Is Action Figure Collecting An Embarrassing Hobby?

Inspired by a post on the Action Figure subreddit that asked the question Dan attempts to answer "Is Action Figure Collecting An Embarrassing Hobby?"

You are, after all, most likely an adult collecting what most of society sees as toys. For kids.

But why should you be embarrassed by something that makes you happy?

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[synep.]

I am a married man of 31 with 2 kids, I have a nice comfortable well paying job. My wife graciously allowed me to have a very large amount of space in our home dedicated to me. I am currently dealing with cancer at the moment and sitting in this room brings me a sense of calm. It has started bringing my wife a sense of calm too because as she said these figures are me and my refusal to completely adhere to adult norms. She often tells me that they make me joyful in a world where adults tend to be afraid to be joyful. Whether I sit in here to fiddle with Marvel Legends or some Super Robots or Video Games. This stuff is all a part of who I am and you should always be true to who you are regardless. I am grateful I fell into this hobby and in time my wife has become grateful to. Peace of any sort can be hard to find for some people. Sitting in here, when I can, helps me forget some of the stuff happening to me even if it is just for a moment.

[irxojpw]

Whenever I go out and buy action figures I always tell myself this when walking home with a figure in hand: "These strangers don't know who I am so why should I care what they think?"

[danielherrin]

I collect stuff to fill the empty chasm in my soul.

[vincentferrari]

It always comes down to this one thing: Is it making you happy? We only get one life and we spend so much time worrying about the unimportant things and not enjoying the things that make us happy. More happiness is never a bad thing as long as the method by which you achieve it doesn't harm someone else or yourself.

[Evershear]

thanks for being my "That Guy".

[littleBIGrobots]

Look, I'm 44... I've been a drummer most of my life, an artist, wrote a novel, did a book of poems, have been freelance and working at home for 9 years now. I have to tell you, I could not give two farts about what other people think of me. I came to the conclusion a long time ago that people -- when they "mature" --- often let go of "childish" pursuits and go after "adult" pursuits like having whiny children, buying extra cars, getting into massive amounts of debt just to divorce all that stuff away later. In other words, people lose their joy when they "grow up." We're all just children in adult bodies... this world is an amazing place. I am always aware of how privileged I am, and how awesome it is to be have a relatively stress-free life. Toys (I do custom toys, robot kits, and art) are an expression of the joy I have for my lucky life.

So, yeah, anyone who makes fun of my collection of weird shit can go get a new minivan and shove it up their nose.

[renante]

I have a small collection of action figures. Coming from a poor family, i was not able to afford them when i was young. All i could do was drool over the 90's toybiz x-men figures on the shelves of my local toy store. Today i no longer care if it is embarrassing or not because for me, i am making up for the things that i used to miss out on as a child.

[badbirdkc]

Short answer: No
Long Answer: We've gone over this before, Darlene. This Ultra Magnus has a different paint job than the one currently displayed on the mantle, which makes it, technically, a different figure. And please stop calling them dolls.

[toypolloi]

It's a general problem in the west to not appreciate people who have hobbies. If you are a man you should like football and drinking, those are acceptable apparently. In Japan you'll find that people appreciate that you can enjoy a hobby of any sort.

I've never worried about people think of me or my hobby, I enjoy it, and that is all that matters.

If you can't understand that, then you are the one with the problem.

[oldtoysliveon]

No way! I'm staying a kid forever! The most challenging time is high school age " not cool " never fazed me a bit. 5 years ago I opened my own store ( 3000sf) and shared my toys and knowledge with everyone!! I even started running toy shows and now I'm doing YouTube like you ( nowhere as good lol) and one thing I've learned is we're ALL family!!! Great channel and I recommend you all the time, thanks for keeping the love

[chevy-is-a-good-boy]

I buy toys because they are aesthetically pleasing; scratch my nostalgia itch, and are a fun escape. My wife has always supported my hobby as have my friends - (my Dad still doesn't get it though😁). But sometimes you can't help feeling a little strange, when you're almost always the only adult in the toy aisle, buying for themselves 😅

[barbiquearea]

To me action figures are works of art. They are little statues made from plastic of people or characters we know and love, created for our appreciation. These are not conventional toys are they have been carved and coloured in with great care and detail and just like all other art forms have been made for the purpose of display. And unlike even conventional types of art they can be flex into different poses and positions or be given accessories depending on how we wish them to look.

[JohnSmith-ltck]

My mom seems genuinely proud of my action figure collection. She talks about them as if they were my trophies from high school and college. It’s not even a big collection, considering I’ve sold/donated half of what I’ve accumulated over the past decade.

I’m not at all embarrassed by the hobby but my mom talks about them with so much enthusiasm anyone would think it was *her* collection. My dad also loved helping me fix anything I broke or making custom accessories.

Thanks to my parents, I guess I never was embarrassed about collecting. The only shame I felt related to the hobby was about how fast I was burning through cash.

[selkie]

*glances at the lego Millennium Falcon sitting on her lounge coffee table* Perfectly reasonable as decor, surely? ^_~

[curtisgangler]

Im 43 been a collector since I was a kid and as long as I live I'll keep buying cool looking figures for my collection and I don't give two shyts what anyone thinks tbh I'll do me and be happy spending my cash on action figures as much as I want :) life's short enjoy it all every day :)

[TheSalemCrow]

I used to be subconsciously aware of people silently 'judging' me in my 20s, but now I give no Schlitz about what people think. My wife knows there are worse things I could be into, so she's fine with it. It helps that she's into anime and gaming. Total strangers? I don't care.

[Rayrayreviews]

My ex once told me it’s either her or the toys, and you can clearly see why I’m single now. No shame

[bobahyde]

I'm 28 and I've been collecting Star Wars figures since I was 5. I'm not ashamed of it. This is the way.

[dbear]

I’m in high school and I keep my voice down with collecting, I only really tell my closer friends. I do the same with being a fan of wrestling, just because in younger years, more people are judge mental. Awesome video and keep up the great work!

[panchosanchez]

I love this message you are giving and yeah it is weird. I am currently in high school and since everyone has to be "cool" and can't be a kid anymore I feel weird go down the toy aisle at this age but you have to accept who you are and people judge, they always will but that doesn't stop me from buying my Marvel Legends. Thanks Dan, love your videos.