Rather, a Collector’s Item.
Cover photo used: Ultra Sofubi Series feat. Ultraman Trigger CM by Bandai on YouTube.
Toys are a main happiness of every children and people around the world. They were like treasures, and they can be passed from generation to generation, even if they are looking broken or faded away.
Most older people today can’t really differentiate on what’s a toy, and what’s not. So then, we could find out later in this blog post of mine of what’s the difference of a toy being a toy, and a toy being not a toy. Alright, let us discuss this!
A Toy as a ‘Toy’
A toy can be a toy when it can be played not just for kids, but on other younger adults and adults as well. Most toys can be played by kids at the age of 3 years old and above.
A toy can be a toy when its materials are solid, and they contain almost no toxic materials after all. Some of the example toys that can be played at the age of 3 years old and above for kids are the rubber balls (not very small), and some assorted toy cars and other toy vehicles (made of plastic material) of various sizes.
There are other toys, for example, that can be played at the age of 3-6 and above. Usually, these toys are for kids who has a slight knowledge about the nature of that toy. Examples are the soft vinyl figures by Bandai, and some other playable action figures by Hasbro. They can have a slight to no toxic material, and most of them are made of either plastic or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). Usually these toys are less detailed from its original counterpart, and it can be played by most children and other young adults elsewhere.
A Toy as ‘Not a Toy’
Basically, what makes a toy ‘not a toy’? That’s an easy question.
I really missed playing with my Nendoroid figures. I wondered on when I should resume my figure photography? 🤔 Who knows? I might come back, soon.#ねんどろいど #goodsmile pic.twitter.com/G7kaMaVML6
— いのりどんず | LET’S GO #Liella (@InoriDONZ) October 6, 2021
If you can see some toys today that are made mostly of sharp and pointed materials (i.e. die cast material), then that toy is considered to be not a toy after all. Most of these toys that are called as ‘not toys’ are action figures, or anything which is static or not moveable (notably prize figures, scale figures, and other die cast vehicles like the 1/24 scale cars).
Also, toys can be considered as not toys because when you look at the back (or even at the front) of the box, it indicates the age intended (example: For Ages 15 and Up). Most such toys like these today are created and marketed for older people, or for fans who were following a certain toy or figure line or series. Also, it is just for people who have a better knowledge in handling toys and figures for playing (like posing them for photography).
And then, there are toys which are totally designed and made for older people or adults as well. You can see the age requirement somewhere at the front or at the back of the box. It can be for people who are 18 and above, or sometimes 24 and above, depending on every countries.
Sometimes, the age requirements of these toys shall depend on the nature and the theme of them. If it is considered as ‘violent’ or sexual, then it is not really marketed for young children, after all.
Why Most Older People Can’t Differentiate Between a Toy and Not a Toy?
So then, this is a common mistake that every parents and other older people make when they give toys to their young children. Basically, a toy is considered as a ‘toy’ for children because that toy is safe to play and its themes are suitable for that child to play. Do note that some toys may trigger a child’s sense of playing, such as that certain toy can trigger the child’s sense to do violence (i.e. roleplay items like gun or sword). Some toys are safe to play for children if it is made of solid and plastic materials (i.e. building blocks), and not containing some sharp points, very small objects, and toxic materials (i.e. action figures).
Most parents and older people are looking at most toys (and even figures) as child’s play thing. What is a parent that can give his or her child or baby some Anime figure (i.e. prize figures) in which it is not really intended to play for kids under the suitable age? I think it’s kind of inappropriate for these people to give these young children some toys that has functional sharp objects and very small objects or parts, and I think it’s like giving them a deadly weapon. And finally, what’s a parent that gives his or her child some expensive static scale figure, only to be played, be thrown, and be smashed into pieces somewhere?
Conclusion: Not all Toys are a Child’s Play Thing!
When I was young, at the time when I was in my elementary age, I had played once a toy that has a functional sharp points. When I played it, that toy suddenly broke and became unplayable. That was the time when I realized, as I got older, that not all toys are considered as children’s toys. And when I self-studied about it, that’s was the time that I found out that toys are considered as treasures of the world, in which they can be passed from generation to generations.
The final conclusion here is that not all toys can be played by younger children or kids! There are toys, as usual, that are marketed towards a very older audience, and for people who were avid on that certain figure line or series (i.e. Nendoroid Series by Good Smile Company). Do note that you can see that certain toy, a toy after all. And that does not really mean it is a toy after all. Sometimes, a parent must know and differentiate what’s a ‘toy’ and what’s ‘not a toy’.
