Understanding the BE@RBRICK Size Format
Medicom Toy's BE@RBRICK line uses a percentage scale based on the original 70mm figure designated as 100%. The format runs from 50% (35mm) through 1000% (700mm), with 400% and 1000% sets being the most widely collected. The 1000% figure stands approximately 28 inches tall — substantial enough to function as a room-defining display piece, which is a primary driver of its premium over smaller sizes.
Why 1000% Commands a Premium
Three factors compound to make the 1000% format the collector's benchmark. First, display scale: a 700mm figure reads as sculpture at distances where a 70mm figure disappears. Second, production economics: Medicom Toy runs shorter print runs on 1000% figures relative to 100% releases, creating structural scarcity from day one. Third, collaboration visibility: major artists and brands negotiate 1000% releases as flagship expressions of the collaboration, meaning the most sought-after creative work concentrates in this format.
The Collaboration Tier System
Not all BE@RBRICK collaborations hold value equally. We categorize them into three tiers based on secondary market performance:
- Tier 1 — Established artist collaborations: Releases with artists who have independent auction market presence. These consistently appreciate because demand comes from both toy collectors and fine art collectors. Examples include Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol (Estate), and Hajime Sorayama.
- Tier 2 — Brand collaborations with cultural cachet: Partnerships with fashion houses, entertainment properties, or brands with loyal collector bases. Values are more variable; strong at release, dependent on brand relevance for long-term appreciation.
- Tier 3 — Series releases and standard colorways: Annual series releases are produced at higher volumes and depreciate from retail unless they feature unusual creative direction. They serve as entry points for new collectors rather than long-term holds.
Highest-Value Releases and Why They Perform
Several releases stand as benchmarks for BE@RBRICK secondary market performance:
- Andy Warhol (Estate) series: The Warhol Estate's controlled licensing strategy limits supply. Flower, Banana, and Marilyn 1000% figures have demonstrated consistent appreciation in secondary market transactions.
- Basquiat collaborations: Multiple Basquiat-themed releases have performed above initial secondary market expectations. The artist's auction market trajectory at Christie's and Sotheby's creates parallel demand in the toy format.
- Hajime Sorayama: The Sexy Robot series occupies a unique position — Sorayama's work is both fine art collectible and iconic pop culture reference. The 1000% figures in this series have substantially exceeded retail on the secondary market.
- KAWS x Medicom: The overlap between KAWS collector demand and BE@RBRICK collector demand creates a multiplier effect. Joint releases appeal to both audiences simultaneously.
Authentication Steps for BE@RBRICK
Counterfeiting follows value; the most-copied BE@RBRICK releases are in Tier 1. Before purchasing any high-value BE@RBRICK:
- Inspect the Medicom Toy box sticker on the base of the inner packaging. Authentic stickers have specific font weights and barcode formats that counterfeit operations frequently misrepresent.
- Evaluate plastic quality. Authentic BE@RBRICK figures use a specific ABS plastic formulation with a consistent surface sheen. Counterfeits often feel lighter and show a different surface texture.
- Test joint tightness. The joints on authentic figures move with consistent resistance. Loose or overly stiff joints indicate a different manufacturing standard.
- Verify colorway accuracy against documented release photography from Medicom Toy official channels or established auction house catalogs.
Where Fakes Proliferate
The highest concentration of counterfeit BE@RBRICK figures appears in eBay listings without documented provenance, some third-party platform listings where authentication relies on external submission rather than in-house expertise, and informal social media sales. Platform authentication programs are improving but remain inconsistent for high-value releases. Physical inspection by an experienced authenticator remains the most reliable verification method.
How We Verify Before Listing
We inspect every BE@RBRICK figure physically before listing: box sticker verification, plastic quality assessment, joint evaluation, and colorway cross-reference. We do not list pieces that cannot be verified to this standard, and our descriptions include authentication notes for every figure.
See our current BE@RBRICK and designer toy inventory at gauntlet.gallery/collections/figurines.
