Action figures, funko fever and blind boxes: Dhaka's thriving pop culture collectibles market

A broad sword commands the high ground, flanked by three Batman masks that watch on like silent guardians before the clash. Below, Spider-Man hangs in the air mid-swing, body arched, fingers poised to shoot another web — caught in the split-second before momentum snaps him forward.

On one side, an entire gang of Dark Knights from the entire multiverse has assembled. Armoured, brooding, comic-bright, they are all there; they step into formation, capes sweeping in different directions as if whipped by the same rising wind. Their stances tighten, heads tilted in the same wary angle, ready for whatever breaks through the darkness.

On another side, Catwoman narrows her gaze; Poison Ivy leans forward with a predatory calm; Harley Quinn twists into a wild grin; Death of the Endless stands still, power humming in the quiet. Their energy sparks like the tense calm before a fight erupts.

And then an explosion of colour. The anime fighters burst into motion, leaping, striking, charging, each one captured in the heartbeat before impact, like the world has paused mid-battle just long enough to take in the chaos.

Taking a few steps back reveals the two tall cabinets bathed in white ambient light, which are hosting these moments of epic action frozen in time.

"As a long-time collector, I always look for figures with as much detail as possible. I like Superman caught mid-punch or mid-flight — poses that make a character feel alive," said Kazi M Noor, action figure collector.

"A good figure should tell a story the moment you look at it. Whether it's Batman standing beside other versions of himself or Spider-Man hanging upside down, the pose and detailing should draw you into their world," he added.

Kazi is also the co-founder of the Action Figure Collectors Association of Bangladesh (AFCAB), a Facebook community for pop culture enthusiasts who collect action figures, Funko Pops and other memorabilia from their favourite franchises.

"The community now has around 2,200 members," Noor said. "Since 2012, it's been a space where collectors share, trade, buy and sell figures. Many toy stores that once sold originals have shut down, so this group keeps the passion alive."

The obsession, he added, "often begins with just one figurine. Then you want to complete the set, showcase your interests, and express your personality."

Where it began

In the early 1990s, American shows such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and GI Joe were wildly popular among Bangladeshi children. Their action figures — among the only licenced ones available locally — were coveted treasures.

"He-Man was my favourite show," recalled Wasif Mohammad Noor, now the chief illustrator and product manager at Otibeguni. "During the ad breaks, they'd show commercials for the action figures. That was when I realised you could actually own these characters."

His first encounter with collecting came through an aunt visiting from Canada. Instead of the usual tubs of Vaseline, Yardley soaps and bags of chocolate, she brought something chosen especially for him: an "Alleyway Spider-Man".

"I was over the moon. I'd never owned anything like it," he said. His next figure — Raphael from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — came from his parents after a trip to China. From there, his collection grew steadily.

For many millennials, collecting was ingrained in childhood. Pokémon cards, Tazos, stickers, Hot Wheels, Beyblades, Duel Masters cards and yo-yos defined playtime in the '90s and early 2000s.

"Action figure collecting came later," Wasif said. "It's an expensive hobby, and it's usually adults who want to preserve part of their childhood who get into it."

His shelves eventually filled with Batman, Spider-Man, God of War, Tomb Raider and Alien vs Predator figurines. "At one point I had around 50. I sold a few later. For collectors, the older or rarer a figure, the more valuable it is — it's like an investment."

But finding originals in Dhaka was never easy.

"Most toy shops sold bootlegs. Only a handful stocked genuine imports," he said. "Around 2010–11, I started ordering from Amazon and eBay through third-party sellers. That's how I found other collectors and the AFCAB group."

A family legacy

For some, the hobby is a family inheritance. Shahriar Nabi Orchi, an active collector with around 200 action figures, was introduced to the world of He-Man and GI Joe by his father.

"My father was a big pop culture fan," he said. "He had his own collection — He-Man, Ghostbusters, Ninja Turtles. My first figure, a He-Man, was a gift from him in 1990."

As a child, Orchi and his father visited toy shops like Rojoni Gondha and Titash, among the few in Dhaka that sold original imports.

"In school in the late '90s, we'd sneak in video games and cassettes, swapping them to see who had something the rest of us didn't," he said. "Eventually that evolved into sneaking in action figures. We'd trade two He-Mans for one G.I. Joe, play with them for a few days, then swap back. It was always temporary, unlike today, when you can trade properly with collectors."

In school in the late '90s, we'd sneak in video games and cassettes, swapping them to see who had something the rest of us didn't. Eventually that evolved into sneaking in action figures. We'd trade two He-Mans for one GI Joe, play with them for a few days, then swap back. It was always temporary, unlike today, when you can trade properly with collectors.

Shahriar Nabi Orchi, Action Figure Collector

Funko fever

A new chapter began in the 2010s with the rise of Funko Pops. When the company launched its line of stylised bobbleheads in 2011, few expected the global frenzy that followed.

"I saw my first Funko Pop during a trip to the US in 2019," said Farhan Islam, executive director of Flora Limited. "I bought a 'Juggernaut of Dota'. Now I have over 3,000."

When he returned to Bangladesh, he found that major local suppliers like Knock and Toylet were closing. Spotting a gap, he opened his own store, Kiyaan's Kollectibles.

"My customers range from 15 to 45 years old. Kids come with their parents, and often the parents end up buying more than the kids," he laughed.

At his shop, rows of brightly boxed figurines line the shelves, each representing a fragment of someone's fandom. One customer, 26-year-old master's student Raisa Chowdhury, said she recently bought an Uncle Iroh Pop.

"It's a sweet way to remember watching Avatar: The Last Airbender with my friend. I bought one for myself and one for her."

According to Farhan, Dhaka's collectors gravitate towards characters from their childhood: Johnny Bravo, Dexter, the Powerpuff Girls, anime legends, musicians and athletes.

"Marvel and DC Pops don't sell as well as you'd think," he added.

Kazi agreed. "Old-school collectors prefer detailed action figures for Marvel and DC heroes. They'll only buy Funko Pops if the character is cute — I have a Groot, for example."

Despite the criticism that Funko Pops look "silly", Farhan is unfazed. "I love them. I collect mythology characters, gaming icons and rare variants — like my light blue ghostly Godzilla."

The new mystery craze

A newer wave of collectors has embraced Popmart, a brand whose entire allure lies in mystery. Their "blind boxes" conceal which character you have bought until it is opened — a mix of game and gamble.

"Whenever I travel, I pick up a Popmart," said Samia Ahmed, a client executive at a local marketing firm. "It's like a souvenir. I have two Skullpandas, one Stitch and one Hirono."

For many, the appeal lies in the thrill of chance. "People keep buying boxes until they get the character they want," explained pop culture enthusiast Anila Sadi. "It's expensive, but the detailing is good, and they hold resale value."

Not everyone is sold, though. "Popmarts seem a bit silly," Farhan said. "They appeal more to the new generation. They don't connect emotionally with my interests."

Collectables as investment

Across generations, collectors agree on one thing: these items carry value — emotional and financial.

"I once sold my Heisenberg figure from Breaking Bad at a much higher price when the show was trending," Kazi said.

Rarity drives the market, Orchi added. "Figures can range from Tk1,500 to Tk90,000 or more. The more lifelike the sculpt, the higher the demand."

He noted that the original GI Joe figures — once available for Tk50 — are now worth around Tk500 loose, while boxed ones can fetch Tk3,000.