The best Funko Pops are the ones that spark joy and make you feel an emotional connection to your favorite characters. In this case, we refer to Japanese anime and manga Funko Pops. Of course, it also helps if they hold their value well throughout the years.
Did you watch all 10,000 episodes of Luffy running around the universe, fighting battles, and fulfilling his dreams, or look back fondly on Usagi Tsukino’s misadventures on Earth? If that sounds like you, you’ll love the opportunity to bring them home and let their memory live on forever! While we can’t tell you which ones you’ll love the most, we can tell you which ones are the greatest investment or rarest to own.
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best anime and manga Funko Pops:
- Best Overall: #97 Kurama
- Runner-Up: #368 Moon Black Lady
- Best Newer Pop: #1129 Samurai Brook
- Best Vaulted: #234 Armored Titan
- Best Con Exclusive: #637 Dabi
- Best Budget-Friendly: #391 Edward Elric
Best Overall Anime and Manga Funko Pop: #97 Kurama
- 6-inch, glow-in-the-dark exclusive
- Perfect collectible item
- Vinyl figure
- Yellow, and black colors
- Box in perfect condition
The #97 Kurama is the best overall anime Funko Pop on our list. If you love Naruto and want to add a demonic fox to your collection, this is the one for you. The #97 Kurama is just as elusive as the character it represents, but it’s a great addition to any collection.
Naturally, you wouldn’t want the real Kurama in your home, but the 4.72 x 3.54 x 6.3-inch #97 Funko Pop is an excellent addition to any collection. It’s a rare glow-in-the-dark Gamestop exclusive, so it’s a little challenging to find, but also a great investment.
The #97 Kurama was released in December 2015 and has since increased its value. While most Pops go for less than $20, this little guy has netted some purchasers hundreds of dollars. If you find him, snatch him up while you can. Check out #97 Kurama on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| He’s much cuter than the real Kurama. | He’s challenging to find. |
| This Funko Pop glows in the dark. | This Funko Pop is currently priced in the hundreds of dollars on the secondary market. |
| It has increased in value. |
Runner-Up for Best Anime and Manga Funko Pop: #368 Sailor Moon Black Lady
- 2018 Summer Convention Exclusive
- Vinyl figure stands about 3.75 inches tall
- Black, brick red, peach, and pink coloring
- Comes in original window box for display
The #368 Sailor Moon Black Lady Funko Pop is the best runner-up overall. This 2018 Summer Convention exclusive is a limited edition anime Pop that certainly didn’t disappoint collectors.
It is both rare and visually appealing. The 6.7 x 5.1 x 3.9 inch Pop will fit nicely on a shelf, where you can display it for everyone to see. While the vinyl version of the misguided character can’t control dark energy waves, she’s a rare collectible that many of your friends have never seen in person.
At the time of writing, you can find the #368 Sailor Moon Black Lady sells for as much as $200 in the box. It would seem she has a bright future despite her dark past. Check out #368 Sailor Moon Black Lady on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has increased in value tremendously. | Finding a mint condition #368 is extremely challenging. |
| She’s very rare. | |
| She’s an iconic character. |
Best Newer Anime and Manga Funko Pop: #1129 Samurai Brook
- Funko limited edition exclusive
- Comes complete with a shadow
- Vinyl figure stands approximately 3.75 inches tall
- Includes original window box packaging
The #1129 Samurai Brook is one of the newer, but still one of the best, anime Funko Pops around. Released in June of 2022, Samurai Brook impressed collectors and One Piece fans everywhere. He’s a Funko exclusive, but still relatively easy to find!
The Straw Hat Pirates’ iconic musician can join your merry band of Funko Pops, too! Samurai Brook is 3.75 inches tall, so he’ll fit perfectly with your other Funko friends. Of course, the #1129 Samurai Brook comes complete with a shadow, for those wondering.
He isn’t one of the rarer anime Pops on our list, but his short time on store shelves has proven he’s pretty valuable. Depending on the purchaser, a mint condition Samurai Brook can sell anywhere from $50-$200. Check out #1129 Samurai Brook on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| He’s easier to find than other Pops on our list. | His value hasn’t increased as much as some of the other options on our list. |
| He’s a Funko exclusive Pop. | |
| He’s cute and lovable. |
Best Vaulted Anime and Manga Funko Pop: #234 Armored Titan
- Vinyl figure stands 6 inches tall
- Vaulted POP is no longer made
- Comes in a window display box
- A must-have for Attack on Titan fans
The #234 Armored Titan isn’t an exclusive, but it is vaulted, landing it a spot on our best Funko Pops list! Released in 2017, the vinyl depiction of Attack on Titan’s Reiner Braun is a valuable piece that’s also a rare find these days.
The Armored Titan sells for anywhere from $100 to $400 online and sells out quickly. Standing at 6 inches tall, the figure has been vaulted, meaning it isn’t manufactured anymore. The Armored Titan Pop reached prices over $500 in the months after its release.
It’s best to order the #234 Armored Titan before all the other collectors do. Based on our experience, it’s a wise investment choice, and Braun is awfully fierce in his Titan costume. Check out #234 Armored Titan on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| He has held his value well throughout the years. | It’s getting more challenging to find this piece. |
| Funko doesn’t manufacture him anymore. | |
| Reiner Braun looks fierce in his costume. |
Best Con Exclusive Anime and Manga Funko Pop: #637 Dabi
- 2019 Fall Con Exclusive
- Tragic villain from My Hero Academia
- Comes in original window box
- Bundled with box protector
- The vinyl figure stands around 3.75 inches tall
Another anime Pop deserving of a spot on our list is the #637 Dabi. This rare 2019 Fall Con Exclusive has continually increased in value while maintaining a fan-favorite status. The My Hero Academia villain sells for more than $100 at the time of writing.
After the Netflix launch of the popular anime show, it’s likely that Dabi’s 4-inch vinyl figurine will increase in value even more. However, he is a rare piece, so it’s best to get one while people are still selling.
Not only does Dabi look amazing, but he’s also one of the more expensive My Hero Academia Pops. If you want a Dabi for your collection, this is definitely one of the best versions. Check out #637 Dabi on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| He’s a rare 2019 exclusive Pop. | It’s difficult to find one in mint condition. |
| He has increased in value since release. | Buyers should beware of forgeries. |
| He’s becoming more popular. |
Best Budget-Friendly Anime and Manga Funko Pop: #391 Edward Elric
- The youngest State Alchemist in the country of Amestris
- Vinyl figure stands about 3.75 inches tall
- Comes in original window box packaging
- Bundled with a plastic box protector
The #391 Edward Elric anime Funko Pop is our pick for the best budget-friendly anime Funko Pop on the market today. This 2018 Fullmetal Alchemist Funko Pop will stand the test of time. Although it is a bit rare these days, you can still find him on Amazon and eBay for a fair price.
He stands 3.75 inches tall and greatly represents the beloved Edward’s fierce and mighty disposition. While he isn’t an exclusive Funko Pop, he is becoming harder to find. If you love Fullmetal Alchemist and want to add Edward to your anime Funko Pop collection, this one is a must-have. Check out #391 Edward Elric on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s becoming more rare as time goes on. | The #391 may not net a substantial return on your investment. |
| He’s more affordable than other Pops on our list. | |
| He’s an iconic character that belongs in every collector’s inventory. |
Honorable Mentions
Although the following Pops are not available on Amazon, no list of the best Funko Pops for fans of Japanese anime and manga would be complete without these rare and valuable Pops.
Planet Arlia Vegeta Funko Pop
The #10 Planet Arlia Vegeta is the most expensive and rarest anime Funko Pop. You won’t find this little guy in stores. In fact, it was never sold at any retailer. The #10 Arlia Vegeta was only sold for one day back in 2014 at the Comic Con in New York.
It’s 3.75 inches tall, and collectors around the world are hunting for a mint-condition version of this elusive Toy Tokyo Dragon Ball Z Pop. This Pop is priced anywhere from $1,000-$4,000. Although this Funko Pop comes with a buyer beware disclaimer, with a price tag like that, you must watch out for counterfeits.
If you love Dragon Ball Z and you are an avid anime Pop collector, it’s worth tracking this little fellow down now. However, due to the cost, this one may not be for you if you’re a casual collector.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It’s incredibly rare. | It’s very expensive to purchase. |
| It was only sold for one day at the 2014 Comic Con in New York. | Some sellers create forgeries and try to pass them off as the real thing. |
| It’s a high-value Funko Pop. |
#252 Deku (Battle)
My Hero Academia’s #252 Deku (Battle) is in one of the best Funko Pops out there! Of course, you don’t want just any #252 Deku Funko Pop. It’s the Hot Topic exclusive that’s rare and valuable.
Many #252 Funko Pops are for sale, and if you’re a casual collector, any of them will add value to your collection. However, not all of them are supremely valuable. Some buyers are happy with the exclusives and don’t need a special sticker on the box to fulfill their desires. Serious collectors, on the other hand, will covet the Deku Battle Funko Pop with the Hot Topic Exclusive sticker.
This 3.94-inch Funko Pop is often listed for sale for up to $100 in mint condition, so don’t wait if you want to collect this figure. If you want to see Deku in the height of battle, with his torn suit and tattered hair, the #252 Deku Funko Pop won’t disappoint.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This Deku Funko Pop is unique. | Collectors will pay more money for the same Pop if it does have the Hot Topic exclusive sticker. |
| Casual collectors can find it easily for a low price without the Hot Topic exclusive sticker. | |
| It has the potential to increase value. |
How to Pick the Best Anime and Manga Funko Pops: Step By Step
Some of us find it easy to choose the perfect Funko Pops for our collection. We see one we just love and grab it up. Others are serious collectors who need to consider a few extra factors before purchasing. If you’re serious about your anime Funko Pops, here are the factors to consider:
- Determine the long-term investment.
- Consider how rare it is.
- Find your favorite anime character.
Let’s review each of these factors in more detail.
The Investment
Naturally, one of the more critical aspects of building an impressive collection is determining whether or not the pieces are a wise investment. You could fill an entire room of your house with $5 Pops and find joy in them, but if you want to make wiser purchases, it’s essential to consider whether the value of the Pop will stand the test of time.
You can get an idea of how valuable your desired Funko Pops can become using this website. The more expensive Pops are often exclusives, released only to one merchandiser or for a short time, but that doesn’t mean all exclusives are a wise investment.
Consider how exclusive the item is and whether other people will want it. It also helps to consider how many the company made and how long they’ll be offered for sale.
Rarity
You don’t have to pick up the rarest Funko Pops in existence to have a phenomenal anime collection. However, the rare ones are certainly worth the search. For example, the Planet Arlia Vegeta is one of the rarest and most valuable anime Pops of all time. Unless you plan on visiting the New York or San Diego Comic Cons, however, a rare Pop may be unattainable.
On the other hand, exclusive Pops and those with special features, such as Deku above, are a great indicator that the item will age well.
Fan Favorites
Finally, and possibly most importantly, seek out anime Funko Pops that you and other like-minded people will love. Whether it’s Itadori, Ichigo, or anyone in between, your favorite characters deserve a spot in your collection as well.
Consider who you want to display, then go on a hunt for the rarer ones or the ones with unique attributes. While this isn’t a fool-proof method, it’s a great way to get started on building a lucrative collection.
What to Know Before Buying the Best Anime and Manga Funko Pops
Buying Funko Pops isn’t always the simplest of tasks. Taking the time to shop around, read reviews, and verify the authenticity of your Pops is critical. After all, you don’t want to wind up with an item that doesn’t make you happy.
Sometimes you’ll find incredibly overpriced Pops on eBay or Amazon. Taking the time to search around may save you some money. However, it isn’t a good idea to buy one of these solely because it’s cheap. Sometimes people lower the prices because the items are damaged, opened, or even missing paint.
Lastly, buying an incredibly rare item is risky. People will do just about anything to make money, and counterfeiting Pops is one of them. Verify that the seller is legitimate and read the reviews before making a purchase.
Using and Storing the Best Anime and Manga Funko Pops: What It’s Like
You’ve spent all this time and money on building a collection. Now it’s time to decide how you want to store it. Naturally, it won’t hold its value if you open the box, so it’s best to avoid that. Aside from that, there are a few ways to properly store your Pops.
First, moisture and pests are mortal enemies to our vinyl friends. Don’t store them on the floor or in boxes in dark places where bugs and rodents may feast on them. Next, don’t store them in direct sunlight. Sure, they’ll look great in natural light, but over time the UV rays from the sun can bleach and discolor them.
Finally, it’s best to keep them in a climate-controlled environment. Most Pops are made of vinyl, so a little heat is okay, but leaving them in a hot car in the Arizona sun for twelve hours may cause damage. Furthermore, if you plan to store them in a storage unit, it’s best to go with a climate-controlled indoor unit.
Wrap-Up
Building the perfect anime and manga Funko Pop collection is a fun and worthwhile endeavor. There are many great options available, and a Pop friend for every fan. Our favorites above are the ones that grab people’s attention, that are rare, and that are valuable. If you didn’t find your next favorite anime and manga Pop in the list above, follow our tutorial above to find the perfect ones for you!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Timur1985/Shutterstock.com.
