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Figure collecting has gotten expensive. That is not exactly a shocking statement but it still hurts every time a new preorder goes up and the price tag makes you consider all of your life choices. Both current and future...

Premium scales are more detailed, bases are getting bigger, effects are getting flashier but spending $150-plus on a figure is very tough to justify. Living in Japan, I really have no right to complain since I avoid the tariff and shipping fees that are forced upon many. At the same time, there are just too many other things at that price point that could be a better buy.

So when a line comes along offering figures with nice sculpting, good character choices and prices that do not immediately cause emotional damage, it is worth paying attention. Lately, that line has been Gift+ by Myethos.

Myethos has an established reputation. They are not a random newcomer trying to survive with questionable quality. Myethos is known for stylish, art-driven scale figures, especially original designs and illustration-based releases. Their higher-end work includes highly praised pieces like neco’s A-Z: series which features 1/7 scale figures that emphasize texture work, weapon detail and a strong illustration-to-figure translation.

Myethos built its name on figures that felt like they could be center pieces and partnered with well known artists to give fans something other companies couldn’t.

That is part of why Gift+ feels interesting. This is not a budget line from another random Chinese  company with no industry trust. It is a more accessible line from a manufacturer that already knows how to make attractive figures and doesn't disappoint. Gift+ is where all of their experience gets compressed into a cheaper, easier-to-collect format.

Gift+ figures are usually not trying to be the definitive version of a character. They are not giant centerpiece releases. Instead, they aim for a sweet spot: enough sculpting and unique presence to feel collectible, but affordable enough that you do not need to treat the preorder like a life decision.

A bonus is that these are officially licensed characters from popular IPs. I have previously written about some of the new budget figure manufacturers like Bear Panda but part of the budget aspect is focusing on original characters and working directly with artists. Gift+ seems to be focusing on popular gacha games.

One of the best examples is Janus from Azur Lane. While detail doesn't compete with a traditional scale, we get a very nice design and bishoujo visual. It will still grab attention and turn heads thanks to the unique concept borrowed from the in-game skin, and won’t end up being a forgotten side piece in a large collection.

Later Gift+ examples have also landed in that approachable zone. Trinidad has a similar theme to Janus making it easy to collect and display together. Fan favorites like Zenless Zone Zero’s Hoshimi Miyabi are given super nice alternative themes at a price that is much more easily justifiable than say the epic centerpiece Apex version.

Myethos seems to understand where to spend the budget when creating products for Gift+. The clean poses, attractive facial expressions, enough detail in clothing or accessories to keep the figure from feeling bare and a unique look that represents the character well. They may not have the most complex bases or the most premium paint finishes, but they often look good where it counts most: from the front, on the shelf, surrounded by the rest of your collection.

Using Janus and Apex Innovation for another comparison, the difference is easy to see side by side. Apex went for a more ecchi design, used a variety of materials like the fabric on the base and translucent clothing and the sculpt is more detailed. Myethos has the same concept and inspiration, but made proper changes to lower the price and keep the impact. For half the price, I am willing to say goodbye to our little yellow Manjuu friend.

Gift+ also benefits from smart character selection. Leaning heavily into gacha games like Honkai: Star Rail and Arknights which are packed with characters, there is a huge roster we may love, but not enough to shell out big bucks.

Gift+ is not going to replace premium figures but is giving collectors another option. Not every character needs a luxury scale. Not every fan can or should spend premium-scale money on every character they like. Sometimes you just want a nice, good-looking figure that captures the character well. For me personally, these types of budget lines are what is keeping me in the hobby. Truthfully, I find it hard to justify pricing for a lot of figures. I have mostly switched to spending a little more for signed art prints or limited merchandise as an alternative to figures. When choosing topics for these blogs, I always ask myself is this something I would consider buying or is there anything interesting/valuable to inform people about who might. If you have a favorite budget line or would like to share your experience with Myethos or Gift+, leave a comment! I would love to hear it!

Thank you for reading!