Time for a stretch! Can you guess our next My First Funko featured collectible? The cards are in your favor if you’re on the hunt for fan-favorite anime characters that just stick with you. This month, a Funko employee shares how her fandom reaches and extends to building community.

What is your name and job title at Funko?

Kendra Hall, Direct to Consumer (DTC) Campaign Coordinator

What is your first Funko collectible, and where do you display it?

My first Funko collectible is a Pop! Hisoka from the anime series Hunter x Hunter. I love that his signature Bungee Gum is included as part of his design. He lives on my desk at the Funko office with the dozens of other Pops! I’ve started to collect since working here.

Is there a special story or memory behind your first Funko collectible?

Hunter x Hunter has been my favorite anime for years, and I rewatch my favorite arcs every nostalgic holiday season. I received Hisoka as a Christmas gift the year before I started working at Funko. I had been job searching at the time, and looking back, it feels like a sign that I would end up working here.

How does this collectible inspire your work?

I mean… listen, Hisoka is a dubious character at best, so I’ll just speak to anime collectibles as a whole. When I was growing up, watching anime did not rouse the same passion and interest that it does now. I’ve loved seeing this surge of popularity for anime because I get more chances to talk about some of my favorite shows with people I never expected to care about that side of animation. I’m inspired by this collectible because it reminds me that fandom builds community. The more loud and proud we are about the things we love, the more inclined others might be to share in that excitement.

Help keep the conversation going on social media. What was your first Funko collectible? What pop-culture moments do you enjoy keeping close? Share your first Funko moment on Facebook, X, or Instagram by tagging @OriginalFunko and using #MyFirstFunko. We’d love to see what you’re up to!