I am an action figure collector. In fact, you could say I'm a bit obsessed with action figures. I ravishingly gobble up toy news, hunt down hard-to-find treasures and, frankly, play with toys. Why, might you ask? Fair enough, here are my musings on why I devote so much time, money and love for miniature heroes.
Fun. Perhaps the simplest reason - but toys are primarily meant to have fun with. Even before playing with a toy, it is fun keeping up with the news, anticipating announcements and speculating over prototype pics. But the real fun is in posing them, arranging them and just basking in their presence. A great figure is something to get lost in, finding cool poses & accessory combinations, then gently placing them on a shelf, stepping back and appreciating. The real magic happens when, while admiring your figure, you remember the hype of it's announcement, opening the package and, most enjoyably, the "feel" of playing with it.
Experience. This "feel" memory, imprinted on the toy's presence can, in the case of licensed character figures, co-exist with the memories of the media that character features in. Like all tie-in merchandise, action figures represent specific characters from our favorite movies, books, games and so on. The serve as reminders - physical crystallization of past experiences with all forms of media. Trophies of moments we enjoyed watching, reading or playing.
Expression. If a figure can represent a beloved experience with specific character, then a collection is the story of a collector's passion for all media. This story can be easily read by anyone exploring the collection. What characters, scenes and styles a collector carefully curates into his or her collection recounts past experiences that mattered to them, that moved them. What better way to express yourself than through sharing what you love with others?
For me, of all the hobbies out there, none are as fun to do, recall such fond memories or express myself as much as collecting action figures.
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