[ddarko]

Don't mean to contradict anyone here, but just stating this because I think it might be of some value.

I started collecting the Play Arts Kai line back in 2010. I have about 10 figures. Admittedly, some of the older ones were not as big as the new ones. However, there were some that were actually as big as the ones we see now. For an example, the DC variant line, the Metal Gear line etc.

I own Metal Gear Rising Rayden which I got for around 4800 JPY. I have couple of DC variants (Batgirl, Supergirl) which I got for around 6000 JPY (this was when the price was starting to increase rapidly).

Today, a figure of the same size is around 11,000 JPY and sometimes as high as 15,000 JPY (this is after pre-order discounts). So roughly speaking, you are looking at more than double the cost of what it used to be. I have not seen a similar increase in other plastic imported items. So I agree with the person above that it is rediculous.

In the particular case of Play Arts Kai, the other issue is that there are more quality issues in their products too. If anyone has followed the in-depth reviews of new PAK releases on Youtube, you probably know that the line has been going downhill. If you don't believe me, take a look at the Arkham Knight Batgirl etc.

Within this context, take into account the fact that they are trying to sell this figure that has zero articulation from the waist down for a base price of around 13,000 JPY. That is indeed rediculous.

The main reason why these pieces are priced at this range is actually down to us collectors. If we are going to keep buying these pieces, then we speak with our wallets that this sort of abuse is acceptable. As someone who loved the PAK line, that is why even with great pains, I must point out that what is happening is bad. There is no way one can justify more than doubling of price as being due to inflation of raw material prices and shipping while rest of the products that have similar raw material usage has not seen such a price hike. Sure, the PAK line would probably cost more than what I used to buy few years ago, but 200%+ in price is definitely not just the inflation or raw material price increases talking.

Oh and licensing fees are again down to how customers spend. If customers are not willing to pay a higher price, then owners are forced to give out their licenses at a more reasonable price. In the case of the Final Fantasy figure here, licensing costs do not make much sense since Square Enix is the owner of Play Arts Kai and the franchise....