Quick definition:Figma is a line of articulated action figures from the Japanese company Max Factory, known for realistic proportions, moveable joints and interchangeable parts, and based on anime, game and manga characters.
Meaning
Figma figures are posable figures in a realistic style, usually about fifteen centimetres tall, with many joints so they can be placed in dynamic poses. They are sold as characters from anime, manga and games, and come with extra faces, hands and accessories. Their stands and hidden joints make them popular with collectors who enjoy photography.
Compared with chibi-style lines, figma look more like the characters in the original artwork. Collectors use them to recreate scenes, build displays and take photos. Because the joints are fairly precise, the figures can hold action poses, and fans often swap parts between figures to create new scenes.
Figma is a brand, so the name refers only to figures made under that line, but fans sometimes use it as a general term for posable figures. Many Nendoroid collectors also own figma, and shops often place the two lines together. Special editions and limited items are common, and prices vary with rarity.
Origin:Figma is a brand name created by the Japanese company Max Factory for its line of articulated figures, launched in the late 2000s. No widely documented meaning of the name is given, and it is usually written in lowercase, as figma, in the company's own style. It is unrelated to the design software that shares the name.
Example:A fan sets up a figma of a swordsman in a lunging pose on a clear stand, adds a swapped-in face with a battle cry, and photographs it against a printed forest background. The figure's bending knees and elbows make the scene look like a still from the series. A small desk lamp adds dramatic shadows.
Did you know?Many figma feature double-jointed elbows and knees, which let a figure sit, kneel and crouch convincingly. This design is a large part of why the line is popular with photographers who want natural-looking poses, and some fans pose them in groups.
