When you browse a catalog, you might see two plushies of the same character with vastly different prices. One is $40, the other is $15. This is dictated by the manufacturing tier.
Tier 1: High-End Retail (The Material Gold Standard)
Sold in stores for a premium price. Designed for longevity.
- Brands: Pokémon Center, San-X (Rilakkuma), Sanei.
- Materials: They utilize Minky (a high-density microfiber polyester). It is cool to the touch and resistant to pilling.
- Construction: Complex pattern cutting allows for 3D shapes without relying on printed details. Stuffing is dense and firm.
Tier 2: The "Super-Prize" Disruptors
Arcade brands have introduced "Retail-Quality" prizes to drive play counts.
- Taito "Preciousity": Often utilizes Mochi fabric—a 4-way stretch spandex blend previously reserved for high-end Disney items.
- FuRyu "FANS": Known for "Super Big" sizing (40-50cm). These are loss-leaders in arcades and hold high value on the secondary market due to scarcity.
Tier 3: Standard Prize (Cost-Per-Play Engineering)
Mass-produced for Round1 and SEGA arcades.
- Brands: SEGA Prize, Banpresto, System Service.
- Materials: Often use felt for accessories and generic velboa (towel-like texture) for the body.
- The Glue Factor: To keep costs down, details like eyes or mouths are often attached with heat-activated adhesives rather than embroidery. Over time, these adhesives can become brittle and peel.
