Best Anime Figures to Collect in 2026 (17 Must-Haves)
Ask any collector and they will tell you: the best anime figures are the ones that make you stop mid-scroll and mutter "I need that on my shelf." Whether you are chasing a 1/7 scale statue of your favourite shonen MC or a chibi prize figure to guard your desk, 2026 is a ridiculously good year to start (or feed) the habit. From Gojo's Infinity to Gear-era One Piece energy, this guide rounds up 17 must-have picks across shonen, seinen, isekai and Vocaloid — every one of them a genuine display piece and, honestly, a killer gift for the anime fan in your life.
We picked across price tiers and fandoms so there is something here whether you are a first-time buyer or a shelf-deep veteran. Browse the full range in our anime figures collection, and if you want the wider present-hunting map, start with our ultimate anime gift guide. Now, the picks.
Gojo Satoru 30cm — The Strongest Sorcerer Owns Any Shelf
If you only buy one figure this year, let it be the man who could end most anime by lunchtime. This 30cm Gojo Satoru statue nails the effortless, hands-in-pockets swagger that made him the poster boy for modern shonen, blindfold and all. At a shade under $35 for that height it is one of the best value-to-hype ratios on this list, and it slots perfectly next to the rest of our Jujutsu Kaisen merch. For a JJK fan, unwrapping the strongest sorcerer is an instant win.
Dragon Ball Goku — The Original Power-Scaling King
Before power-scaling was a Reddit sport, there was Goku. This premium Dragon Ball statue is the centrepiece splurge of the list at $89.99, and it earns the price with dynamic sculpting that captures that mid-Kamehameha intensity every Z fan grew up imitating in the mirror. It is the kind of piece that anchors a whole shelf, and for the friend who has watched Goku go from carefree kid to universe-saving Saiyan, it is the definition of a bucket-list figure.
Berserk Guts — Dark Fantasy's Heaviest Sword
Seinen fans, this one is for you. Guts, the Black Swordsman, hauling the absurd Dragonslayer, is the emotional core of Berserk and one of the most iconic silhouettes in all of manga. This figure leans into the grim, battle-worn atmosphere Miura made legendary, and at $88.99 it is a statement piece for anyone who treats Berserk as sacred text. Pair it with Guts' brooding intensity and it becomes the darkest, most striking figure on any shelf.
Solo Leveling Sung Jinwoo 21cm — The Shadow Monarch Arrives
Solo Leveling went from webtoon obsession to one of the biggest anime breakouts of the decade, and Sung Jinwoo's arc from weakest hunter to Shadow Monarch is peak wish-fulfilment power fantasy. This 21cm PVC statue captures that "arise" energy perfectly, and at $34.99 it is an easy yes for anyone who binged the adaptation. If your gift target has spent the last year yelling about system windows and shadow armies, this is the pick.
Attack on Titan Levi Ackerman — Humanity's Strongest Soldier
Captain Levi is the fan-favourite the entire fandom agreed on, and this figure gives you humanity's strongest soldier mid-ODM-gear elegance. At $39.99 it is a mid-tier sweet spot: detailed enough to impress, affordable enough to gift without a second thought. Anyone who screamed through the basement reveal or the Shiganshina arc will recognise every strap and blade instantly. It looks especially sharp displayed beside its Mikasa counterpart below.
Attack on Titan Mikasa Ackerman — Loyalty With a Blade
Where there is Levi, there should be Mikasa. Scarf on, blades out, she is one of the most capable fighters in the Survey Corps and the emotional anchor of the whole series. This $39.99 figure is a natural companion buy — two Ackermans holding down one corner of the shelf — and a thoughtful gift for the Attack on Titan diehard who quotes the ending at every opportunity. Together they make a display, not just a purchase.
Naruto Uzumaki — The Knucklehead Who Became Hokage
No shelf of the best anime figures is complete without the ramen-loving ninja who defined a generation's shonen. At 27cm and $59.99, this Naruto Uzumaki figure has the presence to headline a collection, capturing the boundless energy that carried him from village outcast to Seventh Hokage. For the fan who grew up doing the run and arguing about Talk-no-Jutsu, this is nostalgia you can put on a stand.
Itachi Uchiha — The Tragic Genius
Ask the fandom for the most heartbreaking character in Naruto and Itachi wins in a landslide. Akatsuki cloak, Sharingan blazing, the older Uchiha brother is the archetypal tragic genius, and this $54.99 figure carries that quiet menace beautifully. It pairs perfectly with the Uzumaki pick above for anyone building out a Hidden Leaf shelf — browse the rest of our Naruto merch to complete the roster.
Chainsaw Man Makima — Control at Its Most Terrifying
Makima is the character everyone loves to fear, and Chainsaw Man's cultural takeover made her one of the most requested figures of the modern seinen wave. This $64.99 piece captures that calm, unsettling composure — the Control Devil who never has to raise her voice. It is a premium display for anyone who fell hard for Fujimoto's chaos, and a conversation starter the moment a fellow fan spots it on your shelf.
Ryomen Sukuna — The King of Curses
Every hero needs a villain, and Gojo's shelf-mate is right here. Sukuna, the King of Curses, brings the menace that made the Shibuya arc unforgettable, and at $37.99 this figure is a must for any serious JJK collector. Display him opposite Gojo and you have recreated the fandom's favourite rivalry in miniature — the strongest sorcerer versus the strongest curse, staring each other down across your desk.
Demon Slayer Tanjiro & Nezuko Set — Two for the Price of One
The heart of Demon Slayer is the bond between Tanjiro and his demon-turned-protector sister Nezuko, and this set gives you both for just $27.99 — comfortably the best budget pick on the list. It is the ideal entry figure for a newer fan or a younger collector, capturing the warmth that balances all that Hashira-level bloodshed. Two beloved characters, one gift box, zero regret.
My Hero Academia Deku — Plus Ultra in PVC
Izuku Midoriya went from Quirkless underdog to the successor of One For All, and Deku's grit is exactly the kind of shonen heart that keeps My Hero Academia on everyone's rewatch list. This $49.99 figure captures a mid-Detroit-Smash surge of green lightning that looks fantastic in motion on a shelf. For the UA fan who still yells "Plus Ultra," it is the obvious pick.
Tokyo Ghoul Kaneki — The Descent Into the Dark
White hair, black nails, that thousand-yard stare — Kaneki's transformation is one of the most iconic character descents in seinen, and this $27.99 figure bottles the eerie calm that made Tokyo Ghoul a modern classic. It is a brilliant budget centrepiece for fans of darker, psychological anime, and it slots neatly alongside Guts and Makima for a shelf that leans moody and menacing.
Evangelion Asuka Langley — The Second Child
Few series carry the cult prestige of Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Asuka in her red plugsuit is one of anime's most enduring icons. This $49.99 figure is a love letter to a franchise that reshaped the medium, and a serious flex for any collector who appreciates the classics. For the fan who has opinions about the End of Evangelion, this is a gift that says you get it.
Frieren Noodle Stopper — Chill Fantasy for Your Desk
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End was the quiet masterpiece that swept 2024, and this noodle-stopper figure is pure charm — the elf mage designed to perch on the rim of your instant ramen cup. At $27.99 it is playful, affordable, and endlessly giftable, especially for the fan who loved the show's melancholy, slow-burn take on fantasy. It is proof that the best anime figures do not always need to be the biggest ones.
Hatsune Miku — The Virtual Diva
Not strictly from a single anime, but no otaku shelf is truly complete without the teal twin-tailed queen of Vocaloid. Hatsune Miku is a full-blown cultural phenomenon — concerts, games, endless fan art — and at just $24.99 this figure is the most accessible pick on the list. For the friend whose playlist is 40% Vocaloid, it is a near-guaranteed smile.
Portgas D. Ace 14cm — Ace of Spades
One Piece fans, brace yourselves — because Fire Fist Ace still hurts. Luffy's sworn brother and one of the most beloved characters in the whole Grand Line saga, Ace gets a compact 14cm tribute here at $29.99. It is the perfect size to slip onto a crowded shelf, and an emotional must-have for anyone who has watched the Marineford arc and still is not over it. Whitebeard would be proud.
How to Build a Collection of the Best Anime Figures
Starting out? Mix scales and price points. Anchor your shelf with one hero piece — a Goku or a Guts — then fill in with mid-tier picks like Levi and Deku and budget gems like the Tanjiro and Nezuko set. Group by series (all your Jujutsu Kaisen figures together, your Attack on Titan pair side by side) so rivalries and duos read as intentional displays rather than random clutter. Keep them out of direct sunlight to protect the paint, dust them gently, and rotate your front row when a new season drops.
If you are curious about the specific category these collectibles belong to — the detailed, often character-driven statues that dominate the hobby — the bishōjo figure entry on Wikipedia is a great primer on how this style of collecting evolved. And when you are ready to add to the shelf, the full anime figures collection is where every pick above lives.
Want to go deeper on a single franchise? Read our Jujutsu Kaisen gifts guide, Naruto gifts guide, Demon Slayer gifts guide or One Piece merch guide. Prefer something softer? Our best anime plushies guide has the huggable alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best anime figures for a beginner collector?
Start with a character you genuinely love from a series you have finished. Budget-friendly picks like the Demon Slayer Tanjiro and Nezuko set ($27.99) or the Frieren noodle stopper ($27.99) are great first figures, while the Gojo 30cm statue offers big presence for around $35.
What material are anime figures usually made from?
Most collectible anime figures are made from PVC and ABS plastic, with some higher-end statues using resin. These materials hold fine sculpted detail and paint well, which is why they dominate the hobby.
Are these figures good gifts for anime fans?
Absolutely. A figure of a fan's favourite character is one of the most personal anime gifts you can give, because it shows you know exactly which series and character they are obsessed with.
How do I keep my anime figures in good condition?
Keep them out of direct sunlight to prevent paint fading, dust them regularly with a soft brush, and display them on a stable shelf away from high-traffic areas so they are not knocked over.
Do anime figures come with a display base?
Many dynamic-pose figures include a base for stability, though it varies by product. Check the individual product page for each figure's specific details before you buy.