Anya, Bulma, or Marcille: Choosing Your First Anime Statue

A practical first anime statue buying guide: compare Ichibansho statues, budget figures, and Funko Pops by size, price, and shelf space before you commit.

Publishing teamXI LANGS Editorial

PublishedOct 16, 2026

Page updatedOct 16, 2026

Reading time5 minutes

Anya, Bulma, or Marcille: Choosing Your First Anime Statue

Quick Answer

Buy the character you already love, then let height and shelf depth pick the format. If you want a sculpted centerpiece, an Ichibansho statue like the Spy x Family Anya Forger Mission Start Version 1.5 is the stronger first buy. If you want to test the hobby cheaply, start with a Funko Pop and upgrade later.

Measure Your Shelf Before You Fall in Love With a Statue

Almost every first-statue regret comes down to space, not taste. Grab a tape measure and note three numbers for your intended shelf: usable height, depth from back panel to front edge, and the width you are willing to give up permanently. A roughly 6-inch statue such as the Anya Forger Ichibansho piece needs vertical clearance above its head plus a little breathing room so it does not read as cramped. A roughly 5.1-inch figure like Dragon Ball History Box Bulma is easier to slot into a crowded shelf or a narrow bookcase gap.

Depth matters more than beginners expect. Dynamic poses often lean or extend a limb forward, so the footprint can be wider than the base suggests. Leave at least an inch of clearance in front of any statue so a bumped shelf does not send it over the edge. If your shelf is shallow, a window-boxed Funko Pop is the safer first purchase because the box defines its own footprint.

The Three Formats, Ranked by Commitment

Think of your first purchase as choosing a commitment level rather than a brand. Statues are the highest-commitment option: they are sculpted, often posed, and usually the largest piece on the shelf. Budget figures sit in the middle, offering sculpted detail at a smaller size and lower cost. Funko Pops are the lowest-commitment entry point, with a consistent stylized look and a standard window box that makes storage and stacking simple.

The trade-off is consistency. If you mix all three formats on one shelf, the scale differences can look accidental rather than curated. A common fix is to group by format: statues on the top shelf, budget figures in the middle, boxed Pops along the bottom. That way each tier reads as intentional, and you can expand any tier without reworking the whole display.

How to Read Price Without Getting Burned

Catalog comparison prices are useful for judging relative value, but they are not a promise about future resale. Treat the current price as what you pay for the object in front of you, and decide whether the sculpt, size, and character are worth that number on their own. A statue that costs more than a Pop is not automatically a better first buy if the character means less to you.

One practical rule: for a first statue, keep the spend low enough that a paint flaw or a slightly crooked pose will not ruin your week. That is why budget figures and Pops make good training purchases. Once you know how you feel about dusting, lighting, and shelf space, a larger statue purchase feels much less risky.

Decision Rules for Your First Statue

If your shelf is under 7 inches of clearance: Skip the roughly 6-inch statue and start with a roughly 5.1-inch figure or a boxed Pop instead. Measure first; buy second.
If you want one piece that anchors the shelf: Choose a sculpted statue with a distinct pose, and give it the front-center position with clearance on all sides. One strong centerpiece beats five cramped small figures.
If you are unsure about the hobby: Start with a Funko Pop in a window box; it stores easily and costs little if you decide collecting is not for you. Low commitment now, upgrade later.
If you already own several Pops: Add a mid-size sculpted figure next so the shelf gains variety without a jarring scale jump. Step up gradually.

Products That Fit This Decision

Spy x Family Anya Forger with Block Calendar Mission Start Version 1.5 Ichibansho Statue: Anya Forger Ichibansho statue, approximately 6 inches tall, in a dynamic ready-for-action pose with a block calendar. A sculpted centerpiece for a Spy x Family fan; the pose and calendar accessory mean it wants front-facing shelf space rather than a crowded corner.
Delicious in Dungeon Marcille Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure #2200: Delicious in Dungeon Marcille Funko Pop! #2200, approximately 3 3/4 inches tall, in a window display box. A low-cost way to start collecting a specific series; the standard box makes it easy to shelve, stack, or store if you rotate displays.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Cyber Dragon Funko Pop! Vinyl Figure #1736: Yu-Gi-Oh! Cyber Dragon Funko Pop! #1736, packaged in a window display box. A monster-design Pop that appeals to duelists who want a recognizable silhouette without committing to statue scale or price.
Dragon Ball History Box Bulma: Dragon Ball History Box Bulma figure, approximately 5.1 inches tall, with sculpted details based on her classic early-series look. A mid-size sculpted figure that bridges the gap between a small Pop and a full statue, useful if your shelf height is limited.