One of the most hotly debated issues among action figure collectors is: what is, and what isn't an action figure. Every collector has been faced with somebody not-in-the-know calling their action figures "figurines" or worse, "dolls." This labeling issue stems from the fact that nobody has ever taken the time to define what an action figure technically is. We often have a vague idea that an action figure is a small, plastic character designed for re-enactment play by children. They can be posed and accessories can be placed in their hands, but so can Barbie dolls, and most collectors will emphatically cry out that Barbie is not an action figure.
This article will try to define action figures, however it's important to understand that this definition is not written in stone and is subject to debate and further discussion. This is not a black and white categorization; rather, there are many gray areas.
The first step in defining an action figure is to look at them alongside their closest cousins, figurines and dolls; all three of which can fall under the major category of simply "figures." By defining all three, we should see how they are related and where one ends and the other begins.
Types of Figures
Figurines: Figurines are often small, sculpted and painted representations of personified characters (superheroes, movie characters, etc.) that have no moving parts.
Posability: None
Size: From extremely miniature (e.g. 6mm model train figures) up to approximately 6 inches (anything larger is generally considered a "statue").
Other Features: Often figurines will be molded permanently on a base to help them stand (e.g. plastic green Army men).
Action Figures: Action figures must possess a certain amount of posability, often referred to as "points of articulation". These figures will have moving parts that can be manipulated into various poses. Often they come with interchangeable accessories such as weapons or snap-on backpacks.
Posability: Yes. Most collectors agree that an action figure should possess no less than 3 points of articulation (e.g. the head and both arms move).
Size: From approximately 3 inches up to 11 inches.
Other Features: Most action figures will be built entirely of molded plastic, including its clothing and accessories, although occasionally some will come with one piece of cloth clothing (e.g. a robe or cape).
Dolls: Dolls are almost always much larger than figurines and action figures and will often come with clothing that can be removed almost completely. They should also possess a certain amount of posability, but the emphasis on posability is often second to the realism of the sculpts and accessories.
Posability: Yes. Depending on the line of the dolls, posability is less important than display aesthetics.
Size: Usually 12 inches or larger.
Other Features: Dolls will often have removable clothing, down to the figures "skin" and will possibly have other interchangeable outfits that can be purchased separately. Accessories such as weapons and other hand-held gear are also abundant and highly prized by doll collectors.
The Gray Areas
There is no fine line dividing each of the three categories and are therefore left to personal opinion. What one collector may call a "figurine", another collector may call an "action figure". Let's look at some of the possible gray areas within each category.
Figurines: Occasionally, you may come across a figure that is mostly static, yet may have, say, a head that turns from side to side. For the most part this figure would still be considered a figurine due to the fact that one or two points of articulation do not significantly add to the "action" aspect of the figure.
Also, some figurines may come with a single accessory that snaps onto the hand, or perhaps a cloth cape that can be removed, but like the single point of articulation previously mentioned, this doesn't necessarily raise the figure to the status of "action figure".
Action Figures: Some action figures can be quite large, upwards to 11 inches, in some cases larger. But an action figure larger than 11 inches does not by default become a doll unless the majority of its clothing can be completely removed. For example, the classic Shogun Warriors of the 1970's stood at a whopping 24 inches, yet were completely made of molded plastic and designed to be played with more than displayed.
Alternately, some action figures may be smaller than 3 inches, such as the Yoda action figure from Kenner's Empire Strikes Back line. However, it possessed 5 points of articulation, a cloth robe and two molded plastic accessories. Despite its similarities to both figurines and dolls, it is ultimately an action figure.
Dolls: Dolls may be smaller than 12 inches, but as long as they still have clothing that can be completely removed and it is clear that the figure was meant to be displayed, as opposed to played with, it can be considered a doll.
However, one of the most popular figures in the world, the classic G.I. Joe figures of the 1960s-'70s is often referred to alternately as both an action figure and a doll. The original figures stood at around 12 inches and had completely removable clothing that could be switched out for other outfits. By our definition, this is a doll, but due to its obvious design as a toy meant to be played with, it could also be considered an action figure. Ironically, G.I. Joe is the reason for the term "action figure" due to Hasbro executives worrying that boys would not play with a "doll," thus giving the figure the new term.
Which Ones Should You Collect?
Although we have attempted to define the different categories of figures, there is no reason not to collect them all if they suit what you'd want to see on your shelves. In fact, because of these gray areas in the definition, most collectors have a few figurines and dolls in their collection and display them all together. In the end, it's all about what makes you happy as a collector.
