Action figures will always be a fundamental staple in the world of toys. If you’re one of those people who defensively insist that action figures aren’t toys, well okay, whatever. They ARE toys. And if you keep them in mint condition, they can become extremely valuable collectables.
Personally, I firmly believe that toys are meant to be played with, and therefore unpackaged (GASP). That being said, I refuse to open Pez dispensers. I’m not a hardcore collector or anything, but I think it’s a cool concept and I really dislike the taste of Pez candies….
Does Brianna have a point? Hm.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were the first action figures I was exposed to as a kid. My brother and sister were hardcore fans, so naturally we had all the toys. It might have been because they were muscular turtles (or maybe simply because they weren’t my sister’s Barbies) but these guys fascinated me. They were so life-like… to the point where I didn’t even play with them. One Raphael action figure talked to me on several occasions, I swear. Not even joking. So yeah, “playing” with Ninja Turtles meant getting them out and looking at them, observing them. I’m pretty sure those darn things were (and continue to be) living, breathing creatures, but that’s a discussion for another day.
According to Toy Time! by Christopher Byrne, Ninja Turtles had a falling out in the early 90s and were only just revived in 2012 when Nickelodeon launched the horrifically animated remake. I read that and thought, wait. What. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. THAT’S A LIE.
I mean, the Turtles have become part of pop culture, something the young people think is “cool” (even though they have little to no knowledge of the subject). But for me, they’ve always been present as well as relevant. Not that I’m an expert, but ya know. It’s like, they shaped the decade or something. Ever met someone who thinks they’re dumb? No. Of course not. What kind of monster could hate on mutated turtles who talk like surfers, eat pizza, and use martial arts to kick butt? You still see them everywhere – t-shirts, toys, school supplies, you name it.
Sure, the original TV show isn’t on anymore. They’re not as popular as they once were, but that doesn’t mean everyone forgot about them.
They are still loved.
So COWABUNGA, DUDE.