Among figure collectors there’s a running joke:

It’s like you sat down on a one-way bullet train that only goes deeper into the hobby. Jokes aside, I’m guessing you’ve had this moment where you stare at your cart total and think:

For me, the answer is pretty simple:

If buying anime figures makes you feel happy and satisfied, then no, it’s not a waste of money.

If this hobby actually brings you joy, keep going.

But if you never feel any excitement or satisfaction when you buy or display a figure—is collecting anime figures a waste of money—then yeah, maybe it’s time to look for a different hobby.

Collecting anime figures really isn’t that different from any other kind of collecting.

If you genuinely like a character and you’re spending within your limits, you’re not “throwing money away.” There’s a saying I love:

That’s exactly how I see figures.

Your cash didn’t vanish into the void—you just converted it into something you love that now sits on your shelf and makes you smile.

The key, though, is being responsible.

If you’re going into debt just to keep up with preorders, that’s not “passion,” that’s a problem. Spend within what you can handle long-term, and this hobby can stay fun instead of stressful.

You can always swing by Otavault’s anime figures section, pick up a figure of your favorite character, and every time you walk past your shelf and see that lineup you’ll feel like that money was totally worth it.

Collecting anything—figures, cards, sneakers, whatever—can genuinely help your mental health.

Think about it: after a long day of classes or work, you come home, walk past your shelf, and see all your favorite characters lined up. Tell me that doesn’t instantly boost your mood a little.

Personally, every time I get home and see my collection, I get this small wave of happiness and satisfaction. It’s like:

Your mental health is important.

If spending some money on a hobby keeps you stable, motivated, and less burnt out—and you’re not blowing your entire life savings on it—that’s honestly a pretty good deal.

A lot of people really do think collecting anime figures is just burning money.

But anyone who’s into collecting knows the value of a hobby isn’t just in dollars—it’s in how much happiness it brings you.

And honestly, if someone doesn’t like anime or this hobby at all, they’re probably never going to understand why you’re willing to pay good money for a “piece of plastic.” That’s fine. You don’t need their approval.

Imagine I walk up to a sneakerhead and say:

I would absolutely piss that person off—and the entire sneaker community—because I’m basically trashing something that gives them real joy. That’s emotional gatekeeping, and it can actually hurt people.

Same thing with figures. As long as what you’re collecting is legal and it genuinely makes you happy, it’s not a waste.

You’re not buying “random junk,” you’re investing in experiences, memories, and a little happiness in your day.

If you think about it, figures really aren’t that different from buying art prints, sculptures, or other decorations. The big difference is:

1. Your “art piece” happens to be an anime character.
2. And it’s probably way cooler to you than some generic painting.

At the end of the day, it’s just another form of art you choose to live with.

Yeah… let’s talk about the painful part: price.

There are a lot of reasons figures cost so much, but here are the big ones:

• High production standards.
  From the original concept art, to sculpting, to prototyping, to painting—every step needs serious skill and time.
• Complex molds and detailed paint jobs.
  Each figure needs its own mold, and the more dynamic the pose or detailed the outfit, the more complicated (and expensive) it gets.
• Strict quality control.
  Before a figure reaches you, it goes through checks to make sure it doesn’t look like a bootleg disaster.
• Limited production runs.
  Most figures aren’t mass-produced forever. They do one or a few batches, and that’s it. Less supply = higher price.

Even though the price tag can be painful, a lot of anime fans—including me—fell in love with this hobby because figures let our favorite characters “break out of the screen” and exist in real life.

Being able to put a character you love from a show or game onto your shelf? That feeling is kinda priceless.

And let’s be real—hunting down rare exclusives or limited editions that most people can’t get is part of the fun too.

No matter what your reason is, figure collecting is a hobby that gives you emotional returns, not just physical stuff.

Let’s say one day you burn out on the hobby or you’re just not into a certain character anymore. What then?

Good news: figures usually don’t become worthless the moment you open the box.

You can resell them on places like Facebook groups, Reddit, figure marketplaces, or other secondhand platforms. Most of the time, if the figure is in good condition with the box, you can get close to what you originally paid.

And if you happened to grab a popular, limited, or rare figure?

Congrats—you might actually make a profit.

• A lot of sought-after figures go up around 50% over their original price.
• Super rare hype pieces can even reach 200–300% of what you paid.

Of course, resale value depends on:

• The series/character
• How rare it is
• Condition of the figure and box
• Market demand at the time

So no, figures aren’t some magical investment plan—but they’re also not like buying fast food. Many of them hold value surprisingly well.

Or if you’d rather keep things simple, you can always check out Otavault’s pre-owned anime figures section and see what other collectors are letting go — sometimes you can scoop up gems for way under retail.

Honestly, figure care isn’t that complicated. Just remember a few basic rules:

1. Keep them away from heat.
   High temperatures can soften joints or support points and cause leaning. Heat also speeds up paint oxidation.
2. Avoid direct sunlight.
   Sunlight = heat + UV. UV will make plastic brittle, cause cracks, yellowing, and fading over time. So don’t put your favorite waifu right in front of a window.
3. Protect them from dust if possible.
   A display case or closed shelf is ideal. Figures just look better when they’re not covered in a layer of dust.
   If you don’t have a case, no worries—just use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to clean them regularly.
4. Check them as soon as you unbox.
   When a new figure arrives, open it and inspect it right away in case there are any defects or damage so you can contact the shop or manufacturer.

There’s also a rumor that if you leave figures sealed in the box for years, they’ll get sticky over time. I’m not sure how true that is, but honestly—most of us can’t resist opening them anyway. We waited months for this preorder; we’re definitely going to unbox and admire it.

Collecting anime figures is one of the best ways to show love for your favorite series or characters.

For a lot of collectors, it’s a genuine source of happiness. These are art pieces you can proudly show off to friends, not useless junk.

Yeah, some people will always say it’s a waste of money. But the truth is:

• Figures don’t instantly drop to zero value once you buy them.
• Many of them have real collectible and resale value.
• And there are tons of ways to make sure your purchases are worth it—from smart budgeting to proper care.

Most importantly, this hobby brings you joy.

As long as you’re not destroying your finances, there’s no “right” or “wrong” answer here.

In the end, whether collecting anime figures is “worth it” is 100% up to you.

If it makes your life better—even just a little—then it already has value.