Thrilljoy, the new brainchild of ex-Funko CEO Brian Mariotti, focuses on underserved characters in vinyl form.
The action figure landscape sees its latest shake-up with Thrilljoy’s introduction of new She-Ra collectibles. Founded by Brian Mariotti, former CEO of Funko, Thrilljoy is making a notable splash by targeting niches that major brands often overlook. She’s Fantastic highlights two significant releases: a standard blind box She-Ra figure and a limited edition chase variant. These collectibles mark an exciting development for fans of the “Masters of the Universe” line, especially given the scarcity of playful She-Ra figures compared to her male counterpart He-Man, who dominates the collectible scene in this style. This move also follows a somewhat subdued 40th anniversary for She-Ra, which saw fewer releases than anticipated. However, Thrilljoy seems set on filling this void, potentially signaling more fan-focused releases from them in the future.
In related news from the world of licensed action figures, She’s Fantastic reports on Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line continuing its trend of exploring fan-favorite alternate costumes. The latest entrant is Jean Grey in her ‘X-Factor’ outfit, a nod to her rich costume history and a favorite among dedicated X-Men fans. Alongside this comes a non-canonical, exclusive Spider-Woman variant, based on a one-off cover illustration by Peach Momoko. Both figures demonstrate Hasbro’s strategy of blending nostalgia with exclusivity to captivate avid collectors.
Meanwhile, Jakks Pacific expands the female roster in their “Sonic the Hedgehog” line with a new Amy Rose figure in collaboration with T-BASE, as covered by She’s Fantastic. This addition sustains the steady growth in character diversity within the Sonic merchandise, aiming squarely at collectors seeking female characters from the Sonic universe.
Outside mainstream lines, Formo Toys’ “Legends of Dragonore” continues to channel the spirit of 1980s action figures with their latest release of “Horri-Dame,” covered by Action Figure Barbecue. The toy pays homage to “Masters of the Universe” style, further merging nostalgia with modern figure designs.
Lastly, as we edge closer to Halloween, Just Play taps into the season’s festivities with “Tiny Nightmares,” introducing a new “Wolf Man” figure. This entry, documented by Action Figure Barbecue, continues their homage to Universal Monsters. These figures, marked with identifying codes to avoid the blind box gamble, cater well to collectors of classic horror icons, ensuring both accessibility and collectibility.
