitter) [ECCC]
When looking for Pokémon Pops with high demand, keep an eye on exclusive items, such as this shiny version of the Charmander Pop. The 455 Charmander (Diamond Glitter) [ECCC] was only available at the Emerald City Comic-con, although a cheaper and less sought-after version was sold at Target too.
There are many versions of the 455 Charmander Pop, such as the one listed above. Be careful when buying the Diamond Glitter version. Check the signature green sticker on the box before purchasing.
If the seller is saying the box is not available, be cautious and look for another listing. The Diamond Glitter version is currently selling for $250 on eBay. Since it’s an in-demand Pop, you can expect to make a good profit if you manage to buy it at a reasonable price.
01 Pikachu (18-Inch)
Pikachu is one of the most iconic Pokémon characters, so it’s no surprise that people are willing to pay a lot for bigger versions of the Pop. The 01 Pikachu (18-Inch) had a limited release in 2020.
With the Covid-19 pandemic confining people to homes, not many units were sold before they were taken off the shelves. Hence, it has become a hard-to-find item. It is listed for $140 to $186 on different platforms.
843 Charizard (Metallic) [Wondrous Convention]
If you really want to go big, find an 843 Charizard (Metallic) and resell it. It’s probably the rarest Pokémon Funko Pop because it was never released to the public. Funko announced that the Pop would be available for sale at the Wondrous Convention, but it wasn’t.
However, there are still a few units on hobbyist websites that have valid Universal Product Codes (UPCs). Its price is as high as $1,500 on eBay. If you can get your hands on an 843 Charizard (Metallic) with a valid UPC, you can make an even bigger profit by selling it on auction sites.
Tips for Collecting Pokémon Funko Pops
Here are some tips to stay safe and get the best collectibles if you’re into collecting Pokémon Pops.
- Do thorough research before buying a Pokémon Pop. Look at which characters may be currently popular in pop culture or are being highly discussed in Pokémon forums and groups.
- Buy from reputable websites and sellers. Check online reviews of the seller if you’re buying from a marketplace. Or, get recommendations from the Pokémon community, such as Reddit threads, on finding reliable sellers.
- Keep your collection safe from sun and dust exposure. It’s best to let it stay in the box if you plan on reselling it.
- While taking the Pokémon Pop out of the box does not lower its value, most buyers will want the box with the Pop. So, if you decide to display the Pop out of the box for pictures or aesthetic value, do not throw away the box.
- Attend conventions to find exclusive edition Pokémon Pops that you can sell later.
- Check how much your Pop is listed for on other websites and set your price accordingly. Do not undersell your Pop or overestimate its value. The former will get you limited profits, and the latter will bring you no sales.
- $64.94Buy Now
- Pearlescent shimmer coloring
- Pikachu stands approximately 6 inches tall
- Pop! Games Pokémon series
- Made by Funko for Pokémon Center
- Comes with "Pokémon Center Exclusive" sticker on box
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 05:38 am GMT - $84.99Buy Now
- Pop! Games Pokémon series
- 4 pieces in package
- Made from high-quality vinyl
- Figures range from 3.75-inches to 3.9-inches tall
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 05:37 am GMT - $147.43Buy Now
- Limited edition figure from Emerald City Comic Con
- Can only be found on Amazon
- The flocked Bulbasaur figure stands approximately 3.75 inches tall
- Comes in window box for easy display
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/27/2023 05:37 am GMT
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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Maria Ruiz Perez/Shutterstock.com.
