If you’re new to one-piece figures and feel overwhelmed, this blog is the ideal starting point for your collection. We’ll help you decide what to collect and where to buy in Canada safely.
Understanding One Piece Figures: Types and Categories
Beginners often get confused by the various types and price ranges of One Piece Figures. To assist you in making wise decisions, this section breaks down the figure types and what determines their value.
Types and Categories
There are three main types of One Piece figures: Prize, Mid-Quality, and High-Scale.
Prize Figures
Prize Figures are the most accessible option for new collectors. They are mass-produced and low-cost, typically ranging between 20 and 60 CAD. The material used for these figures is PVC, and they generally measure 6 to 8 inches in height. Common brands that offer these figures include Banpresto, SEGA, and Furyu. These figures are perfect for beginners starting their collection. Consider this pro tip: Some Prize Figures have chase variants that increase in value over time.
Mid-quality Figures
Mid-quality figures are one step above the Prize Figures. Bandai officially licenses them. These figures are sold through retail channels rather than given as arcade prizes. The price of these figures ranges between 60 and 120 CAD. They are made from high-grade PVC and offer more detailed sculpting and painting. They are 7 to 9 inches tall. These are ideal for collectors seeking quality without the high-end price tag. The popular figures include Trafalgar Law, Roronoa Zoro, and Portgas D. Ace. These figures sell out quickly, so pre-order them.
High-scale Figures
High-scale figures are premium collectibles with incredible details. Their scale ratios often refer to these and are proportionally sized to the characters. The material used in these figures is high-quality PVC and ABS, and the price range is between 150 and 600 CAD. These figures have intricate craftsmanship, shading, and texture. Since many of these are limited editions, collectors will find them even more appealing. Figuarts Zero, Megahouse, and Kotobukiya are the leading brands for these figures. Serious collectors seeking extremely detailed figures should purchase these figures.
How to Determine a Figure’s Value
So, how do you determine whether a figure is worth its price? If the product belongs to a rare and exclusive edition, is in good condition, and is from a reputable brand, then such a One Piece Figure is worth buying. Do not just buy cheap; buy smart. To secure an exclusive edition, pre-order the rare figures and keep the boxes and accessories. Track the trend on MyFigureCollection.net to spot the rare figure in the market.
Why Collect One Piece Figures
In Canada, One Piece Figures are worth buying. However, building a One Piece collection has many benefits and challenges. There’s a strong One Piece figure community in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, where shops, meetups, and events exist. Canada has a growing market for One Piece figures.
Budget and planning your collection
Building a collection of One Piece Figures in Canada is a thrilling journey. Proper planning allows you to create a collection you will treasure for many years.
Set a budget
Setting a budget is essential in the One Piece Figure collection. This budget will help you spend smartly without overspending on shipping costs and taxes. The first step is calculating your budget and checking how much you can comfortably spend monthly. Annually, plan for one to two grail pieces. Grail pieces are highly sought-after pieces by collectors. Set aside a buffer fund for surprise pre-orders or rare deals. You can use accounts like EQ Bank for separate savings for figures.
Smart spending strategies
Pre-order the figures because many retailers like Toys Navito World Offer discounts to early buyers in Canada. Choose surface shipping for international orders to save 30–50% on costs. This will save you up to 30 to 50% on shipping, but delivery takes two to three months. Buy second-hand figures locally on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace to find good deals. Pro tip: Track trends on MyFigureCollection.net—prices often drop after resellers flood the market.
Long-term Collection Planning
Before buying figures, ask yourself what kind of collector you are. Whether you want Luffy or Straw Hat figures, you prioritize aesthetics and are an investor or a casual fan. For this, you can write the top three favorite characters to let you know your focus. Consider using proxy buying services to purchase rare Japanese figures unavailable in Canada. A proxy buyer is an intermediary that buys on behalf of the consumer. Set your long-term goal in one year, focused on prized figures and one to two mid-tier pieces. In two to three years, upgrade to high-end pieces and add one to two figures per year.
Avoid Financial Pitfall
To protect your investment and avoid any financial pitfall, keep all the original figures, boxes, and plastic inserts because these are critical for resale. Display your figures in UV-protected glass cases to prevent sun damage. Also, document complete sets with photos to maximize resale value. Watch for these signs that it may be time to pause your collecting. Be cautious if you’re buying out of FOMO or your budget is stretched.
Challenges You Can Face as a New Collector
Collecting One Piece Figures in Canada brings unique challenges to collectors. This section will discuss the challenges you face as a Canadian collector and how you can overcome them.
High shipping and import fees
Shipping One Piece Figures from Japan/USA is very costly. Per order often costs 20 to 60 CAD, and orders above 150 CAD can add 10-30 % tax. Surface emails take up to 3 months to arrive, and if you use DHL, this comes with a surprise cost. To reduce shipping costs, pre-order from Canadian retailers, and use premium surface mail, with a shipping fee of under 150$. You can order with your friends in a group so that the shipping cost will be distributed among all members.
Finding Authentic Figures
Many retailers in Canada unknowingly sell fake items. Amazon, eBay, and Kijiji are flooded with counterfeit products, so getting the original product is difficult. If sellers ever say it’s a Chinese product, it means the product is 100% fake. To avoid counterfeit products, buy products from trusted Canadian sources like Navito Toronto, Anime Extreme in Toronto, and 2-Dimensional Life in Calgary.
Winter shipping Risks
Extremely cold winters in Canada can make figures brittle and prone to cracking. To avoid this issue, request heat packs. Avoid ordering from sellers that store products in unheated warehouses. Do not order figures in extreme winter; order in September and October.
Best Starter One Piece Figures for Canadian Fans
These high-quality, easy-to-find figures in Canada will help you get the perfect beginner-friendly products.
- Banpresto Grandline Men Luffy
- Ichibasho Trafalgar Law Wano Ver.
- Sega, The amazing Luffy Gear 4
- Banpresto DFX Wano Zoro
- Nendoroids Monkey D. Luffy
- Banpresto Chopper Tony Tony Holiday Ver.
- Figuarts Zero Luffy Wano Battle Ver.
- Banpresto’s Portraits of Pirates WA Nami
- Ichibansho Portgas D Ace.
- Sega One Piece Dramatic showcase Luffy vs Kaido
Where can you buy a One Piece Figure in Canada?
Finding authentic One Piece Figures in Canada is a big challenge. This section will provide details of stores that sell genuine products.
Local stores
Here are trusted Canadian online stores that help you avoid customs duties.
- Anime Extreme Toronto, ON
- Navito World Toronto
- Toys2 Vancouver, BC
- Otaku Montreal Montreal , QC
- 2-Dimensional Life Calgary
Canadian Online retailers
These are the list of online stores that avoid customs duties.
- HobbyBee Ontario
- Suga Toys BC
- Amazon.ca
Avoid Amazon third-party sellers with stock photos.
International stores with good shipping in Canada?
Here is the list of Japanese Stores and US stores that offer the best prices and faster shipping.
AmiAmi
- HobbyLink Japan
- Crunchyroll store
- BigBad Toy Store
- RightStuffAnime
Choose surface mail premium, with no duties under CAD 150.
Second-hand Market
- Facebook Marketplace
- Kijiji
Be aware of scams and plan shopping very carefully to avoid them.
Conclusion
It is a thrilling adventure to collect One Piece Figures. You will acquire beginner-friendly, reasonably priced, and high-quality toys with the help of this guide. Knowing where to look for real One Piece Figures and how to avoid scams is now possible. You are prepared to embark on your One Piece Figure collecting adventure.
FAQs
What are the best starter figures for Canadians?
These are the best starter figures for Canadians.
- Banpresto Grandline Men Luffy
- Ichibasho Trafalgar Law Wano Ver.
- Sega, The amazing Luffy Gear 4
- Banpresto DFX Wano Zoro
- Nendoroids Monkey D. Luffy
When is the best time to buy figures in Canada?
In Canada, September to October is the best time to buy figures because they are more likely to break in extreme winter.
How can I protect my figures during extreme weather?
During extreme weather, request heat packs when you order. Place silica gel packs in display cases to reduce moisture and prevent mold.
Where can I sell my collection safely in Canada?
These are the best platforms to sell your collection safely in Canada.
- Facebook groups Anime Figures Canada BST is the most active