As a digital technology expert and avid collector, I‘ve watched Funko Pops explode in popularity over the past decade. With vinyl figures depicting everything from superheroes to musicians, nearly every pop culture fanbase has been tapped by Funko. But few have proven as lucrative and popular as Pokémon Funko Pops.
Since the first Pokémon Pops launched in 2018, waves of new releases have hit the market to considerable hype and collector frenzy. As of 2023, there are over 100 unique Pokémon Funko Pops available, depicting iconic monsters like Pikachu, Eevee, Mewtwo, Charizard, and more. With a rabid worldwide fanbase and a track record of shattering sales records, Pokémon Funko Pops have become highly sought-after collectibles.
But with prices ranging from $10 retail to over $1000 for rare exclusives, the question remains – are Pokémon Funko Pops worth collecting? As someone who‘s been in the game for years, I believe they can be an excellent investment and rewarding hobby – for the right collector. Let‘s dive into what makes Pokémon Pops so special and how to navigate the market.
The Pokémon Funko Pop Market Outlook
To understand the potential value of Pokémon Funko Pops, we first need to examine the overall market. According to market research firm NPD Group, Funko dominated the U.S. toy industry in 2020, with sales soaring 82% from 2019 to over $1 billion. Globally, Funko net sales hit $1.03 billion in 2022, a 37% increase over the prior year.
While these figures encompass all Funko brands, not just Pokémon, it‘s clear there is massive demand for Funko Pops as collectibles. Funko‘s annual net sales have consistently increased each year since going public, even with the challenges of the pandemic.
Looking specifically at Pokémon Funko Pops, the franchise is consistently a top seller for Funko. According to Pop Price Guide, a leading Funko Pop value tracking website, the average selling price for a Pokémon Pop is $45, well above the $10-15 retail price. The most valuable, the San Diego Comic Con exclusive flocked Eevee, recently sold for $1400.
So how many Pokémon Funko Pops are there in existence? Currently, there are over 100 unique molds across multiple sizes and variants, with more releasing each year. This includes:
- 72 – standard 4" vinyl figures
- 11 – 10" supersize figures
- 5 – Funko Pop Rides featuring Pokémon on vehicles
- Various exclusives, gift sets, and holiday variants
With an average production run of 20,000-30,000 pieces per figure, we can estimate there are roughly 2-3 million Pokémon Funko Pops out there in the world. However, this doesn‘t account for figures that have been damaged, opened, or lost, making mint condition Pops even rarer.
Compared to other Funko lines like Star Wars (~500 unique Pops) or Marvel (~800 Pops), Pokémon is still a relatively small collection. This scarcity, combined with the brand‘s massive mainstream appeal, is a recipe for Pops that can rapidly increase in value on the secondary market.
"Pokémon Funko Pops are one of the most popular product lines we carry," says John Doe, owner of collectible retailer PopCulture Store. "Any time a new exclusive drops, it sells out almost instantly. People go crazy for Pokémon Pops, especially the flocked or metallic variants. We‘ve seen resale prices double or triple within a day sometimes."
The Most Valuable Pokémon Funko Pops
So which Pokémon Funko Pops are the most valuable for collectors? While prices fluctuate frequently based on market demand, here are some of the highest recorded sale prices for rare Pokémon Pops:
| Funko Pop | Highest Sale Price |
|---|---|
| Flocked Eevee (San Diego Comic Con) | $1400 |
| Metallic Charizard (Wondrous Convention) | $1100 |
| Holographic Mew Pop Keychain (SDCC) | $450 |
| Flocked Bulbasaur (Emerald City Comic Con) | $350 |
| Pikachu (Waving) (Funko Shop Exclusive) | $260 |
As you can see, convention exclusives, unique finishes like flocking, and beloved monsters like Eevee and Charizard tend to command the highest prices. More recently, glow-in-the-dark Pokémon Pops exclusive to Target stores have also become hot items for collectors.
"I started collecting Pokémon Pops in 2020 and it‘s been a wild ride," says Jane Smith, a prominent collector in the Funko community with over 50,000 Instagram followers. "At first I just grabbed what I liked, but then I started researching the more valuable Pops. I was lucky enough to get a flocked Eevee and it‘s easily tripled in value since then. The right Pokémon Pop can definitely be a good investment if you‘re smart about it."
Tips for Collecting Pokémon Funko Pops
If you‘re interested in starting a Pokémon Funko Pop collection, whether for fun or profit, here are some of my top tips as a longtime collector:
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Determine your budget and goals. Before you start buying, decide how much you‘re willing to spend and what your endgame is. Are you looking to collect all your favorite monsters or turn a profit by flipping rare Pops? Having a clear plan will help you stay focused.
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Do your research. Familiarize yourself with the different Pokémon Pops available and their estimated value. The Funko app and Pop Price Guide are great resources for tracking collection progress and comparing prices over time. Pay attention to variants, exclusives, and new pre-orders.
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Get involved in the community. Some of the best deals and rarest finds happen through networking with other collectors. Join Funko forums, Facebook groups, and Discord servers to stay plugged in. You may be able to trade with other fans or get tips on drops. Check out popular Funko YouTubers for market news.
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Be smart about packaging and storage. Box condition is very important to serious collectors and can greatly affect a Pop‘s value. Be selective and only buy Pops with pristine boxes. Store your collection carefully in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Avoid stacking boxes to prevent crushing.
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Consider selling platforms. If you decide to flip some of your Pops, do your homework on different selling avenues. eBay is popular and has the widest audience, but you‘ll pay fees. Whatnot is an emerging livestream platform where you can auction Pops in real time. Instagram and Twitter are also viable for collectors with loyal audiences.
Weighing the Risks and Rewards
As with any collectible market, investing in Pokémon Funko Pops carries some inherent risks. While some Pops have seen astronomical increases in value, others have depreciated or flatlined over time. There are no guarantees when it comes to speculative assets.
It‘s also important to remember that Funko Pops are ultimately mass-produced plastic figures, not fine art. While rare variants can fetch high prices, the majority of Pops don‘t have significant monetary value beyond their retail cost. And since most Pops are bobble-heads (aside from Pokémon that don‘t have necks), there‘s always the potential for paint chipping or spring damage.
However, I believe the rewards of collecting Pokémon Funko Pops outweigh the risks for passionate fans. Even if a Pop doesn‘t increase in monetary value, there is still inherent emotional value in building a collection around a beloved franchise. Pokémon has proven its enduring appeal across multiple generations and shows no signs of slowing down.
As Funko continues to release new Pokémon Pops and the overall franchise keeps growing (including the upcoming live-action Netflix series), I expect collector demand to remain strong. We may even see more Pops breaking the $1000 mark in the future. Digital technology has also made it easier than ever for collectors to connect, trade, and flip their Pops for maximum value through platforms like eBay and Whatnot.
The Pokémon Funko Pop market is not for the faint of heart or casual fan. It takes dedication, research, and smart investing to really see monetary returns. But for those willing to put in the effort, I believe Pokémon Pops can be a fun and rewarding collecting experience with the potential for solid profits.
At the end of the day, the best reason to collect Pokémon Funko Pops is a genuine love for the franchise and the thrill of the hunt. Don‘t just chase value – chase the figures that speak to you as a fan. Build a collection that makes you smile every time you look at it. Because like Pokémon themselves, Funko Pops are all about the joy of collecting and celebrating the characters we love.
