Funko Pop Jiraiya 73 Figure Review - Rare Naruto Collectible

Introduction to Funko Pop Jiraiya 73

Funko Pop has become one of the most popular collectible vinyl figures in recent years. Their big heads, stylized designs, and extensive lineup covering favorite characters from movies, TV shows, video games, anime, and more have appealed to fans and collectors of all ages. One particularly sought-after Funko Pop for anime fans is Jiraiya from the popular series Naruto.

Jiraiya is one of the legendary Sannin ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village in Naruto. He serves as a mentor to the show’s protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki, teaching him advanced ninja techniques. Funko captured Jiraiya's distinctive look in their Pop design, featuring his spiky white hair, red facial markings, green short kimono, geta sandals, and giant scroll on his back.

Funko Pop Jiraiya 73

Funko Pop Jiraiya is number 73 in the Naruto line of Pops. He was first released in August 2019 as an Amazon exclusive. The demand from Naruto fans for this Pop exceeded expectations, making it very difficult to find in stock. As an exclusive Pop, Jiraiya 73 quickly became a valuable collector's item.

Key features of the Jiraiya Funko Pop design include:

• Stylized vinyl figure standing about 4 inches tall
• Oversize head and black dotted eyes typical of Funko Pops
• White spiky hair styled like Jiraiya's
• Bold red facial markings on his cheeks and over his eyes
• Green short kimono with mesh armor underneath, sandals, and red waist cord
• Large scroll attached to his back
• Number 73 marked under the figure

The Pop accurately captures Jiraiya's flamboyant personality and appearance from Naruto Shippuden. Fans love that it includes small details like his facial markings, wild hair, traditional Japanese garb, and giant summoning scroll.

Where to Buy Jiraiya Funko Pop

As an Amazon exclusive, new Jiraiya Funko Pops could originally only be purchased on Amazon. However, since the initial stock quickly sold out, finding this Pop can be very difficult and expensive.

Here are some tips on where to buy Funko Pop Jiraiya 73:

• Check eBay listings - Jiraiya Pops are often resold at markup
• Look for small local shops or vendors at conventions that carry Funko Pops
• Join Funko and Naruto collecting Facebook groups to ask about purchasing from members
• Set up alerts on Mercari, Whatnot, and other apps for when one is posted for sale
• Browse secondhand stores like 2nd & Charles, EntertainMart etc. You may get lucky with an find

Be prepared to pay a premium price, often $50-100+ compared to the original $11.99 MSRP. But for serious Naruto and Funko collectors, Jiraiya is a must-have Pop.

Is Jiraiya a Good Investment?

In the world of Funko collecting, certain Pops become highly valued for their rarity and demand. Funko Pop Jiraiya 73 is definitely one of those grails.

Here are some factors that make Jiraiya a strong investment Pop:

• Naruto/anime Funko Pops are very popular with a dedicated collector base
• Jiraiya himself is a fan-favorite character
• Originally exclusive to Amazon, so limited supply
• Sell outs immediately on release and remained hard to find
• Mint condition and in-box versions command premium prices
• Value and demand continues to rise over time

Jiraiya's value comes from its status as a rare exclusive and iconic anime character. Funko Pops with staying power like this tend to only go up in price on the secondary market over time as more fans try to acquire them.

Caring for Your Jiraiya Funko Pop

To keep your Jiraiya Pop figure in the best shape, be sure to:

• Keep in box to maintain highest value
• Store out of direct sunlight to prevent fading
• Display securely to avoid damage
• Do not try to repaint or alter it
• Clean with dry microfiber cloth only if needed

As a high value collectible, it's important to keep your Jiraiya pristine. With proper care and handling, this Pop can maintain its condition and value for your collection.

Customizing Your Jiraiya Funko Pop

Some Funko collectors enjoy customizing their Pop figures with paint detailing, accessories, or modifications. However, customizing is generally not recommended for such a rare and valuable Pop like Jiraiya 73.

If you want to customize a Naruto Pop, consider a more common figure like the basic Naruto or Sasuke. Use acrylic paint pens or model paint to add detailing to hair, outfits, etc. Mod Podge can adhere accessories like miniature swords or headbands.

Repainting, cutting, or gluing anything on your Jiraiya 73 will almost certainly hurt its collector value. Instead, keep it in original condition or look for a lower cost Pop to customize just for fun!

Is Jiraiya Still a Good Buy?

Over 3 years after its initial release, is Jiraiya Funko Pop 73 still a good buy? For most collectors, the answer is yes!

Some reasons Jiraiya remains a smart investment:

• Naruto fans remain as enthusiastic as ever, driving demand for rare Pops
• Funko has not done a restock or re-release of this exclusive
• Secondary market prices continue to rise into 2022
• No indication of Funko making a new Jiraiya Pop variant
• Owning top grails like this brings prestige to collectors

Anyone who loves Naruto, Funko, or anime collecting should still consider Jiraiya 73 a prime Pop to add to their collection if the price is within their budget.

The Hunt for Rare Funko Pops

Searching for that perfect, hard-to-find Pop can be part of the fun and challenge of Funko collecting. Jiraiya is one of those elusive grails for Naruto fans.

Some tips for hunting down rare Pops:

• Follow Funko blogs, Reddit, and eBay to get early news of rare releases
• Enter giveaways and contests whenever possible
• Check seller reputation and authenticity to avoid fakes
• Be ready online the minute exclusives go on sale
• Don't give up - Pops can turn up in unexpected places!

Landing a Pop as popular as Jiraiya takes effort and luck. But that makes it all the more satisfying when you finally add him to your prized collection.

Happy hunting, Funko fans!

FAQs

How tall is the Jiraiya Funko Pop?

The Jiraiya Funko Pop #73 stands about 4 inches tall. This is the standard height for most standard sized Funko Pop vinyl figures.

When was the Jiraiya Funko Pop first released?

Funko Pop Naruto - Jiraiya #73 first became available in August 2019. It was an Amazon exclusive upon release.

What makes the Jiraiya Funko Pop so valuable?

The Jiraiya Funko Pop is valuable due to its status as an Amazon exclusive, low production numbers, high demand from Naruto fans, and iconic popularity as a character. It continues to rise in value on the secondary market.

Does Funko still make the Jiraiya Pop?

No, Funko has not produced any new batches of the Jiraiya #73 Pop since its initial 2019 release. It remains a discontinued exclusive Pop today.

What's the most someone has paid for a Jiraiya Pop?

Prices fluctuate, but mint condition Jiraiya Funko Pops have sold for as high as $200-300 on secondary markets like eBay.