I'm sure most people on here are frequently asked by people who aren't in the know, "what are these things?" I'm curious how people describe their sofubi collection to those who see it for the first time and ask. I usually throw out something somewhat generic and gauge people's interest. If there interested I tend to ramble, if they're not they look at me funny and I digress.
They're underground Japanese toys. I tell them that they are inspired by Godzilla and other monsters, but with small production runs. They will inevitably ask about and balk at the price. At this point I will usually comment on something dumb they spend their money on (alcohol, shoes, strippers, video games) and ask them to explain why one is more justifiable than the other.
It's self-created pop culture. Instead of having a bunch of shitty Funko Pops on your book shelf to show the types of movies/TV shows you're in, you have a bunch of high end hand painted Japanese toys designed in the style you love. I'm a horror fanatic and my toy shelf makes that pretty damn evident.
Thankfully most of the people who see my collections are likeminded individuals so I don't really have to deal with having to explain wtf these goofy looking multi colored critters are. My mother in law is probably the only one so far that I've had to try to explain to. I just say that 'they are just cool monster toys from Japan'. That said, a while back I was selling my condo and I was dutifully packing away things that would 'scare' potential buyers away. My real estate agent stopped by and I told her I was about to empty my detolfs of all my vinyl and she said "why? they look great with all those little creatures in there, I say leave them!" so leave them I did. I do love explaining all about them to friends who do genuinely like my stuff, but only have a fringe knowledge of the vinyl 'scene', especially when they get excited about them. Then we play with monsters on the dining room table ha!
Them: Oh cool, you collect toys too? Me in head: I don't collect mass produced pad-printed Chinese "plastic" like you do, so... no. Me verbally: yup! Isn't life great!
Haha man, I would love to see the rest of your house then. I'm guessing sofubi just sort of fits the regular style of your home. That's pretty much what my friends think of me. I'm known for my weird t-shirts and for my closer friends, the art collector. The toy collecting when I started it just sort of made sense.
I just explain, in so many words, that they're Japanese toys based on their respective artist's / designer's original characters. I personally don't talk prices with people as I'd rather not deal with the judgment.
No matter how I try to explain it to the people who see my collection, in the end they still just see them as toys. So I don't try anymore.
I'm surprised at how often I hear "ooohh they look like candy I want to eat them!" after seeing the toy shelves
What a fun topic! I don't really have to explain myself too much. When my friends see my rubber stamp collection, bead collection, lampwork bead-making torch/kiln/oxygen concentrator, Uglydolls (handmades!) they sorta take the toy collection in stride as just another eccentricity. They DO like the toys though! As most of the toys I collect have a high cuteness/colorful factor. I don't mention prices though Ditto about the "candy factor" .
Indeed this is a fun subject. At first I got the "what are you 12?" And then I stopped caring. After awhile they just kinda embraced it and realized that this is just me. I always compare to shoes because they collect shoes or have BFs that collect. My friends' kids really dig them though and it's fun teaching and explaining to them the origin of the toys. The eyes glow!
I've always been "that guy that watches Japanese kids shows" because of my affinity for Tokusatsu so no one even batted an eye when my shelves started containing more than Godzilla toys and Kamen Rider belts. Just "more weird shit that Felipe's in to"
Well let me see when i tell ppl what im into they are not quite sure what it is until i show them but iv never gotten shit like "what are you 12?" they know better than that i guess lol. Most ppl who i show my stuff to REALLY really like it. Even my grandpa whos never ever seen stuff like that before. His eyes would light up like a little kid and go "wow". By this time he had alzhiemers and dementia but he still loved the sofubi toys i showed him regardless.
I tell folks that I collect toys because they're the purest expression of joy for me, and that sofubi is the purest expression of toys. That (coupled with a gander at my shelves) lets them know I'm serious, hence allowing them to look at my hobby more objectively
They are little pieces of art, each with a personality of its own. And then I try to change the subject.
I haven't had anyone visit my house in years. Well... My house, yes, but my house = my parents house, and my boyfriend and I live in the basement. My collection is near our bed... So it's more like people never see my collection because it's in our bedroom, and taking friends or family into your bedroom is kind of weird. Man, do we need to get the hell out of here. At least I'm one class credit away from graduation and my boyfriend is almost done with his EMT class. (Which is his backup plan because applying to police jobs for the past 3 years hasn't had any positive results) gripegripegripe
Out of my circle of friends that don't collect anything, the comic book readers/collectors understand. After I explain it then I get, Oh I'll buy some for my kids! Then I have to explain the price aspect/reasons and that idea fades away fast But I do occasionally give away toys I've designed to give to my friends kids... I love the idea of one sitting on a kids toy shelf. It's funny too when you are surprised by somebody who is also totally into it, for instance my daughter's friends dad is a huge anime fan, including all the old stuff I like, along with a general knowledge of toys- pretty cool.
