BigBadToyStore’s July 16, 2026 newsletter is a particularly broad snapshot of the current collector market, moving from comic-book icons and anime protagonists to premium sports memorabilia, game characters, and kaiju hybrids. The strongest takeaway is not a single dominant release, but the sheer range of formats represented: affordable 1/12 action figures, import-grade articulated figures, die-cast character collectibles, and a high-end 1/6 sports release all appear in the same update.
For collectors, that makes this newsletter worth a closer look. Several of these products are aimed at established display lines, while others fill long-standing gaps for characters who rarely receive modern premium treatment.
Invincible and The Tick Bring Independent Comics Into the 1/12 Conversation
Jada Toys’ new Invincible 1/12-scale figures are among the most accessible announcements in the update. The line includes Invincible, Conquest, and Kid Omni-Man, giving collectors an opportunity to build out Robert Kirkman’s superhero universe without immediately stepping into boutique pricing.
Jada’s 1/12 releases have generally occupied a space between mass-market action figures and more expensive import products, making them especially appealing for collectors who want comic-book characters that can share shelves with Marvel Legends, McFarlane releases, and other six-inch-scale figures. The real test will be how well the final figures balance the exaggerated anatomy of the animated series with the grounded, bruising visual language of Invincible.
Also arriving in the new-arrivals section is the Longbox Heroes Prestige The Tick from BigBadWorkShop. The figure is presented as a fully articulated 1/12-scale release with more than 20 points of articulation, alternate heads, interchangeable hands, the character’s necktie, and the Crimefinder accessory. The combination is appropriately character-driven rather than equipment-heavy: The Tick’s appeal depends on expressive posing, broad gestures, and an unmistakable silhouette.
At this scale, The Tick could become a strong shelf companion for unconventional comic figures rather than simply another superhero entry. The oversized blue costume and antennae should give the figure immediate display presence, while the alternate portraits are likely to be important for capturing the character’s mixture of sincerity and absurdity.
Samus and Evangelion Lead the Premium Import Releases
The most technically ambitious arrival is Bandai’s CHOGOKIN Samus Aran from Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. According to Tamashii Nations’ official product information, the figure stands approximately 210 millimeters tall and combines ABS, PVC, and die-cast parts. It also includes a dedicated stand, multiple left-hand options, interchangeable arm-cannon parts, and built-in LED units in the arm cannon and chest.
That feature set gives the release a very different identity from a conventional articulated Samus figure. The die-cast construction and metallic paintwork are intended to convey the weight and mechanical density of the Varia Suit, while the lighting gimmicks push it toward premium display collectible territory. The official design also emphasizes Samus’s crouching pose and psychic-ability hand options, both of which should help the figure avoid looking like a static armored statue.
Collectors should view this as a display centerpiece rather than a simple action figure. The approximately 210mm height places it above typical 1/12 releases, and the die-cast content, LEDs, and dedicated base all make it better suited to a glass cabinet or focused Metroid display than a crowded action-figure shelf.
There is a similarly unusual appeal in the S.H.MonsterArts Evangelion Unit-01 “G” Awakening Form. Based on the Godzilla-versus-Evangelion concept in which Godzilla cells are infused into Unit-01, the figure occupies the increasingly popular crossover space between anime mecha and kaiju collectibles. It is less a straightforward Evangelion variant than a visual experiment built around the shared biological and monstrous imagery of both franchises.
That concept gives the release strong novelty value for collectors who already own standard Unit-01 figures. Its appeal will depend heavily on the sculpt and paint execution, since the hybrid design needs to look deliberate rather than like a simple recolor. As a display piece, however, it should have no trouble standing apart from conventional purple-and-green Evangelion releases.
Anime and Game Releases Cover Several Collector Niches
Max Factory’s figma Tanya Degurechaff returns to the spotlight through a reissue from Saga of Tanya the Evil. The figure is approximately 13 centimeters tall and includes three face plates, a rifle, and a figma stand. As with many figma releases, the appeal is concentrated in the combination of expressive portraits and compact articulation rather than sheer scale.
Tanya is a character whose personality needs to come through in the posing, and the face-plate selection will be central to that goal. The rifle also gives the figure a clear military identity, while the relatively small footprint makes it an easy addition for anime collectors with limited display space.
Hiya Toys contributes two releases with very different audiences. The EXQUISITE BASIC X Ultimate Armor brings another version of Mega Man X into the company’s increasingly recognizable articulated format, while the Persona 5: Royal Joker offers a stylish game-character release built around one of Atlus’s most visually distinctive protagonists.
Both characters benefit from strong graphic silhouettes. X’s armor is immediately readable from across a shelf, while Joker’s long coat, mask, and contrasting color scheme give him a natural pose-and-display advantage. The EXQUISITE BASIC line is generally positioned as a more approachable alternative to higher-priced import figures, so these releases may appeal to collectors who want recognizable game designs without moving into statue pricing.
The update also notes the return of the S.H.Figuarts Roronoa Zoro Romance Dawn figure. Zoro is one of the characters who benefits most from a poseable format, thanks to his multiple swords and aggressive stance options. For One Piece collectors, this release is especially useful as an early-series version that can complement later interpretations of the character.
Street Fighter, Horror, and Sports Collectibles Expand the Lineup
Storm Collectibles’ Street Fighter Alpha 3 Sagat has arrived in the new-arrivals section, bringing the Muay Thai champion into a line known for muscular sculpts and broad articulation. Sagat’s towering proportions and distinctive stance make him one of the more visually imposing characters in the Street Fighter roster, and a 1/12-scale figure gives collectors a practical way to display him alongside other fighters.
FuRyu’s Sadako Noodle Stopper figure takes a completely different approach. Rather than competing with articulated horror figures or elaborate statues, the release is designed as a compact character display piece. The Noodle Stopper format is particularly suited to collectors who enjoy smaller, themed figures that can sit on shelves, desks, or even around larger horror displays without overwhelming them.
The most expensive and unusual announcement is the MLB SportsPicks Shohei Ohtani 1/6-scale figure from McFarlane Toys and Blitzway. The collaboration’s deluxe version includes alternate portraits, multiple hand options, batting and pitching accessories, an additional gray uniform set, different footwear, and a display base. BBTS lists the deluxe release at 35 centimeters with an estimated February 2027 arrival.
This is clearly aimed at premium sports collectors rather than traditional action-figure buyers. The accessory count is designed to represent Ohtani as both pitcher and hitter, giving the figure more versatility than a standard uniformed athlete release. The combination of Blitzway’s premium-figure reputation and McFarlane’s sports-collectibles background also positions the project as a bridge between licensed memorabilia and articulated character collecting.
Collector verdict: The July 16 newsletter is strongest for collectors who enjoy crossing formats and franchises. Samus is the standout for premium display collectors, The Tick offers one of the most characterful comic-book additions, and the Invincible figures could become an attractive entry point for fans building a cohesive 1/12 animated-comics shelf. Tanya, Joker, Zoro, and Sagat provide focused additions for anime and fighting-game collectors, while Ohtani is aimed squarely at buyers willing to treat a sports figure as a centerpiece collectible rather than a conventional action figure.
More than anything, this update demonstrates how broadly the modern collector market has expanded. A single retailer newsletter can now move from die-cast Nintendo hardware and kaiju crossovers to independent comics, prestige sports figures, and compact anime imports without any of those categories feeling out of place.
Sources
- toyark.com
- bigbadtoystore.com
- tamashiiweb.com
