Last week, I published Part 1 of my Toy Fair couch chat with Funko’s Brian Mariotti, where we talked about the new Vinyl Sugar brand, it’s place at Funko, and some of its’ upcoming lines. You should read it prior to this article if you have the time. However, obviously we also chatted some in regards to Funko as a whole, and some of the other exciting stuff coming in 2015 from this rapidly expanding company. While we may not have covered EVERYTHING out there (it would be impossible to find the time to do so), it was great getting his take on some topics, and some exciting news for this year.
NOTE: My style of interviewing is not one where I sit there with a list of questions and ask for straight answers. I prefer a more fluid, relaxed atmosphere. Why? Simply put, I get more out of it. This style of “conversation interviewing” tends to bring out more fun tidbits as we flow from topic to topic. What follows are my notes immediately following the conversation. Is every detail in it? No. Are there things here that I would not have gotten with a straight interview format? Yes. So, enjoy.
Pop! Home
One of the biggest things I wanted to talk about with Brian was the announcement at Toy Fair about the new Pop! Home line. On display at the show were prototypes of mugs and salt & pepper shakers, carrying the Pop! theme into home decor. (The mugs stack, by the way.) Beyond that, there was very little information on them.
Brian is very excited about the line. The line will expand to include such items as spatulas, coasters, lanyards, pen toppers, and more. With the popularity of the Pop! brand, it made sense to transition these designs into a line of home decor. Some bigger name stores have already signed on to spearhead the introduction of this line.
NOTE: Based on what I have seen so far and what pieces I can put together, I would not be surprised if the Pop! Home line will help fill out the Marvel Collector Corps subscription boxes.
Mystery Minis
Believe it or not, Mystery Minis saw the largest product growth in 2014 for Funko. Expect to see more wonderful lines coming out. In addition to the ones seen on the floor and in the catalog, Brian mentioned more Anime lines being developed.
While talking to Brian about the Inside Out and Disney Heroes vs. Villains lines (both must haves for me), he credited Ben Butcher, who came over to Funko from Pixar, for coming in an stepping up the art and design level of everyone on the team.
ReAction & Legacy
I admitted to Brian that I was surprised to see the ReAction and Legacy lines grow the way they have since last year. I thought they would have to by the wayside, similar to Cupcakes, BLOX, and Vinyl Cubed. However, Brian says that they are committed to those lines, and that the strength of them depend on the properties they are able to bring on. From my looks of things, with just JAWS, Gremlins, and Star Trek alone, 2015 will be a strong year for both the ReAction and Legacy lines.
Hikari
Personally, having seen the explosion of Hikari in 2014 and the popularity of these vinyl figures, I was not surprised to see them being displayed prominently in one of the display cases in the center of the showroom. Brian loves what MINDstyle is doing with the Hikari line, and I don’t see Hikari in the near future, with 2015 seeing additional Star Wars, Gigantor, My Little Pony, and more brought into the fold.
Aladdin Pop! Vinyl
Brian and I did not talk a lot of specific Pop! Vinyls or lines people want, etc. However, the question of Aladdin has always been one I wanted to ask him, and I always forget. Since I remembered this time, I asked if we were ever going to see Aladdin. The response from Brian was very positive. Aladdin is still in the works. Right now there are plan for his Pop!, possibly involving a certain carpet and/ or monkey.
NOTE: I swear, if we get a Flying Carpet Pop! Ride with Aladdin and a mini Abu, I will lose it.
Harry Potter Pop! Line
Another big announcement at Toy Fair was something a lot of people were waiting for: a Harry Potter Pop! Vinyl line. It was actually a very last minute addition to the Toy Fair lineup (probably why we never caught wind of it before that Friday). Brian said that that final approval was granted and the protos were hand painted for the show a week or so before they have to be in New York. How’s that for awesome. 
There is no word on how far into the Harry Potter Universe this line will go…. nor if they will be getting their own series numbering. Although Brian said it made sense, they really haven’t even gotten around to deciding anything of that nature. And although he might agree that it should have it’s own series, it’s not always up to him alone. A lot of factors, and sometimes a lot of people, are involved with that decision. Sometimes it boils down strictly to what the licencor wants.
Disney Theme Park Character Pop! Vinyls
Something that we announced last week immediately after my conversation with Brian was that there will be some Disney Theme Park Character Pop! Vinyls released in Fall 2015. These characters are derived from the popular characters found exclusively inside the Disney Theme Parks (similar to Vinylmation Park Starz)… so don’t expect Mickey or Minnie. Furthermore, the first four will be released exclusive to the Disney Theme Parks (I am assuming Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida). Does that mean they could be online at the DisneyStore.com (which carries theme park merchandise)? Possibly, I guess… but Brian did not say either way.
There is also be a SDCC 2016 exclusive in the works… yes, they are already looking ahead to 2016.
I asked if Figment was one of the first four characters. Brian said no, but he’s on the list. Brian did say something to the fact that if Figment was made, he would probably be a Florida exclusive. That being said, these first four I would say span both of the resorts in California and Florida.
Funko Exclusives
Brian did say that they are reworking exclusives this year. He understands some of the frustration with all of these stores having their own exclusive. However, if they want an exclusive and they are a big partner, they try to get them one. There isn’t a lot that can be done in that respect, so the focus will be on convention exclusives, SDCC for example. At SDCC you will see a move towards smaller runs of SDCC exclusive pieces. Not just exclusive to that weekend (as in, also being carried at Hot Topic…. there will be some of those as well), but exclusive to just the people attending SDCC. He is also working on a system that will prevent wholesalers and retailers from purchasing them at the show. He wants to give every opportunity to regular convention goers who want to wait on line for hours something to strive to achieve or be rewarded with.
“Grails”
When I briefly talked to Brian about some people being upset by pieces like Hot Topic Guy or Blue Clap Trap, where it’s available to a select group of people and not everyone will get it who wants it, Brian said that there always has to be hard to find, hard to get, hard to obtain pieces…. or “grails”. We agreed that the hunting down of those “grails” are what makes the hobby fun and exciting.
NOTE: Personally, I appreciate that Funko makes “grails” at various levels and what would be considered “pricepoints”. Not everything that’s a “grail” is necessarily break the bank expensive.
New York Comic Con
As we reported last week during Toy Fair, Funko will officially be attending this year’s New York Comic Con. Not just having exclusives here, but inside their own MASSIVE booth and everything. Brian stated they are looking to have 20-25 NYCC exclusives on hand with them. I know that myself, and numerous NYCC friends, are thrilled by this news.
Star Wars Celebration
Funko will also have a presence at Star Wars Celebration, held in April in Anaheim, CA. Details on how they will be there (own booth or at a retailer) have not been announced yet, but expect some exclusives to be there, in addition to the already announced Super Shogun Shadow Trooper.
D23
With any luck, Funko will also have a presence at D23 this year, held in August in Anaheim, CA. This Disney-centric celebration coincides with the Disneyland’s 60th Celebration… so who knows what surprises may be in store.
It was about that time where Brian had to move on to meet with one of the buyers he had scheduled. Hope you guys enjoyed the results of our conversation.
Excelsior.
Matt Norris