Good Smile Company is one of the most prominent collectible companies in the market, producing official collectibles for franchises in popular culture (music, film, anime, manga, and, of course, video games). It has earned a special place and is a favorite among collectors, but it just announced a highly controversial change.
Today, the Japanese company specializing in figures and collectibles announced that it will end 2024 with a major change to its Nendoroid figure line. This shift will have a significant impact on the collectibles scene, as it involves modifying the design and size of Nendoroid figure boxes.
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Nendoroid Boxes Will No Longer Use Plastic
According to the official statement, the plastic that keeps the figures securely in place within the box will be replaced with cardboard that serves the same function. However, the main change is the outer box itself, which, unlike the original packaging, will no longer feature a window to display the figure; instead, it will be entirely flat and closed.
Based on the first images of this new packaging, the outer cardboard box will be plain white with no decorative elements related to the figure. It’s still unclear if Good Smile Company plans to illustrate it with images of the figure.
This change will only affect Nendoroid and Nendoroid Basic models and is scheduled for releases after figures like Yoko 2.0, Kano Yamanouchi [Basic], Kurisu Makise 2.0, and Taiga Aisaka 2.0 (around November and December 2024).
The reason? Good Smile Company intends to reduce plastic use in favor of the environment.
“As part of our efforts to reduce plastic waste, we have decided to renew our packaging design,” the company stated. “The packaging change will reduce our plastic consumption by up to 84% compared to the original design.”
To top it off, Good Smile Company also announced plans to renew the support (stand, base, and joints) for Nendoroids, though no further details were offered about this plan.
The Collecting Community Criticized Good Smile Company's Decision
Naturally, users, especially collectors, voiced their opinions upon hearing about this change, as many purchase these types of figures to display them without having to open them. Additionally, if they ever need to downsize their collection, they can sell their Nendoroids at a higher price if they are unopened; once opened, their value significantly decreases.
What’s more, the new design that conceals the interior of the box opens the door for counterfeit or defective products, something impossible to notice if collectors don’t buy these figures directly from Good Smile Company’s official store and never open the box.
“Good Smile Company intends to continue renewing the Nendoroid series to make it more accessible to everyone. Additionally, through the development of environmentally conscious products, we are committed to contributing to a sustainable society.”
“Excuse me, but what the heck is this? For starters, not being able to display the figure you bought almost completely negates the purpose of buying it,” commented one disgruntled user. “Most people don’t even open the box, which keeps the figure in the impeccable condition it arrived in.”
“Why should I do it?” replied another user when asked to consider the use of cardboard instead of plastic for sustainability. “I collect figures made of plastic. The small amount of plastic used in the packaging is nothing compared to the figures themselves. If they really want to make a difference, they should stop making Nendoroids.”
In case you missed it: the terrifying Pyramid Head from Silent Hill will get a Nendoroid, but it’s unclear if it will have the original or new packaging.
What do you think? Are you in favor of the changes Good Smile Company will implement for Nendoroids? Share your thoughts in the comments or on Discord.
If you want to check out more news related to collectibles and video game figures, we invite you to visit our Collectors’ Corner section.
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