Funko's Hikari Japanese Vinyl Made in China?!?

via Datadub

Ok, had the night to think things over and deleted our initial response with this new info regarding Funko's Hikari Japanese Vinyl figure line. The picture above is from Datadub who attended the Tokyo Toy Show. Datadub is highly respected in the Kaiju / Sofubi world. After reading through more comments from various collectors of Japanese Vinyl things are a bit clearer and not as confusing.

First reaction is WTF? We've been lied to? They are calling these Japanese Vinyl but are made in CHINA?!? One person that commented on instagram initially re-posted this (which has now been deleted) and Brian Flynn of Super7 commented that Funko had imported Japanese Vinyl but are getting them made at Funko's China Factory where they get all their stuff produced.

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So now that they are made in China.... Quality of the figures? You may have imported Japanese Vinyl but will the quality of the vinyl be just as good as if it was produced in Japan and will the paint be hit or miss just like the POP! Vinyl Figures? Remember these are expensive collectible toys and not $10 POP!. People are paying $35, $50 or higher to get their hands on these licensed figures. Time will tell on how the QC fairs on these. If the paint apps are shitty, Funko won't hear the end if it.

We were huge supporters of this line but now we're glad we didn't pre-order any. Hopefully we'll get to see one in person at SDCC to judge for ourselves. Pictures don't mean anything until you see and hold one in person.

So basically this is Japanese Vinyl inspired by Japanese Vinyl but Made in China. They should've re-worded it as Hikari Soft Vinyl, Made in China & Inspired by Japanese Vinyl. This would've made more sense.

Still a bit shocked and sad at this info but glad that Datadub posted the picture. It was gonna happen sooner or later once the products starts arriving into collector's hands.