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Can you imagine a bearbrick that might cost over ten thousand dollars? In addition, super stars such as Jay Chou, JJ Lin, Lee Chong Wei, Huang Zi Tao, and G-Dragon have them as collections?
That's right. It is possible that you have seen this cute little bear with a large belly, but you have not taken an interest in it. In fact, the cute little bear has emerged from the hype collectibles market, becoming a collectable, or even an alternative investment.
Why have these bearbricks gained such popularity?
The bearbricks have undoubtedly generated a trend in modern toy collections. It creates a delicate bridge between the worlds of toys and art. In 2001, the Japanese toy company launched the first limited edition of the bearbricks through collaborations with numerous artists, fashion designers and major retailers. Celebrity endorsement, limited supply, and collaboration with well-known designers have driven the growth of bearbricks into yet another new investment market after famous watches, sneakers, and bags.
In addition to its limited number, each bearbrick series is designed and themed differently, which adds to its collectible value.
Let's start with Tatsuhiko Akashi, the founder of Bearbricks. In 1996, he founded the famous Japanese toy company Medicom Toy. In those days, Tatsuhiko Akashi expressed the hope that people could heal their emotional wounds through his doll toys. A humanoid toy similar to Lego, Kubric, named after the legendary film producer Stanley Kubrick, was one of Medicom Toy's first creations.
Teddy Bear and Kubric launched a collaboration in 2001
In 2001, Tatsuhiko Akashi created a bearbrick at the "World Character Convention" held in Tokyo. At that time, the organiser asked him to design a gift for the participants. Since the organiser required hundreds of gifts in a short period of time, Tatsuhiko Akashi came up with the creative idea of putting the bear's head on Kubric, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the bear's birth. The bearbrick was launched in 2001 as a result of its popularity among the participants.
Collector’s favourite sizes: 400% and 1000%
The bearbrick has a specific size. The normal bearbrick is 70 mm high, also known as the size ratio of 100%. 35mm or 50% of building block bears are usually used to make keychains. The larger size includes 280mm or 400%, and 700mm or 1000%. The latter is the largest available bearbrick size, and most collectors prefer 400% and 1000% sizes.
After that, Medicom Toy and HMV, a record chain in Tokyo, collaborated to design a unique bearbrick. As a result of this first collaboration, Medicom Toy has begun producing limited edition bearbricks, including Winnie the Pooh, the Avengers, and Star Wars characters.
Additionally, it collaborates with many world-renowned brands. For instance, collaborations with Chanel, Nike, X-Large, Hermès, Comme Des Garcons, and other famous fashion and street brands have been made with the launch of limited edition bearbricks.
“Kaiser Karl” “Coco Chanel” A popular choice among many
The late world-renowned designer Karl Lagerfeld also created a bearbrick of himself in 2007, with only 1,000 pieces produced worldwide. They are mainly displayed in the boutiques of Karl Lagerfeld's luxury fashion brands, and now this bearbrick is also sought after by collectors.
During his tenure as creative director of Chanel, "Kaiser Karl" also designed the Chanel bearbrick in 2006. Similarly, only 1000 pieces are produced worldwide. Most of them are displayed in Chanel boutiques, and only a few have appeared on the market.
This bearbrick is styled like Coco Chanel, the founder of Chanel. It is wearing her classic pearl-studded tweed suit. At a Christie's auction in November 2019, a Chanel bearbrick was sold for US330,000 (approximately SGD 40,100).
This bearbrick is styled like Coco Chanel, the founder of Chanel.
Which bearbricks are suitable for investment?
Recently, three Chanel bearbricks were listed on StockX. By deadline, its starting price was US 75,018. However, on another trading platform, TheRealReal, a Chanel bearbrick was recently traded for US 8,000.
Bearbricks and KAWS, a well-known American artist and designer, created the "Chomper" blue version of bearbrick, which is well-known to bearbrick enthusiasts.
According to StockX trading statistics, Chomper traded for US 7,500 in March 2020. After that, its price reached US 14,200 in November 2021. As of today, Chompers cost US 32,892, up from US 11,000 last year.
Most 1000% size bearbricks are priced between 600 and 800 yuan depending on the model; however, limited edition models can cost tens of thousands of yuan; the price of the 400% size bearbrick is generally between 140 and 180 yuan, while the price of the surprise box series of 100% size bearbrick is about 200 yuan, and 50% and 70% of the size of the price is below 20 yuan.
An interview with Lianhe Zaobao quoted the founder of DrunkenBear, Koh Hui Keong: "Some bearbricks are very limited, and each series has a different theme and design. It has a real collectible value, but I personally don't think every model is suitable as an investment.”
Derived from the Japanese domestic market with greater appreciation potential
So how to choose a bearbrick suitable for investment? According to Koh Hui Keong, buyers should focus only on bearbricks launched in the Japanese domestic market. He said: "Medicom Toy will launch different bearbricks in different countries and regions. Buyers can only see bearbricks from their own country on the Medicom Toy website in their own country. The so-called 'What you own is also owned by others' principle applies when buyers only buy local bearbricks, so these kinds of bearbricks will take longer to appreciate. Based on past experience, facts have proved that bearbricks derived from the Japanese domestic market, known as Japan domestic market/Product (JDMP), have greater appreciation potential.”
Additionally, buyers should pay attention to the packaging when purchasing JDMP's bearbricks. For example: Can this package prove that it is JDMP? Koh said: “It's like you buy an expensive watch from a dealer. A certificate card inside will show the country in which the product was produced and other details that are beneficial to resale."
When discussing the price trend of bearbricks, Koh said: “Some bearbricks can indeed double or ten times their price. It all depends on supply and demand. My personal recommendation is not to purchase bearbricks from resellers that are overpriced and have no proof of manufacture. The reason for this is that you will have a harder time selling bearbricks that lack proof of origin and are priced high in the international market. It is imperative that you buy the right bear in order to reap a return on investment."
Koh said: "There are many styles of bearbricks in the market now. It is my investment strategy not to be greedy, which means aiming for a price increase of ten times or more before letting go. As long as you manage to get a price increase of 10% to 50% in the short term, you should be satisfied, and then happily go to the next bearbrick. This will be a very enjoyable investment game.”
The celebrity’s influence: Bearbricks as home decoration
Qiu Qikai, director of Trillion Gains, which is mainly engaged in the import, export and sale of bearbricks, talked about the celebrity influence of bearbricks in an interview with the Morning Post. He said: “In the ’Bearbrick Weibo Hot Topic', it has been read 120 million times and posted nearly 5000 times; on Douyin, the topic of bearbricks has also reached 110 million times; B station, Xiaohongshu and other video social platforms, there are also many bearbrick unboxing and collection videos.”
Qiu QI Kai mentioned “It was evident that young people recognized the unobstructed taste of home improvement after Mao Xiaotong posted a video of dancing at home some time ago. The celebrity effect has caused many young people to choose bearbricks as their home furnishings, highlighting their artistic nature among young people.”
The viral the bearbrick market goes, the chaotic the price gets
Taiwanese artist Show Lo also posted his own toy collection on a show, and also exposed himself to turn on 24-hour air conditioning for sky-high-priced toys.The bear in his arms that he can't put down is the Chanel bear designed by ‘Kaiser Karl’ himself in 2006.
Now there are even such sayings on the Internet: "A wall filled with bearbricks, is equivalent to a set of houses in second- and third-tier cities.” This has also become a necessary “bearbrick wall” for many people to take pictures on social platforms. This situation is inextricably linked to the celebrity effect. Qiu Qikai said: “People who really like bearbricks buy them for the pleasure of artistic appreciation.They don't care about the price fluctuating up and down, they just buy for their own collection. But now more and more people are involved in a state of following suit, increasing the demand for bearbricks, and the consumer motivation has also begun to become complicated, leading to the current ‘bear market’ price chaos.”
When Qiu Qikai discussed the overall bearbrick price trend, he said that during the epidemic, between 2020 and 2022, bearbrick prices were raised several times, or even dozens of times. As of now, bearbrick prices have begun to soften and adjust. It should, however, be possible for bearbricks to increase by 5% to 10% in the long run.
Aside from the celebrity effect, even bearbricks will seem desirable if there are related movies or activities. Taking Garfield's new movie as an example, the film will be released in theatres in February 2024. It has been 18 years since the last Garfield movie was released on the big screen. Apparently, Garfield and the bearbrick have been receiving more attention recently. The old version of the Garfield bearbrick, especially if well preserved, will be more popular.
Whether it is a bearbrick lover or not, I really have to admire Medicom Toy's marketing model. It is really a consumer psychology that pursues excitement for young consumers, and makes collecting toys a symbol of “hype”. As long as the market continues to have trendy people, the “bear market” of bearbrick will continue to be popular.
How to tell if you're getting the real thing?
With Bearbricks becoming increasingly popular, there have also been a lot of fakes in the market. The last thing you want is to be duped into adding a fake into your beloved bearbrick collection. In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Koh Hui Keong, the founder of DrunkenBear, provided the following tips to teach novices how to identify fake and authentic bearbricks.
- 400% + 100% vs 400% Box Set
Most authentic 400% bearbricks will come in a set of 400% (28cm) with a mini 100% (7cm) bearbrick.
- Quality
A genuine bearbrick is made of hard, good quality material. While most of them are vinyl, they also come in other finishings as well such as wood, felt, metal and plastic. However, when compared side by side with a fake, one can tell the difference by touch.
- Frosted Plastic Packaging
Your bearbrick should come in a frosted plastic packaging rather than a transparent casing.
- Pricing
If the prices are too good to be true, they probably are. Low prices might seem like a bargain but after weeks of anticipation you could end up with a low quality imitation.
- Hidden Tag QR Code
End of 2021 to early 2022, MCT began placing hidden tags on authentic products. Authentic BE@RBRICKS have a QR code that can be verified using the Hidden Tag App (download from the App Store/Play Store).
Koh suggested that people who are interested in collecting or investing in bearbricks should read more relevant information, and do their research before starting to buy bearbricks. If the bearbricks you bought does not have a QR code, the buyer can also check the box, serial number, bear shape, pattern, font, etc. to ensure that the bearbrick is authentic. It is best for buyers to buy from a reputable company, which is even more foolproof.
一只积木熊竟然可以炒到上万元？周杰伦、林俊杰、李宗伟、黄子韬和G-Dragon等大明星都在收藏？
是的。也许你曾经见过这只外形挺可爱又有个大肚子的小熊，但是对这个潮玩不以为意。其实这只可爱的小熊已经从潮物界脱颖而出，成为收藏品，甚至是另类投资。
到底积木熊如此被人追捧背后的原因是什么？
如果说积木熊开创了现代玩具收藏的风潮，并不夸张。它在玩具与艺术之间确实是建立起了微妙的桥梁。自2001年首次发布以来，这家日本玩具公司已与多名艺术家、时装设计师和主要零售商合作推出限量版的积木熊了。在名人效应、品牌限量、知名设计师参与与带动下，积木熊甚至已经成为了名表、球鞋和包包之后的另一新鲜投资玩意。
积木熊的数量非常有限，而且每个系列的主题和设计各不相同，确实是有它的收藏价值。（唐家鸿摄）
我们先从积木熊的创办人赤司竜彦（Tatsuhiko Akashi）讲起。赤司竜彦是在1996年创办日本著名玩具公司Medicom Toy。赤司竜彦当时说过，他希望人们能够通过他的公仔玩具，治疗心灵的创伤。Medicom Toy最早的作品之一是Kubric，这是一个以著名电影制作人库布里克（Stanley Kubrick）的名字命名，一个类似乐高的人形模型玩具。
泰迪熊与Kubric结合 2001年顺势推出
2001年，赤司竜彦在东京举行的“世界动漫人物大会”创造了积木熊。当时主办者找他设计一个送给与会者的伴手礼。考虑到主办单位在短时间内需要数百件礼物，加上2000年庆祝泰迪熊毛绒玩具诞生100周年，赤司竜彦就萌起了将小熊头放在Kubric身上的创作念头。因为受到了博览会嘉宾的喜爱，积木熊在2001年就顺势推出了。
收藏家最爱400％和1000％尺寸
积木熊有特定尺寸。正常的积木熊是70毫米高，也称为尺寸比例100％。35毫米或50％的积木熊通常都拿来做成钥匙扣。更大的尺寸则包括280毫米或400％，以及700毫米或1000％的。后者是可用型的最大积木熊尺寸，大多数收藏家都比较喜欢400％和1000％的尺寸。
之后，Medicom Toy与东京的唱片行HMV携手打造了一款独一无二的积木熊。自这第一次合作后，Medicom Toy就开始生产限量版的积木熊，例如：小熊维尼、复仇者联盟和星球大战等卡通人物的积木熊。
不仅如此，它还与多个全球知名品牌合作。例如与香奈儿（Chanel）、耐克（Nike）、X-Large、爱马仕（Hermès）、Comme Des Garcons等几个著名的时尚和街头品牌合作推出限量版积木熊。
“老佛爷”“可可香奈儿”大受追捧
已故世界知名设计大师“老佛爷”卡尔·拉格斐（Karl Lagerfeld）在2007年也以自己的样子，设计了一款积木熊，全球仅生产1000只。它们主要是陈列在Karl Lagerfeld的奢侈时尚品牌的精品店中，现在这款积木熊也是收藏家的追捧的。
过世的世界知名设计大师“老佛爷”在2007年也以自己的样子，设计了一款积木熊。（互联网）
这款积木熊的造型看起来像香奈儿的创始人可可·香奈儿。（互联网）
曾经也是奢侈品牌香奈儿创意总监的“老佛爷”，在2006年也设计了香奈儿积木熊。同样的全球仅生产1000只。它们大部分是在香奈儿的精品店内展示，只有少数曾在市场上出现。
这款积木熊的造型像香奈儿创始人可可·香奈儿（Coco Chanel）。它就穿着她的经典镶有珍珠的粗花呢西装服装。在2019年11月的佳士得（Christie's）一项拍卖会上，一只香奈儿积木熊就以3万美元（约4万零100新元）成交。
哪些积木熊适合投资？
最近在StockX交易平台上就有三只香奈儿积木熊待售。在截稿时，它的最低要价是一只7万5018美元。不过在另一个交易平台TheRealReal，最近就有一只香奈儿积木熊却以8000美元成交。
积木熊与美国知名艺术家和设计师KAWS，联手推出“Chomper”版蓝色积木熊也是积木熊爱好者所熟悉的。
根据StockX平台的交易数字，Chomper在2020年3月曾以7500美元成交。之后它的价格就在2021年11月达到1万4200美元。虽然有一只曾在去年12月以较低的1万1000美元成交，今天在该平台待售的Chomper已经是叫价3万2892美元了。
除了一些售价几万元的限量款之外，一般的1000％尺寸的积木熊售价介于600元至800元；400％尺寸的积木熊售价则多数是在140元至180元之间；100％尺寸的积木熊的惊喜盒系列，整套市场价是在200元左右；50％和70％尺寸的价格则是在20元以下。
DrunkenBear创办人许惠强在接受《联合早报》专访时说：“一些积木熊的数量非常有限，而且每个系列的主题和设计各不相同，确实是有它的收藏价值。但是作为投资的话，我个人就认为不是每款都适合投资。”
源自日本国内市场具更大升值潜能
那么要如何选择适合投资的积木熊呢？许惠强建议买家只集中购买日本国内市场推出的积木熊。他说：“Medicom Toy在不同的国家与地区会推出不同的积木熊。买家在自己国家的Medicom Toy网站也只能看到属于自己国度的积木熊。如果买家跟着大潮流走，只购买自己本地的积木熊的话，正所谓‘你有人家也有’，所以这类积木熊会需要更长的时间才能看到升值。根据过往的经验，事实证明源自日本国内市场的积木熊，也就是所谓的Japan Domestic market／Product（简称：JDMP）具有更大的升值潜能。”
另外，购买JDMP的积木熊时，买家也要注意它的包装。比如：这个包装是否能够证明它是JDMP？许惠强说：“这就像你从经销商那里购买昂贵的手表一样，里面的证明卡片会显示产品来自哪个国家等资料。这在转卖时是非常有利的卖点。”
在谈到积木熊的价格走势时，许惠强说：“有些积木熊的价格确实是可以狂跳两倍到整10倍的。这一切都取决于供求关系。我个人不建议从转销商那里购买价格过高，而且又没有货源证明的积木熊。因为当你要把这类没有货源证明，价格已经被炒高的积木熊销售到国际市场时，你会发现比较困难。换言之，要有投资回报就要买对的熊。”
许惠强说：“现在市场的积木熊款式花样很多。作为投资者，我不会贪心的等到价格翻两倍至10倍才脱手。我认为如果可在短期内取得10％至50％的价格涨幅就该满足，然后开开心心的去找下一只积木熊。这会是很愉快的投资游戏。”
明星效应 积木熊成家居软装
主要从事积木熊进出口和买卖的Trillion Gains公司董事邱麒恺，在接受早报专访时谈到积木熊的明星效应。他说：“在‘积木熊微博超级话题’里，它的阅读次数已达1亿2000次，贴文近5000个；在抖音上积木熊的话题播放量也达到1亿1000次；B站、小红书等视频社交平台上，也有不少积木熊的开箱、收藏视频。”
邱麒恺举例说：“明星毛晓彤前阵子晒出在家跳舞的视频后，一览无遗的家装品味得到年轻人的认可，在她的电视旁边便有两只积木熊。这些明星效应，让越来越多年轻人也开始选择积木熊作为自己的家居软装，凸显潮流艺术气质。”
越炒越热 熊市价格混乱
台湾艺人罗志祥也在节目中晒出自己的玩具收藏，还自曝为天价玩具开24小时空调。他怀里这只爱不释手的积木熊就是2006年老佛爷亲自设计的香奈儿积木熊。
现在互联网上甚至出现这样的一句话：“积木熊一面墙，二三线城市一套房。”这也成为许多人在社交平台上拍照背景必备的“熊墙”，这个情况与明星效应密不可分。邱麒恺说：“真正喜欢积木熊的人是为艺术欣赏的愉悦感而买的。他们不在意价格上下浮动，纯粹是买来自己收藏。但是现在有越来越多人卷入跟风的状态，让积木熊越炒越热，消费动机也开始变得复杂，导致如今‘熊市’价格混乱。”
邱麒恺在谈到积木熊的整体价格走势时就说，在疫情期间，也就是2020年至2022年间，积木熊的价格就被炒上好几倍，甚至是几十倍，走势疯狂。以至现在积木熊的价格开始回软、调整。不过长期而言，积木熊的价格应该可以5％至10％的幅度增值。
除了明星效应之外，如果有相关的电影或活动，连带积木熊也会出现被追捧。例如：加菲猫（Garfield）的新电影即将在2024年2月在影院上映。这部加菲猫电影距离最后一次大银幕上映隔了18年。邱麒恺说，最近加菲猫积木熊就会比较受到注意。尤其是旧版本的加菲猫积木熊，如果保存良好，就会更抢手。
不论是不是爱熊之人，真的不得不佩服Medicom Toy的营销模真的是对年轻消费者追求刺激的消费心理正中下怀，把收藏玩具变得是个“潮”的象征。只要市场继续有潮人，积木熊的“熊市”相信还会继续火红下去吧。
新手如何辨真伪
任何收藏品如果越来越受欢迎，市场上就会很自然的出现假货，积木熊也不例外。在买心爱的积木熊时，最伤心的就是买到假货。DrunkenBear创办人许惠强在接受《联合早报》专访时，提供下列贴士，教新手们如何辨认真假积木熊。
1）400％加100％套装才正宗
最正宗的400％积木熊是以400％（28cm）和迷你100％（7cm）积木熊的套装方式出售的，而不是单独一只400％积木熊。
2）质量
真正的积木熊是由坚硬、优质的材料制成的。虽然它们大部分是乙烯基材料，但它们也有如木材、毛毡、金属和塑料等版本。当真货与假货并排比较时，是可以通过触摸分辨出两者不同之处的。正品的手感非常结实。
3）磨砂塑料包装
积木熊应该是有磨砂塑料包装，而不是透明壳型包装。
4）价格
如果积木熊的售价便宜得令人难以置信，那么它们可能是不能相信的。正所谓一分钱一分货，如果售价太低，最终是很可能买到质量低劣的仿制品。
5）隐藏标签二维码
从2021年底至2022年初开始，Medicom Toy开始在正品上放置标签。从这个年份开始的正品积木熊都会有一个二维码。人们可以使用Hidden Tag App（可以从App Store或Play Store下载）进行验证。
许惠强建议，有兴趣收藏或投资积木熊的朋友应该多读、多看有关资料，做足功课才下手买积木熊。如果买的积木熊没有二维码，买家还可以检查盒子、序列号、小熊的形状、图案、字体等来确保积木熊是正品。买家最好是向信誉良好的公司购买那就更万无一失了。