If you somehow weren’t already aware of the Final Fantasy series, you’re missing out on one of the most unique experiences in video game history - a long-running RPG series which effectively redefined the genre. With 16 unique entries (plus spin-offs!) each with their own compelling story and characters, there’s something for all kinds of RPG and fantasy fans within the series!

Each mainline Final Fantasy game takes place in its own setting, so between the many entries, you don’t need to worry about having played the other titles or remembering continuity details. That’s one of the many things that makes it so great: it’s a fantasy epic with a shared mythology rather than one long running story.

As Final Fantasy games are primarily story-led, they also offer some of the most compelling narratives you’ll find in video games - it’s a bold claim, but with so many strong narratives, it’s easy to say. Every fan of the series has a different favorite story and characters, and many of them have received huge critical and commercial acclaim. Whether it’s the grimdark dystopia of Final Fantasy VII or the more whimsical traditional fantasy of Final Fantasy IX.

The hobby goods that surround the Final Fantasy series are plentiful - action figures, fixed posed figures, model kits, character merchandise and more are highly available for lots of the different Final Fantasy titles. Many of these are handled directly by Square Enix themselves in action figure series like the Play Arts and Bring Arts series, but we also see these characters occasionally pop up in other lines.

Square Enix has also experimented with different styles of figure like the exciting new Polygon figure series which recreates the style of Final Fantasy characters from their original 3d in-game models and the ‘Adorable Arts’ series which takes a much cuter approach, offering figures with limited posability but a lot of personality.

Whatever your favorite Final Fantasy character, there’s likely something for you on hlj.com!

There are many other popular series under the Square Enix banner, but one that has had a huge impact on our customers and gaming culture is the NieR series! This iconic series is a collaboration between Square and the mysterious game designer Yoko Taro, with a handful of works set in a post-apocalyptic setting and utilizing fast paced action-RPG hybrid gameplay.

NieR Replicant (released initially as both NieR Gestalt and NieR Replicant) was not universally loved upon its initial release in 2010, but was received warmly by a cult following of Yoko Taro fans. Despite this, it’s been re-evaluated a lot since its initial release, with a remastered version releasing in 2021.

It’s the sequel, NieR: Automata which really sent the series to meteoric levels of popularity with its release in 2017. This sequel shares a universe but is set long after the original title, focusing on new characters - androids who are rebelling against a cruel fate. Characters like 2B, 9S and A2 have become household names amongst gaming fans.

Figure and merchandise releases of the main characters 2B, 9S, and A2 are very common across a lot of different manufacturers and figure series! 2B figures in particular have been very popular, and there’s lots of different types available, so fans of this iconic character are in luck!