One interesting fact that came out the New York Toy Fair is that Anime is the second highest top selling Funko Pop category. This is honestly no surprise when it comes to popular anime shows like Cowboy Bebop, My Hero Academia, Dragon Ball Z, and Naruto. These shows have such strong following that any collectible given to them is just perfect. Funko has does this before with given uncommon TV shows collectibles and just moving it on over to anime is just an untapped gold mine. My Hero Academia is currently one of my favorite series and I love all the characters Funko is making. A new exclusive figure came out recently with GameStop and he is ready for his time to shine with our newest review.
"Maybe I failed this time, but… I'm not giving up. I'll show them I've got what it takes to make the hero course, and I'll become a greater hero than all of you."Hitoshi Shinso is here and ready to outshine Class 1A in the U.A.Sports Festival. This is a great choice for a character to get his own Funko figure. He made such a stunning appearance in the first season too. This hero has the power of controlling any opponent who talks back to them. He almost pushed Deku out of the arena but his strong will stopped him. This My Hero Academia Figure is a GameStop exclusive and it does have the sticker on it. Nothing is really special about the package as it is the same as the rest of the line. Check it out below:
Now for Hitoshi himself, he is pretty awesome. His blue spikey hair is on its own level and it's super! The costume is the same as the My Hero Academia Sports Festival too. He is a very basic character but it's nice to see more of these smaller heroes and villains getting their own special Funko Pop. Hitoshi's face is pretty close to that of the anime even in Pop Form. The bags around his eyes are what bring it all together.
This is a GameStop exclusive figure and you can find him located here. I'm sure with the success of the My Hero Academia line we will start seeing more and more figures come out. I can't wait till we have all the members of class 1A out. This series is a great way to continue to bring new characters and moments into the gold and keep the other figures limited and rare. Go Beyond!
Dr. Pepper recently has a reward for people who bought up 3 bottles of their iconic soda. If you did that you were able to attempt and lock down an exclusive Funko. This Funko Pop is based on their hilarious Diet Dr. Pepper commercial icon, Lil Sweet. I was surprised to see it show up so fast and with it, in hand, it's time to check him out up close.
Right off the bat, his box is colored like a Diet Dr. Pepper with that silver accent. The logo is shown at the top and it even has a can shared exclusive sticker on the Funko Pop window. I really like this sticker on this guy and with such a unique gift it fires perfectly. Nothing is shown of the back except for Lil Sweet's catchphrase, "It's the sweet one."
Moving away from the box, it's time to look at Lil Sweet himself. The figure is nicely sculpted and beautifully colored. He even has hints of glitter on his scarf, which gives him a little extra pizzazz. The Funko is holding a Diet Dr. Pepper in his hand which is cheesy but awesome at the same time. His clothes are nicely shown and his red flowing hair really stands out. This is a great collaboration between two great companies. The Funko Ad Icon line is pretty great and with the extension to more food icons, it's exciting to see what will be next. This Funko could already be sold out but check out Dr. Pepper for updates on if more will come out. I wonder what company will take the next step at the Funko game and bring their mascot alive. What would you guys and girls like to see be the next Ad Icon??
Proceeds will benefit conservationist organization Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors and help protect orphaned, injured and endangered wildlife.
To celebrate Steve Irwin’s birthday and National Wildlife Day today, eBay for Charity is partnering with the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriorsfor a one-of-a-kind charity auction featuring a Funko Pop! collection of the legendary wildlife warrior, which includes an incredibly rare prototype.
Fans from around the world can head to ebay.com/wildlifewarriorstoday through March 3 to bid on a collection of all three Steve Irwin Pop! figurines, plus the rare prototype. This exclusive set includes Steve Irwin dressed in his signature khaki with a crocodile, the recently released and very exclusive Steve Irwin with a snake, the limited edition Steve Irwin with Turtle Chase plus, the incredibly rare prototype of Steve Irwin with Turtle Chase!
“Steve hoped his message of conservation would always be remembered,” said Dr. Terri Irwin, Steve Irwin’s wife and owner of Australia Zoo. “This is a wonderful way to recognize Steve’s work protecting wildlife and wild places with funds raised going towards Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, the charity Steve founded.”
All of the proceeds will benefit Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors, a conservationist organization created by Steve and Terri Irwin in 2002 as a way to include and involve caring people in the support and conservation of the world’s most threatened wildlife species and natural habitats. Wildlife Warriors from around the world have joined forces to continue Steve’s mission to protect orphaned, injured and endangered wildlife – from the individual animals to an entire species.
“Steve was such an iconic figure in wildlife conservation and this unique auction is a great way to honor him and his mission,” said Sam Bright, Vice President and General Manager of Verticals. “From Funko Pop collectors to eBay buyers who want to give back, we’re offering shoppers a chance to bid on this extremely one-of-a-kind collection while also giving back to a charity that is so important to the Irwins and to ensuring Steve’s legacy lives on.”
Head to ebay.com/wildlifewarriors to bid on this unique auction and help raise vital funds for the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors.
About eBay for Charity:
eBay for Charity enables members of the eBay community to connect with and support their favorite charities in the U.S. and abroad. Every time a user buys or sells on eBay, it’s an opportunity to support causes that matter the most and to help with their fundraising goals. With more than 83,500 charities enrolled on the site, eBay is home to one of the world’s largest and most active giving communities. Since 2003, the eBay community has raised more than $1 billion for charity. For more information visit ebayforcharity.org.
About Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide-USA:
Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide-USA were founded in 2002 by Steve and Terri Irwin. Their mission was to involve caring people from around the world in the conservation of wildlife and wild places. Since starting the charity, Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide-USA have supported the protection of injured, threatened and endangered wildlife around the world.
Today, with nine global conservation projects, three vast conservation properties and a loyal following of global donors and supporters, Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide-USA are carrying on Steve’s dream to save one, save the species.
Welcome to the pretty-much-mostly-daily Lying In The Gutters. A run around the day before and the day ahead. You can sign up to receive it as an e-mail here.
How to make a graphic novel, A Cass Visual Communication talk by Anna Mill and Luke Jones..Room CCG-02, The Wash Houses, London Metropolitan University, 25 Old Castle Street, London
The Comic Creators Workshopis a bi-monthly meet up for anyone that creates Comics, Graphic Novels and Comic Strips, Belsize Community Library, Antrim Grove, Belsize Park, London
· Overwatch League Jerseys – Newly reimagined for 2020 and made in collaboration with legendary streetwear designer Jeff Staple, available now for pre-order
These new products and a wide range of other fan gear/collectibles are available through the Overwatch League Shop! As an added bonus, fans that pre-order any new jerseys will receive $20 FanCash to use on their next OWL shop purchase.
Overwatch continues to grow and not just within the game but in the collectible circuit. When you have such an amazing cast of characters you of course have to show them off. This time Tracer is back and with a new Overwatch League exclusive Funko Pop. Tracer is shown wearing her own special gear in a spiffy new white and orange outfit. The packaging will feature two stickers for those in the box collectors. This is a simple and cool collectible for any Overwatch League fans n you can find yours here. Don't forget you can join Tracer and rep your favorite Overwatch League teams with new kick ass jerseys from your favorite team. We have included some of our favorites below and you can find them and more are located here.
Howdy loves.
Tracer Overwatch League Funko Pop! – Fanatics Exclusive
Product ID: 3656729
Officially licensed
Brand: Funko
Description
This figurine is officially licensed by The Overwatch League.
Overwatch League 2020 Authentic Jersey
Description
Show off your dedication to your favorite Overwatch League squad with this Florida Mayhem Authentic 2020 Home Jersey. For this specially-designed kit, Overwatch League turned to Jeff Staple, Founder and Creative Director of Staple Design, to merge the worlds of gaming and streetwear. The first uniform truly designed for eSports athletes, Jeff and the Staple creative team worked closely with the league and players to ensure they not only visually redefined the eSports kit, but also functionally, by incorporating technology and innovative features to enable peak player performance. Perfect for a real gamer like yourself, this jersey features bold team graphics that are perfect for showing your allegiance
Hey there! By now, I hope you've seen my earlier article concerning an overview of Gamestop's experimental revitalization and rebranding project in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known there as "Gamestop 2.0". If not, this can be found here. I'd highly recommend you give it a look if you want an overview of what marvelous things await the gaming and game merchandise company, and through their unveiling, the consumers. Additionally, check out my latest article prior to this for detailed information about my trip to the larger Gamestop 2.0 store.
The "Co-op" couch of the second location. Source: Gamestop (photo credit: Josh Nelson)
On two occasions during my adventure to Tulsa, I visited a specific Gamestop 2.0 that wasn't on the itinerary. This second location was unique to the others in that it was mostly based in selling collectibles and prided itself, above other things, on Funko Pop! figurines. This article will give a look at this second location.
A panoramic shot of the back end of the second location. Source: Gamestop (photo credit: Josh Nelson)
This store has all of the typical Gamestop amenities like video games and helpful, knowledgable staff who can assist on any of the things you need to inquire about as a Gamestop customer, but as mentioned above, they are a Gamestop 2.0 store, and so they have a particular focus. In addition to the one Co-op Couch they have towards the front end of the store, this Gamestop 2.0 has:
A lot of Funko Pop! figurines
Collectibles that aren't necessarily Pop!-related
Trading cards
The store really mostly markets all of the above, just magnified beyond what a typical Gamestop already has. Zach Shor, Head of Innovation with Gamestop and one of the big-name team members on the Gamestop 2.0 project in Tulsa, Oklahoma, said that this store is the model that's likely to be reworked the most.
Now, you may be wondering what that little display doo-dad is doing there centrally in the panoramic shot above. This is another feature that Gamestop 2.0's all possess – it's basically their version of an online kiosk. Dubbed "The Endless Aisle", it is designed to help customers find what they need at a certain store. I tried it out at the Retro model, and I'll get more into my thoughts on it when I discuss that.
Here's the biggest problem with this location: Location itself is everything, and most malls have at least one-to-two of these three things:
Hot Topic
BoxLunch
ThinkGeek
This store in the Woodland Hills Mall is competing against allthree. And, when you factor exactly what kind of merchandise these stores sell, you're talking about Funko Pop!s, gaming apparel, and neat game-related merchandise besides. And that's true for all three of these locations. Being that this Gamestop 2.0 is the "Collectibles" store model, this doesn't bode very well, even considering how ThinkGeek is part of Gamestop now.
ThinkGeek's awning, also in the Woodland Hills Mall. Source: Gamestop (photo credit: Josh Nelson)
Ultimately, this store could be a thriving one, if it were located somewhere with less competition. I'd be inclined, if it were up to me, to switch the "Collectibles" store model with the "Retro" model that I keep talking about, but that's just my opinion.
At any rate, it was still a pretty cool location and was quite fun to marvel at. But what do you think of this store model? Is it a tough sell for you, or could you see yourself buying exclusive collectibles here? Let us know!
If you'd like to visit Gamestop 2.0 at the Woodland Hills Mall, the address is: 7021 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74133
Gamestop has been a quintessential force in gaming retail. Famous for having a presence in almost every shopping mall and retail strip, and infamously joked about for providing heavily-diminished returns on trade-ins, people often say that Gamestop is on its last legs. However, despite anything that you may have heard, this could not be farther from the truth. This weekend, I went to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and in that very town, with facilitation from the company itself, I came across Gamestop's plans for "Gamestop 2.0", a complete revitalization of the retail chain.
Woodland Hills Mall's Gamestop store, just one of my stops this weekend. Source: Gamestop (photo credit: Josh Nelson)
The first store I went to, out of a total of four stores visited in Tulsa and the surrounding towns (which itself is out of thirteen stores as a grand total in the area), was their largest space in the highly-experimental rebranding test. Therein, I saw a massive space with a whopping 36 gaming monitors, "co-op" couches in front of massive television screens, and concessions in the back. They even had a community table where people were playing Dungeons & Dragons!
The first location – larger Social model! Source: Gamestop (photo credit: Josh Nelson)
But what's more, I saw people of various ages playing together. This to me was never something I would ever have considered for the Gamestop brand, and it's wonderful to see. And what made this even cooler was that this was only the beginning.
At the second location, which was nestled in the Woodland Hills shopping mall conveniently nearby my hotel, the Gamestop there, also part of the experiment, had and sold video games like the first and also had a co-op couch and screen, but they also had a major focus: Funko Pop! figurines and other collectibles.
The second location – Collectibles model! Source: Gamestop (photo credit: Josh Nelson)
This was neat to me because despite its immediate proximity to places like ThinkGeek, Hot Topic, and BoxLunch, I could imagine anyone looking for non-exclusive (or – let's face it – exclusives in equal measure) Pop! figures going there first above any of the aforementioned stores. This upheaval in strategy is novel of Gamestop, and I'm here for it!
That was all of Friday's fun. How grand! I could not wait to see what more lay in store for me as well as the other people invited to experience this amazing experiment firsthand.
On Saturday, I visited a smaller model store with similar specs to the first store visited. This store was equipped with twelve monitors, as opposed to 36, but virtually every other Gamestop 2.0 amenity was there. To top that off, space equaled what one might see of a typical Gamestop store as it stands now. That means there's more than just mere hope for this experiment to expand!
The third location – smaller Social model! Source: Gamestop (photo credit: Josh Nelson)
Finally, I visited a "retro" location, which was roughly an hour outside of Tulsa. This store boasts games from every generation of console from the original Nintendo Entertainment System onwards and has four CRT-televisions to play any number of these games on, in addition to the standard amenities that Gamestop 2.0 seems to offer (including the co-op couches and collectibles).
This entire experiment has untold potential behind it, and I'm more than eager to see what becomes of this project. In the coming parts of this massive feature, I'll be going over all the wonders of what I saw across each day this past weekend, and also detailing the hurdles that Gamestop faces at each store (and how they propose to face said hurdles).
But what do you think of the new store model types that Gamestop is testing out in Tulsa, Oklahoma? Do any of these particular models appeal to you as a consumer? Let us know!
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