In 2019, I found myself in Long Island. I was at a mall called Americana Manhasset. I remember walking into a certain store and seeing Bearbricks. Bearbricks, by MediCom Toy, are collectibles with a Lego-esque build. For me, my Bearbrick journey really began in that mall. Following that day, I bought my first Bearbrick; it was a Charlie Brown 100% Brick. This means that it was the Charlie Brown designed Bearbrick, and that its size was 7cm/70mm. 5 years later and I have a full blown collection.
Collabs and Sizes
Are you a fan of superheroes, basketball, family-friendly cartoons, anime, music, and/or visual art? There might just be a Bearbrick for you. This unique product line has even seen collaborations with companies such as Chanel, Comme Des Garçons, and BAPE. MediCom Toy was founded by Tatsuhiko Akashi in 1996. The first Bearbrick dropped years later, in May of 2001. It was a free item distributed to World Character Convention attendees. The size of these complimentary swags would come to be called the 100% Bearbrick size. There is also the 400% (28cm/280 mm) size and the 1000% (70cm/700 mm) size. Less talked about in my experience is the 50% (3.5cm/35mm) size, usually seen in Bearbrick keychains. Also less common (I think) would be the 200% (less than 20cm/200mm) size, and the 70% (5cm/50mm) size. The world’s tallest Bearbrick stands at 5.6 meters, or over 18 feet tall!
Who’s Buying These?
I can’t describe the feeling I felt holding my first Bearbrick. It was weird, I was so hyped up over having what I saw at the mall that day. I remember feeling the toy and being lit up over it. Sadie Bargeron of Jing Daily has stated, “Despite originating in Japan, the art toy combines the blind box trend, art toy fascination, and resale appeal that has China’s young luxury consumers hooked. In the neighboring region of Hong Kong, consumers purchase Bearbrick products at a rate 15 times higher than the world average, according to StockX’s merchandising director Drew Haines.” If you’re reading this in Hong Kong right now, 你好.
In a 2021 publication, Manas Sen Gupta of Prestige has compared Bearbricks to a blank slate that anyone can draw anything on. He also invites readers to imagine a video game in which you can dress your favorite character however you’d like. These analogies are incredibly strong. They also speak to the format of the Funko Pop! product line. Musician Joe Hahn has dubbed the Bearbrick as an “adult collectible toy.” Pharrell Williams, PewDiePie, Adin Ross, and Ben Baller are some folks who I would imagine have contributed to the increase in Bearbrick popularity among the general public.
An Empire Built Brick by Brick
I’m a Bearbrick guy, and I’m not alone in my liking of the collectibles. Are you interested in starting your collection? I encourage you to ask yourself this, and to explore the collaborations that have occurred in the Bearbrick realm. Either way, let the story of the Bearbrick be a reminder that molds can be broken. If you have a good idea, roll with it. In the case that you want someone by your side in the process, Poppins Productions CEO Mary Essence offers business coaching. As for the Poppins Bearbrick, maybe it’ll exist someday.
Written by Giuseppe Amato, @giuseppevalentinoamato on Instagram
Follow Poppins Productions LLC
On Instagram
On Twitter
On Facebook
And Learn More On Our Site
I searched Google Images for pictures of Bearbricks (not included in this blog) to assist with this blog
Awesome blog, Giuseppe! I might start collecting my own bearbricks. 🐻