1000% Bearbrick Explained

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Bearbrick 1000% figures are some of the most collectible on the market, and are loved for their ability to make a bold statement anywhere in your home. They are also worth the investment, as these figures are highly desired by collectors around the world.

What are 1000% Bearbrick?

1000% Bearbrick are 27.5 inches or 70 cm tall, making them one of the most commonly collected sizes because they make a great statement, show more detail than the 100% and not as expensive or as large as the 10,000% artist pieces.

Bearbrick 1000% Overview

If you want to make a statement in a room, you can’t go wrong with the Bearbrick 1000%. This prestigious size will effortlessly catch the eye of everyone present, making sure your presence is noticed and admired. This Bearbrick is 27.5 inches long (70 cm), or approximately 10 times bigger than the 100% size, which is only 2.75 inches long (7 cm).

Because it is the largest of the Bearbrick sizes, with the exception of bigger artist installation pieces, the Bearbrick 1000% is a rare collectible. Only limited editions are available. In addition, not all figures and themes will be available in a 1000% size.

What does Bearbrick 1000% mean?

The term “1000%” refers to its relative size to the rest of the Bearbrick figures. The 100% Bearbrick figure is used as a reference point. This Bearbrick figure is only 7 cm in length, or 2.75 inches. 

Therefore, the 1000% is 10 times larger than this figure at 70 cm. Other sizes also include the:

  1. 400% Bearbrick figure, which is 28 cm or 11 inches tall.
  2. 200% figure, which is 14.5 cm tall and approximately 5.5 inches tall.
  3. Smaller sizes below 100% (70% and 50%).

Bearbrick 1000% History – When did this size first appear?

Medicom Toy, the manufacturer of Be@rbrick began in 1996, when founder Tatsuhiko Akashi left his job in computer software manufacturing and began his career in toy manufacturing.

He started by selling figures with pot-bellies modeled after Stanley Kubrick, and then combined this pot-bellied figure with a Bear to create the Bearbrick! 

These Bearbrick were introduced in 100% sizes at the World Character Convention in Tokyo in May 2001. Shortly thereafter, in 2002, World-renowned street artist KAWS released the 1000% figures, and it was love at first sight for collectors from Japan to Los Angeles.

Bearbrick 1000% Dimensions

Bearbrick’s 1000% are the largest dimensions out of all the Bearbrick toys available in stores. There are rare sizes that function as larger installation art pieces. For instance, pop-singer Rhianna’s Fendi store has a Bearbrick in its front window that is around 6000% size. You might also find larger Bearbrick at around 2,000% size.

Again, these sizes are rare, and will be larger than the 1000% Bearbrick.

How big is a 1000% Bearbrick? A 1000% Bearbrick is big enough to take a significant portion of your shelf space. It is 27.5 inches tall, or 70 cm tall.

How tall is a 1000% Bearbrick? 27.5 inches / 70 cm

How wide is a 1000% Bearbrick? 14.5 inches / 37 cm

How much does a 1000% Bearbrick weigh? The Bearbrick 1000% is heavy, and its weight will depend on the figure you buy. Most figures are made of PVC, but others will be made of fiberglass. Other figures are even made of solid wood. All of these figures are heavy and weigh around 7 kg/ 850 g/ 1.8 to 2 lbs.

Bearbrick 1000% Box

Bearbrick traditionally sold their figures in a “blind box collection.” However, this has now changed, and most people know which Bearbrick toy they want and purchase it online.

The boxes will correlate to the theme of the Bearbrick. For instance, the ANEVER Be@rbrick comes in a Rainbow Splash-themed box. This is just one example of the types of themes Bearbrick uses. 

In general, the packaging consists of

  1. Outer Shipping Box
  2. Plastic bag between the shipping box and the Bearbrick box
  3. Bearbrick Box
  4. Molded Styrofoam
  5. Bag Between Styrofoam and Bearbrick

Outer Box

The outer box is the box that will deliver the Bearbrick toy. Most toy collectors want a large outer box that also contains styrofoam to protect the inner box. Dimensions will vary based on who you purchase your Bearbrick 1000% figure from. 

Inner box

The outer box is approximately ‎72.14 x 46.23 x 31.5 cm or 27.5 inches, by 18 inches by 12 inches. It consists of the theme of the Bearbrick, and will vary in color. 

Molded Styrofoam

The molded styrofoam will fit securely over the Bearbrick 1000%, and will also help protect it during shipping. Some special editions will also have a Bearbrick 1000% and smaller 100% or smaller figure with it in the same styrofoam and box.

Why collect this size?

This is the most impressive size Bearbrick offers. There is just something awesome about seeing a three-foot bear from across the room!

Unfortunately, due to their high price point and bigger size, most people don’t have the funds or space to store a large number of Bearbrick 1000%. Nevertheless, certain Bearbrick and art collectors enjoy displaying these in their shops!

Notable Collectors of the 1000% size

Ben Baller, also known as Ben Yang, is perhaps the most well-known Bearbrick Collector. He is an actor, artist, and jeweler based in Los Angeles, and is known for his extensive collection of 1000% Bearbrick.

How to display 1000% Bearbrick

How you display your 1000% Bearbrick is entirely up to you. However, there are some things to keep in mind in terms of lighting, size, and display options. Below are some of the best ways you can display your large 1000% Bearbrick toys.

Shelves

If you’re planning on putting your Bearbrick on shelves, remember to make room for them lengthwise and height-wise. You could fit 7 Bearbrick on a 10-foot shelf space comfortably if stored in approximately 15″ boxes.

Bearbrick display cases require a clearance of 30 inches between shelves for comfortable sliding in and out. You should make sure to have a shelf that is stable enough to support your Bearbrick, which are 2 lbs but can be heavier in their acrylic cases.

It’s best to use shelves mounted to the studs of your home’s walls, and never on drywall or plaster.

Display Cases

It’s best to display your Bearbrick inside of acrylic display cases. These display cases offer protection from dust and debris and are approximately Acrylic Boxes 15.3×9.8×29.1 inches. They are also an excellent way to protect against light, house them safely, yet still allow your guests to view their colorful details.

Lighting

If you want to add lighting to your display, keep in mind that UV light can damage PVC and fiberglass. Instead of using harmful UV lights, sunlight, or heated lights, we recommend using LED lights. They are energy-efficient and the safest to protect the paint on your Bearbrick.

Places to display

  1. Entrance to home
  2. Foyer
  3. Living Room
  4. Game Room or Man Cave
  5. Bedroom
  6. Office
  7. Retail spaces
  8. Studio spaces

Bearbrick 1000% Price Range

New Price Range

New Bearbrick can range on the low end around $300, but they are typically around $500 to $1000 new.

You can buy them cheaper at MCT Tokyo, but your savings might be offset by shipping costs, which are around $200 (to ship to Los Angeles).

Price Range over time

For the 1000% Bearbrick, the prices can drop moderately, and they can dramatically increase. Generally, you can expect to see prices from $450 to $15,000 or even $20,000, with the majority of them being $800 to $2000. 

As more time passes and more interest develops, the prices will generally increase. If you are interested in a particular one and willing to search and wait, you may be able to find a deal. That deal could still cost you $2200 depending on the bear. Keep in mind that the most expensive Bearbrick 1000% sold was the Chanel Bearbrick, sold at $30,000 at auction in 2019. Its current asking price is over $61,000.

Shipping

Don’t forget shipping costs that are associated with your toy as well. The prices for shipping a box that is roughly the size of a Bearbrick 1000% (15.5 inches long by 10 inches wide by 29 inches tall) at a weight of 2 lbs is between $39 and $208. These are just rough estimates to ship within the United States. Shipping costs will be more expensive for a 1000% Bearbrick shipped from overseas.

Fake 1000% Bearbrick

Unfortunately, some people will want to take advantage of this toy’s popularity and create fake copies. Fake copies are common among the 1000% size, especially with the work of artists such as John Michael Basquiat and KAWS.

These 1000% Bearbrick should be authenticated using the steps below. 

How can you tell if a Bearbrick 1000% is real?

The best way to tell if a Bearbrick is 100% real is to examine it or have a professional authenticate your piece. If a professional can authenticate your piece through a website like StockX, or if you purchase directly from StockX or a reputable boutique toy store, then you know your Bearbrick 1000% is real. 

Check the bottom of the feet for the correct Medicom stamp. The left foot should have the Medicom Toy logo, and the right foot should have a stamp with Be@rbrick.

Some new figures starting in 2022 now have NFC verification as well. 

Does the bear look correct?

Bearbrick are known for having a pot-bellied shape. They also have joints that click into place. In addition, there are holes in the bottom of their feet, which should never be white (only colored with the rest of the paint job).

If the shape of the Bearbrick is flat, if the ears are not perfectly rounded with a slight indent, and if the coloring is off, it is most likely fake.

Is the quality there?

Most Bearbrick 1000% sizes are expensive, averaging around $300 to $500 or more. This price is not only because it is a collectible, but also because the paint job and materials used to make the doll are high-quality. 

Most Bearbrick are made of PVC, also known as vinyl, and are hard to the touch. They also come in a glossy finish, except for rare dolls such as the Van Gough Bearbrick. Your 1000% Bearbrick should be glossy, and its paint job should look extremely high-quality. This is especially true if you are purchasing a chrome-finished Bearbrick.

What does the box look like? Are all the details correct?

The Bearbrick Box will also need to be verified. Most boxes will coincide with the Bearbrick itself. If your Bearbrick comes in a cheap cardboard box and has no design, your Bearbrick is most likely fake. 

Where to buy

Most shops that carry Bearbrick will have the 1000% models for sale. However, most people choose to buy their Bearbrick online on eBay, StockX, or even on Amazon. 

No matter where you choose to buy your Bearbrick, make sure to follow the steps above to ensure it is authentic. 

Resources

  1. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/lighting-art-at-home-explained
  2. https://www.complex.com/style/most-expensive-bearbricks
  3. https://stockx.com/search/bearbrick/1000/lowest-ask?s=bearbrick
  4. https://bearbrickfan.com/anever-bearbrick/?writer-access
  5. https://www.gq.com/story/bearbricks-medicom-toys-feature-2019#:~:text=Eddie%20Cruz%2C%20the%20former%20owner,toddler%2Dheight%201000%25.)
  6. https://www.amazon.com/DuvinDD-Bearbrick-Countertop-Dustproof-15-3×9-8×29-1/dp/B0995KDZRT
  7. https://www.amazon.in/Medicom-Bearbrick-Collectible-Figurines-Height/dp/B07K2FM8XL
  8. https://www.reddit.com/r/bearbrick/comments/gnxljr/is_this_berbrick_fake/
  9. https://eyefortoys.com/blogs/toytalks/how-to-differentiate-real-and-fake-bearbricks  
  10. https://tinypic.host/i/krunchy.846ld 

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

If you love pop art, street art, cultural art, and toys, there’s truly no other figure that encompasses all of these elements than the Bearbrick! The 1000% Bearbrick is the best size to own for collectors and can make quite a profit for investors. 

If you want to display these for your enjoyment, the 1000% Bearbrick is also a good size, provided you have the room to display them and give them the respect they deserve! Want to learn more about Bearbrick and find your next favorite design? Look at our website and check out our blogs for more about these fascinating and beautiful toys!

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