Be@rbrick and Medicom Toy: The Art of Collecting

Be@rbrick is a collectible figurine shaped like a bear that has become a genuine phenomenon at the intersection of art, design, and streetwear. Behind the simple silhouette hides an entire culture of collecting that unites fans around the world and turns a plastic bear into a full-fledged art object.

Medicom Toy: Japanese Roots

The brand Medicom Toy was founded in Japan in 1996 and from the start specialized in high-quality collectible figurines. In 2001, the company released the first Be@rbrick. At first it was a promotional gift tied to the World Character Convention exhibition in Tokyo, but the idea quickly grew into a global project that has been released in series for over two decades now.

It’s no coincidence that Japan became the birthplace of Be@rbrick. It’s here that the culture of collectible figurines, designer toys, and the so-called kidult movement — adults’ fascination with toys and collectible objects — is especially well developed. Medicom Toy managed to combine this tradition with the language of contemporary art and streetwear, which is what turned a simple bear into a global cultural phenomenon with a devoted audience on every continent.

The Anatomy of a Be@rbrick

The figurine has a fixed bear silhouette made up of nine movable parts: head, torso, arms, hands, legs, and feet. It’s precisely the unchanging form that makes the Be@rbrick an ideal canvas for designers and artists — only the surface changes, while the silhouette stays recognizable. Be@rbricks are released in various sizes, denoted as percentages of the base figurine.

Main Sizes

• 100% — about 7 cm, the base format for mass series.
• 400% — about 28 cm, the most popular among collectors.
• 1000% — about 70 cm, premium art objects and status decor.
• There are also 50%, 70%, 200%, and even rare 1500% formats.

Collaborations as the Engine of Hype

Be@rbrick has worked with hundreds of partners — from artists and contemporary art museums to luxury fashion houses and streetwear labels. Among the partners were both classics, whose works were transferred onto the surface of the figurine, and leading street fashion brands. Each series turns the figurine into a unique art object, and limited runs fuel demand and create genuine competition among collectors.

The distinctive feature of Be@rbrick collaborations is that they blur the line between art, design, and consumer product. A figurine styled after a famous painting or in the aesthetic of a cult brand becomes both an accessible art object and a collectible item. Thanks to this, Be@rbrick has found an audience far beyond Japan — from gallery collectors to streetwear fans around the world.

Why It’s Real Collecting

Unlike ordinary toys, Be@rbrick has a clear logic of rarity. Many series are released in a “blind box” format, where the buyer doesn’t know which figurine is inside, and the odds of getting rare or secret variants are strictly calculated. Collectors hunt for specific releases, trade figurines, and track the market value of the most coveted specimens.

Principles of Rarity

• Series with different levels of rarity — from base to secret.
• Limited runs of collaborations with famous names.
• The “blind box” format with unpredictable contents.

Why Be@rbrick Conquered the Design World

The Be@rbrick phenomenon is explained by several factors at once. First, the simple and neutral form allows any idea to be realized — from classical painting to street graffiti. Second, the percentage format makes collecting clear and structured. Third, regular collaborations with the most diverse partners maintain constant interest and a flow of new audiences.

The Ingredients of Be@rbrick’s Success

• A universal form suited to any design.
• A clear system of sizes and rarity.
• A continuous stream of collaborations from various spheres of culture.
• The status of a full-fledged art object rather than an ordinary toy.

Be@rbrick as Investment and Decor

Many people buy Be@rbrick not only for the collection but also as an interior element or an investment. The large 400% and 1000% figurines have become status decor in the homes of design and streetwear-culture enthusiasts, and rare releases of popular collaborations rise noticeably in price on the secondary market over time. For many owners, the figurine becomes the central accent of the interior, around which the entire aesthetic of the space is built.

Start Your Collection with POGO

Want to add an art object to your interior or start a collection? Visit the POGO store, where we gather collectible figurines and streetwear releases from around the world. Fans of street aesthetics should also check out the Supreme section. Every item goes through an authenticity check, so you get only the original.