Some start with a single figure on their desk. Then, suddenly, you find yourself with a shelf that has gone from "just a little something from my favorite series" to a full-fledged shrine for One Piece, Naruto, or Demon Slayer. That's exactly why the question of the best anime figures to collect is so much fun - and a little dangerous for your wallet. The right figure type makes the collection more enjoyable, more aesthetically pleasing, and much easier to build upon.
What exactly is meant by the best anime figures to collect?
The short answer is that it depends on how you collect. Some want maximum display impact with large statues and a strong presence in the room. Others want to be able to build an entire lineup of their favorite characters without each purchase feeling like a boss fight against the budget.
The best anime figures to collect are therefore not always the most expensive or most detailed. Often, the best choices are those that match your taste, your space, and how you like to showcase your fandom. A chibi-sized Luffy might be a better buy than a massive premium statue if you actually want to collect broadly and not just own a single centerpiece.
There's also a big difference between buying a figure because you love a character and building a thoughtful collection. One is about emotion. The other is strategy. Both are perfectly legitimate, but it helps to know what kind of collector you are before filling your shopping cart.
The figure types that are usually best to collect
To be honest, there isn't one single figure category that wins for everyone. But some formats stand out because they are particularly rewarding to collect over time.
Nendoroid for those who want to build a playful collection
Nendoroid is a classic for a reason. They are small, expressive, and full of personality. For many anime fans, they are the perfect mix of collectibility and charm. You often get extra faces, accessories, and poses, which makes the same figure feel new for a long time.
The great thing about Nendoroid is that they work almost regardless of the series. A collection with characters from Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Attack on Titan can still look cohesive because the format ties the whole thing together. It's perfect for those who jump between fandoms faster than a shonen protagonist jumps into the next arc.
The downside is that some prefer more proportionate figures. The chibi style isn't for everyone. If you want characters to look more anime-accurate in their face and body, other formats might be more suitable.
Pop Up Parade for a nice balance between price and display
Here we have a category that often feels like the real sweet spot. Pop Up Parade has become popular because the figures usually provide a lot of visual impact without costing premium statue prices. You get clear poses, good presence, and a format that's easy to display on a bookshelf, gaming corner, or display cabinet.
This is a particularly good choice if you want to collect several characters from the same series. Instead of spending your entire budget on a single figure, you can often build a team. Imagine Gojo, Yuji, and Megumi side by side. That's the kind of display that makes guests immediately understand exactly what league your fandom is in.
Quality can vary a bit between different releases, so it's not a category where every figure is automatically a masterpiece. But for many collectors, it's still one of the smartest places to start.
Scale figures for those who want a wow factor
If the goal is for a figure to dominate the shelf in the best possible way, scale figures are hard to beat. Here you usually get more details, more dynamism, and a greater sense that the figure truly captures a specific moment or an iconic version of the character.
This is often where collecting goes from "fun merch" to "okay, this is actual display art." A well-made scale figure of, for example, Rem, Asuna, or Levi can carry an entire setup on its own.
But there's a trade-off. They take up more space, cost more, and make it harder to collect broadly. If you have limited space or like many different series, a heavy investment in scale figures might make the collection feel fragmented or too expensive to maintain.
Prize figures for those who want to collect a lot
Prize figures are often underestimated by people who think "cheaper" automatically means worse. That's not always true. Many prize figures look really good on the shelf, especially if you're building a larger display where the overall impression is more important than microscopic details.
For series with enormous character rosters, like One Piece or Dragon Ball, prize figures are extra fun. You can actually gather several favorites without each purchase becoming a major project. This makes them a strong choice for new collectors, younger fans, or anyone who just wants to maximize the number of characters per shelf foot.
What you usually give up is finish and level of detail compared to higher segments. But honestly - at normal viewing distance, it's often less critical than people think.
Best anime figures to collect if you want to build by series
Many people collect not by figure type first, but by universe. That's also a smart way to keep the collection focused. If you truly love a series, every new figure becomes part of a clearer whole.
One Piece, Naruto, and Dragon Ball are eternal collector series
These three are almost built for collectors. The character selection is enormous, the recognition is maximized, and there are figures in several price ranges. You can start simply with the main characters and then expand with rivals, side characters, and iconic forms.
The best thing here is that you rarely get stuck after the first purchase. If you like Naruto, for example, there's almost always the next figure to chase - Sasuke, Kakashi, Itachi, Minato, and so on. The collection gains natural momentum.
Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen suit modern fans
For those who want to collect the heavyweights of the newer generation, Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen are very rewarding. The character design is strong, the color palettes pop in display, and the figures usually look good both as simpler models and more elaborate versions.
Furthermore, these are series where group dynamics play a big role. A single figure can be nice, but two or three together often do much more for the overall impression.
Studio Ghibli and classics for those who want a softer expression
Not everyone wants explosive battle poses and energy waves in plastic. Some prefer to collect figures with calmer aesthetics, nostalgia, and a greater sense of storytelling. In that case, Ghibli-related figures, or collectibles from older classics, are often a better choice.
They often work well even in homes where you want nerd culture to blend in nicely rather than taking over the entire room like a Super Saiyan transformation.
How to choose the right first purchase
If you're just starting, it's smart not to think "which figure is the coolest?" but "what kind of collection do I want to be able to live with in a year?". It sounds less romantic, but it saves both money and shelf space.
Start by choosing between breadth and depth. If you want to collect many series, smaller and more affordable formats are often best. If you want to focus on a single favorite character or a few big favorites, the premium segment might be more appropriate.
Also consider the display. Figures look different at home than in product photos. Dark figures can disappear in a dark bookshelf. Small figures are easily drowned out if they stand next to larger collectibles. A collection becomes much more enjoyable when the parts actually elevate each other.
It's also worth considering how much you like fiddling with poses and accessories. Some love it. Others just want to unbox, display, and feel that it looked good right away. There's no right answer, but it affects what feels most valuable over time.
Common mistakes when collecting anime figures
The most common mistake is to buy too haphazardly at first. You take a figure from every series you like, but without any thought to scale, style, or how they will stand together. The result easily becomes more of a storage shelf than an epic display.
Another mistake is to go too big too fast. An expensive centerpiece can be fantastic, but if it eats up the entire budget, there's a risk that the collection will stop immediately. For many, it's more fun to build gradually and watch the shelf grow over time.
Then there's the classic trap of only buying what's popular. Just because everyone is chasing the same figure doesn't mean it suits your taste. The best collection feels personal. It should look like you, not like a random top list clip.
Where to find a good selection?
When you're looking for the best anime figures to collect, it helps to shop from a store that actually understands the difference between various figure formats, fandoms, and collector needs. At Nerdbutiken, you'll find a wide range for those who want to go from their first figure to full shelf control, whether you're looking for chibi, display-friendly standard figures, or something more premium.
However, the most important thing is not to find "the objectively best" figure. The important thing is to find figures you want to see every day, talk about with other fans, and build around when the next favorite series takes over your mind. Start with a character you actually care about - the rest of the collection usually takes care of itself.