#Funko’s POPs Officially Debut in Japan With Dragon Ball Z Line

In news that will surprise many, figure manufacturer Funko has officially expanded into the Japanese retail market with the launch of its popular, if polarizing POP! line of super deformed collectible figures. While the line of POP! figures were available in Japan through specialty retailers as imports complete with foreign-language packaging and sometimes adorned with retailer exclusive packaging, this marks the first time ever that Funko will make the line available in Japan through a much wider retail base with official assistance from Bandai Toys.  

The hope is that by officially introducing the line with local distribution provided by Bandai, it will reduce overall costs for existing collectors, as well as draw in new collectors that were interested, but put off by the higher than average pricetags for the figures owing to their previous status as imports. What better way to launch the line than by releasing the Dragon Ball Z line of POPs, as shown in the promotional images below:

All four of the above will comprise the first round of figures available with the official launch of the line on Saturday in Japan across various retailers from department stores all the way to appliance shops and online stores for ¥1800 each. Who knew there was a market for POPs in the land of Nendos and gacha machines?

SOURCES: AnimeAnime! (JP), Bandai Toys (JP)