Top Collectibles from 2020
2020 will be remembered for a lot of things, mostly bad, but there were some bright spots in the collecting world. At Bluefin we saw the birth of Hobby and Tamashii on Premium Bandai, and a glut of amazing collectibles from a number of brands. Working from home, I got to bring my "work" home with me and play, test and display my figures proudly in my house, much to the chagrin of my wife. I'd like to say she was a good sport, but I am writing this in my garage, where me and my collectibles have been banished. Here were some of my favorites.
Great Ape Vegeta (Tamashii Nations)
Whoever said size doesn't matter never held this mammoth figure. As a card-carrying member of Team Vegeta, I am required to get all of his figures, but this one really stands out. I knew I hit the jackpot when I received not one, but two eye rolls from my wife when I proudly displayed it. That is the kind of endorsement they should put on the box.
Devastator (Flame Toys)
As a child of the 80's, I was obsessed with Transformers, and like everyone my age, I was desperate to get a Devastator toy. I dreamed of combining the six Constructicons into the menacing figure, but alas my parents hated me and never got it for me. Well, the joke's on them! I was able to use my adult money to get a Devastator of my very own from Flame Toys. Flame Toys models, like Bandai Hobby models, do not require glue or paint to bring your kit into existence, so I was terrorizing Optimus Prime in no time.
Hello Kitty/RX-78 (Bandai Hobby)
I don't know about you, but when I heard they were doing a crossover between Hello Kitty and Gundam, I thought it was a joke. However, the instant I saw what that mashup looked like; I was happy to be wrong. From the sprues shaped like the iconic San Rio character to the swappable heads, this team up is better than the sum of its parts. Best of all, when you put the Hello Kitty head on the RX-78's body you are left with one confused looking RX with the boddy of Hello Kitty.
Bulma's Bike (Tamashii Nations)
Bulma's Bike is fantastic item to display. It is also a lot of fun to take out of the box and play with. I know, crazy...The wheels spin and move, and the included Goku is a nice touch. Pair it with the S.H. Figuarts Bulma -The Adventure Begins- and you have my favorite Tamashii item from the original Dragon Ball. Bonus points for the multiple angles you can display it at; Static, on the go, tilted or popping a wheelie.
Darkseid (Storm Collectibles)
You can have your Batman and Superman, I have always been more into the villains, and there are few as frightening and awesome as the Lord of Apokplips. The Omega Beams effect parks and overall towering sculpt has made this a crowd pleaser and I love seeing people's reaction to my rogue's gallery of villainy. I applaud Storm for unleashing a quartet of villains on us this year; Darkseid, Bane, Doomsday and Lobo.
Beyond Driver DX (Team Kamen Rider)
2020 was the year I officially earned my Team Kamen Rider street cred. I Helped organize meetups in New York and Chicago, and I brought the amazingly loud and fun Beyond Driver into my home. It was instantly stolen from me by my son and nephew, but as The Mandalorian says, "This is the Way." Sure, it terrified my dog, and my neighbors think I am torturing a foreign exchange student, but it is well worth it for all the joy it brings.
Captain America -Final Battle Edition- (Tamashii Nations)
The definitive Captain America figure. FULL STOP. This incredible figure comes with Caps iconic shield (intact and Thanos damaged) as well as Mjolnir, on loan from Thor during the climactic battle of Avenger's Endgame. If you only want to own one Captain America figure, this is the one.
Anything Golden Axe (Storm Collectibles)
In the Pantheon of franchises I expected to fall in love with this year, Golden Axe ranked in between Twilight and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. And then I held the Axe Battler and Skeletons in my hands, and I knew I was going to get the entire line without question. Storm has already announced the third entry into the franchise, the Death Adder. A beefy villain that I cannot wait to add to the collection.
