Figures, Merch and Gachapon Prices — 2026-10-09
Wonder Festival 2026 Shanghai concluded with massive crowds and significant resale premiums on exclusive figures, while the "guzi" (merch) market in China shows signs of cooling with prices for certain items dropping by 50%. In Japan, high-end collector items like a DNA-infused Sonic figure priced at 3.3 million yen and new Gundam GGG figures are driving pre-order activity, alongside a wave of Bandai Gunpla re-releases scheduled through early 2027.
Figures, Merch and Gachapon Prices — 2026-10-09
Top developments
Wonder Festival Shanghai exclusions command high resale premiums
Wonder Festival 2026 Shanghai, held October 3–4 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, saw intense demand for exclusive items. Attendees reported that "WF exclusive" figures, particularly from Good Smile Company and other major manufacturers, were immediately marked up for resale on secondary platforms like Xianyu. The event featured new announcements for Like a Dragon, Blue Archive, and Hatsune Miku Nendoroids, but the immediate aftermarket reaction highlighted the persistent scalping issue where limited-run items are bought in bulk by resellers, inflating prices well above retail before they even leave the venue.
"Guzi" market volatility: Cafe badges drop from 500 to 60 CNY
The Chinese merchandise ("guzi") market is experiencing significant price corrections. Recent reports indicate that popular items such as cafe-exclusive badges (can badges), which previously sold for up to 500 CNY, have seen prices plummet to as low as 60 CNY on second-hand platforms. This sharp decline is attributed to market saturation and a shift in consumer sentiment, with many fans exiting the hobby or waiting for Double 11 sales (starting October 15) to purchase official merchandise at discounted rates. This trend contrasts with the stable or rising prices of high-end scale figures.
Bandai launches ¥3.3 million Sonic figure with "DNA"
Sega and Bandai Namco have opened pre-orders for an ultra-premium Sonic the Hedgehog figure priced at 3.3 million yen (approx. $22,000 USD). The figure, available via Sega Store Online until November 1, includes a certificate of authenticity and is marketed as containing actual Sonic DNA (a marketing gimmick involving genetic material from the character's creator or related IP artifacts). This extreme price point signals a continued trend of manufacturers testing the upper limits of the collector market, targeting only the most dedicated superfans.
New GGG Gundam figure and Gunpla re-release calendar
Good Smile Company’s GGG (Giant Robot Girl) series has announced a new figure of Matilda Ajan from Mobile Suit Gundam, supervised by artist Tsukasa Kotobuki. Pre-orders opened on October 8. Meanwhile, SpotGeeks has published a detailed re-release calendar for Bandai Gunpla from October 2026 through March 2027, covering over 400 items. This transparency helps collectors avoid paying inflated resale prices for common kits by timing their purchases with official restocks.
Local view
SpotGeeks (Japan) highlights the complexity of the current Gunpla market, noting that while some rare kits remain scarce, the sheer volume of re-releases (over 466 tracked items for the upcoming six months) is stabilizing prices for standard models. The outlet emphasizes that collectors should check the re-release schedule before buying from resellers, as many "sold out" items are actually scheduled for restock within months.
Shenmezhidemai (China) reports that the "guzi" economy is bifurcating. While high-end figures maintain value, low-to-mid-tier merchandise is seeing deflationary pressure. The platform notes that counterfeit goods ("KO") are also impacting perceived value, with unauthorized replicas of premium items (like PGU Gundam kits) selling for significantly less than originals, forcing legitimate retailers to compete on service and authenticity rather than just product availability.
Context & numbers
- Capsule Toy Market: The global capsule toy market is projected to reach $1.17 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.83%. In Japan specifically, the market doubled in size between 2020 and 2024, driven by anime-based collectibles.
- Figure Price Tiers: A 2026 price guide indicates that gashapon capsules start around $2, while large painted scale figures can exceed $300. The price gap is primarily driven by manufacturing complexity and licensing fees.
- Resale Premiums: Limited-edition anime figures continue to see resale premiums of 200-300% in the secondary market, though this is highly dependent on the specific franchise and item rarity.
On the radar
- Double 11 Pre-sales (China): Merchandise pre-sales for the November 11 shopping festival begin on October 15. Collectors are advised to monitor these dates for potential discounts on official goods, which may further depress secondary market prices.
- Sadako Nendoroid Re-release: Good Smile Company has re-released the Ring Sadako Nendoroid for the spooky season. Pre-orders are open, with shipping expected in late 2026. Given its previous sell-out status, early ordering is recommended to avoid scalper markups.
- One Piece Loki Figure: A large-scale figure of Loki from the Elbaph Arc has opened pre-orders. As One Piece remains one of the highest-selling franchises globally, this figure is expected to see rapid sell-through.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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