Figurines based on characters in television cartoons and popular movies are becoming collectibles in Japan — among people of all ages.
Toys for young children have been sluggish due to the low birthrate, so manufacturers are targeting their toys at adults, hoping to see potential growth in this market.
Tomy Direct has marketed sophisticated character reproductions from the third installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series released May 25, and in some shops the first shipments have already sold out.