Funko – from bobblehead to collecting empire
It all began in 1998 in Snohomish, Washington: founder Mike Becker was looking for an affordable coin bank shaped like restaurant mascot Big Boy, couldn't find one – and simply had a bobblehead version made himself. What started as a kitchen-table project became a licensing giant: Brian Mariotti took over in 2005, locked in deals with nearly every major franchise, and the company went public in 2017. Today the Funko name stands for arguably the best-known collectible figure line in the world. At Elbenwald you'll find Funko figures spanning every fandom – from film and TV to anime to gaming, officially licensed and shelf-ready.
What makes Funko Pops stand out?
First, the design: about 9.5 centimeters of vinyl, an oversized head, black button eyes – a style that marks every figure instantly as a Pop while still keeping every character recognizable. The line debuted in 2010 at San Diego Comic-Con, and the very first figure was Batman in his 1960s TV-series look. Oddly enough, the line was originally called "Funko Force 2.0" and landed only moderately – it was the 2011 rename to "Pop!" that turned it into a phenomenon. Add to that the collecting mechanics: chase variants and convention exclusives in tiny print runs, the ultra-rare mascot Freddy Funko as a special figure – and spin-offs like Bitty Pop, Pop! Soda, and Vinyl Gold for anyone the standard format isn't enough for.
Frequently asked questions
What Funko figures does Elbenwald carry?
Pops spanning the big fandom worlds – films, TV shows, anime, and games – plus further Funko formats. Use the filters or the brand pages to narrow the selection down to your franchise.
What are chase variants?
Rare variations of a regular figure – with a different pose, expression, or finish, for example – that can turn up randomly in the box instead of the standard version at retail. They're noticeably rarer and correspondingly sought after in the collector scene.
Do you collect Funko Pops with or without the packaging?
That's the community's great matter of faith. The box protects the figure and counts, for many collectors, as part of the collectible; unboxed, the figure shows off better. Anyone who can't decide just buys two – that solution wouldn't exactly be new.
Range overview
The fastest overview: the Funko figures as their own product world. Anyone collecting by franchise can jump straight to the Harry Potter Funko figures or Marvel Funko figures – two of the most popular worlds in the range. Fresh motifs come from the theme worlds Film & TV, Anime, and Gaming. And anyone looking beyond the Pop shelf will find action figures, statues, and plush in the big figures overview.
What else goes with it?
Grown collections want company: collectibles like replicas and pins pair perfectly with a parade of Pops on the shelf. And once your own collection is taken care of, there's still the gift ideas to check out – Pops are among the most appreciated gifts for fans whose clothing size you don't know.
