4 Reasons Why Funko Pops Are NOT Like Beanie Babies

4 Reasons Why Funko Pops Are NOT Like Beanie Babies

There are many people who continuously suggest that Funko Pops are exactly like Beanie Babies. While Beanie Babies were quite the craze in their day, they did not last all that long before becoming a forgettable fad. While there are certain similarities within how popular each collectible became, there are quite a few reasons why they aren’t at all the same. You can always find similarities within whatever popular craze is the current hot thing, but that doesn’t mean these things are really all that alike. Funko Pops are different from Beanie Babies for many reasons. While many people could argue against this point, I am here to explain to you why Funko Pops are not like Beanie Babies.

They Are Modeled After Pop Culture Characters

While Beanie Babies have recently begun creating more pop culture designs, their initial popularity was simply based on stuffed animals. Yes, Beanie Babies are still a thing and they really aren’t doing all that bad. They aren’t at the insane height of their popularity like they were some time ago, but they aren’t completely dead. What makes Funko Pops so much more capable of withstanding the fad phase, is the fact that they are initially modeled after pop culture character. They range from video game characters, to movie characters and all the way to our favorite cartoon Disney characters.

Funko Pops are not simply different zoo animals in cute fluffy little designs, instead they are designed to reach a larger audience. Funko Pops often bring in fans who weren’t initially collectors, simply because they want the cute little figure of their favorite character, actor or musician. This really creates a much larger fanbase, with some people who only purchase their absolute favorites instead of becoming avid collectors. The obsession is something that can continue to maintain value, simply for the fact that they have licenses with some of the most popular franchises. There are certainly franchises that will never die down, things like Disney and Star Wars have been around for a very long time and will continue to maintain that classic appeal for many years to come. Because of their connection with these incredible shows and movies, Funko can continue to draw in new fans without much effort on their part. Some people simply want to get as much merchandise for their favorite shows and movies as they possible can, and this is where Funko can sneak into their shelves. While this might not be enough to maintain Pops forever, it is certainly enough to disconnect them from the unfair Beanie Baby reference. There is something to be said about a collectible that can branch out and reach a larger group of fans who want more than just a stuffed animal.

Funko Knows How to Market

Funko is pretty great at hyping up their products in order to keep the excitement going. When things seem a bit dull, they come out with a fresh new line that everyone has been anticipating. They are also good at keeping rarity to certain Pops, or at least the illusion of rarity. Having Chase pops makes people more hyped and excited when they find something that not everyone else has. This continues to bring fans in and keeps them wanting to find the harder to acquire items, instead of always having something readily available to them. Trying to release limited edition items helps to keep the craze going strong, without having people feel like they are obtaining valueless items.

Funko also is connected with popular conventions like SDCC, NYCC and ECCC. Being connected with the comic conventions bring a whole new level of excitement to collecting Pops. These exclusive items become rare and extremely desirable to fans, and continues to keep the Pops out there and in the limelight. These sort of connections are what continues to make Funko a popular brand, and let’s face it Beanie Babies aren’t releasing limited edition stuffed toys specially made for conventions and comic book stores.

They Continue to Branch Out

While Funko has their popular Pops, they also have plenty of other items that they continue to branch out with. Funko has mystery minis, dorbz, and even keychains! They continue to try new things in order to bring in new customers, instead of just remaining stagnant. They don’t plan to just rest on what they have, which helps maintain a sense of demand for their branc.

Funko also continues to branch out with their Pop lines, recently releasing Pop Movie Moments. They will have a Pop that represents a specific moment from a film, with backgrounds and different props including in this design. This is just another factor that helps Funko keep their customers excited and anticipating what they will come up with next. They aren’t afraid to try new things, which helps keep their brand fresh instead of just the same old thing over and over again.

The Possibilities Are Endless

The great thing is with all of the different licensing opportunities Funko can continue to branch out and reach new customers. There are so many different Pop culture ideas that they can connect with, which gives them plenty of room for growth. Without much room for change they would likely become a fad like Beanie Babies, but Funko is well aware of how to continue to grow and move forward with their brand. Comparing them is like comparing Apples and Oranges, since Pops aren’t just stuffed toys but memorabilia which connects fans to their favorite past times. Being able to bring back memories and connect people with happier times in their lives, is a big reason why Funko Pops are nothing like Beanie Babies.

While I don’t predict that Pops will last forever, they certainly have much more staying power than a simple fad. They have a lot more brains and creativity backing them, and plenty of room for growth. Funko Pops are great collectibles which continue to bring fans together and connect them with some of their absolute favorite pop culture themes.