New Meta

There’s something strange about walking the floor of New York Toy Fair. On one hand, it reminds you just how big this industry really is. Massive booths. Global brands. Decades of history behind names like Hasbro, Mattel, Bandai, and more. It’s easy to feel like you’re stepping into a world that’s already been built — one dominated by companies that have been doing this for generations. But at the same time… It makes everything feel closer. More human. More possible. A Smaller World Than You Think When you’re actually there — shaking hands, having conversations, talking through products and plans — the industry doesn’t feel so distant anymore. It starts to feel… reachable. The walls between “big company” and “small business” aren’t as solid as they seem from the outside. You realize that this entire space — from major brands to independent creators — is built on relationships, ideas, and people who care deeply about what they’re making. And suddenly, you’re not just watching it from the outside. You’re part of it. Making Our Place in It This year, more than ever, it felt like New Meta wasn’t just attending — we were starting to make a splash. Conversations are turning into opportunities. Opportunities are turning into partnerships. And in 2026, that’s going to take a big step forward. We’re actively working toward going direct with more companies, including: Bandai NECA Trick or Treat Studios Yolopark And more Going direct means better access, stronger relationships, and the ability to bring in products in a way that aligns with how we want to serve our customers. At the same time, we’re doubling down on something that’s always been core to New Meta: Supporting independent and emerging brands. You’ll see more indie lines, more unique products, and more opportunities to discover something you didn’t even know you were looking for. Growing Faster Than Expected If we’re being honest… The business is growing faster than we can comfortably handle. And that’s both exciting — and a challenge. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of big decisions, including: Expanding into a physical warehouse here in Kansas Bringing on new team members Investing more heavily into branding and content Expanding influencer and creator collaborations We’re moving from a growing online store… To something much bigger. Looking Beyond Retail At Toy Fair, one thing became clear: This industry isn’t just about selling products. It’s about building worlds, telling stories, and creating experiences that people connect with. And that’s where we’re heading. Under the New Meta umbrella, we’re starting to explore what comes next: New target markets beyond traditional collectibles Original storytelling and comics The possibility of developing our own toy line Emerging technology ideas built specifically for collectors These aren’t overnight moves. But they are on the horizon. A Shift in Perspective Toy Fair has a way of changing how you see things. It shows you just how big the industry is… But also how much room there still is to grow, build, and create something meaningful. It’s not just a handful of big companies at the top. It’s a network of people, brands, and businesses — all contributing in their own way. And for the first time, it really feels like: New Meta isn’t just part of the audience anymore. We’re part of the conversation. Big Things Ahead 2026 is going to be a defining year for us. More products.More partnerships.More growth.More ideas coming to life. We’re still early in the journey. But if Toy Fair confirmed anything… It’s that we’re heading in the right direction. And the best is still ahead.

Comics have always used large organizations to express fears that feel too big for one person to fight. Groups like HYDRA, AIM, and The Hand represent systems that seem hidden, distant, and unstoppable. They aren’t frightening only because of what they do, but because of what they symbolize: a world where decisions are made far away from the people who live with the consequences. At the same time, comics have never been neutral about power. Captain America was created to confront fascism. The X-Men were shaped by civil rights struggles and the fear of being hunted for who you are. Batman has spent decades fighting not just criminals, but corruption and institutions that fail the people they’re meant to protect. Superhero stories have always carried social meaning beneath the costumes. That history matters when we look at how people are now talking about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Not because ICE is a fictional organization, and not because real life is a comic book—but because the emotional experience of confronting a powerful institution can feel similar to the stories we’ve been telling for generations. Fear Has a Narrative Shape In comics, HYDRA feels frightening because it’s faceless. AIM hides behind uniforms and authority. The Hand operates in secrecy and ritual. These organizations feel less like groups of people and more like forces—things that arrive, act, and disappear without explanation. For many communities, ICE has begun to feel the same way: not as individuals, but as a presence. Something that wears masks. Something that appears suddenly. Something that takes people away. Something that leaves families waiting for answers. When people reach for comic-book language, they aren’t saying reality is fiction. They’re trying to describe a feeling:the fear of power that feels distant, emotionless, and impossible to speak to. The Sentinel Program and Lawful Fear Marvel offers another important example in the Sentinel Program. Unlike HYDRA or AIM, the Sentinels are legal. They are government-funded. They are justified as protection. And yet, they often become terrifying. Not because they operate outside the law, but because they reduce people to categories. They see threats instead of stories. Targets instead of families. This is where the comparison deepens. HYDRA and AIM represent fear of secret enemies. The Sentinels represent fear of something else:what happens when enforcement becomes automatic and morality becomes secondary to procedure. A system does not have to be illegal to feel dangerous.It only has to feel indifferent. Why the Accusations Appear When people feel harmed or unheard, they search for a narrative that can carry what they’re experiencing. Comic books provide that language. An institution that feels faceless, untouchable, or unresponsive can begin to resemble the kinds of forces comics have long warned us about—not as a literal villain from the page, but as a symbol of power that feels disconnected from empathy. This isn’t just about policy.It’s about emotion.It’s about distance.It’s about whether people feel seen by the systems that govern them. And comics, more than almost any medium, have talked about what happens when power loses sight of the people beneath it. Not a Villain Story — a Power Story The most unsettling truth in superhero fiction is that many villainous organizations don’t believe they are evil. They believe they are necessary. HYDRA claims order.AIM claims knowledge.The Sentinels claim safety. What makes them frightening is not intent, but what gets lost along the way. That’s the tension people are wrestling with when they draw these parallels. Not whether institutions should exist—but whether they still reflect the moral purpose they were built for. Final Thought Comics have always warned that power without morality becomes something to fear - not because it defies rules, but because it forgets the people it touches. And when those stories begin to feel uncomfortably close to real life, they whisper a harder question back to us: whether order can still call itself just when compassion has begun to fade.

A new year means a fresh start. New goals.New plans.New promises we absolutely believe in for at least 48 hours. And if you’re a toy collector, you already know how this goes. Here are some very serious New Year’s resolutions that collectors make every January — and immediately begin ignoring. Resolution #1: “I’m Only Buying What I Preordered” This is a classic. You say it confidently. You mean it sincerely. You forget it the moment a surprise restock drops or something shows up labeled “arriving soon.” Suddenly it’s not breaking your rule — it’s being responsible. Resolution #2: “I’m Going to Finish My Displays Before Buying More” This one feels logical. Finish the Marvel shelf.Rework the DC shelf.Fix that Transformers corner. Unfortunately, displays are never “finished.” They are merely paused until the next figure arrives. Resolution #3: “I’m Going to Be More Selective” This resolution lasts until: A deep-cut character appears A long-missing team member finally releases A new version is slightly better than the one you already own Selective is a mindset. The hunt is a lifestyle. Resolution #4: “I’m Going to Stop Checking Shipping Updates So Often” You say this while actively refreshing a tracking page. You know it won’t move.You check anyway. This isn’t impatience — it’s dedication. Resolution #5: “I’m Not Buying Any More Storage or Shelving” This is the boldest lie of all. Every collector starts the year thinking they can “make it work.”Every collector ends the year owning another shelf they swore they didn’t need. Resolution #6: “I’m Saving Money This Year” You pause.You think about it.You nod. Then January releases show up and you remember that this is technically a hobby, not spending. Completely different category. The One Resolution That Actually Sticks Here’s the truth: Collectors will keep collecting.Displays will keep evolving.New waves will keep tempting us. And honestly? That’s the fun of it. So if you’re making resolutions this year, maybe just stick to this one: Enjoy the collection. Enjoy the process. And don’t stress the rest. From all of us at New Meta, here’s to another year of great figures, full shelves, and resolutions we definitely tried to keep. Happy New Year