If you’ve ever been part of a fandom, you already know how intense fandoms can get when it comes to merchandise. If the items are part of a limited-edition collection or the number of fans is quite large, the merch will probably fly off the shelves in as little as a couple of hours after its release. One of the most emblematic brands for fans from all over the world is Funko, whose licensed pop culture collectibles have become staples. The vinyl figurines are particularly well-known, with some people having collections of several hundred items.
The record for the largest collection belongs to Paul Scardino from Stephens City, Virginia, who has more than 8,000 items, most of which are outside of their boxes and are displayed in Scardino’s home. This is important because whether the figurines should be kept in their boxes or not remains a point of contention among Funko lovers. While some believe that the boxes shouldn’t be opened because you might want to resell the statuettes someday, and doing so would decrease their value, others consider m this to be wasteful and say that taking them out of the box is what gives them life and character as well as allowing you to enjoy them as part of your fandom experience.
If you’re in the process of building your own collection, here are some of the releases that may interest you this year.
Naruto
As one of the most popular manga and anime series of all times, Naruto's popularity has never waned, making it just as relevant to new fans as it is to those who have followed the story since 1999. The Naruto Funko collection has recently added a few new and exclusive figurines of a couple Uchiha clan representatives, namely Edo Itachi, Madara with his Susanoo, and Sasuke from Sasuke’s Paw Encyclopedia. Karin in her Akatsuki cloak, Naruto with shuriken and kunai, Lion First Hinata, Shippuden Sakura, and Itachi with Third Stage Sharingan are all available as well.
Sabrina Carpenter
Pop artist Sabrina Carpenter released her sixth studio album, “Short n’ Sweet,” in August 2023, followed by a deluxe edition on Valentine’s Day 2025 to positive critics’ reviews and much love and hype from the fans. The album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, produced three top Hot 100 singles, and earned two Grammy Awards for the artist. Funko doesn’t only make statuettes of fictional characters, but of legendary musicians as well, and fans can now pre-order the Sabrina vinyl figure donning a blue nightgown to add a bit of charm and style to your collection.
Star Trek
Few fandoms are as enduring as Star Trek. The first fanfiction and first fan cons started here, and in fact, a lot of the fandom-specific terms, such as Mary Sue, originated with the Star Trek fandom. Although it dates back to the late '60s, the Star Trek crowd is still going strong and, as a result, can expect several new Funko Pops this year. Three characters, namely James T. Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard, and William T. Riker, are getting figurines, but they’re not the standard models. The characters are depicted atop transporter platforms as they are beamed to a different world. The collectible features a unique glitter fill that will stand out in your collection.
Disney
Disney is another huge fandom with a very large following. People of all ages are part of the group, with the younger ones discovering the iconic characters for the first time in their lives, while adults are drawn by the inherent nostalgia. Kim Possible fans will receive a treat this year, so if you’re one of them and you didn’t get a chance to grab these items before, now is the time to do it. Kim, Shego, as well as Ron and Rufus will be getting their own vinyl figures. If you want to go the extra mile, you can also get the exclusive glow-in-the-dark Shego statue. Keychains will also be available so that you can bring your fandom along with you on a daily basis.
The Star Wars fandom, known for the huge and varied amount of merch associated with it, will also be glad to learn that a die-cast Yoda will be released as well, but fans should know that the item is final sale and a bit pricier than the typical vinyl figure.
House of the Dragon
Game of Thrones is, without a doubt, the biggest show in the world, attracting millions of viewers for each episode during its original run. Even people who have never watched Game of Thrones have a rough idea of the plot and its characters, so it was no surprise that its ongoing prequel, House of the Dragon, became incredibly popular as well. In honor of the third season’s release (estimated to occur in 2026 at the earliest), several Funko Pops will become available soon. The characters included are Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon with Dark Sister, one of the ancestral Valyrian steel longswords belonging to House Targaryen, Alicent Hightower in her teal cloak, Mysaria, and Alys Rivers. A larger Funko, known as a Super Pop, of the dragon Vermax will also be part of the lineup.
Winx Club
Winx Club is another fan favorite that people have been loving for generations. The beautiful designs, fairly complex worldbuilding, and varied cast of characters made the animated series a staple for the teens that were coming of age in the early 2000s. Three fairy warriors will come to your collection this year, Bloom, Stella, and Flora, a truly enchanting addition to any animation lineup.
Jujutsu Kaisen
The success story of Jujutsu Kaisen is the result of the combination of stellar animation, incredible fight choreography, and likable characters. The risks the plot is willing to take and the overall darker tone gave it an edge over other popular anime series, and it worked because the fans absolutely love the series. Several unique pops will become available to order in the upcoming months. One of them is the Satoru Gojo Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue vinyl, but there’s also Megumi Fushiguro with rabbits, Ryomen Sukuna with the Fire Arrow, Divergent Fist Yuji Itadori, and Nobara Kugisaki.
If you’re a superfan and have been involved in fandom spaces for years, you know how challenging it can be to grab good merch before it’s sold out. As Funkos are among the most popular items in every fandom, make sure to get your figurines quickly if any of these characters is your favorite.
