WHY DO YOU COLLECT?

http://aquilla429.co.uk/2009/07/04/why-i-like-anime-figures/

I collect because figure collecting is an extention of my love for Anime. I love seeing my favorite characters being represented in 3-D.

While I do pose and play, I literally, never bring my figures out as I'm super cautious of damage and paint scratch.

I also like taking pictures of figures, but I'll probably never understand or know how to incorporate figures into other pictures.

1. Why Do You Collect?
I don't really know why I collect. I think it's just that perverted side in me that wants a figure of a hot girl somewhere on my shelf (C'mon members. Don't lie. We all know that it is somewhat perverted of us, but it's all good. Our dolphins aren't complaining. :D). When I look at it, it makes me happy. It is something to look at and appreciate. And plus. Good looking girls in figure form aren't bad to look at.

2. Do you collect to play or decorate?
I only have fixed posed figures, so mine are mainly for decoration. I'm not really fond of the joints on figmas. It's my personal opinion, but those joints make the figure look kinda...less realistic in a sense. I don't know how to explain it. I just don't like those joints. I guess it kinda takes away from the aesthetics for me.

3. Do you get a new one just for something to review?
I don't buy figures to brag, or to review. I just buy them based on their aesthetic qualities. If it looks good (or hot) I'll probably buy it, given I have the money for it on-hand. I try not to simply go for familiar figures, but for anything that looks good, regardless of its origins. Plus, if it's from a series I haven't seen, it introduces me to that series, and sometimes, I may even watch it. :D

4. Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
... What collection? LOL. Some people buy figures, to complete sets (Like the Haruhi Extravaganza figures) but, my collection is just a random assortment of hot goodies. :D Completing a collection: no. Adding to it: depends on how much money I have.

5.Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
That's not called "collecting." It's called marketing for profit. True collectors only collect for the sake of collecting. I can't consider myself a true collector. This is more or less a small (yet very expensive) hobby of mine. It only goes so long as my wallet doesn't die.

6. Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
Honestly, I probably will eventually. I collect now simply because I enjoy it, and have the resources to do so. But in the long run, it isn't really practical. It'll create unnecessary clutter in my house (OK. Some of those Otacool rooms were cool. I give them points for that, but it looks so damned cluttered. I don't think I could live like that. I need space.).
But hey! Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.

ALSO! This is a question from me, but not from the original post. I'm just curious as to what your favorites are.

7. What is your favorite figure in your collection?
For me, it's gotta be Alter's KOS-MOS Swimsuit ver. OMG. SHE LOOKS SO DAMNED HOT in that bikini. When I got her, I seriously just sat there, and starred at her for like hours. I just love her to death.

Why Do You Collect?
Mainly because I love the way they look. Of course, Anime is also a factor to why I collect which is mentioned by Actar xD

Do you collect to play or decorate?
I tend to go for non-movable PVC for display purposes so I don't actually play with them that much but for Figma which I only currently have Drossel, I just to pose them to incorporate into my daily life. Right now she's sitting on top of my dull-looking modem to add some personal-touch to it.
I do play with my figurines and what I meant by 'play' here is just like what I mentioned above; Posing them in different actions, take them out for a photoshoot, make a story/comic with them. I display my collections in my room and I love displaying them. Thats what I do. :)

Do you get a new one just for something to review?
Nope.

Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
It depends. Like the Haruhi Extravaganza crew, I really enjoy it's anime so completing it gives me a sense of Joy. Right now I'm looking to complete the K-ON crew and Hyakka Ryouran which are both done by ALTER. The reason for the latter is that I love how they look.

Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
I doubt I will sell them

Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
Absolutely no! If I would stop, I did I even bother starting =P

What is your favorite figure in your collection?
Queen Gate Alice! One of the cutest figure I have in my collection!

i'm not sure whether its a very good marketing technique that they've implemented into our minds, but i think i enjoy getting items that other people may want. of course i want it too but if someone else i know says that they want it, it makes me want to get it even more, eventually pushing me over the purchase line.

having things physically is a trait of a human being perhaps

Why Do You Collect?
I suppose I began collecting as a way of decorating my room with things that represented my interests. That is still very much the case, though I've also come to value the artistry of (some) figures, so I appreciate my collection in that way as well.

Do you collect to play or decorate?
As mentioned above, I buy figures primarily for their decorative purposes, so I usually value the overall look of a figure over articulation. I do have a number of articulated figures, however, and I certainly like to pose them in dynamic positions, if that's considered playing.

Do you get a new one just for something to review?
I do try to review figures when I get them, but I've never bought one just to have something to review.

Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
I suppose it's never really complete, though I do think I buy fairly conservatively so it's a slow growth most of the time.

Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
I have no intention of selling anything at the moment, and if I did it would simply be because I no longer wanted the figure.

Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
I may stop buying new figures if I ever feel like my collection is "complete" for my own purposes (probably won't happen as there will always be new anime and new figures!), but even in that case I doubt I'll stop displaying my figures any time soon.

What is your favorite figure in your collection?
My Kallen Kouzuki garage kit is probably my favourite figure, since I painted and assembled her myself. ^^;

Yeah, I personally never bought a figure solely for its beauty or art because I believe that a figure is meant to be a representation of a 2D character in a real physical form. A good figure will be able to capture that character's essense. If I don't know who that character is, it will just be another meaningless, but beautiful, statue on my shelf.

Well, I suppose there are a couple reasons. Primarily, it's that I love seeing my favorite characters portrayed in 3D reality, which is why I think accuracy is very very important (unless you are doing SD, then it has to look like the character, except in squat, adorable form). The face is the most important part of a figure, because it is there that the figure can either become excellent, or poor, simply because the face makes the character. This of course assuming the rest of the figure is well made and not ripe with seams and bad painting. Because of this first reason, I tend to only get figures of characters I know and love. There have been one or two exceptions for figures I just fell in love with, but then I made a point to find the original source of the character and watch, read, or otherwise (in the case of games I can't play or original characters) just learn about them. I find that makes you appreciate your figures so much more and turns them into something greater than and less akin to other pieces of decoration you might have. My figures aren't decoration, pieces of plastic, or trinkets...they are my girls (well, ok...I have one boy now...) and they have a personality and a spark of life to them because of their stories...and I love them all the more for it.

Two is a simpler reason. Because it becomes rather addicting. You get one and fall in love. Then you find yourself getting more and more until you are getting shipments of 5 plus figures and your credit card bill one month consists of only charges to foreign figure companies -_-;

As for my favorite figure...hmmm. I suppose right now I'd have to say my Alter Hayate although it's getting harder to pin down a number 1.

Didn't read other comments yet. Didn't want to be influenced by what others wrote.

1. Why Do You Collect?
I collect PVC figures for a number of reasons. First, and most important, my love for the character. I feel closer to the anime character having an accurate 3d representation to look at whenever I want. Unfortunately, I can not have the actual girl in my life and this is the closest to having her around in physical form.

2. Do you collect to play or decorate?
I do review pvc figures on base or near where I bought them (when I can), in order to give the community an idea of what they're buying but also so I can see my collection when I am gone far away from home for long periods of time.

I guess the closest to playing with these figures would be my buying an extra nendoroid just to cart around with me in my travels in Japan.

3. Do you get a new one just for something to review?
It happens sometimes. Especially when I see a figure that almost noone will buy or review. Like Alternate Colored 2p Patchouli Knowledge. If someone had a full review up in English, I'm not sure I would have bought her so readily. ^^;

4. Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
I started trying to complete the Nanoha Alter Line and Touhou Griffon Line but buying all of these is just too much. Would start to get insane really quickly. ^^;

5.Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
I don't go out of my way for this but it feels good owning/reviewing something that many people would have trouble getting a hold of. At the moment, I only plan on selling my Star Wars collection. Plan on keeping my anime and Lord of the Rings collections.

6. Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
Maybe. I don't think it will happen soon but when I leave Japan, buying pvc figures will likely become difficult and too expensive. Especially the items that don't show up in stores like HobbySearchJapan. In addition, I plan on finishing my 4 year degree when I get out of the Navy. That will be my focus. Anime will be the reward after I am satisfied with the amount of work I have done for the day.

7. What is your favorite figure in your collection?
Ah, a fun and difficult question. ^_^ For anime figures, I would say Ichiban Kuji Premium Ranka Lee. Not only is she dead on accurate to her anime depiction, she is incredibly hard to find in Akihabara right now. In fact, I haven't seen her for sale since. Makes me really proud to own her.

This was fun. Good step back to see why am buy so many figures.

1. Why Do You Collect?
I don't think I collect, but I do get very spaztic when I see figures of characters that I like (and if I like the figure too.) I get the figures of the characters I love, not really because I like the build but don't know the character (if I did this, I would need a bigger room XD)

2. Do you collect to play or decorate?
I've only ever played with my figmas one two occasions, that was fun XD But I do it mostly for decoration, I love seeing them lined up on my bookshelf <3

3. Do you get a new one just for something to review?
Nope, I buy them because I have some sort of infatuation with the character. Reviewing would be nice, but it's not the reason I buy my figures.

4. Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
The only set I want to complete is my Lucky Star set of the girls, both the summer and winter versions!! I can't wait to see them all displayed! If I'm not getting the girls, I'm getting the other characters because I have an obsession with their character~

5.Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
I think that's called an investment, ne ^^; No, I do it because I love it. Otherwise I'd probably just buy a vase worth thousands of dollars or something XD I don't plan on selling my figures ever, but I do think they will be worth a lot of money one day... though that's still not why I do it.

6. Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
I get bored really easily, but doing this makes me happy. Opening their boxes and posing them and just looking at them!! Maybe I will stop one day, but they're still wonderful to look at, I don't think I'll ever be able to pack them away if the time comes to do it.

7. What is your favorite figure in your collection?
Surprisingly, it's not any of my Lucky Star girls! I can't love one without loving the rest. But if I had to pick one, I would have to say my Len figma. I take him off his stand and put him everywhere with me <33

My answer will be short. I collect them because I'm doing what I like and it makes me happy. Favourite figure now is Drossel.

1. Why Do You Collect?
Because I'm a girl and I like cute things XD.And I love all the cute and awesome characters from my fave anime's so when I see some thing I will go "OMG SO CUTE AND MOE MUST PRE-ORDER NAO!"

2. Do you collect to play or decorate?
A little of both.The only figures I have are ones you can mess with(nendos,trading figures and Figmas) so I mess with them and put them in various places sometimes or at least til my Imouto plays with them(but she's carful)

3. Do you get a new one just for something to review?
I lack a good camera and I usally get a figure when its been out for awhile OTL.

4. Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH FIGURES(Unless your using money for food and your house on them lol)

5.Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
I wouldn't want to.I'm kinda a pack rat so its hard for me to let stuff go.

6. Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
Probably because there may be a period of time where all the anime that's on I wont be interested in so I won't buy the merchandise for it and I will eventually move on to something else.I hope this won't happen for a very very long time since I like it.Other than that if my financial needs can't handle them then that might play into things.

7. What is your favorite figure in your collection?
I love them all but it has to be my winter Tsukasa figma(she's also the one little sis mess's with the most ^_^).Though when I get summer Kagami that may change.I'm afraid to mess with my winter Kagami since one of her arms is broken and the other one is loose.Also Konata's hair gets in the way to dang much so Tsukasa I play with the most.

Good question.
(Was thinking of posting something like this too)

Why?
On the surface is because its nice(cute, cool..etc), looks good, "I want".
When I try to think deeper I can find any reason.

Perhaps my collection fills up a certain empty part of me.
(An empty part that seems be ever expanding :P)

Posted ^^ http://rin1873.wordpress.com/2009/10/10/why-do-i-collect/

Wow! its a bandwagon!

1. Why Do You Collect?
- To contribute to the "economy" becus i do not really buy dvds (yet).
- Artistic concepts of sculpting ^^;
- To play around and decorate my room

2. Do you collect to play or decorate?
- At first i was really a collector... i leave all my figures intact and stuff like that.... But i realized that it was really underwhelming the figure. ESP Figmas and nendoroids.

3. Do you get a new one just for something to review?
- Nop i have not even done a review.

4. Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
- Don't see my collection every completing anytime soon! I'll buy any figure that really caught my eye + Series = Caught... therefore, if i did not Catch lets say - Bakemonogatari, i will not get the puchi nendos.

5.Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
Nop, not here.

6. Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
Maybe after a certain age or on times where i have financial problems.

7. What is your favorite figure in your collection?
This is hard.
But i'd say its ALTER's 1/1 Reinforce Zwei... i liked it so much that i bought 2 =/

I collect for many reasons. Im a pack rat, so anything that looks good on my shelf, and I like, I buy. Collecting things I love also brings me joy and a better alternative on what to spend my money on. But my main reason is anime is a my passion and hobby. I could be spending money on things that will rot the teeth in my mind, but instead, I spend it on anime, gundam models, figures, manga, music, etc.

I collect to decorate. My models are not toys or action figures so the only time I touch them is when I pose and dust them. My room is decorated with posters, gundam models, and my anime collection. It somewhat represents who I am and what I like.

I dont buy things to review them. I buy them because I want it in my collection, or because its from a particular series or I like the character I bought. I only review them if someone were to ask me what I think about the model/figure/anime/etc.

I dont collect something because it will be valuable, I collect because I want it. Some of the things that are valuable to me may not be valuable to others and vice versa. Monetary gain for my collection is not an issue since I have no plan on selling my collection ! Its like selling a part of me haha.

As for stopping, maybe. When ? Not sure. I firmly believe that you cant be too old to like anything. If anything, I might stop when priorities or financial issues present themselves. But once I get those things squared away, Ill go back to my usual self :]

My favorite gundam model would have to be my NG zaku warrior. The zaku warrior is my favorite mobile suit ( although severely underrated lol) because it looks awesome imo. I especially like it with the gunner wizard pack on. My favorite figure would have to be my Yoko Revoltech figure. I love the articulation and makes my desk look lively when shes standing there giving off the "peace" sign :]

1. Why Do You Collect? Why? Because it's my hobby, and I love to buy cute figures. For example, I'll definitely buy a Lucky Star figure or plushie before I go near a Kamen Rider or Fist of the North Star figure xD Also, I love photoshooting them ^_^

2. Do you collect to play or decorate? I both play AND decorate :) When a new figure arrives, I play around for a long time, but then I'll find somewhere just PERFECT to display it ^^

3. Do you get a new one just for something to review? No, I have to love it to buy it^^

4. Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it? Complete? mine is never ending! Since I'm always finding new series I enjoy, the collection keeps growing :)

5.Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day? I won't sell my cute figures! XD

6. Do you ever think you will stop collecting? Unless my funds run out, no

7. What is your favorite figure in your collection? Konata Izumi, Figma Summer version ^.^

1. Why do I collect? For my own self satisfaction. I love Japanese animation/JRPGs and their beauty. It also reminds me of how much I love JRPGs as well, the world, the characters, the story, the imagination that is brought to life in a cyber world.

2. Do you collect to play? In my small collection I have 2 figmas, 2 fraulein, 12 PVC statues, and 4 snapped together gunpla(not painted dont have skill). I don't play with the poesables as it is not my style, I used to change their pose every 1 week or so but stopped and just kept them in a fixed pose. To decorate? No, I think I collect just to look at and appreciate how beautifully they were sculpted.

3. Do I buy a new one just for something to review? No, I dont care about showing off what I have in my collection to others or telling them how beautifully sculpted a certain figure is. As I stated, I collect for my own self satisfaction. And also I think collecting "solely" just to review is not collecting at all. I don't know but buying a figure just for the "sake" of reviewing....is very sad since the motive to buy the figure in the first place isn't there.

4.Collecting to complete collection/Add? The figure collecting hobby is massive, one needs to have a great income in order to call themselves a true completest collector, I collect only the figures that catches my eyes whether I know their origins or not does not matter. I do not plan to complete a collection of characters I only add a figure to my collection because it has captivated me.

5. Collect to sell? Why would I collect in the first place, and that is not what collecting is at all, I hate those type of people who buys stuff just because it has a high resale value. It means they don't appreciate the work that was put into the figure at all and are only thinking about the chance "IF" someone is willingly to spend a crazy amount of money on it for the price those people are charging. I understand selling a figure due to it not meeting ones expectations or due to an impulse buy, but buying just to resale is just.....stupid.

6. Will I stop collecting? Minds changes all the time, as of now I am only in the beginning of my second year of collecting so right now I have no intentions to stop. As for the future, my dream is to land a career in the game designing profession so I may still be collecting for quite some years. As for when I'm really old, I dont know.

7. Favorite figure? I do not even need to think twice about this question, it is obvious to me that Kotobukiya's Elwing, Shinning Wind Version is my favorite. Everything about this figure is attractive and cute, her smile, her proportions, her ears, her outfit, her eyes, her hair, and the figure herself is far cuter than Tony's illustrations. Don't know if the sculptor realizes this but for some reason Elwing's PVC figure really resembles the Clamp character Chi from Chobits greatly which just makes her figure that much cuter.

Why Do You Collect?

I have loved anime for a while now and have a good collection of DVD's came across posable anime figures online and was like hell yeah gotta get in on that :D

Do you collect to play or decorate?

Yes I made a little cafe for the to hang out in, lol making figure comics is amusing and fun, a good thing to do for a few hours of relaxing.

Do you get a new one just for something to review?

Nah I am a student so my budget is limited, but I do do reviews of the figures I do get, because I found reviews very helpful when deciding what to buy, so I wanna be able to help people in the same way.

Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?

Like I said before am Uni student so short on cash, I pick and choose what to buy and where very carefully need to get my moneys worth, since I don't have much :P

Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?

No I do it because they are fun and cute, and I can pretend I am a kid again, hehehehehe

Do you ever think you will stop collecting?

Only if I have periods where I cannot afford it, but other than that I really don't see why I would, it's fun and a hobby is always a good thing to have.

What is your favorite figure in your collection?

Hmm tough one, changes from day to day but def a tie between Revoltech Bunny Haruhi and WAVE Corp Briareos Hechatonchires

http://pauldy87.blogspot.com/2009/10/why-do-you-collect.html

Anyways one thing is for sure~ We all just love to collect stuff :)

Why Do You Collect?
Cos i like to be immersed in my favourite hobby. Makes me feel more at home when it basically decorates my room and i can really express myself with it.

Do you collect to play or decorate?
Kinda both. I take some of them out and leave some at home. :P

Do you get a new one just for something to review?
I get them to fill my room!!! I may review it if no one has already.

Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
Kinda depends on the series. I still wanna get my Miku Nendroid to complete my Miku collection of the Miku figma, Kagamiku figma and Kagamiku nendroid

Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
I have no intention of selling anything at the moment, and if I did it would simply be because I no longer wanted the figure.

Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
No idea. Depends on the future tbh. If i lived in a large house then NO!!! ;)

What is your favorite figure in your collection?
Thats a hard one! Sigh* I think it would have to be my 1/8 scale Amamiya Manabi statue as it just looks like it has the most life and charater as a statue. ^^

Why Do You Collect?
I used to say i collect dolls/figures but now i prefer to use the word "adopt" Whenever i buy a doll or a figure its because i love it. I know it sounds weird but i feel like there family...:/
Do you collect to play or decorate?
Play, but they also look really good sitting on that shelf. Just like decorations look good around the shelves. I like to take pictures of them, dress them up, style there hair etc.
Do you get a new one just for something to review?
Im not sure about what you mean. Whenever i buy a figure or a doll its just because i want it. simple as that. i used to do reviews on them but now i think its kinda wierd. Its like doing a review on your child. As weird as it may be thats how i think about my "collection"
Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
Im not sure. I havent bought another figure/doll in a while. I have a wishlist with many figures/dolls on it and i hope i eventually get all of them.
Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
No. I would not even sell it for a million dollars. Seriously. I love my figures. I will keep all my figures for ever.
Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
I dont know. Probably not. If something weird happens and for whatever reason i think my figures would not be in a loving home i would stop collecting.

Why Do You Collect?
Because it makes me happy. I never had figures growing up because we couldn't afford them. My parents instilled in me that I'd get tired of them quickly and it would be a waste of money.

Do you collect to play or decorate?
Decorate

Do you get a new one just for something to review?
I get a new one because it fascinates and I will definitly take it out of the box to display it.

Are you collecting to complete your collection or will always add on to it?
Add on, whatever makes me happy.

Do you collect something just since it is valuable and will sell for a lot of money one day?
I buy it because it feels like I get to take a piece of the character I like with me.

Do you ever think you will stop collecting?
I'll only stop if I can't afford my bare necessities like food and shelter. But my hunt for new figures would still go on. Looking at figures is nice too.

What is your favorite figure in your collection?
Hard question. Love them all. For now it is Saber Lily from GSC. Had to endure a 4 month delay for her. Like a carrot on a stick.

Why Do You Collect?
I wanted to add on that its the thrill of the hunt. Seeing a figure in a hobby magazine or online is one thing. But seeing it in front of you in person is a pretty good feeling.

I try to only buy a new figure if I know for sure I'll display her out of the box. I'll know if I really want that figure if my heart jumps. Its like that feeling you get when you see a girl or guy you've been wanting to ask on a date for awhile.

I collect because i just love cute anime girls! ^ ^

I collect to put money into good use

Well Danny inspired me to collect and figures are nice to look at. Tried gashapons and trading figures at first, then graduated to PVC figures. Next I found figmas and revoltechs to complement my collections. In the end, I got mostly figmas. So why I collect figures? Because they look good for dispalying and I enjoyed looking at them. Can also brag to friends and family members, too :D Well, I do have the intention to sell them in the future but that's in the future. Will this hobby lasts forever? Well here's my motto: "Teacher for a living, otaku for life" ;3