One of the most popular types of collecting in the anime community revolves around figures. Luckily, Evangelion has been putting out figures for over 20 years, so there is a lot to choose from. It can be a bit overwhelming when you first go to look for your favorite characters, so the guide below breaks down figure categories.
The Affordable Option: Prize Figures #
If you are just getting started into figure collecting, then you have likely found yourself taken aback after looking up Evangelion figures. Anime figures, in general, are pricey, and some of the nicer figures like the Radio Eva line will cost you between $100 to $250 for a single character. If you don’t want to sink a month’s worth of rent into getting the entire cast, then you need to look into prize figures.
Prize Figure Brands:
- Banpresto
- Furyu
- Taito
- Sega
These figures are usually put into claw machines in Japan and aren’t going to have the level of shading that the scale figures do. Still, there have been dozens of figures made of the cast, so you can acquire everyone from Koworu to Rei III while only spending around $20 to $30 per character. These Evangelion figures look nice when displayed, and new ones are coming out just about every month.
If you are looking for something compact, then you can even check out the Q Posket line, which has your favorite characters as chibi figures. This line even includes Misato, and every figure has two different color variations to choose from. Aside from this, there are mini-figures that come out from time to time and gashapon figures that can be affordable. Keep in mind that most of these figures are only a few inches tall at most.
The Mid-Range Option: Lottery Figures and Small Scales #
If you want a bit more quality in your figures, then you are going to want to move up to the $30 to $130 price range. Here, you will find smaller scale figures, like those made by Pop-Up-Parade, who sadly has yet to introduce an Eva line. These figures will likely be smaller than prize and scale figures, but will be better detailed.
In this price range, you can also find 1/7 and 1/8 scale figures that have basic bases and poses but good detailing. These Eva figures come from companies like Kotobukiya and FREEing. FREEing, in particular, is interesting as you can get many of their figures like Kaworu and Shinji’s Yukata versions for under $100, especially if you shop on the pre-owned sections of sites.
Finally, you will want to look into Ichiban Kuji figures. These figures often cost around $50 and come with interesting poses, character costumes, and effects. The quality of these can range from prize figure levels to some that are considered to be on par with cheaper scales. The prize figure line also puts out scales of the Eva units themselves, making them a must for collectors who don’t want to deal with piecing together a model kit. Here are some Kuji lines to check out:
- Test Type Awakening
- Eva Unit Lines
- Evangelion Heroines
There are new Kuji’s coming out year-round; you can either try your luck by using a site like Otaku House to draw tickets or wait for the figures to go up for pre-order.
Lastly, there are Nendoroids; these cheap characters are made by Goodsmile and come with a variety of different parts like faceplates. The range of characters is a bit more limited in the Nendoroid line, so only the following characters can currently be purchased:
- Shinji
- Rei
- Asuka
- Kaworu
- Mari
Outside of the main pilots, you shouldn’t expect much out of this series, although a Misato has a high probability of being created one day.
The Collector’s Option: Scale Evangelion Figures #
Scale figures are figures that will cost you over $100, and getting into them can be quite tricky. You’re going to be spending a lot of money to buy the figure itself, and then to get it shipped from Japan, you are looking at anywhere from $25 for the least efficient method to $100 + for larger figures.
If you are looking for a figure to put on display in your home though, then the gorgeous detailing of scale figures will be perfect for your home. Here are the Evangelion figure lines you should take a look at:
- Kotobukiya ⅙ Scale Plugsuit Line
- Hobby Max Radio Eva Line
- Union Creative Line
- Megahouse G.E.M. Line
If you are looking for pilots in trendy clothes, then the Radio Eva line is perfect as it shows the characters wearing real-life brands and logos. The 1/6 scale line offers a large figure of Rei, Asuka, Koworu, and Mari for under $150. If you are looking for action scenes, then the Megahouse G.E.M line is perfect. Union Creative makes a variety of different scenes, including a figure that shows both Rei and Asuka sharing an Eva pod.
To save on these figures, it’s highly encouraged to buy pre-owned when possible. For some of the more popular releases like the long-haired version of Rei, you will want to consider pre-ordering as these will likely sell out quickly, and reprints aren’t something that often happens with Eva as new figures are always being pushed out.
Which Evangelion Figures Become Rare? #
It can be hard to know which Neon Genesis Evangelion figures will become rare sometimes, but there are usually a few factors. Figures of side characters like Misato appear less frequently and will be bought up by collectors. You will also find that Radio Eva figures will jump up in price a few months after release, as will any figures with dynamic poses and bases.
Generally, the more plain figures, like the ones that just focus on the character themselves, are less rare, especially if they are in their plugsuit. Casual wear versions of the characters also tend to be harder to find, as most figure lines only focus on putting out the character’s in their battle-ready gear.