Nendoroid – Chibi Action figures

Nendoroids are small action figures (collectible dolls) popular in Japan. They are generally 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 types of products that are either loved or hated; while there is a very large group that buys them frequently and even hopes for a new nendoroid announcement, others find them boring and dispensable in their collection.

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What are Nendoroids?

These Japanese Action Figures usually have a big head, are articulated, customizable, and have a height of up to 10cm. They have generally been officially manufactured by Good Smile Company since 2006.

A single Action Figure can have more than 40 interchangeable pieces, many are handmade, and some have a limited number, making them perfect pieces for collection and product appreciation.

The Nendoroid brand encompasses 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” from Bandai, and “Works Works Collection Nintendo” from Toys Works (now Chara-ani). Not to mention the hundreds of similar products of Chinese origin.

One of their main advantages is their low price compared to “figma,” their well-detailed quality, and their size that helps 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 similarity in how the dolls are molded. The ideogram “nen” [念] also expresses desire, something that everyone feels when seeing these Action Figures.

The name came about due to the sculptors of the project, who were nicknamed “Nendorones,” a compound word that means “monsters that lay Action Figure eggs.”

In Japanese, its name can be abbreviated to “nendoro” [ねんどろ].

The Origin and History of Nendoroids

The company responsible, Good Smile Company, was originally a talent agency, but as that business did not work out well, the company made Action Figures with the help of Max Factory.

It all started with a mysterious group that released a Chibi Action Figure of a character called “Neko Ark” from the game “Tsukihime” at the Wonder Festival in 2006.

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

The Nendoroid series has already surpassed 1 million, and the Nendoroid Petit series has more than 3 million. A large part of the action figures made can move their limbs and change accessories, as well as swap their facial expressions.

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

Types of Nendoroids

The common nendoroids are 10cm tall, most of which have customizable arms and legs and articulated necks. They cost on average about 3000 to 5000 yen in Japan. Below we will see different types of nendoroids:

• Nendoroid Petite – These are smaller figures about 6.5cm tall;
• Nendoroid More – These are alternative sets with extra pieces and clip and suction supports;
• Nendoroid Plus – Different forms of nendoroid beyond figures, such as plushies, keychains, etc.;
• Nendoroid co-de – These are figures that allow you to remove their parts like hair and clothing;

Alternatives to Nendoroids

Of course, other companies will not let Good Smile take advantage of this idea. Several other companies make figures in the chibi style at 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 figures from the Good Smile brand and other generic ones from China.

Funko POP – More big-headed than Chibi

Another alternative to Nendoroids is Funko POP which have a rounded big head resembling a tube television. There are hundreds of Funko POP characters from different series and animes, and they can be easily purchased in Brazil.

Funko is an American company that produces licensed collectible items from pop culture. Funko is renowned for manufacturing licensed vinyl figures and bobbleheads, as well as licensed electronic items and plushies.

Perhaps it is an alternative to buy a Funko POP instead of an original Nendoroid. Its price can also be high, ranging from 40 to 200 reais. I find some cute, while others are horrifying.

To finish, enjoy a video that features an interview with an employee of Good Smile Company and shows how they are made (the video refers to the manufacturing of Black Rock Shooter).

List of Released Nendoroids

See below the first 100 Nendoroids released, which today are probably the most valuable and the most expensive due to their rarity. I hope you enjoyed the article; if you did, share it 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