Back in the early 2000s, at Anime Central, I stumbled upon something that would pique my interest in collectible figures: a Pinky Street figure. These charming figures, also known as Pinky ST, stand approximately 4 inches tall and are crafted from durable PET plastic. Conceived by BABYSue and brought to life by the VANCE PROJECT, Pinky ST figures are designed in a 1:18th scale, bringing a unique miniature aesthetic to the collecting world.
The Pinky Street phenomenon began in 2003 with the introduction of the first series featuring three iconic characters: Yoshiko, Sue, and Tamae. What set these figures apart from many others was their innovative design centered around interchangeable parts. Each Pinky Street figure is designed to be a blank canvas for customization. Heads, hair pieces (including dynamic elements like ponytails), tops, and bottoms are all detachable, allowing collectors to endlessly mix and match components from different characters to create unique looks. This modular design is a core appeal of the Pinky Street line, encouraging creativity and personalization.
My personal introduction to Pinky Street was through Moe from series 2, also released in 2003. Moe, with her schoolgirl attire and bonus cheerleader outfit, immediately captured my attention with her long brown hair and striking purple eyes. Driven by the thrill of discovery, I made it a personal tradition to seek out a new Pinky Street figure at every anime convention I attended. For a good period, finding these figures was relatively easy, a testament to their popularity at the time.
Over the years, the Pinky Street line expanded significantly, venturing into exciting anime collaborations under the “Pinky:cos” sub-line. This series brought to life characters from beloved anime titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, Shingetsutan Tsukihime, Gunslinger Girl, Monster Hunter, Kobato, Summer Wars, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Sky Crawlers, and the personally cherished Fruits Basket. These collaborations broadened the appeal of Pinky Street, attracting fans of specific anime series into the collecting fold. Beyond these mentioned, numerous other anime tie-ins were released, contributing to the vast universe of Pinky Street figures. In addition to the standard figures, VANCE PROJECT also released special sets that included vehicles like cars and scooters, adding another layer of playability and collectibility to the line.
Pinky Street figures enjoyed a steady production run for about eight years, releasing in batches of two or three figures at a time, with occasional limited editions. However, later series, from series 8 to 11, introduced some changes. The packaging shifted to smaller, rounded blister packs, and figures were packaged with only one body instead of the previous standard of two.
Production of Pinky Street figures ceased around 2011. The discontinuation was gradual, with news of new releases simply fading away. There was no formal announcement of the line ending; it seemed to quietly disappear from production schedules. Until early 2017, the Pinky Street Forum served as a valuable online hub for fans to exchange information and connect with the community, but unfortunately, it also closed down in February 2017.
During its active years, the Pinky Street Forum thrived as a central place for enthusiasts to share photos, information, and engage in buying and selling within the community. Its closure, while understandable due to maintenance costs, marked a significant loss for the dedicated Pinky Street fanbase, especially as a repository of information about the line.
Like many collectible doll and figure lines, the Pinky Street world has inspired a vibrant custom scene. Numerous incredibly creative custom figures can be found online, ranging from Monster High-inspired Pinky ST creations to My Little Pony-themed Pinky figures, demonstrating the boundless creativity of the community.
A common issue reported by Pinky Street collectors is their tendency to be somewhat unstable and prone to falling over. Over time, the torso joints can become loose, causing figures to tip backward. For collectors who prefer static display and don’t frequently change outfits, gluing the joints or using putty to tighten torso and leg connections might be considered. While I haven’t personally used these methods, they are commonly discussed solutions within the community. Similar stability issues can also occur with arms, hair pieces, and heads on some figures. The durability of joints seems to vary, with some figures remaining sturdy while others become more prone to disassembly over time.
Despite being out of production, Pinky Street figures remain readily available on platforms like eBay. For those intrigued by this article, online marketplaces are the best place to explore the vast array of releases. Anime and comic conventions are unlikely to yield Pinky Street finds these days, making the online community the primary resource for collectors. My own collection is just a small fraction of the extensive range produced during their eight-year run. Do you have any Pinky Street figures in your collection? Share your experiences and thoughts on this unique line in the comments below!
