Nendoroid - Chibi Action Figures

Nendoroids are small action figures (collectible dolls) popular in Japan. They are usually based on characters from anime, video games, or manga. In this article we will talk all about these Chibi figures.

Nendoroids are part of those 8 or 80 types of products, while there is a very large group that buy them frequently and even hope to announce a new nendoroid, others find them boring and expendable in the collection.

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What are Nendoroids?

These Japanese Action Figures usually have a head, are articulated, customizable and have a height of up to 10cm. They are usually officially manufactured by the Goodsmile Company since 2006.

A single Action Figure can have over 40 interchangeable parts, many are handcrafted and some are limited in number, making them perfect for collection and product enhancement.

The Nendoroid brand covers a variety of different products such as characters from anime, games, manga, movies, vocaloid, people and other successful characters. There are dozens of brands that try to imitate the original Nendoroids.

Similar products include "chibi-arts" by Bandai and "Works Works Collection Nintendo" by Toys Works (now Chara-ani). Not to mention the hundreds of similar products of Chinese origin.

One of its main advantages is its low price compared to "figma", its very detailed quality and its size which helps to save space.

What does Nendoroid mean?

The name "nendoroido" [ねんどろいど] was defined by the manufacturer, but we can identify the word "doroido" [ドロイド] which derives from the English "droid" and means something like robot or android.

Its beginning "nen" derives from the Japanese word "nendo" [粘土] which means clay, due to the resemblance in which the dolls are shaped. The ideogram "nen" [念] also expresses desire, something that everyone feels when seeing these Action Figures.

The name came about due to the project's sculptors, who were nicknamed "Nendorones", a compound word meaning "monsters that lay Action Figure eggs".

In Japanese, his name can be abbreviated to "nendoro" [ねんどろ].

The Origin and History of the Nendoroid

The company in charge Good Smile Company was originally a talent agency, but as such a deal didn't pan out, the company made Action Figures with the help of Max Factory.

It all came about with a mysterious group that released in 2006 at the Wonder Festival an Action Figure Chibi of the character called "Neko Ark" from the game "Tsukihime".

The company stands out for its polish, molding and variety of accessories to add and modify. More than 100 item types were created as of July 2010 and over 1000 item types as of 2019.

The Nendoroid series has already surpassed 1 million and the Nendoroid Petit series has more than 3 million. Most of the action figures made, can move their limbs and change accessories, also change their facial expressions.

Some of the accessories can be equipped with figma, released by Max Factory, an affiliated company, and the cooperation between the two is informal.

Nendoroid types

The common nendoroid figures are 10cm tall, with most of them having customizable arms, legs, and articulated necks. They usually cost around 3000 to 5000 yen in Japan. Below we will see different types of nendoroid:

• Nendoroid Petite – They are smaller figures with about 6.5 cm in height;
• Nendoroid More – These are alternative sets with extra parts and clip and suction supports;
• Nendoroid Plus – Different nendoroid shapes besides figures, such as plushies, key chains, etc;
• Nendoroid co-de – They are figures that allow you to remove their parts such as hair and clothes;

Alternatives to Nendoroid

Of course, other companies won't let Goodsmile take advantage of this idea. Several other companies make chibi-style figures in size 10cm or smaller to compete with nendoroids.

Be careful not to buy a low quality figure from another company. There is a huge difference in quality between Goodsmile brand figures and other generic ones from China.

Funko POP - Bigger than Chibi

Another alternative to Nendoroid are the Funko POP which have a rounded big head resembling a tube television. There are hundreds of Funko POP characters from different series and anime, and they can be easily acquired in Brazil.

Funko is an American company that produces licensed pop culture collectibles. Funko is renowned for making licensed vinyl figures and bobbleheads. In addition to licensed electronics and plush items.

Maybe it's an alternative to buy a Funko POP instead of an original Nendoroid. Its price can also be high, ranging from 40 to 40 USD. I think some are cute, while others are terrifying.

Finally, have fun with a video that has an interview with an employee of the Goodsmile Company and shows how they are manufactured (the video refers to the manufacture of Black Rock Shooter).

List of Nendoroid Released

See below the first 100 Nendoroids released, which today are probably the most valuable and the most expensive for their rarity. I hope you enjoyed the article, if you liked it share and leave your comments.

0	Neko Arc: Convert! Grumbling Face Edition	Neco-Arc	2006-02
1	Neko Arc: Convert! Mysterious Jet Flight Edition	Neco-Arc	2007-10
2	Lazy Saber: Limited ver.	Fate/stay night	2006-07
3	Lazy Saber	Fate/stay night	2007-11
4	Mesousa	Pani Poni Dash!	2006-12
5	Yasagure Rin	Fate/stay night	2008-01
6	Ouka-chan: Air Battle Equipment ver.	Ouka-chan	2007-05
7	Kuwagata Tsumami & Joshi-chan	Kuwagata Tsumami	2007-04
8	Ouka-chan: Assault Equipment ver.	Ouka-chan	2007-06
9	Haruhi Suzumiya	Haruhi Suzumiya (series)	2008-08
10	Yuki Nagato	Haruhi Suzumiya (series)	2008-02
11	Ryuk	Death Note	2008-04
12	Light Yagami	Death Note	2008-04
13	Hetare Saber Alter	Fate/stay night	2007-11
14	Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Bunny Girl Set	Haruhi Suzumiya (series)	2007-11
15	Tachikoma	Ghost in The Shell	2011-08
16	Mikuru Asahina	Haruhi Suzumiya (series)	2007-09
17	L	Death Note	2008-04
18	Misa Amane	Death Note	2007-09
19	Lazy Sakura	Fate/hollow ataraxia	2007-10
20	Binchou-tan	Binchou-tan	2007-11
21	Bicycling Rider	Fate/hollow ataraxia	2007-11
22	Tachikomans: Yellow Ver.	Ghost in The Shell	2011-08
23	Tachikomans: Silver Ver.	Ghost in The Shell	2011-08
24	Nao	Mabinogi	2007-12
25	Kotona Elegance	Zoids Genesis	2007-12
26	Rei Mii	Zoids Genesis	2008-02
27	Izumi Konata: Comptiq Ver.	Lucky Star	2008-04
28	Hiiragi Kagami: Comptiq Ver.	Lucky Star	2008-04
29	Al Azif	Zanmataisei Demonbane	2008-02
30	Light Yagami: Santa Ver.	Death Note	2007-12
31	L: Reindeer Ver.	Death Note	2007-12
32	Tsuruya-san	Haruhi Suzumiya (series)	2008-04
33	Hatsune Miku	Hatsune Miku	2010-10
34	Lucky Star: Fate Cosplay Set	Lucky Star	2008-02
35	Joy Max	Joy Max	2008-02
36	Melissa Seraphy	Wagamama Capriccio	2008-07
37	Pastel Ink	Moetan	2008-08
38	Ryofuko: OVA Ver.	Yawaraka Sangokushi Tsukisase!! Ryofuko-chan	2007-08
39	Kagamine Rin	Kagamine Rin	2013-07
40	Kagamine Len	Kagamine Len	2013-07
41	Melissa Seraphy: Devil Ver.	Chu x Chu Idol	2008-08
42	Miku Hatsune: Hachune Face Ver.	Hatsune Miku	2013-01
43	Gatchapin Mk. 1	Kagaku Ninja-tai Gatchaman	2008-08
44	Ryoko Asakura and Extra Parts Set	Haruhi Suzumiya (series)	2008-09
45	Neuro Nougami	Nougami Neuro	2008-11
46	Yako Katsuragi	Nougami Neuro	2008-11
47	Shana: Burning Hair and Eyes ver.	Shakugan no Shana	2008-11
48	Sakura Nankyoku	Penguin Musume	2008-12
49	Exelica	Triggerheart Exelica	2009-03
50	Saber Lion	Fate/stay night	2012-11
51	Yui	Koharubiyori	2008-12
52	Kyouka Midarezaki	Kyouran Kazoku Nikki	2009-01
53	Yoko	Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann	2009-02
54	Tsukasa Hiiragi: Normal ver.	Lucky Star	2009-03
55	Miyuki Takara: Normal ver.	Lucky Star	2009-03
56	Pixel Maritan: Mission Complete! Battle Preparations ver.	Magical Marine Pixel Maritan	2009-03
57	Yoshika Miyafuji	Strike Witches	2009-03
58	Kaito	Kaito	2013-07
59	Nozomu Itoshiki	Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei	2009-03
60	Rin Kokonoe	Kodomo no Jikan	2009-04
61	Louise	Zero no Tsukaima	2012-05
62	MikkuMiku Kagami	Lucky Star	2009-05
63	Kureha	Shining Wind	2009-05
64	Nagi	Kannagi	2009-05
65	Imoko Shishido Maidroid ver.	Sora wo Kakeru Shoujo	2009-06
66	Priecia	Prisim Ark	2009-07
67	Professor Leonardo	Himitsukessha Taka no Tsume	2009-08
68	Sebastian Michaelis	Kuroshitsuji	2010-09
69	Zange	Kannagi	2009-07
70	On-chan	On-chan	2011-07
71	Usakottsu	Tentai Senshi Sunred	2009-09
72	Otome Asakura	Da Capo (series)	2009-06
73	Nao: Staccato ver.	Mabinogi	2009-11
74	Reimu Hakurei	Touhou Project	2011-06
75	Hatsune Miku Racing Queen ver.	Hatsune Miku	2009-10
76	Riannon	Tears To Tiara	2009-10
77	Saber Lily	Fate/stay night	2012-10
78	Raspberyl	Disgaea	2009-10
79	Arawn	Tears To Tiara	2009-10
80	Yume Asakura	Da Capo (series)	2009-11
81	Drossel	Fireball	2009-12
82	Mio Akiyama	K-On!	2010-09
83	Churuya-san	Haruhi Suzumiya (series)	2009-12
84	Shiki Ryougi	Kara no Kyoukai	2009-11
85	Kuro Kagami	Kodomo no Jikan	2009-12
86	Yui Hirasawa	K-On!	2010-09
87	Canaan	Canaan	2009-12
88	Chiaki Minami	Minami-ke	2013-06
89	Theia	Lucent Heart	2009-12
90	Alphard	Canaan	2010-01
91	Ein	Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom	2010-01
92	Marisa Kirisame	Touhou Project	2011-06
93	Megurine Luka	Megurine Luka	2013-07
94	Ritsu Tainaka	K-On!	2011-10
95	Nanoha Takamachi: The MOVIE 1st Ver.	Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha	2010-02
96	Jiei-tan	Magical Marine Pixel Maritan	2010-03
97	Snow Miku	Hatsune Miku	2010-02
98	Mimi Usa	Kodomo no Jikan	2010-03
99	Fate Testarossa: The MOVIE 1st Ver.	Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha	2010-03
100	Mickey Mouse	Disney	2018-09