He’s cute, quirky and lovable. You wouldn’t use these words to describe the character of Walter White from the cult drama series Breaking Bad. That is, unless it’s his Funko “POP!” figure.
The toy has sold over 17 Million units in less than four short years has become ubiquotous item seen in office cubicles, display cabinets, bookstores, coffee shops, even classrooms and car dashboards. The success of the toys’ popularity is undeniable, given the cult following it has inspired its fans.
They are most certainly cute, but that’s not their only hook, as collectors simply gobble up in huge quantities the varied line of characters licensed from such dream properties like Star Wars, Disney, Marvel and DC superheroes, Game of Thrones and Walking Dead, to name a few.
Funko Pop collecting in the Philippines started out as a slow burn with the usual crowd of action figure collectors scratching their head over these cute anime-type figures that appeared in huge quantities in big toy chain sometime early in 2013. And now, they are probably slapping their foreheads in regret for not getting these early figures which were released, as most of them have been retired from production and now cost a pretty penny to acquire from the secondary market.
Now, Funko Pop collecting has risen to phenomenal heights as collectors organize themselves into fans and collectors clubs such as the Funko Fanatics Philippines, Funko FunKlub Asia and Philippine Funko Pop Collectors. And the Funko Pop frenzy is amazing to see as it reinvigorates the toy collecting scene with new collectors coming on board, enticed by the variety of characters and designs available. And the demographic of collectors is even more varied as we see the usual male-dominated action figure collector mixing it up with office executives, professionals, housewives and, of course, kids, lapping up the vinyl figures in huge quantities.
So it is not surprising for Funko to sit up and notice that Funko fans in the Philippines certainly deserve an event to celebrate their love for these toys.
It is certainly an exciting time for Funko Pop fans to come together and unite for a unique event as only Funko, and its strategic partner in Asia, Mindstyle International, can deliver to the Philippine fans.
The Funko Pop! Roadshow is the first official major event of Funko in the Philippines and it rolled out last November 29 to 30 at the Newport Mall of Resorts World Manila in time for the integrated Resort’s longest yuletide celebrations in the country, Grand Fiesta Manila 2014. The Funko Pop! Roadshow is a series of Funko Pop-themed events that launched at one of the most prime event locations in Manila.
Be a part of fun activities and games, amazing exhibits and interesting panel discussions with Funko Pop collectors. Snap your selfies with Funko character cosplayers as we celebrate everything fun and collectible as only a top toy brand can bring.
Get a chance to own the Dancing Groot Pop figure to be launched exclusively at the event. And win awesome prizes from Funko by joining the Pop! Clicks Photography contest and the Customized Pop! Contest.
The Funko Pop Roadshow is powered by Mindstyle, and presented by Resorts World Manila and the Philippine Toy Con in partnership with Arigatoys, Big Boys store, Filbars, Kramer Toy Warden, Comic Odyssey and the Funko Funatics Philippines.
The Funko Pop! is also seen at the ToyCon at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City from December 12 to December 14, 2014 during the Mall hours to give chance for Christmas shoppers to see these lovely toys.
Present during the presscon at Resorts World Manila were :
Cholo Mallillin from Toycon, Harvey Yu and Kyle Sy from Arigatoys Collectibles (exclusive distributor for Funko), Alan Oda from Mindstyle, and Nikko Lim from Funko Fanatic Philippines, grace the stage at Resorts World Manila during the opening of the Funko Pop! Roadshow Philippines.
Funko toys are bubblehead figures that are licensed and designed by artists visually, then sculptors make an actual toy, then it is painted for display.
The head is actually made of vinyl and says Emi Ochiki, design manager from Mindstyle.
