New Meta

A few weeks ago, New Meta officially moved into our first dedicated warehouse and office space—and it’s already changing everything. Not that long ago, this whole operation was running out of a much smaller space. Shelves stacked wherever they could fit, boxes constantly rotating in and out, and just enough room to keep things moving. It worked… until it didn’t. At a certain point, growth forces your hand. The Reality of the Move (a.k.a. Organized Chaos) The first couple of weeks? Controlled chaos. Pallets coming in, boxes everywhere, trying to figure out where things should live while still shipping orders out on time. It wasn’t pretty—but it was progress. We’ve been dialing in shelving, organizing inventory in a way that actually makes sense, and slowly building systems that will let us scale without everything feeling like a scramble. It’s that in-between stage—where nothing looks perfect yet, but everything is moving in the right direction. What’s Already Getting Better Even in the early days, the impact is noticeable: Orders are getting out faster Inventory is easier to track and access We can actually receive larger shipments without playing warehouse Tetris Restocks and new arrivals are flowing more consistently It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes upgrade that makes a real difference, even if you don’t see it directly. What This Unlocks This is where things start to get exciting. Having a real warehouse means we can start thinking bigger: Bringing in deeper inventory so more items are actually in-stock Expanding into more lines—especially indie brands and hard-to-find collectibles Strengthening relationships with distributors and pushing toward more direct partnerships Handling larger, more frequent shipments without bottlenecks For collectors searching for a toy store in Wichita, this means more inventory, faster shipping, and a much stronger selection of action figures and collectibles. A Growing Toy Store in Wichita, KS New Meta is quickly becoming a go-to toy store in Wichita for collectors looking for action figures, collectibles, and hard-to-find items. While we serve customers nationwide through our online store, this new warehouse allows us to better support the local community here in Wichita and the surrounding areas. If you’ve been searching for: Toy store Wichita KS Action figure store Wichita Kansas Collectibles shop near Wichita That’s exactly where we’re aiming to deliver. The Hybrid Future (Online First, Always) While New Meta will always stay focused as an online-first toy and collectibles store, this new space opens the door for a hybrid approach. We’re exploring: In-store pickup for local customers in Wichita and Andover Limited retail hours or appointment-based visits Future events like game nights and new release days This gives local collectors a reason to connect with a Wichita toy store in person—while still keeping our core online experience fast and efficient. Unlocking Direct Brand Relationships This move also plays a major role behind the scenes. Many major toy brands require a physical retail presence before offering direct partnerships. Having a dedicated warehouse space in Wichita, KS helps position New Meta to work directly with more companies in the future. That means: Better product availability Stronger allocations on new releases More consistent stock for customers Building Something Bigger This isn’t just about more space. It’s about building a true destination for collectors—a toy store in Wichita, KS that understands the hobby and carries both mainstream and indie lines. We’ve already received our first shipments here. Packed our first orders out of the new space. And had those moments where it all starts to feel real. We’re Just Getting Started There’s still a lot to build, a lot to refine, and a lot coming soon. But this move is a major step forward. If you’ve been looking for a reliable toy store in Wichita, KS or a trusted online shop for action figures and collectibles, New Meta is continuing to grow into exactly that. If you’ve supported us in any way—thank you. You’ve helped make this possible. And we’re just getting started.

Sci-fi and fantasy don’t just give us epic worlds—they give us legendary women who define them. This list isn’t just about power levels—it’s about presence, influence, and staying power. These are the characters that shaped their worlds and stuck with us long after the story ended. Here are my top 10. 1. Ellen Ripley – Alien Ripley is the blueprint—full stop. What makes her stand out isn’t just that she survives—it’s how she survives. She stays calm when everyone else panics, makes the hard calls, and adapts faster than the horror around her. There’s no chosen-one narrative here, just competence under pressure. By the time you get to later entries in the series, she’s not just surviving the nightmare—she’s confronting it head-on. Ripley set the standard for grounded, believable strength in sci-fi, and decades later, nobody’s really topped it. 2. Princess Leia – Star Wars: A New Hope Captured? Sure. Helpless? Not even close. She’s immediately taking control, firing back (literally and verbally), and outmaneuvering everyone around her. What really makes Leia iconic is that she balances leadership, intelligence, and defiance without ever losing her edge. She isn’t just part of the rebellion—she is the rebellion. And she helped define what sci-fi heroines could be for generations. 3. Storm – Storm There’s a presence to her that goes beyond abilities. Yes, controlling the weather is god-tier power, but it’s the way she carries herself—calm, regal, completely in command—that makes her stand out. She’s been a leader of the X-Men, a queen, and a symbol of balance between power and responsibility. Storm feels larger than life, yet completely grounded in purpose. When she steps onto the battlefield, it doesn’t feel like a fight—it feels like a force of nature arriving. 4. Galadriel – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring She doesn’t need action scenes to prove anything—her presence alone carries weight. There’s an ancient intelligence behind every word she speaks, and when she does reveal her power, even briefly, it’s overwhelming. What makes her unforgettable is restraint. She could dominate, but chooses wisdom instead. That balance of immense power and control is what makes her feel truly mythic. 5. Yennefer of Vengerberg – The Witcher Her journey is messy, painful, and completely driven by her own choices. She refuses to be powerless, no matter the cost, and that determination shapes everything about her. She’s not always likable—and that’s exactly why she works. Yennefer feels real in a way a lot of fantasy characters don’t. She wants control, respect, and purpose, and she’s willing to burn everything down to get there. 6. The Bride (Beatrix Kiddo) – Kill Bill: Vol. 1 Every step she takes is driven by purpose. There’s no wasted movement, no hesitation—just a relentless march toward revenge. What makes her stand out isn’t just her skill (which is elite), but her discipline and control. She turns vengeance into something almost surgical. When she enters a scene, the outcome feels inevitable—and that kind of presence is rare. 7. Sarah Connor – Terminator 2: Judgment Day Her transformation from an ordinary person into a hardened survivor is one of the best character evolutions in sci-fi. She prepares for a future no one else believes in, sacrifices everything for it, and becomes something almost mythic in her own right. What makes her compelling is that she walks the line between hero and obsession. She’s willing to do whatever it takes—and that edge is what makes her unforgettable. 8. Daenerys Targaryen – Game of Thrones Daenerys is the embodiment of rise to power. She starts with nothing—no army, no home, no control—and builds herself into a force that can reshape entire continents. Her story is about identity, destiny, and what happens when someone truly believes they’re meant to rule. Dragons aside, it’s her presence that commands attention. When she walks into a room, everything shifts. 9. Tifa Lockhart – Tifa Lockhart She’s not the loudest or most outwardly dominant character, but she’s the emotional core of her story. Loyal, grounded, and quietly resilient, she holds everything together when things start falling apart. And honestly? Forget Cloud—give me Tifa. She’s the one who stays steady when everything else is collapsing, the one who shows up, and the one who actually keeps the group moving forward. And when it’s time to fight? She absolutely delivers. That mix of heart, loyalty, and capability is what makes her stand out. 10. Harley Quinn – Harley Quinn What started as a side character turned into one of the most recognizable figures in comics. Harley’s evolution—from sidekick to fully independent wildcard—is what makes her so compelling. She’s unpredictable, dangerous, and completely unapologetic about who she is. Whether she’s a villain, anti-hero, or somewhere in between, she always feels like she’s exactly where she belongs—right in the middle of the chaos. Final Thoughts They define their stories. They reshape their worlds. And they leave a mark that sticks with fans for years—sometimes decades. And while the list could always change…Ripley at #1? That’s not moving.

I recently picked up my very own Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII figure from Square Enix, and it got me thinking… We are so close to a true golden age of video game action figures. With McFarlane diving into Elite Edition figures from DOOM, Fallout, World of Warcraft, and God of War, it feels like companies are finally realizing something we’ve known all along: Gamers don’t just want statues.We want articulated, accessory-loaded, shelf-dominating figures. So here’s my list of 10 video game characters (and lines) that absolutely deserve updated releases—or their first true mainline figure. 1. Leon S. Kennedy (And a Full Resident Evil Line) If we’re kicking this off, we’re doing it right. Leon is the obvious choice. Especially Resident Evil 4 Remake Leon. Jacket. Attaché case. Shotgun. Pistol. Knife. Multiple heads. But this isn’t just about Leon. Resident Evil has endless line potential: Ada Wong Claire Redfield Chris Redfield Wesker Nemesis Mr. X Tyrants This could be a long-running collector line. Start with Leon to grab attention—and then build the horror universe around him. 2. Jin Sakai – Ghost of Tsushima This game was incredible.And I’m not afraid to say it made me emotional by the end. Jin deserves a premium figure with: Samurai armor configuration Ninja “Ghost” stealth build Bow Katana Smoke bombs Alternate armor sets Give us an Elite Edition-style release with soft goods and dynamic posing. This game is art. The figure should be too. 3. Baldur’s Gate 3 (Karlach, Gale, Astarion… Honestly All of Them) Let’s be real. Baldur’s Gate 3 might be one of the best games of the 2020s. The characters? Instantly iconic. Karlach. Gale. Astarion. Shadowheart. Lae’zel. Wyll. You could build an entire D&D-style figure wave from this cast alone, complete with: Spell effects Swappable hands Weapons Camp outfits Collectors would go absolutely feral for this line. 4. Radahn – Elden Ring Just imagine this on your shelf. Radahn. Massive. Oversized. Covered in armor. Flowing red hair. And yes. His poor tiny horse included as an accessory. Elden Ring deserves boss figures in general—but Radahn is the one that grabs attention immediately. This could be one of those giant centerpiece display figures. 5. Expedition 33 (Maelle or Gustave) My favorite game of 2025 deserves love. Expedition 33 has such a distinct aesthetic and emotional tone. A Maelle or Gustave figure would feel unique compared to typical fantasy characters. Stylized. Expressive. Story-driven. This isn’t just a figure—it’s a reminder of an experience. 6. Arthur Morgan – Red Dead Redemption 2 Step aside, Woody. Arthur Morgan deserves a fully decked-out, collector-grade cowboy figure. Multiple hats Long coat Rifle Revolver Lasso Bandolier Camp gear Red Dead 2 is one of the greatest games ever made. And somehow we still don’t have a definitive articulated Arthur to prove it. 7. Agent 47 – Hitman The accessory packs alone could be insane. Different suits. Disguises. Alternate heads. Briefcase. Silenced pistols. Improvised weapons. Agent 47 is BUILT for action figure customization.This line could be endlessly expandable. Give us the world’s most dangerous bald man immediately. 8. Big Daddy – BioShock Yes, there have been figures in the past. No, they weren’t enough. We need a chunky, heavily articulated, imposing Big Daddy with: Drill arm Weathered paint Battle damage Light-up helmet option BioShock’s atmosphere is unforgettable. A modern Big Daddy could absolutely dominate a shelf. 9. Corvo Attano – Dishonored One of the most underrated gaming protagonists. The mask alone makes this an instant buy. But add: Blink effect pieces Folding sword Crossbow Dark magic accessories And suddenly you’ve got one of the coolest stealth-assassin figures in years. Dishonored deserves better in the collectibles world. 10. StarCraft – A Full JoyToy-Style Universe This one isn’t just a figure. This is a toy line waiting to happen. JoyToy has absolutely crushed it with Warhammer 40K. So imagine this: Starter 3-Pack: Terran Marine Protoss Warrior Zerg Creature Then expand: Hydralisks Zealots Siege Tanks Ghost units Kerrigan StarCraft has the faction diversity and visual identity to become a full collectible universe. It’s almost shocking it hasn’t happened yet. Final Thoughts The video game figure space feels like it’s waking up again. Companies are realizing what collectors have known for years: These characters deserve more than statues.They deserve articulation. Accessories. Shelf presence. If even half of these become reality, we might be stepping into a true second golden age of gaming collectibles.