Welcome back to Fantastic Plastic — the recurring column here at Pop Heist that tasks me with counting down my top five favorite toy and figural releases from the past month. I’m John DeQuadros — writer, photographer, lifelong collector. With 25 years of experience working within the wonderfully wacky worlds of play and popular culture, I’d like to think I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting the standouts: the sculpts that swoon, the designs that delight, and the releases that make collectors everywhere beg their bank accounts to hold out just a little bit longer.
Flying faster than a speeding bullet, it’s hard to believe another year has come to an end. Granted, I’m more than a little eager to put 2025 behind and look ahead to better and brighter days, but there is something to be said about the last batch of plastic to trickle its way to retail before all was said and done. From gaming greats to relaunched retro IPs, December gifted collectors some pretty nifty knick-knacks to cap off the year and, while narrowing it all down to a work week’s worth of finalist was no easy task, I think this final rundown shines a light on one of the few bright spots of 2025. Thus, whether you’re currently coming out of a cookie-induced coma or sick and tired of shovelling one ounce of snow too many, here’s a look at my picks for the coolest collectibles to cap off 2025...
5. M.A.S.K. — Thunderhawk Vehicle with Matt Trakker
While the final products may have left something to be desired, TLS’s all-new take on Matt Trakker’s turbo-charged Camaro was the injection of nostalgia I desperately needed this year. From the upgraded sculpting and enhanced detailing to the realistic rubber tires and push-button gull-wing doors, this was the one that sent me hurtling headfirst back to 1985 – at a time when it felt like everything else was crashing down around me. Sure, I wasn’t a fan of the stickers, the doors drooped a bit more than I would have liked, and the $59.99 USD price tag isn’t the easiest pill to swallow, but when all’s said and done, there’s no denying this is still a crackin’ good update to a bona fide Kenner classic.
4. Smart Series — Berserker Raptor Mass Production Ground Type
When it comes to dinosaurs, Nanmu Studio was firing on all cylinders this year. Between the inbound Indominus and the upcoming Smart Series Tyrannosaurus Rex, they’ve made it abundantly clear that these prehistoric powerhouses are anything but extinct. That momentum even carries over to smaller releases like the Mass Production Ground Type Berserker Raptor – a name that’s a mouthful for a figure that doesn’t quite play nice scale-wise with the rest of the lineup – but still manages to deliver where it counts. This is a sharp, stylish take on Fallen Kingdom’s Indoraptor, boasting a lean, menacing profile, plenty of articulation, and real shelf presence. The added bits of tracking gear are a fantastic touch, calling back to the play-driven charm of those classic Kenner Jurassic Park figures from back in the day. Imperfect, sure – but still loads of fun, instantly recognizable, and proof that Nanmu knows a thing or two about giving great dinos their due.
3. Warriors Of The Galaxy — Huk
Few retro-inspired releases feel as thoroughly considered as Huk from Formo Toys’ Warriors of the Galaxy line. At its core, this figure is a loving update of a long-forgotten 1983 knockoff from the Muscle Warriors era, those oddball dollar store stalwarts that tried to capitalize on the MOTU magic with whatever tooling they had on hand. Formo takes that rough-and-ready foundation and refines it with modern sculpting, sharper proportions and retro articulation, while also embracing the modular mix-and-match engineering that helped make Masters of the Universe a hit. Huk looks like he stepped right out of a vintage toy aisle, but displays like a contemporary release. It’s that balance of modern design and retro play that makes him such a standout – not to mention a reminder of just how much charm those early '80s bootlegs still hold.
2. Mega Man Deluxe — Bubble Man
Jada Toys continues to crush it with their Mega Man line, and Bubble Man proves why. This green-suited, dome-helmeted Robot Master first debuted on the NES back in Mega Man 2, challenging even the most gifted of gamers with a tricky underwater stage and slippery Bubble Lead attack. Jada brings him to life in 1/12 scale with a perfect mix of retro charm and modern engineering—articulation is solid, the sculpt pops, and every detail feels true to the classic design. Multiple hands, an alternate head, his iconic arm cannon, a Bubble Lead effect piece, and a display stand let you pose him mid-battle or in full dramatic flair. It’s a faithful, fun, and fully realized tribute that makes Bubble Man feel just as memorable today as he did back in ’88.
1. Pokémon Classic — Version-L Charizard
This month’s winner really turns up the heat—the Blokees Pokémon Classic Version-L Charizard is a model kit that proves accessible construction and show-stopping design really can go hand in hand. Snap-together assembly means no glue, paint, or cutters are needed, making it accessible for beginners while still satisfying seasoned builders. Once assembled, Charizard shines with sublime sculpting, dynamic articulation, and a fiery flair that honor its legendary status in the Pokémon universe since the days of Pokémon Red and Blue (Green, if you grew up in Japan). Blokees has crafted a figure that not only captures the spirit of the popular pocket monster but also outshines pricier rivals like D-Arts Charizard, offering superior design and poseability at a fraction of the cost. If you’re looking to be the very best, like no one ever was, than the all-new Blokees Charizard is definitely the way to go!
If you haven't already, consider supporting worker-owned media by subscribing to Pop Heist. We are ad-free and operating outside the algorithm, so all dollars go directly to paying the staff members and writers who make articles like this one possible.
