Is Action Figure Collecting An Embarrassing Hobby?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ต.ค. 2018
- Inspired by a post on the Action Figure subreddit that asked the question Dan attempts to answer "Is Action Figure Collecting An Embarrassing Hobby?"
You are, after all, most likely an adult collecting what most of society sees as toys. For kids.
But why should you be embarrassed by something that makes you happy?
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I am a married man of 31 with 2 kids, I have a nice comfortable well paying job. My wife graciously allowed me to have a very large amount of space in our home dedicated to me. I am currently dealing with cancer at the moment and sitting in this room brings me a sense of calm. It has started bringing my wife a sense of calm too because as she said these figures are me and my refusal to completely adhere to adult norms. She often tells me that they make me joyful in a world where adults tend to be afraid to be joyful. Whether I sit in here to fiddle with Marvel Legends or some Super Robots or Video Games. This stuff is all a part of who I am and you should always be true to who you are regardless. I am grateful I fell into this hobby and in time my wife has become grateful to. Peace of any sort can be hard to find for some people. Sitting in here, when I can, helps me forget some of the stuff happening to me even if it is just for a moment.
Syne.p Get well soon man.
All love brother...stay positive and get healthy
Wishing u the best. Hope u get well soon
You kick that cancer's ass and keep living your truth!
Keep fighting dude! You got this!
Whenever I go out and buy action figures I always tell myself this when walking home with a figure in hand: "These strangers don't know who I am so why should I care what they think?"
When I walk home with a new neca figure I think people better not try to take my cool figure lol
when i walk home with an action figure in hand i always think, "i should have gotten that other one also, i'll go back tmr and pick it up"
Great way of thinking!!
unfortunately words can hurt. some people deal with it better than others.
Abshalom Yisrael felt that dude
It always comes down to this one thing: Is it making you happy? We only get one life and we spend so much time worrying about the unimportant things and not enjoying the things that make us happy. More happiness is never a bad thing as long as the method by which you achieve it doesn't harm someone else or yourself.
love your comment man, and it does make me happy to just look at my action figures, but obviously I come out as an immature 37 year old guy!
Accuracy lvl 999999999%
@@gabrielp9646 Coming from an emo kid, how ironic 😂😂😂.
SuperNavatar You completely and utterly missed the point my friend.
SuperNavatar I also said you shouldn’t hurt other people searching for your happiness.
Good job ignoring that part and turning it into praise of hedonism.
Done with you now. Bug bye.
I collect stuff to fill the empty chasm in my soul.
Not just me, then. Nice!
Yep, same here. 👍
Same here, my toy collection is the only reason I haven’t killed myself.
Daniel Herrin
That is a good reason. Feed the Chasm.
Amen
Look, I'm 44... I've been a drummer most of my life, an artist, wrote a novel, did a book of poems, have been freelance and working at home for 9 years now. I have to tell you, I could not give two farts about what other people think of me. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that people -- when they "mature" --- often let go of "childish" pursuits and go after "adult" pursuits like having whiny children, buying extra cars, getting into massive amounts of debt just to divorce all that stuff away later. In other words, people lose their joy when they "grow up." We're all just children in adult bodies... this world is an amazing place. I am always aware of how privileged I am, and how awesome it is to be have a relatively stress-free life. Toys (I do custom toys, robot kits, and art) are an expression of the joy I have for my lucky life.
So, yeah, anyone who makes fun of my collection of weird shit can go get a new minivan and shove it up their nose.
Lol
Well said!!!
Gabe, I'm sorry you started to work in a factory at 12. But, if you re-read what I wrote, you might get what I was saying. I was not laughing at poor people. I was laughing at people who -- by my age -- find their own vices, ones that often cost more in emotional and financial ways than my hobby/ies ever could. I completely understand the definition of privileged, but thanks for defining it for me, I guess?
Please do not presume that because someone admits to having a lovely life, that they have no awareness of the world around them. You're probably under 20 or if your picture is correct, so hopefully you'll retain some youthful joy as YOU grow up and find your own hobbies.
@@gabrielp9646 We'll just pretend you know what I do with my life because I claimed to be very aware of how nice it is to live as I do. I'm not sure I get why you're trying to correct what I said when I actually said it but, hey, go for it.
Also, since you came to this toy podcast to tell us all how bad we are for enjoying toys, we can maybe get some recommendations for you so you can get some toys. We can get them used to that you won't be contributing to the evils of the world like we do. After all, you are not buying toys since you think they cause so many problems in the world. Again, not to sound like a smartass, but I am sorry you can't have any.
I have a small collection of action figures. Coming from a poor family, i was not able to afford them when i was young. All i could do was drool over the 90's toybiz x-men figures on the shelves of my local toy store. Today i no longer care if it is embarrassing or not because for me, i am making up for the things that i used to miss out on as a child.
I can relate on being a poor kid who wanted the popular toys of the time. Though I am lucky at times because my uncle gives to me the toys my well off cousin got tired of and the occasional fresh-in-box that he did not like. But yeah, now I earn my own salary it's about time I get the stuff I like that's not anyone's scraps.
Same here. I wouldn't say we were poor but definitely struggling and as a kid, that was hard sometimes. But even so, my mom did all she could and sometimes I was fortunate enough to get a TMNT figure. I particularly fondly remember a Christmas morning with all kinds of TMNT gifts, a backpack, drinking glasses, a TMNT-watch, etc... That still warms my heart thinking back to it. My only regret is that I have none of that stuff anymore, because only now as an adult I can understand the sacrifices my mom had to make back then to give me those things.
You get it man
I’m real late but your comment hit me hard
I’m a bit late but your comment hit me pretty hard. I come from the exact same situation I used to torture myself watching reviews of figures I could never afford fast forward now I can finally afford marvel legends you best believe I’m gonna buy them.
It's a general problem in the west to not appreciate people who have hobbies. If you are a man you should like football and drinking, those are acceptable apparently. In Japan you'll find that people appreciate that you can enjoy a hobby of any sort.
I've never worried about people think of me or my hobby, I enjoy it, and that is all that matters.
If you can't understand that, then you are the one with the problem.
You know it is weird, and it's always been that way. Unless your hobby was playing guitar, or woodworking or metal working, it was weird and nerdy or it was "for babies". Comic Books, videogames, computers, reading science fiction or fantasy, tabletop roleplaying games, Model building, and of course "collecting" anything was a little weird for a long time, unless that thing was the current flavor of the week. These days we're much more open about hobbies, and it seems that for the most part the ones we consider 'weird' are simply ones that never grabbed pop culture traction. Coin collecting, bug collecting, bird-watching. I feel with its popularity and close ties to pop culture, Action Figure collecting and toy collecting in general will continue to become more acceptable. Nobody would blink these days if you collected funko pops.
Toy Polloi Agreed 100%!
I guarantee you that they don't do it in Japan. Unless you are a ordinary person on appearance, you are a giant nerd
Why can't every place be as cool as Japan?
Same thing for women. Adults are just expected to work like slaves and do the same kind of crap that everyone does, they are expected to kill their fantasy in favour of conformity. Fuck that. I'm a girl and I love my collection, I love my action figures(especially the Dragon ball ones lol), my statues and my customized model kits, I read comics, watch animes and play videogames. I'm not ashamed of my hobbies, I don't care about others and their opinions.
thanks for being my "That Guy".
Short answer: No
Long Answer: We've gone over this before, Darlene. This Ultra Magnus has a different paint job than the one currently displayed on the mantle, which makes it, technically, a different figure. And please stop calling them dolls.
No way! I'm staying a kid forever! The most challenging time is high school age " not cool " never fazed me a bit. 5 years ago I opened my own store ( 3000sf) and shared my toys and knowledge with everyone!! I even started running toy shows and now I'm doing TH-cam like you ( nowhere as good lol) and one thing I've learned is we're ALL family!!! Great channel and I recommend you all the time, thanks for keeping the love alive!!!!!
@ Old Toys Live On, I agree I began collecting Kenner's Real Ghostbusters action figures again in high school and it felt great. Especially since I had missed out a few of the later action figures as the toy line was winding down. I never once felt that I was uncool. To me it was about reconnecting with my childhood.
No we all compete for the meat. You all should stop buying toys. The price will plummet and more for me.
LOL please don't take the stament seriously.
You’re definitely right about high school, I don’t care about being popular but I do wanna get a girl in my room😂
@@dala7069 You and me both buddy you and me both.
I buy toys because they are aesthetically pleasing; scratch my nostalgia itch, and are a fun escape. My wife has always supported my hobby as have my friends - (my Dad still doesn't get it though😁). But sometimes you can't help feeling a little strange, when you're almost always the only adult in the toy aisle, buying for themselves 😅
Fuck that!!! I openly embrace runnin in2 toyshops like a 9year old.
I've been able to help many a parent who was lost trying to find that 1 toy their child wanted while in the toy isle. I take pride in that, because most retail employees will have ZERO idea what they are talking about, or likely not even care.
There's a couple stores in my town that carry only action figure/toys and I seriously rarely see kids in there. It's almost always adults. Granted mostly male adults, but still almost always adults.
@@kryoboy1966 Me too I still "run" into Toys r Us like a 9 year old.
That's why I also go to Toy Conventions: nothing but adults there.
My mom seems genuinely proud of my action figure collection. She talks about them as if they were my trophies from high school and college. It’s not even a big collection, considering I’ve sold/donated half of what I’ve accumulated over the past decade.
I’m not at all embarrassed by the hobby but my mom talks about them with so much enthusiasm anyone would think it was *her* collection. My dad also loved helping me fix anything I broke or making custom accessories.
Thanks to my parents, I guess I never was embarrassed about collecting. The only shame I felt related to the hobby was about how fast I was burning through cash.
To me action figures are works of art. They are little statues made from plastic of people or characters we know and love, created for our appreciation. These are not conventional toys are they have been carved and coloured in with great care and detail and just like all other art forms have been made for the purpose of display. And unlike even conventional types of art they can be flex into different poses and positions or be given accessories depending on how we wish them to look.
That is right, plus I think people should not be ashamed to play with them, to be creative with them, to move them around, to perform voices for them, to imagine them in stories and scenes and play them out, there is so much of the mind that is being used in dealing with action figures, with remembering, with posing, with performing through them even.
I used to be subconsciously aware of people silently 'judging' me in my 20s, but now I give no Schlitz about what people think. My wife knows there are worse things I could be into, so she's fine with it. It helps that she's into anime and gaming. Total strangers? I don't care.
I'm autistic so I have a somewhat excuse, doesn't stop my parents from complaining though
I'm happy for you. You found someone who is supportive of your passion. For me personally I am uncertain if I can find someone who could accept me for my fetish in collecting and might find me to be immature.
@@barbiquearea There's always someone out there for you. When I met my girlfriend, she had no, and I mean none whatsoever, knowledge or intrest in toy collecting, geek culture, or anything like that. She thought geeks were a bunch of weirdo's even if she accepted my collection. Now, six years later she's as big a geek as I am and is hugely into collecting Harry Potter and Disney related stuff. I actually have to reel her in at times or she'd fill the entire apartment with wands and Beauty and the Beast figures. So, yeah, things can take unexpected turns at times :)
Im 43 been a collector since I was a kid and as long as I live I'll keep buying cool looking figures for my collection and I don't give two shyts what anyone thinks tbh I'll do me and be happy spending my cash on action figures as much as I want :) life's short enjoy it all every day :)
❤
I’m in high school and I keep my voice down with collecting, I only really tell my closer friends. I do the same with being a fan of wrestling, just because in younger years, more people are judge mental. Awesome video and keep up the great work!
D Bear Ikr I'm big fan of wrestling too but people always don't take it as a serius sport and they always say "wrestling is fake" and I'm like dude we already know that and it's not fake at all , they actually get injured all the time so a better word would be scripted. I have a wwe figures collection btw.
Just hold on to your collection. Don't let time or the need for gas money drive you to sell. Even if your interests turn elsewhere, the toys you collect in your youth are more valuable then gold. Literally. Even if you buy the same stuff later in life, you know it's not the one you had. The paint wear, the loose joint, the spot where you bit the hand to make it close right. In the end those same people you hid your collection from will envy you as adults, wishing they still had a piece of their youth to hold.
Yeah idk what's up with people trashing professional wrestling. I always tell them we know it's fake right or let me hit you in the head as hard as I can with a steel chair and tell me how fake that felt lol
timsgta Lol, not really here to be big, just trying to keep my head above the water
@@dbear1979 just keep it to yourself man. If your friends are really your real friends they wont clown on you. Sometimes maybe joke around or throw the ol you know that shit is fake right? But they respect you enough to not put you down or make fun of you because of what your interests are
This probably my favorite video of yours so far, it's a "be yourself" message without being preachy or feeling manufactured (the museum comment hits home the most although I get GameStop instead). Love it. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be getting back to setting up my figures, going for a Halloween party theme.
I've said this on Reddit...I've said this on Facebook...I'll say it again, here...
If you are embarrassed about collecting...that's on you.
Almost everyone collects something...and there is always some person out there who thinks whatever they collect is weird or silly.
In my experience, those who collect nothing tend to have bland personalities and generally aren't very creative or interesting.
As long as you aren't avoiding bills/rent/medical care to pay for what you collect, then there isn't a problem.
Live your life the way that makes you happiest, and if collecting something is part of that...there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.
*glances at the lego Millennium Falcon sitting on her lounge coffee table* Perfectly reasonable as decor, surely? ^_~
I glance over my shoulder to my lego falcon and carbonite chamber and agree wholeheartedly.
@@SwordInTheStorm hahaha hilarious.made my day wth ur comment
My gaming room would look empty without my shelf full of Marvel Legends, SH Figuarts, and Bionicle sets. They’re VERY reasonable for decor!
There is nothing wrong with having something your enjoy collecting and displaying it. Nothing at all. I proudly display my stuff
I remember turning 12 and being depressed that I had stop collecting toys soon. That's what happens when you turn 13, I thought. I told this to my mom and she reminded me about this guy from our local flea market. He was in his 50s and loved toys. Loved collecting them, selling them, and loved just talking about them. That made me feel a lot better.
I'm almost 40 now and I'm still collecting and I still love it.
I love this message you are giving and yeah it is weird. I am currently in high school and since everyone has to be "cool" and can't be a kid anymore I feel weird go down the toy aisle at this age but you have to accept who you are and people judge, they always will but that doesn't stop me from buying my Marvel Legends. Thanks Dan, love your videos.
Pancho Sanchez keep on doing what makes you happy. I had a too cool phase in high school and didn’t collect and got rid of a lot. I’ve since bought a ton of it back and I missed out on some phenomenal figures that came out in that period.
@@dylanhockley2296 thanks i will and it is cool to meet people that had the same problem
@@panchosanchez1516 This is exactly the story for most of us adults. We stopped because it 'wasn't cool anymore' and once youre an adult with your own income - watch out the gloves come off!
@@julito32 yes i cant wait to make more money and get any figure i want we should all stick to what we like and no one should stop us
Same
Don't you ever change.
Once I told someone that I keep all my toys in my bedroom. I got a shocked look and realized she thought I was talking kinky. I was pretty embarrassed tbh.
Tommy Toys travels xD big fan
I'm 28 and I've been collecting Star Wars figures since I was 5. I'm not ashamed of it. This is the way.
When moving into the new house with my then girlfriend, she immediately began suggesting where my various action figures could/should be displayed in the front, drawing, and dining rooms. It was this moment I knew I would have to do everything in my power to never lose this, my enabling better half. So far, so awesome.
Its a huge part of me that Im not ashamed of whatsoever. Im a Toy-minator. I cannot be bargained with. I don't feel pity or remorse or fear of scalpers and I absolutely will not stop until my wallet is dead.
Hasta la Visa-card baby!
*BROKE*
My ex once told me it’s either her or the toys, and you can clearly see why I’m single now. No shame
Was your ex a bitch
I know im late but if she cant accept you as you are she dosent deserve you. I hope you find someone who makes you happy and who deserves you
I've gotten to the point where I watch a lot of different people review action figures on youtube...and I keep coming back to Toy Galaxy because Dan Larson gets it. Pizza Spider-Man? Cap-Wolf? Spider-Ham w/Porkrind head? Punisher with finger gun? YES. Yes, Yes. This is a fun hobby.
I watch Pixel Dan for MOTU, TMNT, and DC Universe figure reviews. I watch Shartimus Prime for Marvel Legends and Transformers reviews. I watch some other guy for G.I. Joe reviews, and another guy's channel for any other toy reviews.
@@philiphanan1493 I can't stand shartimus's theme song or the way he screams the "big bad toy store" plug. I have to mute the video and skip past it every time. it's so much louder than everything else, like a 30 second version of the THX logo.
@@Strawberry92fs I'd like to know what you think of a newcomer David Displays Model Behaviour. Do you think his attitude is annoying or do you enjoy him (once you see him). I would be interested to know, since maybe a more mellow style like Toy Galaxy's is more suitable to people. Are you still watching Toy Galaxy regularly 2 years on?
Well... my toy-filled detolfs have gotten snickering from more than one female, but I suppose the gal that doesn’t laugh is the keeper.
Now THIS is a beautiful episode. Well done.
I am a 13 year old who still plays with toys. It can be embarrassing sometimes. I get quite self conscious when people see me playing with them. But it gets me outta reality and away from daily teen problems, and also school.
I really dig this ! Some people look at me as I’m crazy
I'm in high school, and my friends have always respected the fact that I collect action figures, despite the fact that they're not nerds at all. I usually hesitate when it comes to speak about it to someone new, but I've got to the point where I am openly proud of my collection and just ignore whoever thinks it is stupid or childish. Great video btw
My wife judges me every time I walk down a toy aisle. My shame disappears when I find something new. It returns when I see her face.
My roommate used to do the same thing(wearing that "you're embarassing and this thing is a waste of money" expression)when I brought her with me to shop in comic shops and toy stores. She stopped once I told her she was mental for spending 120 euros on a pair of panties lol
@@bananarepublic6580 wow that's great, happy for you. I'm 19 and I just started collecting. I wish I'm lucky enough to find someone that'll accept my hobby.
My friends spends money on gambling games phones and expensive clothes , i spend my money on action figures
Maybe see if she acts that way when you check out and start having affairs with other women.
Those panties must be awesome tho
Just had to say this. Action figure collecting is not embarrassing, and I will not stop. Forget what everyone else says, it's fun. P.S. you have made good points.
I'm a single adult with lots of disposable income, what am I supposed to do with it, save it for the future? Pfff.
When I was younger, I remember people always saying that'll I'll "grow out" of toys and figures... but looking back at it now, I'd say I have more "toys and figures" as a 22 year old, than I ever did as a kid.
I was seriously afraid that one day I'd just become an "adult" and become rather dull and boring as a person.
😆
Man this video is something that resonates to me... My family also references my room as a museum, funny enough, and my action figure collection has really started to grow this last year. As a huge transformers fan, sometimes i find it hard to talk about my interests when I'm really the only "collector" in any of my friend groups, i just never really had a real life community to be part of, and as a result of that tend to be really anxious about what people think of me. I recently picked up my first transformer that wasn't online or at a convention from a Walmart recently, and claimed it was a gift for my little cousin (who doesn't exist) to the cashier who never asked all because i was anxious as to what they would think of a 20 something year old dude buying toys. This video helped me come to terms with, hey it makes me happy i really shouldn't care otherwise. Though i cant really change what freaks me out, this video made everything a little easier for me. Hell i might even head to walmart and get myself a little something small to put on my shelf. Because it makes me happy. Thanks Dan.
I'm a huge transformrs fan too ! I've been having a huge collection of it. I love unicorns and heroes too. So I feel you.
I treat my star wars figures as decorations and display pieces no different from antique or paintings.
Video game collecting is very similar. While I don’t collect action figures, I do have some of the stuff I had/wanted as a kid.
It is a hobby I would talk about with many, but definitely not all.
You know, game collecting is getting easier to explain, now that gen-x (my generation) are in our forties - we see an NES or TurboGrafx -- it will be respected. :D
RetroStation 1989 That is true. Nowadays most of the people that consider "bad" something like video games are 50+ old farts that would whine at anything new anyway.
When I first moved in with my wife (who at the time was my girlfriend) She asked if I was bringing my "toys" with me. She now buys me my favorite collectibles every birthday and Christmas. That my friends is called acceptance...
Best line I ever heard “is action figure collecting embarrassing?...only for the people who don’t” 🤣 I take my hat off to you Mr Larson! 👍🏽
I only been embarrassed once, and that’s because a girl I liked saw me buying one, she said “is that a gift?” To what I replied “no, it’s for me...this is what you’re getting into” yeah...never saw her again 😕 oh well 😁
Green Lantern HG , should said “Yes, it’s a gift” and then get the girl!
Once they are at wife level, they just shake their heads and tell you not to over do it on the spending!😉
Green Lantern HG She wasn't the one
Juan C and rial divorce! She’d take have half of my collection 😨
That is probably for the best then.
@@juanc1328 lol I don't know, "get the girl", she sounded like a judgmental person who didn't care for the guy much that she couldn't tolerate him buying a toy.
I'm 49 years old and I still collect action figures. I use to are what people think then I realize most people don't even know who their neighbors are.
So I'm good in upper Manhattan.
It’s always in the back of my mind if I am walking with a figure and someone sees me from my school and tells people I’ll just say it was for a family members birthday and when I’m a adult and collect figures, if someone ask I’ll say it’s for a birthday or holiday
I've struggled with this as well. I have a largish collection of figures, toys, retro gaming consoles, games and 80's nostalgia. I've often wrestled with selling it all, which I would/could if I needed to without much remorse and the driving force behind the thought is not cost or space or being obsessed (which I'm not). It's the 'I'm a grown man. What am I doing with all of this stuff?' dilema. However, whenever I've toyed with the idea seriously, my wife has really been adamant that I not get rid of it. I think the reason I, and many others collect is that I loved my childhood and the time in which I grew up. I have so many great memories of the 80's that having some of those things around me really is comforting and nostalgic. And although I'm not embarrassed of my collection, ONLY my family and closest friends know about my fortress of solitude because it is personal to me.
I’m 22 and live with my girlfriend and her mom, and they’re both incredibly supportive of my hobby of figure collecting. In fact, my girlfriend got her first actual figure recently, and her mom actually collects Groot figures too. It’s embarrassing at times, but I don’t feel like I should be ashamed at all.
Who embarrasses you or says things that make it seem like it is embarrassing or shameful?
I'm in my late 20s with a long term gf. It's a fun hobby that we enjoy together. She's found what she likes now after I've been collecting for a couple of years.
I go by Bob Gnarly on the radio and play in bands, so when people see my collection online, I think it just adds to my character. lol
Often, I find people vicariously enjoy the cool stuff. Especially cause almost everyone my age owns a little something nerd related.
Great video dude!
Dude, i just straight up tell people I collect toys, and I haven't heard anything from them.
EDIT: Just to clarify, I don't go around yelling at people that I collect toys, I only bring it up when the subject of toys is brought up.
Crimson Trax Same here. I'm not in people's faces about my hobby. I won't talk about it unless the subject of toys gets brought up, somebody asks me about it and is genuinely interested, or I meet another collector. Otherwise, I stay pretty silent about it. That's not necessarily saying I'm embarrassed or anything. I won't lie and say that I don't collect, and/or make up excuses for why I'm buying an action figure.
I used to collect stuff too, and then I realized it wasn't making me happy and was taking time and focus away from things that actually did make me happy. I was doing it because to chase nostalgia, but that's unhealthy in the long run since it doesn't actually lead to happiness, it just leads to chasing more nostalgia every time the effect wears off. I think many collectors are doing the same thing or trying to satisfy some compulsion for having a complete collection of something. And I see some people who just want to collect something, as if having the collection isn't important, it's the act of collecting that brings them joy. And that's probably the short rush of finding something to add to the collection, which I has experienced many times. That rush isn't much better than chasing likes on social media. You may as well just be hooked to a machine that injects dopamine right into your brain because that's all it is.
Collecting lead me to realize some stuff about myself. I realized that I needed something deeper to satisfy me. That ended up being writing music and programming. So instead of working towards some sort of collection, my efforts go towards honing my own skills and knowledge. My efforts make me better, not my collection. And they even make me a lot of money, way more than owning rare video games ever could. Consider this, if your house burns down and your collection is completely destroyed, what have you really gained from collecting for all these years? You'd be right back to square one and view those years as having been wasted. Maybe you would rationalize it somehow, but it's hard to lie to yourself.
Great video. So true of all ‘immature’ and ‘embarrassing’ hobbies. Someone who judges another by what harmless things they want to do with their spare time and money is someone I don’t care about.
Over the past month, when the women I’ve met on Match.com ask me what I like to do, and I explain that I collect vintage toys and action figures, they seem to disappear. And this has happened several times. At least my collection is still there for me.❤️
I just had my father visit, and I wanted to show him how proud and happy I was with my collections, as nostalgia and building my displays helped get me through the quarantine and depression. However he was a hard read, had that poker face. I know if they were models I'd have his respect, but ultimately I'm doing this for myself and not him. Thank you so much for this video. I really needed to hear this.
Thanks Dan. I needed this episode.
A message to be shared with every collector out there! Well done Dan!
Well said best summary of a collector ever. With decades of collecting, and no thought of stopping. Thank you for such a great message.
I’m Embarrassed...every time I plunge my hand between two rows of blister packs to see what’s at the very rear. Pulling my hand forward to start a wave of product revealing every item placed in front of the last only reinforces my prophetic nature as toys rain down to the floor. Then when I find that one item I’ve been hunting for all summer, nothing else seems to matter. I hold my rare find tight.........and use the other hand to keep searching.
What a great video! I think encouraging people to be enthusiastic about what they love ( no matter what it is. Unless it's hurting people or drugs) is something we should all be doing! Just to make people feel better about themselves.
I collect Godzilla figures. You definitely just made me feel better about it. You're now my that guy. Thank you!
Kaiju collector here as well. More on the low rent side for now but hopefully I get an xplus down the line
I've always been thankful to have friends that supported my action figure collecting. Most collected as well and still do. Every couple months we'll get a car full of us and check out all the comic book stores and collector toy stores in the area. It's always a lot of fun.
I’ve been collecting since I was a kid. I now married and my wife supports my collection of SW black series figures. Awesome vid!
I’m 29, I have no shame in collecting action figures it’s an art piece (literally) me personally it’s not only an escape, but I genuinely enjoy collecting, doing photo shoots, stop motion etc.
Maybe because I'm female the idea of someone like me collecting action figures isn't too farfetched as someone collecting dolls even as a teen and adult in my place.
I find people that collect dolls(not Barbies or BJDs, the porcelain ones) pretty weird to be honest. I collect action figures, statues and model kits, they're fun to pose and cool to look at, I also had custom BJD dolls before converting to figures, but there is just something about porcelain dead eyed children that I find sooo creepy :\
I think men have traditionally collected more than women throughout history, or at least have been the ones funding such collections, starting with "trophies" of various sorts or the creation and collection of various sculptures and tiny items, the creation of toys even since ancient times also, then also collecting things like various treasures, jewelry, shows of wealth, figurines, full sized statues, artworks of all sorts. In comparison, women collecting things may have been more rare until more recently, also because of not having the personal financial freedom to do so and being burdened with other obligations. "Trophies" and "Memorabilia" and other trinkets may have been where all this started for men and may even be a somewhat more hard-wired tendency in males, but I've seen females with large collections also, though it always seems that there is a fewer number of females with large collections of things than there are males with large collections of this or that. I think it is just generally a human tendency anyway, but may have typically been men who were doing that for the most part, for various reasons or having the right resources and positions in society or roles that made luxury accumulations more likely for them than for females throughout the past.
Still connected to the essential : how we lived our childhood, how we grew up, how we became adults, how some of us had children, some other not... then how we went back to toy collection and met Incredible people living the same passion, different directions, point of interest and fantastic creative guys re-inventing the way of collecting. I'm proud of being part of this big familly with you guys !
I'm 39 years old and a toy collector, it started in the summer of 1996 when I saw a Batman figure at the store. I was a teenager and thought it would be childish to buy it but I did anyways and hung it on my wall in my room. Fast Forward to 2020 I have thousands of unopened toys and my wife doesn't mind because she also collects toys so embarrassing? Maybe back in the 90's but not now that the millenials are becoming the majority...they are way more open minded than past generations
One of the best TH-cam channels ever. Shared to my fb.
I collect action figures now, but until recently I hadn't.
Your channel, I stumbled across looking for information on some toy, I can't remember, I think it was Starcom - someone over at The Game Chasers found one, and I needed reminding of the line - and was hooked on your channel. Your Histories of the Toys -- dude, the production value and writing here are second to none, man. And your top ten lists reminded me of my college days, when I was into the first wave of Marvel Legends. And Pixel Dan's channel inspired me to grab a set of the NECA TMNT figures. (I grabbed a set on Amazon, and they were the tube container set, but had actual NECA toys in 'em, so -- score!)
I bring up Dan Eardley's channel 'Pixel Dan' because he reviews upcoming/new toys, and got me "collecting" again after I saw the 'Disney Afternoon' action figures by Funko - I have all of the 'duck' cartoon figures, and with Launchpad and Gizmoduck getting released? I'm in it for the long haul.
Also, I've started a collection of the Paul Dini/Bruce Timm style DC Justice League Unlimited line -- to actually collect all of them -- because of your Fett Set.
I'm a married 43 year old - who draws superheroes and orks and fantasy creatures when he's not at his day job. Nothing embarrasses me much. :)
I'm pretty young being 19 years old but I've always been into action figures since I was a child, whether it was playing with, collecting, posing or customizing. My girlfriend who ive been with for almost 3 years is happy that my figures make me happy. And alot of people on instagram completely support my hobby since I recently "came out" on instagram being a figure collector/customizer. Recently I've been at my lowest point in life so far, but figures and video games always put me in a good mood because 1. It occupies me from realizing that I'm in a tough spot and 2. They're just so damn cool!! Back then I wasn't really scared to tell people about my hobby, i was more worried about being annoyed from all the "grow up" comments. But just be you and do what you enjoy. only recently I found out that alot of people and adults enjoy this hobby too. I'm glad I went deeper into this hobby and I encourage anyone and everyone who wants to get into action figures to do it!! Even though it takes a toll on my wallet....
Dude!!!! I f'n love that you did this.. Thank you.
Intresting topic about toys. I had 2 girls come over and stay in my bedroom and I have a few items very nicely set up and they couldnt believe how awesome and nostalgic my stuff was. At first I was a bit hesitant because its more of a guy thing to collect and thought i was going to be embarrassed but received the opposite reaction from the 2 girls...they went on and on saying how cool it was and would have never guessed i was a collector. We are ofcourse in our 30s and what happens in the bedroom...stays in the bedroom!lol
2 girls!?! You dog, you.
yunoyuluvit ...yea...if toys were to talk...id be guilty! Thank you Neca and MOTU classics for making me look cool!
My...MAN!!!😁
There is definitely a stigma attached to action figure collecting. Luckily for us, the collectors, times have changed and some things, even if they’re a little “weird”, are more acceptable nowadays. And I would rather be considered “weird” than average. Great video, Dan!
Who are you all talking to that are so openly judgmental and rude?
Hey, I felt embarrassment even as a kid from probably 8 on. Eventually by probably 13 or so I kind of 'grew out of it.' At some point in my 30s I just started coming across how awesome the figures were getting and so I'd get a collectible here or there. Then it became kind of a completist thing. And every time I thought I was done I'd keep seeing awesome characters or franchises that I just had to have.
When I move, I am going to designate a room for my model cars and figures. I'm 36 now and I have the money to buy what I want when I want it. I slowly acclimate my girlfriend into accepting it by lumping in my collecting with my hobby of drawing and our current pop culture climate of comic con and comic movies.
Well done video. Adequately put!
It's always fun to show someone a picture of "the collection" and watch their eyes light up. You see the kid they were for a minute. It's a beautiful thing.
This is a real tough one for me. I left the world of toys and comic books in my teens. I didn't re-enter that world until I had kids of my own and I hate to admit that I still look sideways at people (mostly men) who are deep in and serious about them.
BUT
I'm also a metal musician in my 40s, still trying to make a go at a career that logically will never happen. So many consider me (and probably rightfully so) to be an emotionally stunted, adult child. But I love what I do and can't imagine not doing it.
Society is changing and people are getting softer (which they have been since our hunter/ gatherer days). What constitutes an adult and maturity are constantly in flux. So as long as you're taking care of you and yours (and not driving up prices for those of us who just want to get our kids a toy), then who is anybody to judge?
I left collecting comic books when i was a kid and the only toys and action figures i ever got were hand-me-downs. I started collecting both again in the late 90s for abouy 5 years. I got back into it about a year ago when i realized the quality of Marvel Legends had improved for me to step up my customizing game. I am actually having more fun now than any previous wave of collecting and or customizing.
People are getting softer? No, people are not becoming softer, and it is actually the opposite.
Society is harsher and more calous than ever before.
What you are perceiving as soft are the people that buckle under the ever more demanding/stressful world we live in.
@@chevy-is-a-good-boy humans were far harsher and more cruel in the past. As societies grow and become more interconnected as well as technology making life easier, humans become nicer and more tolerant. There are several great studies on the subject as well as a good book called "Our Better Angels". That's not to say people are perfect, far from it; but by every objective measure humans are better than they've ever been. That is what I meant by "softer". And one consequence of this is humans become more child like for longer.
Dude, you think you have it bad. I collect and paint warhammer miniatures. My collection is currently worth £10000 retail, and around five times that for it's paint quality. I have minis that have taken in excess of 2000 hours to build and paint. Am I embarrassed about that? OH HELL NO.
Great content though, keep it up.
LOVE this channel and the hard work you all are doing!!!
I rewatch this whenever I need to hear it, thanks Dan.
That's the reason why I'm here today. 😅
I gotta say, I love these Deep Thoughts videos. On one hand, I wish they were more regular, on the other hand, they're special because they're not. Keep up the great quality and the great work.
Funny you should post this today, though. I play Pokémon Go with a big group of friends in my community, and just yesterday while we a bunch of us were together for a raid, some lady walked up to us, saw what we were doing and commented "Aren't you all grown men?" Which was terrible, because there were at least two women in the group. But also, I couldn't help but think what a dull and boring life she must lead to not have some activity or hobby that harkens back to her childhood. Poor thing.
Great video! I loved the ending! I have Toys in every room of my house. When my Co-Workers come over for the annual Christmas Party it's always fun to see the variety of reactions I get. I took the Co-Worker who was most impressed by my collection and put her on my TH-cam channel! ;)
Happy to have found your vids. I've narrowed my collecting to X-Men specific as not to over-accumulate, but I watch your videos to scratch the itch in case I want to divert from my stance. Gotta live your truth! Thanks!
Loving these new videos 👍🏼 so i was embarrassed collecting from the ages of 16 -21 friends and girls ragged me and i just laughed it off as if it meant nothing but it did bother me i started to hide my stuff when i had guests over for a long time then the MCU happened and i grew older and realized true happiness comes fron the inside and no where else no shame in my geek game🤣
Hey, I'm 44, and I've had other adults say, " Man, I can't believe you waste your money on this stuff....." To wich I reply, " You know, in a year's time I spend less on this, than you do cigarettes, and giving yourself lung cancer......."😮😉
Thankyou 4 this as l am a collector n my early 40s now n have lately been thinkg about my action figure collecting, but as u said, do l enjoy it? YES
do l care what people think? NO
So datz all l care about, love yur show n keep da awesome shows coming, thankyou 😊
Loved this video!!! Great topic! Life without plastic treasures...I don't even want to think about that sadness!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Well said sir! I've never been embarrassed. Back in High School and college, when I showed my very very small toy collection to several of friends, they told me that they got boxes toys they don't want anymore. Thus I headed to their homes to pick up the toys. That's one way how my collection grew.
I'll download this video and keep it in my phone to show to my non-collector / non-hobbyist friends.
You guys and gals are always awesome!
I've always been a very "if I'm happy I'm not embarrassed" when I started collecting ( way back in 7th grade) I started to realize how alone I was in this love of plastic people. High school was definitely where my embarrassment peaked, no one to this day that I went to high school with knows I collect figures. But I'm an adult now, with a job and a home, and I think I can finally say, in all situations, I am NOT embarrassed of my collection, I mean come on, there are stamp collectors 🤷♂️
It's only as embarrassing as you think it is. Let's be honest for a second: people will judge you for being an adult buying toys. There's no other way around it, some people will look down on you. But do you really care what random people think? We've all got hobbies, and action figure collecting just happens to be ours. There's no shame in this hobby and screw anybody who says otherwise.
Besides, it's not like the ones judging don't have hobbies that may look embarassing to someone else's eyes.
For example I hate cars and clothes, so people that collect cars or waste huge quantities of money on expensive clothes are pathetic to me, exactly as I'm pathetic for them because I collect action figures. I'm proud of my hobby and they're proud of theirs, who cares xD
I am 55yrs old and now I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE THINKS . action figure colleting will always be my HOBBY . I know I can't get everyone I just get what I can . and they are so fascinating to look at .I love MARVEL legends . AND THE ALEX ROSS JUSTICE SERIES. . thank you for posting . I hope I have a collection like what you have someday . please keep doing what you do . I really like your channel . also your are very intelligent , handsome also knowledgeable . I've learned so much from your channel . thanks for posting.
Great video, you have answered allot of questions that I have been thinking about over the last year.
Best ending Ever...HELL YES!!!!!!!!!!
They're only toys if you play with them.
I only play with half of my collection.
I'm starting to be more open and proud of my collection. Going through high school I hated going to stores to check out the Legends and Black Series because I was always to afraid of seeing somebody I knew. I'm very glad I'm getting over those feelings and being more open and less stressed and embarrassed when it comes to collecting 😁
So High School people are not considered "kids" anymore? lol gosh. It was perfectly normal throughout my whole life to see people of all ages buying action figures and toys.
Man you’re almost up to 100k subs, that’s crazy! I remember 5k, I’m so pumped for you guys!
I am a 12 year old and im starting to collect action figures
Nearly the same age when I started I am now 20 and have a sizable Gears Of War and star wars collection. I have a good feeling you are responsible however in good faith I have to say this be sure to collect the figures you like and or find cool and not just for the shake of buying.
considering people collect shoe's just to look cool, i think a bit-o plastic should not be ridiculed so harshly
I don’t have a collectors bone in my body and I think that’s why I love this channel. I love watching a grown man casually throw out names like Soundwave and Starscreak like they are real people the way my inner child did and still does. I like that you collect these things so I don’t have to.
I used to be embarrassed saying these are for my younger brother for his birthday or something . But now a cashier asked me if I collected and I said I sure do I love it and they said that’s cool everyone needs a hobby. So I just own it and love it.
I used to be ....but I stopped caring who knows
Good for you
As long as it keeps me happy
I'm a senior in high school and I've thankfully never had a "too cool for X" phase. I don't talk about my hobby unprompted but I'm not ashamed of my collections. Only time I feel bad is when I scare the little uns with my height when I go down the Marvel aisle.
The way I see it; if you enjoy something you're never too old for it.