I've been
compiling a whole thread on Vinylnation about Eachez Vinylmation, a seemingly
popular new trend for the Disney vinyl franchise that according to the recent
Imagination Gala event in EPCOT, warrants at least twenty of these Eachez
series.
If you don't know what an "Eachez" is, that's okay. Not even I know
why that's the name for these. But an Eachez Vinylmation is a mystery blind box
of just one single vinyl figure. You know what you're buying however as it's
revealed on the box, but the catch is that there's a variant to this figure,
which is usually rarer. Ratios are shown on the box, the most common being
"9/10" with the variant being "1/10". The idea that you
could open up a variant is what I believe is the drive to buy more than one or two,
sometimes more than four, to have a chance at getting the variant.
From all the previews at Imagination Gala this past weekend, there's an
implication that open window series (vinyls that have a clear plastic window
that you can see what figure you're buying) is a thing of the past, and it
makes sense. A good record of these open window vinyls in recent memory have
wound up sitting on shelves on property and made the trip to the outlets, where
they sit for long periods of time at $3.99, a markdown of over 60% off the
retail price, until the remaining stock sells out. Why is that? Well, have you
seen the price of a Vinylmation these days? $12.95 is a lot for a vinyl figure,
even if it has the Disney name. But back in the day, like 2011? Collectors were
willing to pay for them as they were cheaper ($9.95) and most importantly, the
mindset of vinyls being outlet fodder wasn't even in its nascent phase.
That being said, my one hope is that Eachez doesn't become another aspect of a
Disney franchise run to the ground because greed. You see, they recently
released a Chinese Dragon Eachez vinyl awhile back...for no reason other than
it being part of a franchise line. No real sentimental meaning behind it. 'It's
a business' yes, but what if these random releases become more prominent, and
not just a part of a blind box series or upcoming movie? And then even the
variants of past Eachez releases are forgotten with newer vinyls? We've seen
this with blind box series as well, in which older series like Park 2 or Holiday
1 have lost their value because of newer, popular series. And then there's the
question of variant values - look at the Trade Night vinyls, with a LE50, is
there a real desire to chase after something so difficult to obtain or too
expensive on eBay? In a way it's why I like the 1/10 variant ratio but it does
leave more opportunities to blind box commons...And making the ratio to like
3/10 makes the variant more obtainable and thus less valuable. And the worse
part?
My fear is that Disney is going to squeeze out the milk money on this anyway.
So I'm hoping I'm horribly wrong and the DDG (Disney Design Group) learned from
their past mistakes in figuring out LE, price and design appeal (a whole post
by itself) to make this part of the Vinylmation line have lasting appeal (and
yes lasting value).
Here's the full list so far.
~~~~~~~~~~
8/9/13
Yellow = LE 1500 Blue = LE 400 Opaque = LE 100
9/27/13
Regular = LE 2250 // Ghost Variant =
LE 250
11/8/13
Regular = 900 // Green Variant
= 100
11/8/13
Regular = 1000 // No Paint Variant = LE 200
11/22/13
Regular = 2250 // Summer
Variant = LE 250
12/13/13
Regular = 9/10 // Clear Red
Variant = 1/10
12/27/13
Regular = 1350 // Negative
Variant = LE 150
1/8/14/
Regular = 7/10 // Green Jacket
Variant = 3/10
6.25.15 NOTE: These have just NOW hit the outlets.
3/28/14 - 11/14/14
- Oswald (black/gold metallic) 3/28
- Buzz Lightyear (green metallic) 4/22
- Winnie the Pooh (orange/black metallic) 4/22
- Peg Leg Pete (silver/black metallic) 9/5
- Dumbo (blue tint metallic) 9/5
- Figment (purple metallic) 9/7
- Agent P (turquoise metallic) 9/12
- Mike Wazowski (green metallic) 9/26
- Scrooge McDuck (gold metallic, with black hat) 10/3
- Alice from AiW (white with black trimming) 10/3
- Kermit the Frog (green metallic) 10/17
- Stitch (blue metallic) 11/14
NOTE: The variants are clear versions, and all are 1/10, or 50 from a LE 500.
I predicted in the VinylNation forums that this would plummet in value/interest because no one will be able to complete this set without spending tons of money, and I was partially right...the picture used here was from a eBay listing and the whole set sold for $261.26. Forget trying to get the variant cheaper than $100 though, they're now in the top ranking for most expensive Vinylmation to date, ranging from $300 up.
It is also interesting to note that the removal of Vinylmation trading in Trade Nights and in-park trading has ensured this was a one time thing, and judging from how the releases after Figment was accidentally sold at the Imagination Gala were surprise releases (announced ON THE DAY OF RELEASE), they just wanted to get rid of them and that was it.
3/28/14
Regular = 9/10 // Vintage Variant
= 1/10
5/2/14
Black Common = 9/10 // Gold
Variant = 1/10
Fun fact: 龍 means 'dragon' and 米奇老鼠 technically means 'Mickey Mouse'
6.25.15 NOTE: These have since disappeared from the parks sometime between Christmas and now, but the Pirate Princess vinyls have stuck around.
5/15/14
R2-MK = 9/10 // R2-D2 = 1/10
NOTE: Though reported as LE 2500, blox and stock availability
at Star Wars Weekends indicate this is no longer LE but an open release. A good
idea IMO as R2-MK is the recent mascot of SWW and tells me many would like to
have a R2-MK vinyl to take home.
EDIT: Apparently all droids were sold out by the penultimate
Weekend.
5/23/14
Red Shirt = LE 2250 // Patriotic Shirt = LE 250
6/13/14
Smile & Snow = LE 1500 // Scream & Pumpkins = LE 400
// Laugh & Equations = LE 100
NOTE: First spotted at the NBC Trade Event at Disneyland on
the 13th (today as of this edit), these are currently event exclusive but
there's a possibility they will be available to the public if it doesn't sell
out today.
EDIT: Nope. Has not (ever?) been made available to the
public. No clue if it sold out at event but considering there was no buying limit
it's a possibility.
6/27/14
Pink = 9/10 // Purple = 1/10
9/7/14
Blue Dress = 9/10 // Black Dress = 1/10
NOTE: Released at Imagination Gala to a quick sellout. Made
sense as the cast chasers were Chip & Dale in orange or blue tuxedos.
9/26/14
Mystery Popcorns ~ Limited Release
10/10/14
Halloween 2014 - MNSSHP Gravedigger ~ Limited Release
10/24/14
Teal Sweater = LE 1350 // Yellow Llama Sweater = LE 150
10/24/14
Regular = LE 2250 // Variant = LE 250
11/?????????????????????/14
Festival of the Masters 2014 - Minnie ~ LE 1500
NOTE: Despite FotM being cancelled this year because of
Disney Springs construction, this vinyl was already produced and will be
released anyway. Definitely very odd but gotta get that moolah back somehow. :P
NOTE: LIKELY CANCELLED?
6.25.15 NOTE: CONFIRMED CANCELLED BY THOMAS SCOTT
2015 Series ~ LE 2500
NOTE: Mickey is the same variant for both Eachez, strange
enough. Interesting to see he has a
cool accessory.
12/26/14
Marvel - Ant Man ~ LE 2500
1/9/15
Marvel - Peter Parker ~ LE 2500
1/23/15
Star Wars #3 - Luke Skywalker ~ LE 2500
2/27/15
Mickey = 9/10 // Minnie = 1/10
2/27/15
Easter 2015 ~ LE 2500
Mickey = 9/10 // Minnie = 1/10
4/3/15
Star Wars #5 - 3PO Protocol Droid ~ LE 2500
C-3PO = 7/10 // K-3PO = 2/10 // R-3PO = 1/10
NOTE: The switch of this from the fifth SW Eachez is likely a mistake in Merchandising.
5/15/15
Star Wars #4 - X Wing Pilot ~ LE 1500
Biggs Darklighter = 9/10 // Jek Porkins = 1/10
5/22/15
Disneyland 60th Crystal Mickey ~ LE 2000
White = 9/10 // Blue = 1/10
NOTE: Released at Anaheim's D-Street for the Disneyland 60th kickoff, the Eachez was priced at $29.95 and sold out in hours. IMO it is troubling because the willingness to purchase an already overpriced (and admittedly lackluster aka easy to recreate) vinyl that is then jacked up, tells me there's a possibility to upcharge to $30 more often in future events because 'it's special'. Hoping this was a one time trial. However it is cool the bottom of the feet is a reflective mirror plate.
6/19/15
Star Wars #6 - Chewbacca ~ LE 2500
Regular = 9/10 // Imprisoned = 1/10
NOTE: Labeled as '4' on the box despite being sixth SW Eachez release.
6.28.15 NOTE: Chewie, Inquisitor and Peter Pan series pulled from shelves. Rumors according to Vinylmation World indicate it could be quality control issues from the manufacturing plant they were produced from. Here's hoping that it won't be like Furry Friends all over again.
7/3/15
Star Wars Rebels - Ezra Bridger ~ Limited Release
Regular = 9/10 // Helmet = 1/10
7/17/15
Disneyland 60th Entrance Sign ~ LE 2500
Modern Blue = 9/10 // Vintage Orange = 1/10
8/10/15
Aulani Menehune ~ LE ????
Wood = 9/10 // Stone = 1/10
8/14-16/15
D23 Expo 2015
NOTE: The next five were all sold at the Expo and only at the Expo.
The AristoCats ~ LE 2000
Marie = 3/4 // Toulouse = 1/5 // Berlioz = 1/20
Pinocchio 75th Anniversary Jiminy Cricket ~ LE 2500
Common = 9/10 // Variant = 1/10
Fantasia 75th Anniversary Chernabog ~ LE 1500
Regular = 9/10 // Psychedelic = 1/10
Marvel Vision ~ LE 1500
Regular = 9/10 // Phasing = 1/10
Star Wars Rebels ~ LE 1500
Hera Syndulla = 9/10 // Kanan Jarrus = 1/10
9/4/15
Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens - First Order Stormtroopers ~ Limited Release
Squad Leader = 9/10 // Sergeant = 1/20 // Officer = 1/20
NOTE: A surprise release to coincide with Force Friday, a nationwide event launching all new Force Awakens merchandise, it immediately sold out. Only major difference apart from the shoulder pads is that the Squad Leader is the only one to come with a blaster.
9/25/15
Food & Wine Festival 2015 - Swedish Chef ~ LE 2500
Regular = 9/10 // Messy = 1/10
10/23/15
Holiday 2015 ~ Limited Release
Mickey = 9/10 // Minnie = 1/10
NOTE: This is the first Eachez released at Pin Traders, now the main Downtown Disney, sorry, Disney Springs location that sells Vinylmation, as D-Street no longer plans to sell Vinylmation anymore after five and a half years as its flagship store. An unfortunate change truncated in favor for more Star Wars merchandise.
11/20/15
Star Wars Eachez #6 - Darth Vader ~ LE 2500
Unmasked = 9/10 // Masked = 1/10
11/20/15
Pixar - Baby Jack Jack ~ LE 2500
Regular = 4/5 // Fire = 1/10 // Demon = 1/10
12/25/15
2016 Series ~ Limited Release
Regular = 4/5 // Monochrome = 1/10 // Neon = 1/10
NOTE: Disneyland has the exact same Vinylmations except the logo on the hat is the stylized D.
1/22/16
Frozen - Anna ~ Limited Release
Coronation = 9/10 // Frozen = 1/10
NOTE: Apparently this is "Eachez 1" - possibly a series of Frozen Eachez is coming?
TBA
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One more thing: the future of Eachez vinyls. They already have a nice handful of future releases, and while exciting, it could get old fast with the same concept. They are trying out something new with the 2015 Eachez having a different figure as the variant...but something else would be nice too. Meanwhile I have some ideas on how to expand the line and make it fresh, actually.
- Park Starz Eachez. Starz is already popular with fans that dislike the Mickey
mold, and to make a Eachez with an extra figure would mean bringing in those
fans up to date with the Eachez concept, in addition of removing the select
in-series variants that are sold separately with Park Starz. Because let's face
it, the variant tins usually do not sell thanks to the $25 tag and most go to
the outlets as well. Also, make the variant worth it, more than a different color or adding skates to Trixie, for example.
8.10.15 EDIT: I still believe that Park Starz is done, but will still hold out for these as the Disneyland 60th variants of certain figures are being released on Friday I think.
- Frozen. I mean, one of the highest grossing animated features ever, and all
we get is a Olaf Eachez? That Anna & Elsa two pack doesn't help either as
it was LE1500, sold out at D-Street in just three days, AND barely recognizable
(very chibi-like and rather fat on the Minnie mold). I've heard a possibility of a Frozen set for 2015 but in the meantime, perhaps a Sven Eachez to go with the Olaf? Like, regular Sven and a variant with the ice crystals in his antlers?
6.25.15 EDIT: Well that certainly was a bust wasn't it? I understand the reason for deviating from the usual route and making them cute and Tsum Tsum like, but it doesn't work. It threw off and turned off a lot of people simply because these were targeted for young children. If they weren't, well that is apparently the main demographic that bought them. Won't be surprised to see them at the outlets by summer's end. One of Disney's biggest financially successful movies in ages and we got...that.
- In fact I can see some of the future movie series get an Eachez vinyl, like another Ultron for Marvel 3. In fact I am almost certain there will be something for Marvel 3 along with Cinderella, Peter Pan or 101 Dalmatians as there are a lot of characters in those movies that can't fit in a series of 8.
6.25.15 EDIT: Neither any Cinderella or 101 Eachez happened...yet. You never know but seeing how they still linger and will likely hit the outlets soon, may not be a thing.
8.10.15 EDIT: Cindy, Dalmatians, Frozen, and Peter Pan on shelves still. I don't believe at this point that Eachez spinoffs will ever happen for movie sets, and with Aladdin being released sometime in August, probably the same thing.
Most importantly since the Gala previews determine variants do not need to be of the same figure, why not apply that to all these points? Of course it'd be terrible if it was intended to be a two figure set (coughValentines&Patrick'sDayEachezcough) but it does entice collectors casual and veteran to get another blox just in case.
6.25.15 ADD: It is safe to assume that Star Wars and Marvel does sell regardless of how obnoxious the merchandise push has been in and out the parks. But we also know that Eachez vinyls are here to stay, at least until 2016....I'll admit I overheard Thomas Scott back on the weekend of June 12-14 at the X-Wing Collectibles shop about how he had Eachez planned well into 2016, so I'm super curious to see what future releases are in store.
10.17.15 ADD: We have seen concepts cancelled (FotM Minnie) and other concepts either never planned for release (like the Vinylmation calendar). It doesn't mean all concepts are immediately dead on arrival but merely planned for next year or even three damn long years down the road (looking at you, Haunted Mansion series 2). But as all these and more are being released, I'm questioning the worth of these variants as clearly the commons immediately lose value once you open the foil. It appears that yes, certain variants are worth more than another kind of variant. And it pisses me off to see misinformation about what its projected value could be on a secondhand website. So I am planning on making another post, this time about series variants, not Eachez variants, and I plan to add the values for these as of the moment I type them in. Let's see how it goes.
1/31/16 ADD: I've noticed that Eachez has slightly slowed down to specific sets like with Pixar 3 or a commemorative souvenir like with the 2016 Eachez. However my theory is that more Frozen Eachez will be released over 2016, the theory being that it'll be a redemption of the poorly designed series from last year.
TBA
