The Evolution of the Bearbrick From Toys to Collectibles

Bearbrick, one of the most popular toys of the last two decades, has proven to be more than just a child’s plaything. Since its first release in Japan, Bearbrick has slowly become a lucrative business opportunity, earning money from collectors and toy enthusiasts around the world. In fact, it’s one of the best-selling vinyl toys of all time, with many people even reselling them at high prices! If you’re interested in learning more about this beloved collectible, check out our complete history on the evolution of the Bearbrick toy below!

What Is a Bearbrick?

If you haven’t heard of a Bearbrick, it’s a semi-naked plastic figure made by Medicom Toy Corporation. The form is that of a bear—the original design was done by Takashi Murakami. The body is shaped like a super-deformed style character, making it seem as if your favorite cartoon character has been shrunken down and placed in real life. To add to its whimsical nature, each bear has an almost permanent grin across its face and often bright colors covering their bodies. Much like many other vinyl toys, there are different lines in which you can collect them, with varying levels of rarity; some lines have up to 10 different variations for each colorway available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide.

A Brief History of Bearbricks

In 1983, Japanese toymaker A-Fma came out with an idea for a collectible vinyl doll. This soft, huggable bear was named Kumamon and would have a groundbreaking impact on both toy and fashion culture as we know it today. Over three decades later, these little cub bears (or Bearbricks) are still going strong in Japan. Let’s look at some interesting facts about them Bearbricks were originally produced by Takara Tomy Co., Ltd., but now belong to Sega Toys Co., Ltd. The first release was done in July 1999 and had four different styles: brown, pink, white, and black. The original name for Bearbricks is Ursamajor which translates into the bear major. Each Bearbrick comes with a unique serial number which can be used to track its origin and authenticity. They all come packaged in their own box made from high-quality cardboard; there is also an additional plastic bag inside each box that contains extra accessories such as bow ties or hats.

What does a Bearbrick do?

Even though they are often seen as toys, collectible bear bricks can be used for a variety of things. Their chubby shape makes them ideal stress relievers, while their simplistic design makes them a good platform for stickers or other decorations. A bearbrick’s durability and glossy finish also make it a great tool for practicing DIY arts and crafts. Another fun way to use bear bricks is as party favors or prizes during birthday celebrations.

How do you clean a Bearbrick?

First, you should wash your vinyl toy with water and mild soap. Then, dry it off with a clean towel or cloth and let it air-dry in a well-ventilated area. It’s important that you don’t use aggressive cleaning agents like bleach or alcohol because they can damage your Bearbrick. Also, if you’re planning on storing your Bearbrick for an extended period of time, make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources. You might also want to consider using a protective case for storage purposes.

A Future in bearbrick Toys?

In 1995, Japanese toy company Sanrio and Italian toy company Giugiaro released a unique vinyl toy called bearbrick in Europe. It was an immediate hit, so much so that only three years later it launched in North America as well. It became one of Sanrio’s top-selling toys ever (and one of their most-valued collectible items). What is it about bearbricks that made them such a cultural phenomenon? Why do collectors keep coming back for more? And how can you capitalize on what made bearbricks popular in today’s global marketplace? Let’s take a look at its history and figure out where it’s going next.