Types of Bearbrick Releases
You would have seen several types of Bearbricks and not all Bearbricks are found at all points of sale. Bearbrick releases by Medicom Toy is done in many formats.
Do you know what they are? We share more about the types of Bearbrick releases in this article.
1. General Releases - Preorder
What is it?
- Limited ordering period of around 3 weeks
- Delivery of bears are done 4 - 6 months after closing of orders
- Some inventory available for sale by retailers at times
Who gets them?
All Medicom authorised dealers worldwide
General Releases - Preorder Examples
Left to right: Kermit the Frog, Elmo Costume, Brandalism Flower Bomber
2. General releases - Ready Stocks
What is it?
- Ready stocks Medicom manufactures and are only available for sale with a month's notice
- Quantity is typically lower than General releases - Preorder pieces
Who gets them?
All Medicom authorised dealers worldwide
Fun Fact: Not all artists/brands in this category have all their Bearbricks released this way
General Releases - Ready Stocks Examples
Left to right: Mika Ninagawa Anemone, Karimoku Parquet, Anrealage
3. Country Exclusives
What is it?
These are ready stocks that are released in 1, sometimes 2 countries
Who gets them?
- Usually tied to event exclusives, or
- Authorised dealers within the countries
Country Exclusives Examples
Left to right: Fujiya Peko Chan Manekineko (Japan Exclusive), My First Be@rbrick B@by Space, Karimoku x fragmentdesign Polygon
4. Brand Exclusives
What is it?
- These are ready stocks that are released within a month's notice from Medicom's announcement
- Typically limited quantity available
Who gets them?
- Stores managed by Medicom Japan - Project 1/6, Solamachi Skytree, 2G and/or Medicom Toy Plus
- Retail stores and/or online stores worldwide managed by the brand
- Some authorised dealers of the brands (Not Medicom) get them as well
Brand Exclusives Examples
Left to right: Bape x Mika Ninagawa, X-Girl Bearbrick, Porter Yoshida Japan
5. Event Exclusives
What is it?
- These are ready stocks that are released at an event, sometimes available as preorder
- Limited quantity available
Who gets them?
- Stores managed by Medicom Japan - Project 1/6, Solamachi Skytree, 2G and/or Medicom Toy Plus
- Retail stores and/or online stores worldwide managed by the brand
- Some authorised dealers of the brands (Not Medicom) get them as well
Event Exclusives Examples
Left to right: My First Be@rbrick B@by Innersect 2019 (China), Keith Haring #7 Coloured, Designercon 2020 Exclusive (United States), Mickey Fragment Bearbrick, Mickey True Original Exhibition 2018 (United States)
Jiangshi Bearbrick - STGCC 2015 exclusive (Singapore). Photo credits to Danny Tan Photography
