Taito Prize – Figures from an Arcade Dynasty
Few names are as closely tied to Japanese arcade culture as Taito: in 1978, the company sparked the worldwide arcade boom with "Space Invaders," it still runs its own game centers in Japan today, and since 2005 it has belonged to the Square Enix group. Under the Taito Prize label come the figures played for at the crane machines in these arcades: so-called prize figures, designed as prizes and therefore built for instant impact. They've long since become regularly traded internationally and have earned a firm place on collectors' shelves. At Elbenwald you'll find Taito Prize figures spanning anime, games, and Vocaloid worlds – a hit rate of one hundred percent, no claw arm required.
What makes Taito Prize stand out?
The price-performance sweet spot. Prize figures traditionally cost significantly less than elaborate scale statues, but they don't skimp on character: the Coreful line brings popular heroines onto the shelf in dynamic poses, Desktop Cute focuses on compact formats that fit next to your keyboard and monitor, and the Aqua Float Girls bring pool-day fun, complete with swim rings, to the display case. Add to that a license selection with a knack for current favorites – from Vocaloid icon Hatsune Miku to Marin Kitagawa from My Dress-Up Darling to Mai Sakurajima from Rascal Does Not Dream. Anyone starting a collection will find the most rewarding entry point here: a manageable budget, a solid level of detail, and quick wins.
Frequently asked questions
What Taito Prize products does Elbenwald offer?
Prize figures from lines like Coreful, Desktop Cute, and Aqua Float Girls – with licenses from Hatsune Miku to My Dress-Up Darling to Atelier Ryza. Use the filters to narrow the range by franchise.
What are prize figures?
Collectible figures produced in Japan as prizes for crane machines in arcades. They're cheaper than elaborate scale figures, focus on striking poses, and are regularly sold through retail internationally.
Who is behind Taito Prize?
Taito, a Japanese arcade industry veteran known for "Space Invaders" from 1978 and its own arcades. Since 2005, Taito has belonged to the Square Enix group; the arcade figures are released under the Prize label.
Range overview
All Taito formats are bundled in the figures category – from the Coreful pose to the Desktop Cute miniature. If you want to compare scale, place the scale figures alongside; the soft competition sits among the plush figures. The line, size, and version of each individual piece are listed on the respective product page, while the Anime world provides the content backdrop.
What else goes well with it?
You can keep collecting by franchise at Hatsune Miku, My Dress-Up Darling, Atelier Ryza, and Rascal Does Not Dream – all worlds Taito regularly releases new figures for. For a manufacturer comparison, Banpresto and FuRyu are worth a look from the same prize-figure school, as is Good Smile Company for the Nendoroid crowd.
