Thrilljoy introduces a smaller Batgirl '66 figure amid a growing trend for compact collectibles.
It’s a relatively quiet week in the action figures world, with a few releases creating modest ripples across niche collector communities. In what could signal a growing trend towards more compact collectibles, Thrilljoy has unveiled a Batgirl ’66 figure in their new Pixl line, offering a smaller-scale version of the company’s previous releases. However, questions linger about the character range and availability.
Thrilljoy Pixl: Batgirl ’66
Thrilljoy’s latest release introduces the ‘Batgirl ’66’ figure as part of their new Pixl line. This new range shrinks their previous figures down to 2.5-3 inches. According to She’s Fantastic, this move could address one complaint some collectors had about the original Thrilljoy PIX figures being slightly oversized. However, there are concerns about whether this line will offer a wide range of characters that fans want and how accessible they will be, given the tendency for blind-box packaging to increase the difficulty of acquiring specific figures.
Bandai’s One Piece Line Continues Expansion
In anime-related news, Bandai’s S.H. Figuarts line continues to bolster its One Piece offering, focusing on core characters from the series’ famed story arcs. Action Figure Barbecue details the release of a “first appearance” Tony Tony Chopper figure from the Drum Island storyline. This addition underscores Bandai’s strategy to spotlight seminal moments in the long-running series. The push suggests a concerted effort to comprehensively represent the show’s diverse roster, especially the core pre-time skip crew. Collectors interested in pivotal One Piece storylines will find this new Chopper figure an integral addition.
Marvel Legends Future Foundation Duo
Turning to Western superhero fare, the Marvel Legends line is also seeing some additions with the Future Foundation’s Thing figure. The release follows a well-received Future Foundation Invisible Woman figure. A review from Marvel Toy News notes the strengths of this latest offering, even as the steep $60 price tag for the two-pack might deter some collectors. Despite this, the quality of the Future Foundation Thing itself, which completes the duo, appears to be garnering positive feedback.
This week’s releases reflect an overarching trend in the action figures market: brands are catering to both established fanbases through fleshed-out storylines and series, while also experimenting with compact, innovative design choices. Collectors are likely to respond positively to the depth provided in character selections, even as price points and availability continue to challenge accessibility and collection completeness.
