For many in the transgender community, collecting Funko Pop! figures is more than just a hobby; it’s a form of joy, connection, and identity. These small vinyl figures with oversized heads and big eyes have made a big impact on pop culture, but their appeal within the trans community is uniquely powerful.
This article explores the history of Funko, the nature of collecting, and why so many transgender individuals find comfort, expression, and delight in pop culture collectibles, not just Funko, but other fandom items as well. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovering the joy of a well-curated shelf, you’re not alone.
What Are Funko Pops, Exactly?
Funko Pop! figures are stylized vinyl figurines, typically 3.75 inches tall, designed to resemble characters from movies, TV shows, video games, comics, and even real-life celebrities. They’re instantly recognizable: large, square heads; tiny bodies; round black eyes. What started as a niche novelty has exploded into a billion-dollar collectible empire.
Launched in 2010 by the Washington-based company Funko, the Pop! Vinyl line quickly gained momentum by licensing a vast range of intellectual properties. Whether you’re into Star Wars, Marvel, Sailor Moon, RuPaul’s Drag Race, or obscure horror films, there’s probably a Pop! for it.
With over 20,000 unique figures produced to date, Funko has tapped into nearly every fandom imaginable, making it one of the most diverse collectible product lines in the world.
A Brief History of Funko
Funko was founded in 1998 by Mike Becker as a nostalgic toy company specializing in bobbleheads. The company’s breakthrough came in 2010 when it launched the first Pop! figures at San Diego Comic-Con, featuring characters like Batman, Batgirl, and Green Lantern.
The simplicity of the design allowed for wide licensing, and by the mid-2010s, Pop! figures were everywhere, from GameStop to Hot Topic to major bookstore chains. The release of limited-edition “chase” and exclusive variants (think glitter versions, metallic finishes, and glow-in-the-dark variants) further boosted their appeal among collectors.
Funko now produces themed boxes, board games, keychains, plushies, and even cereal, but it’s the Pop! figures that remain its crown jewel.
Why Are Funko Collectibles So Popular with Transgender People?
Ask around trans social circles, and you’ll hear it again and again: “Oh, I have a few shelves of Funkos.” But why?
Pop Culture as a Safe Haven
For many transgender individuals, especially those who grew up feeling different or out of place, pop culture offered an escape. Characters in shows, games, and comics felt like allies, role models, or mirrors of our inner truths.
Funko figures are a physical way to hold onto those beloved characters. They’re tiny totems that remind us who we are, where we’ve been, and who we’re becoming.
A Way to Reclaim Childhood
Many trans people didn’t get to fully enjoy their childhoods. Dysphoria, bullying, or rigid gender roles may have kept us from embracing our interests. Collecting now allows us to return to that joy, but on our own terms.
Whether it’s Powerpuff Girls, Pokémon, Disney princesses, or Marvel superheroes, having a collection can feel like taking back something you were once denied.
3. Gender Euphoria in a Box
Some trans folks build entire shelves of figures that reflect their gender journey. A Pop! version of She-Ra. A figure of a strong female lead. A flamboyant, queer-coded villain. It’s not uncommon to see collections curated with pride, identity, and even transition goals in mind.
For nonbinary people, the wide array of androgynous characters, especially in anime and sci-fi, is a rich well of inspiration and validation.
Accessible and Affordable Joy
While collectibles can get expensive, most standard Funko figures cost between $10 and $15. That makes them one of the more accessible hobby items, especially for young people or those on tight budgets. Compared to high-end statues or cosplay gear, Funkos are a lower-barrier way to participate in fandom culture.
The Therapeutic Side of Collecting
Psychologists have long recognized the mental health benefits of collecting. For transgender individuals navigating gender dysphoria, systemic discrimination, or social isolation, hobbies like collecting can offer:
- Structure and stability
- A sense of control
- Visual and emotional joy
- Opportunities for social connection
Trans people often face erasure. But when you fill a shelf with visible, physical affirmations of what you love and who you are, it feels grounding. It’s a tangible way to say, “I exist, and these things matter to me.”
Community, Connection, and Display
Another reason Funko collecting resonates: it’s deeply social. Whether it’s posting your latest find on Instagram, arranging your shelf by color, or swapping chase variants with friends, collecting fosters community.
Many trans collectors find safe spaces in online forums, Facebook groups, and Discord servers built around fandoms. These spaces become havens not just for Pop! collectors, but for queer identity exploration.
Representation Matters: LGBTQ+ Characters in Pop! Form
Funko has been slowly improving its queer representation, releasing figures like:
- RuPaul and multiple Drag Race contestants
- Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy as a couple
- Korra and Asami from “Legend of Korra”
- Willow and Tara from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”
- Ellie from “The Last of Us”
More recently, they’ve produced figures of actual LGBTQ+ activists and icons, including:
- Marsha P. Johnson
- Freddie Mercury
- Elvira (in support of her queer fans)
While the company hasn’t released explicitly labeled trans figures (yet), many collectors adapt existing figures with custom paint or accessories to represent trans characters or themselves.
Beyond Funko: Other Collectibles Trans People Love
While Funko is the most recognizable brand, it’s far from the only option in the pop culture collectible space. Here are a few other popular categories:
Anime Figures
Detailed and expressive, anime figures are especially beloved by trans women and nonbinary fans drawn to androgynous aesthetics or strong female leads. Companies like Good Smile, Kotobukiya, and Banpresto offer options at varying price points.
Blind Boxes and Mystery Minis
There’s something exciting about opening a mystery box. Many trans people compare it to the thrill of self-discovery; what’s inside may surprise you. Companies like Kidrobot, Tokidoki, and even Funko’s Mystery Minis line deliver on the fun.
Lego Sets
Lego offers a creative outlet with endless customization. Building your own world, your way, is deeply symbolic for many trans individuals.
Plushies and Soft Collectibles
Especially popular with neurodivergent trans folks or those dealing with anxiety, plush collectibles like Squishmallows and Build-A-Bear items offer comfort, nostalgia, and tactile joy.
Trading Cards and Pins
From Pokémon to enamel pins, collecting smaller-scale items offers both expression and social engagement. Plus, they’re easier to store when space is limited.
Building a Collection Without Breaking the Bank
If you’re a trans person looking to get into collecting (or help someone who is), here are a few beginner tips:
- Start with what brings you joy, not what’s popular.
- Watch for sales at GameStop, Hot Topic, and online shops.
- Use apps like PopPriceGuide or the Funko App to track values.
- Join local trading groups or swap meets.
- Customize your display; it’s your story.
Remember, the goal isn’t to hoard or impress. It’s to create a space that feels uniquely you.
Collecting as an Act of Affirmation
There’s something quietly rebellious and beautifully healing about letting yourself enjoy what you love, especially after years of hiding it.
When you put a Sailor Moon Pop! next to a Mass Effect Garrus Pop! next to a custom-painted version of you in mini form, you’re not just collecting. You’re curating a gallery of identity. A shrine to survival, joy, fandom, and freedom.
To Box or Not to Box: The Great Funko Debate
One of the most common questions in the Funko collecting world is simple, yet surprisingly polarizing: should you keep your Pops in the box or take them out?
For trans collectors, this debate can take on a deeper meaning.
Keeping Them Boxed: Preservation and Display
Collectors who keep their Funko Pops boxed often do so for a few key reasons:
- Protection from dust, scratches, and sunlight
- Maintaining resale value, especially for exclusives or rare chase variants
- Aesthetically uniform displays with the branded box art visible
- That satisfying collector’s shelf vibe
There’s also a symbolic comfort in the box. For some trans individuals, the box represents safety, sheltering a figure that’s valuable, even if the world doesn’t always understand it.
But boxes can also become cages.
Freeing the Figures: Expression and Play
Unboxing your Funkos lets you interact with them more directly, pose them, photograph them, arrange dioramas, or just enjoy them more viscerally. For many, especially younger trans people or those reclaiming a lost childhood, it’s a joyful and affirming choice.
Taking figures out of the box can also feel like a metaphor: letting yourself be fully seen, on your own terms.
It says, “I’m not just preserving this for others; I’m enjoying this for me.”
The Right Answer? It’s Yours.
At the end of the day, there’s no single “correct” approach. Some collectors split the difference, boxing the rares, unboxing the doubles, or even switching back and forth.
Whether you line pristine boxes like trophies or scatter unboxed favorites across your desk, your collection is a reflection of you.
And that, more than anything, is the point.
Amazon Picks for New Collectors
Here are a few starter items for those looking to build their collection:
- Funko Pop! Marvel: She-Hulk: Powerful, smart, and unapologetically green. A fan-favorite among trans femmes.
- Funko Pop! Star Wars: Ahsoka Tano: A symbol of strength, rebellion, and forging your own path.
- Funko Pop! Pride Edition: Deadpool (Rainbow Suit): Funko’s limited-run Pride series supports LGBTQ+ nonprofits.
- Funko Pop! Animation: Sailor Moon with Luna: A magical girl icon for many trans girls and femmes.
- Display Case for Funko Pops: Affordable and protective, perfect for showing off your faves.
Amazon Associates Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, TransVitae earns from qualifying purchases. This helps support our mission to provide affirming, high-quality content for the transgender community.
Parents and Allies: Why This Matters
If you’re the parent or loved one of a transgender person, and you notice their shelf growing, that’s not something to discourage. It’s something to understand.
Many young trans people (and adults!) use collectibles to:
- Visualize themselves in stories
- Cope with anxiety or trauma
- Find joy in difficult times
- Make their living space feel safer
Buying your kid a Pop! of their favorite character isn’t just a gift; it’s a form of validation. It says, “I see what makes you happy, and I support it.”
The Bottom Line
Funko Pop! figures and other collectibles might seem like toys to some, but to many in the transgender community, they’re something deeper. They’re reflections of who we are, who we’ve always wanted to be, and the worlds where we’ve felt most at home, even if only in our imaginations.
In a world that too often tries to box us in, it’s kind of perfect that we find freedom in little boxes of our own choosing.
