Why Are There So Few Male Anime Figures?

If you're a collector of anime figures, you may have noticed that the market is dominated by female characters. From Hatsune Miku to Rem from Re:Zero, there seems to be an endless selection of beautifully sculpted female figures, while male anime figures are far less common. But why is this the case? Let’s explore the key reasons behind this trend.

1. The Demand for Female Figures Is Higher

The most significant factor behind the lack of male anime figures is market demand. The majority of anime figure buyers tend to prefer female characters, especially those from popular genres like moe, idol, and harem anime. Many collectors seek figures of cute or sexy female characters, leading manufacturers to prioritize production of these figures.

🟢 Who buys anime figures?

• Many male collectors favor female characters.
• Female collectors do buy male figures, but the market is much smaller in comparison.

2. The Appeal of “Waifu Culture”

Anime fans often develop strong emotional connections with waifu characters—female characters they admire or find attractive. This has created a massive demand for high-quality, detailed female figures with expressive poses, intricate outfits, and appealing designs.

🔹 Examples of popular “waifu” figures:

• Hatsune Miku (Vocaloid)
• Rem & Ram (Re:Zero)
• Asuka & Rei (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Male anime characters, while beloved, don’t fit into the same collectible culture in the same way, making them less profitable for figure companies.

3. Male Figures Are Often in the Action Figure Category

Unlike female anime figures, which are typically sculpted as static, highly detailed collectibles, male anime characters are often released as action figures or articulated figures (e.g., Nendoroids, Figma, or SH Figuarts).

🔹 Examples of male anime figures in action figure lines:

• Goku & Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z) – SH Figuarts
• Levi & Eren (Attack on Titan) – Figma
• Gojo Satoru & Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen) – Nendoroid

These figures focus more on articulation rather than intricate sculpting, making them feel less like traditional collectible statues.

4. Shōnen Anime Sells More Merch Than Figures

Many popular male anime characters come from shōnen anime (e.g., One Piece, Naruto, My Hero Academia), which focus more on selling other types of merchandise, such as:
✔ Posters
✔ Keychains
✔ Apparel
✔ Action figures
✔ Model kits (e.g., Gunpla)

Since male characters from shōnen anime already sell well in these categories, companies don’t feel as much pressure to produce high-end static figures.

5. The Rise of Male Figures (But Still a Niche Market)

While male anime figures are rarer, they do exist—especially for franchises with strong female fanbases. Companies like Orange Rouge (a brand under Good Smile Company) specifically cater to female collectors by producing high-quality male character figures.

🔹 Some examples of premium male anime figures:

• Gojo Satoru & Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen) – Megahouse
• Levi Ackerman (Attack on Titan) – Kotobukiya
• Trafalgar Law (One Piece) – P.O.P Series

However, these figures are still fewer in number compared to female figures.

Final Thoughts: Will We See More Male Figures in the Future?

The anime figure market is slowly evolving, and as demand for male anime figures grows, companies are starting to respond. With series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Tokyo Revengers, and Chainsaw Man attracting more male figure collectors, we may see a rise in high-quality male character figures in the future.

Still, for now, the dominance of female figures remains due to higher demand, stronger waifu culture, and the existing merchandising trends.

👉 Looking to buy anime figures? Check out Youwei Trade’s anime figure collection for the latest designs!