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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.

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.