Buying Guides

When you purchase official merchandise from games like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, or Zenless Zone Zero, you are usually focused on the character. You want that perfectly sculpted Kafka or that adorable Klee. But for veteran collectors, there is another name on the box that matters just as much as the game's title: The Manufacturer.

Game developers like HoYoverse design the breathtaking characters, but they partner with legendary toy and figure manufacturers to bring those 2D designs into the 3D world. Knowing which brand engineered your figure tells you everything about its quality, its articulation, its material density, and its aftermarket value.

In this ultimate 2026 collector's guide, we are pulling back the curtain on the biggest collaborations in the gacha gaming sphere. From the designer toy supremacy of POP MART to the articulation mastery of Bandai's S.H.Figuarts, here is your definitive guide to understanding the brands behind your favorite merchandise.

1. The Designer Toy Titans: POP MART x HoYoverse

For years, anime blind boxes were considered cheap "gachapon" toys. Then came POP MART. As the global leader in designer art toys, POP MART elevated the blind box format into a premium collecting experience. Their figures are known for having significant weight, flawless matte paint jobs, and highly imaginative stylistic interpretations.

The Genshin Impact "Joyful Gathering" Series

The collaboration between Genshin Impact and POP MART broke the internet. The Genshin Impact POP MART Joyful Gathering Series features characters like Kazuha, Ayaka, and Yoimiya in a distinct, slightly rounded, and incredibly chic art style unique to POP MART designers. If you appreciate the "designer toy" aesthetic (similar to Skullpanda or Dimoo), this is the highest quality blind box series you can invest in.

The ZZZ Bangboo Party

POP MART also lent their expertise to Zenless Zone Zero with the Bangboo Party Series Figure Blind Box. Because Bangboos are inherently mascot-like, POP MART's manufacturing process makes them feel like premium vinyl collectibles rather than standard PVC toys. They look spectacular lined up on a PC monitor stand.

2. The Kings of Articulation: Bandai Tamashii Nations (S.H.Figuarts)

When you want a figure that can recreate a mid-air, dynamic combat pose flawlessly, you look for one logo: S.H.Figuarts (SHF). Produced by Bandai's premium collector's label, Tamashii Nations, the SHF line is famous globally for its cutting-edge joint engineering. These aren't statues; they are highly articulated action figures meant to be posed and played with.

The Mecha Masterpiece: HSR SAM

HoYoverse partnering with Bandai for the Honkai: Star Rail S.H.Figuarts Sam Action Figure was a match made in heaven. Bandai excels at mecha designs (thanks to decades of Gundam experience). The SHF SAM features metallic paint finishes, incredible weight distribution, and joints that allow you to recreate his devastating "Supernova Overload" ultimate attack perfectly.

The Gunslinger: ZZZ Billy Kid

Similarly, the Zenless Zone Zero S.H.Figuarts Billy Kid benefits massively from Bandai's articulation technology. Billy's entire character is based on exaggerated, stylish gun-fu poses. An SHF body allows you to twist his torso, angle his dual revolvers, and pose him exactly like his dynamic in-game splash art.

3. The Ultimate Desk Companions: MegaHouse LOOKUP Series

MegaHouse is a powerhouse in the anime figure industry, but their LOOKUP (Rukappu) series has carved out a massive, uniquely adorable niche. The concept is simple but brilliant: the figures are designed in a sitting position with their heads tilted upwards.

Why We Love LOOKUP Figures

Most figures look straight ahead, meaning if you place them on your desk, you are looking at the top of their heads. The LOOKUP series is engineered specifically for desk workers and gamers. When you place the Genshin Impact LOOKUP Series Kaedehara Kazuha or Gorou on your desk, they make direct eye contact with you. Furthermore, their necks feature a hidden joint, allowing you to adjust the angle of their gaze. It provides an unmatched feeling of companionship during long gaming or studying sessions.

The line has also expanded to the Astral Express with the highly anticipated Honkai: Star Rail LOOKUP Series, allowing Trailblazers to have their favorite characters cheering them on from beside their keyboards.

4. The Masters of Form: Good Smile Company (Beyond Nendoroids)

Everyone knows Good Smile Company (GSC) for their legendary Nendoroid line. However, GSC's collaborations with gacha games extend far beyond standard chibis. They have introduced new, specialized lines tailored to different types of collectors.

Hello! Good Smile: The Minimalist Aesthetic

Art directed by Shigeto Koyama, the Hello! Good Smile series offers a more stylized, retro-pop approach to chibi figures. They lack the complex accessories of Nendoroids but make up for it with a clean, unified design language and a very accessible price point. The Hello! Good Smile Kamisato Ayaka and Albedo figures are perfect for collectors who want a sleek, modern display without the hassle of swapping tiny parts.

POP UP PARADE SP: The Statue Alternative

For Zenless Zone Zero, GSC unleashed the POP UP PARADE SP line. These are essentially high-quality, fixed-pose statues that capture the dynamic energy of the characters without the visible joints of an action figure. The Belle GSC POP UP PARADE SP Figure showcases incredible fabric texturing and paint depth, offering an affordable entry point into premium statue collecting.

"Knowing the manufacturer changed everything for me. I used to buy whatever looked cute, but once I experienced the heavy, premium vinyl feel of a POP MART collab, and the insane poseability of an S.H.Figuarts, I started specifically hunting for these brand names. They guarantee a level of quality you can trust." — Bahomu Collector's Forum

Quick Reference: Which Manufacturer Fits Your Style?

Use this table to decide which brand collaboration aligns with your displaying habits and budget:

Conclusion: Collect with Confidence

The golden age of anime merchandise is fueled by these incredible collaborations. When a legendary IP like Genshin Impact or Zenless Zone Zero teams up with a master manufacturer like Bandai, MegaHouse, or POP MART, the result is a collectible that transcends a simple "toy." It becomes a piece of engineered art.

By understanding the brands behind the box, you can curate a collection that perfectly suits your lifestyle—whether that means dynamic combat scenes with S.H.Figuarts, or a comforting desk companion from the LOOKUP series.

Ready to upgrade your collection with industry-leading craftsmanship? Explore our full range of official brand collaborations today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are POP MART blind boxes officially licensed by the game developers?

Yes! The Genshin Impact and ZZZ POP MART series are official collaborations. HoYoverse provides the character designs, and POP MART handles the physical engineering, manufacturing, and stylized art direction, resulting in a 100% authentic, premium product.

What is the difference between an S.H.Figuarts and a Nendoroid?

S.H.Figuarts (by Bandai) are typically scaled to realistic human proportions (around 1/12 scale) and focus on hyper-articulation to mimic realistic combat poses. Nendoroids (by Good Smile Company) are "chibi" style (large heads, small bodies) and focus on cute expressions and swappable faceplates.

Can LOOKUP figures be removed from their sitting position?

No, the MegaHouse LOOKUP series is specifically molded in a permanent sitting or kneeling position to maintain their unique aesthetic. However, their heads are attached via a specialized joint that allows you to tilt and rotate their gaze to make "eye contact" with you from any angle on your desk.

Do POP UP PARADE SP figures require assembly?

POP UP PARADE SP figures are fixed-pose statues and generally come fully assembled in the box. You typically only need to attach the figure to its included display base using the pre-molded pegs on the character's feet. They are hassle-free and ready to display immediately.