The History of Scalping in Pokémon

June 5, 2025

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Though we at Cooledtured may all be fans of Pokémon - or, hopefully we all are - there’s been a significant amount of discourse online about the seemingly recent uptick in the presence of “scalping” amongst hobby enthusiasts. No matter where you are in the hobby, there’s never been an opportunity not taken by an enthusiast to share their opinion on the scalping matter. But what actually is scalping? How did it get to this point? What can be done against scalpers? In this article, we’ll answer all your questions and more. Stick around and see if you learn anything new from us!

What Scalping Really Is

As Pokémon gears up to release highly in-demand card series (known as “TCG Expansions”) into physical retailers such as Walmart and Target, profit-minded individuals known as scalpers have made it clear that they’re in it to win it. What they do is simple - they attempt to buy large quantities of hotly desired Pokémon-related items such as card expansion blister packs and boxes, therefore both decreasing the available supply to others and increasing the demand amongst everyone. They then either sell them immediately for a massive profit - this is what’s known as the “scalping” in question.

For example, a scalper might buy a large number of the newest expansion items (such as Destined Rivals or Scarlet & Violet) when they are first released and then resell them individually at a higher price on platforms like eBay or online marketplaces. The pressure is on the individual to purchase from the scalper at these high markups as it’s unlikely that there are any marketplaces left where scalpers haven’t already purchased all of their supply from.

Why Scalping Is Bigger Than Ever

It’s easy to see why Pokémon is such a well-beloved franchise - from the core memories that are made from a young age playing the games and watching the infamously well-produced television and movie installments, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever meet someone who didn’t have a Pokémon  card collecting phase when they were young. Unfortunately, those same reasons can also be linked as to why the practice of scalping is more popular than ever as of now. It’s easy to see that demand for Pokémon cards is at an all-time high - therefore, scalpers are free to target Pokémon card fanatics as they please.

Additionally, the effects of COVID-19 have had a long-lasting effect on every industry of production and Pokémon cards hold no sanctity against that trend. Increased demand, coupled with manufacturing and shipping disruptions caused by the pandemic, have led to supply shortages and price increases for Pokémon cards.

Due to the pandemic, massive stores that used to sell Pokémon merchandise such as Pokémon Centers Mega Tokyo, Osaka and Osaka DX, and Kansai Airport have also closed indefinitely. With physical stores under attack and with no other clear options, enthusiasts have severely limited their options as to where they can go to get their fix.

What Can Be Done Against Scalping

Fortunately, many physical retailers have taken up defense against scalpers by implementing policies that include the limitation of sales to one expansion set per person. Online stores are beginning to implement lottery systems that ensure that the selection of who gets to purchase items is random. Many enthusiasts are vowing not to purchase from the secondhand market as to deny scalpers a market to sell to. 

Conclusion

In the end, it’s important to remember that scalping is a particularly human issue. From concert tickets to other in-demand items like clothing and shoes, Pokémon is not privy to immunity from the same issues that these forms of consumption suffer from. As both companies and communities respond with new policies and practices, the conversation around scalping continues to evolve. Understanding the factors that drive it, from global supply chain disruptions to the enduring popularity of nostalgic franchises, is key to being an informed consumer.

What do you think about scalping? Have you ever personally been affected by scalping when trying to purchase Pokémon cards in-store or online? As collectors and enthusiasts ourselves, it’s safe to say that we’ve had our fair share. Let us know how we did writing this article, or if you have any other comments!

 

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld Overview - No Spoilers (Should You Watch?)

June 1, 2025

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Disney’s Star Wars has been host to numerous exciting additions to the Star Wars universe, including but not limited to the Bad Batch and Rebels animated cartoon series, as well as the live-action Mandalorian and Book of Boba Fett shows. It seems that Disney has no chance of slowing down with new releases, seeing that we were once more recently spoiled by the overlords as we receive a new look into previously unexplored parts of two fan-favorite characters in the all-new Star Wars animated series Tales of the Underworld.

However, with other IPs and creative ventures swarming about for your attention lately (see other exciting media news, such as the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 or the Oblivion remaster, to throw in some gaming hype for you), we thought we’d make this blog post to help you decide whether or not you decide to throw some hard-earned free time in the can in exchange for some intergalactic outlaw action.

Story Overview

According to our very own Star Wars expert Drew Minerva (we have a lot on the team), Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (mostly) focuses on the escapades of legendary bounty hunter Cad Bane and Jedi padawan turned Sith assassin Asajj Ventress roughly three years after when the movie Revenge of the Sith takes place in-universe. The six-episode show is divided into two equal halves: three episodes showcasing Ventress’s escape from the law alongside an unexpected new ally, and three episodes showcasing Cad Bane’s confrontation of a childhood acquaintance-turned-long arm of the law. 

Without revealing any major plot points or spoilers, we asked Drew what he likes and dislikes most about the show. Here’s what he said:

Likes:

• “Ventress’s design totally represents who she is now - she has no master and allows herself to follow what she wants to do.”

• “The new character revealed in Ventress’ storyline and her relationship to Ventress is awesome.”

• “Ventress’s ending was awesome and felt very Star Wars.”

Dislikes:

• “I couldn’t get into Cad Bane’s story.”

• “There were other characters that I felt deserved a mention in the storyline.”

• “Normally the characters in the series are force-sensitive, but there weren’t many in Tales of the Underworld.”

Overall:

• “For the ideal Star Wars fan, it’s a great show.”

Conclusion

So, should Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld earn a spot in your watchlist? If you're a fan of deeper dives into lesser-known corners of the galaxy, particularly through the lens of complex, morally gray characters like Asajj Ventress, then this series delivers a worthwhile six-episode journey. It offers a fresh visual style, character-driven storytelling, and moments that feel genuinely "Star Wars" in tone and theme. 

While Cad Bane's arc may not land as strongly for everyone and the series leans away from the Force-heavy narratives some fans might expect, there's enough here—especially for long-time fans of The Clone Wars and Rebels—to justify a watch. In the ever-expanding galaxy of Star Wars content, Tales of the Underworld stands out as a bold and gritty side quest worth exploring.

Anime and Music: The Iconic Usage of Sound in Japanese Animation

May 30, 2025

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Ever heard a song while watching an anime episode and been like “hey, I know that song”? We have too. We’re all aware of (or at least should be) Duvet by Bôa being featured in Serial Experiments Lain and the legendary drum fills and bass lines associated with Cowboy Bebop’s intro (Tank! by Seatbelts), but we thought we’d introduce a few more niche picks from some of our favorite shows at Cooledtured. From Radiohead to Duran Duran, it’s no surprise that some of our favorite animes have been host to some of our favorite music picks as well.

Ergo Proxy (2005): Paranoid Android by Radiohead

A Japanese sci-fi rendition of events that focus on Earth post-ecological apocalyptic disaster in the second half of the 21st century, humanity is reduced to just under 20% of its prior population size and is pitted against Cogito virus-infected newly conscious androids, whom they cohabitate cities with. The “Proxy” in question is a humanoid (read: robotic) species who is deployed in response to a series of murders that the androids are suspected to be tied to. 

It’s reported that Radiohead initially declined when asked for permission from the Ergo Proxy studio to use their work, though they changed their mind after they reviewed the script. We’re pretty glad they did because in our opinion, Paranoid Android is very reflective of the anime in more ways than one. Both media are bleak, gritty, and artistically very in-tune with each other - we wouldn’t want it any other way. 

What's that? (I may be paranoid, but no android)

FLCL (2005): Soundtrack by The Pillows

FLCL is a hugely musically-inspired anime - from the names of the installments being christened after music genres such as Alternative, Grunge, Shoegaze, etc., we can be at least partially aware of at least a few of the bands that inspired the writers. After the main character Naota is run over (yes) by Haruko, he’s then hit in the head (yes) by Haruko. Her weapon of choice? A Rickenbacker 4001 bass guitar. Somehow this causes a portal to be opened by which giant robots can materialize from. It gets weirder but we’ll skip that for now because you should honestly just watch the series.

Anyways, Japanese band The Pillows wrote and performed the entire 6-part soundtrack for the show - five insert songs and one closing theme - including two entirely new songs, "Ride on Shooting Star" and "I Think I Can”. The popularity of FLCL in the Western hemisphere allowed The Pillows, a band we can confidently say was pretty much unknown by then, to go on tour in the United States. Pretty cool.

“I found out about your irreplaceable dream - now I can't fool anyone anymore. Sleeping or waking, I'm repeating 'I can'.”

Speed Grapher (2005): Girls on Film by Duran Duran

Former war photographer Tatsumi Saiga performs an investigation on the underground taboo club known as the Roppongi Club when the mysterious captive mistreated goddess Kagura spares him, while also giving him the ability to destroy anything he photographs. In an attempt to gain favors from Kagura, club members often vy for her attention and attempt to become as “worthy” as possible to also gain powers from her. However, when Saiga attempts to free Kagura from captivity, members who were granted powers by Kagura are deadset on stopping this from occurring by any means possible.

Again, similarly to how Ergo Proxy employs the Radiohead song Paranoid Android in its credits, we like how Speed Grapher chose a song that is lyrically quite related to the context of the show. The Genius annotation states that the Duran Duran song’s lyrics are meant to portray the exploitation of models in fashion and adult industries, which is a good fit for the character Kagura.

“There's a camera rolling on her back, and I sense a rhythm humming in a frenzy - all the way down her spine”

Conclusion

In conclusion, anime has long been a powerful medium not just for storytelling and visual innovation, but also for its bold and evocative use of music. From globally recognized hits to hidden gems, the synergy between sound and scene in Japanese animation often elevates a show from memorable to iconic. 

Whether it’s Radiohead’s haunting introspection in Ergo Proxy, The Pillows’ chaotic energy in FLCL, or Duran Duran’s provocative glamour in Speed Grapher, these musical moments do more than just complement their respective series—they become an inseparable part of their identity. So next time you watch an anime, listen closely. You might just discover your new favorite song wrapped in a scene you’ll never forget.

Games Radar: Newest Game Releases We Love

May 29, 2025

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It’s been a pretty exciting year for games thus far. From the Switch 2 being announced to events like The Witcher 3’s 10th anniversary alongside rumors regarding the release of games like Half-Life 3 and Resident Evil 9, we thought it’d be fair game to recap some of the games that we’ve been playing and loving lately at Cooledtured. 

Doom: The Dark Ages

Finally being revealed as a prequel game to both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020), we follow the Doom Slayer (or Doomguy as you may know him) slay his way through hellish hordes medieval-style. Occurring in an arc previously unexplored of the Doom universe timeline, we befittingly see the addition of multiple new medieval-themed game features that we can’t stop thinking about. 

Though we loved the Crucible in Doom Eternal, new melees such as the gauntlet and flail are pretty addicting. The shield is a great addition too, as it adds a lot of depth to the run-and-gun mechanics that Doom is mostly known for. Overall, we’re pretty pleased with how much Bethesda has innovated, but even more impressed with how true-to-character that they’ve kept the newest Doom release.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

A roleplaying game created by French developers Sandfall Interactive, Expedition 33 follows the titular 33rd Expedition as they venture to slay the Paintress, an entity who has the ability to annually “disappear” all humans at or above an age that decreases year by year. It’s weird, we know, but we’ve had a lot of fun playing it.

As Japanese culture fans, what we really enjoy about it is the inspiration it takes from Japanese games such as the Final Fantasy and Persona series. Probably most directly inspired by these games is the choice to start the game over but with an added option to play with New Game Plus on, which allows you to keep your items - it’s a no-brainer for those who don’t want to grind items or skills just to enjoy the story.

Tales of Seikyu

Tales of Seikyu is a game that operates within a niche filled with heavy-hitting games like Stardew Valley and Slime Rancher. Since you've probably played at least one of these games (they're pretty popular - not to mention good), we'll keep it straightforward: you are tasked with renovating an inn and creating a profitable business model for it. Sounds pretty easy, but the game becomes more charming as you progress and get more situated into the resource management gameplay loop. The game also introduces shapeshifting mechanics, allowing players to transform into animals like boars and slimes. 

It’s a cute little game that is clearly inspired by its peers and predecessors though still allows itself room to breathe with fun mechanics and anime-inspired aesthetics. 

Conclusion

From brutal demon-slaying in Doom: The Dark Ages to the emotionally rich RPG journey in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the cozy, creative charm of Tales of Seikyu, 2025 is already shaping up to be an unforgettable year for gamers. Whether you're into fast-paced action, deep story-driven quests, or relaxing sim-style adventures, there's something fresh and exciting to dive into right now. 

If we were you, we’d make a note to stay tuned to the Cooledtured blog for our gaming picks as we plan to cover lots more in the gaming world very soon - but for now, tell us how we did writing this article! Any games you love on the list? Already played through? Skipping for now? Feel free to let us know!

Witcher 3’s 10th Anniversary Overview: Trailer Analysis & Anniversary Notes

May 25, 2025

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CD Projekt Red (developers of other story-oriented roleplaying games such as Cyberpunk 2077) have released a 10-year anniversary retrospective trailer for the cult-classic medieval roleplaying game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, as well as announced some other exciting upcoming events to celebrate the game’s anniversary in general. Explore with us as we ride into town to take a look at the news and see what’s up.

In this article, we’ll:

• Discuss and note some key announcements regarding the 10th anniversary of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Examine the trailer for secrets and possibly upcoming information about new The Witcher installments or news

Witcher 3 10th Anniversary Announcement Notes

It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since The Witcher series’ last installment, as Geralt of Rivia embarks on yet another band of quests involving returning characters such as Yennefer, Ciri and Vesemir. We’ll assume you’re pretty up to speed with the Witcher, so we’ll jump into some pretty exciting stuff coming up.

So far, CD Projekt Red has officially announced these events occurring in celebration of the game’s 10th anniversary:

• Anniversary Trailer: A new trailer for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt celebrates the game's legacy and thanks its community.

• Doug Cockle Interview: Doug Cockle, the voice actor for Geralt of Rivia joined a special REDstreams episode to reflect on his role.

• Borys Pugacz-Muraszkiewicz (English adaptation director for The Witcher) joined in on the fun as well.

• The Witcher in Concert: Anniversary concerts will take place in Boston and Poznań, with a full tour starting at gamescom in August.

• Boston on May 31 and Poznań on June 15, official tour kickoff at gamescom in Cologne on August 20

• Additional Celebrations: These include 10 new artworks by veteran Witcher artists, the release of The Little Witcher, and a collaboration with Embody on the Immerse Gamepack, with more to come.

• Most excitingly, The Little Witcher is a comic book series that expands upon some of the events that we see in the introduction to The Witcher 3, such that we observe Geralt of Rivia as he raises young Ciri in Kaer Morhen.

We also shouldn’t forget that it’s likely that more will be announced not only in terms of content adjacent to The Witcher 3, but also the upcoming Witcher 4 game also being developed by CD Projekt Red. It’s gonna be a pretty exciting ride for Witcher fans in the next few upcoming months!

Trailer Analysis

As fans of The Witcher 3, we didn’t really notice too much that stood out about the trailer in terms of new content. 

However, it’s pretty clear that Witcher/CD Projekt Red fans are still easily convinced that The Witcher 3 is one of the best games of all time. The outpouring of support for the game has led developers to respond to a lot of comments talking about how the game has helped them through some rough times in their life, as well as just general praise for the series.

In honor of the life-changing game’s 10th anniversary, we’d like to take this section in highlighting some of these super heartfelt comments on the trailer’s YouTube page and awfully thoughtful responses from a game studio we already know and love - it genuinely is really cool seeing this sort of interaction happen. 

 

“After a brain surgery that lasted more than sixteen hours, I woke up unable to walk and with difficulty moving my left hand. [...]. At first, I could barely control Roach and had to relearn how to play using the joystick. With time, I started to get better, began walking again, and almost one year later, I got the platinum trophy on PS4. When the PS5 version was released, I earned the platinum again. Playing it all over again made me remember the pain, the challenges, and most of all, the victories. It may not be the best game in the world for many people, but for me, it is the greatest of all.” -@samaronee 

CD Projekt Red’s reply: “Congratulations on your recovery and the platinum. We're honored to be a part of it.”

 

“10 years of killing monsters , 10 years of how about a round gwent , 10 years of wind's howling , 10 years of team Triss or Yen , 10 years of Roach spawning in random places , 10 years of looking for Ciri , 10 YEARS OF THE GREATEST RPG EVER MADE !” -@sujandhar6613

 

“10 years. Still one of the greatest video games ever made” -@tornado6911

 

Well said.

Conclusion

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it's clear that the game has left an enduring legacy—not just as a critically acclaimed RPG, but as a deeply personal experience for countless players around the world.

From touching community stories to exciting new events like The Witcher in Concert and The Little Witcher comic series, CD Projekt Red is honoring the game’s decade-long journey in meaningful ways. While the anniversary trailer might not tease much in terms of new content, the heartfelt exchanges between fans and developers serve as a powerful reminder of the impact this game has had over the years. 

And with whispers of The Witcher 4 on the horizon, the path ahead looks just as thrilling as the one we've walked with Geralt so far. Here's to ten years of monster-slaying, Gwent-playing, and unforgettable storytelling—and to many more yet to come.

A Glimpse into the Passion and Vintage World

May 22, 2025

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This short film gives an interesting insight into the life of Joseph Gonzalez and Nate, the proprietors of Sad Heart Vintage and American Decay. It's a story of love, collaboration, and the offbeat journey of building a business out of retro treasure hunting. The film manages to get across quite well the character of their joint store, not merely the variety of things they stock but the people and outlooks of the two proprietors.

The film stands out due to the genuine passion that Joseph and Nate have for what they do. They are passionate about antique objects, ranging from masks to jewelry and curiosities. They are not just selling relics; they are passing on a passion for history, art, and the stories behind each object.

The friendship between Joseph and Nate is a central theme. The video highlights their great partnership, noting how complementary they are in their varied strengths and perspectives. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of working out of the same creative environment and needing support and inspiration from one another.
The Allure of the Uncommon: The video perfectly captures the eclectic and odd collection in their shop. From antique jewelry and masks to the strange find, the video expresses the allure of a place where treasures can be found and touched and the past felt.

Beyond the products themselves, the film is about the community that Joseph and Nate have created. They discuss the unexpected relationships that they've formed with customers, the long conversations that have been sparked by shared interests, and the joy of creating a venue where people feel at home and supported.

The film delves into the personal journeys of Joseph and Nate, and how they came to this shared project. They discuss the risks they took, the challenges they faced, and the transformation they experienced in this period. Nate discusses his road to sobriety and how American Decay was a constant presence in his life.

The video also mentions the lively creative community within Chicago, with the city having an impact on their contributions and a welcoming society that they have become a part of. 

This short film is an uplifting and compelling portrayal of two individuals pursuing their passion and creating a whimsical business. It's a tribute to the power of collaboration, the beauty of old treasures, and the requirement for a place where community and connection are established. While this review provides a detailed perspective, viewing the video itself will provide a deeper, more participatory experience.

Newest Releases: Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* (*The New Avengers) - No Spoilers

May 22, 2025

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Look out Marvel fans! Marvel Studios’ newest movie, Thunderbolts, also known as “The New Avengers” has been released in theatres worldwide. It’s high time we check it out, but first we’ll discuss the reason for the asterisk in the title as well as go over some of the characters you may or may not know/love (depending on how much you love Marvel).

In this article:

• Title Synopsis: We take a look at the new Marvel Studios movie titled Thunderbolt and discuss why there’s an asterisk in the title.

• Character Discussion: We’ll discuss characters from the movie, such as Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier, Taskmaster and more

• Reveal how the movie ties in with the Marvel Studios movie timeline as a whole

Let’s dive in and check it out, spoiler-free!

Title Synopsis

In going about the asterisk in the name of the movie, movie theorists have stated that they believe the title to imply that the Thunderbolts is not actually the official name of the new cast of what Marvel has dubbed “an unconventional team of antiheroes”. Additionally, fans have noticed that there’s been a significant amount of buildup as to the presence of this asterisk in general.

We know from Avengers: Endgame that the Avengers are nowhere to be seen in-universe as of the ending of that movie, timeline-wise. International posters from this movie support this: notice how a Japanese poster for the movie gives way to the fact that, in the poster’s words, the Avengers “are not available”.

Character Discussion

Thunderbolts brings together both familiar faces from the MCU and new characters joining the cinematic universe. Here's a spoiler-free look at the key players:

Returning MCU Characters

• Yelena Belova / Black Widow (Florence Pugh)

• Bucky Barnes / Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan)

• Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko)

• Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian (David Harbour)

• John Walker / U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell)

New Characters Introduced

• Sentry (Lewis Pullman) – A mysterious powerhouse with ties to Marvel’s deeper cosmic lore

• Mel (Geraldine Viswanathan) – A new character whose role has yet to be fully revealed

With a team made up of antiheroes, don’t expect clean-cut heroics. The Thunderbolts are expected to bend or even break the rules, leading to unpredictable character dynamics—even among those we’ve previously known and trusted.

How Thunderbolts Fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Thunderbolts continues Marvel’s exploration of a post-Avengers world. With the original Avengers disbanded or gone, the emergence of a new team brings uncertainty—and potential conflict.

This movie is expected to bridge several MCU storylines, especially from the Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Hawkeye series, creating a more complex, morally gray corner of the Marvel Universe.

Conclusion

With a witty marketing scheme revolving around the movie’s title and the premise of the movie being unlike any other superhero movie, we’d like to ask you:

Did the title of the movie puzzle you as much as it did us?

Are you excited to see familiar and unfamiliar faces alike alongside each other?

We sure are! Let us know if you’ve already seen the movie or plan to soon and if you already did, what you thought of it.

Collector's Tips: Maintaining Your Collectible Figurines

May 18, 2025

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If you’ve worked hard on something (say, your car or a model plane), it’s natural to want to protect it. Your figurines shouldn’t be an exception. But where do you start? What solutions are there to protecting your figures? In this article, we’ll show you a couple of methods on how to not only keep your valuable collector’s figurines clean and tidy, but also how to keep them that way as well.

As passionate collectors of figurines ourselves—whether anime figures, Funko Pops, action figures, or statues—we understand that being able to protect our investment is essential. Figurines can fade, scratch, or degrade over time without the right care.

This guide will teach you how to clean, store, and preserve collectible figurines so they stay in mint condition for years to come.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• Gentle cleaning solutions for figurines

• Methods of preservation for figurines

• Other tips on how to keep your toys in tip-top shape

Cleaning Your Figurines

Generally, you should first be testing any products you use on your figurines in a small area - this will help to ensure it doesn't catastrophically damage the paint or plastic. Additionally, one should be gentle as gentle products such as soap or even just water may lead to unwanted abrasion. Avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners, and be cautious when cleaning to prevent damage. 

To properly clean any figures, it’s best to start by dusting them with a soft, dry cloth or a gentle brush. For stubborn smudges or marks, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with diluted dish soap and warm water. Figures can then be placed next to a cool fan (avoid heat solutions such as air-drying) or simply left to air-dry by themselves. Now your figure’s looking squeaky clean!

Methods Of Preservation

Now that your figure’s all dolled up, it’d be nice if we could keep it looking that way. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can do this:

Protective Cases

• Soft Protectors (Funko Pops): These are inexpensive, clear plastic sleeves designed for standard 4-inch Funko boxes.

• Hard Stacks (Funko Pop Stacks): Rigid acrylic or polycarbonate cases for added protection from drops and crushing.

• UV-Protective Cases (Any figurines, though your mileage may vary as you’ll have to find ones that fit your figurine): Blocks sunlight to prevent fading of boxes and figures.

Other Tips

Here are some other general tips that you might find useful on your collecting journey!

Dusting: 

• Use a microfiber cloth or a gentle brush to remove loose dust and debris. 

• For more difficult-to-reach areas, a canned air duster can be helpful. 

Cleaning Stubborn Spots: 

• For smudges, grease, or sticker residue, try a dilution of rubbing alcohol in water on a soft cloth or toothbrush (remember to spot test first).

• If the stain is particularly stubborn, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with a diluted dish soap and warm water solution. 

• Gently clean the area, avoiding soaking the figurine and let it air dry. 

Storage:

• Keep figurines in a cool, dry place.

• Use a dehumidifier in very humid climates to avoid possible mold or warping.

• Store them away from windows or use UV-blocking window film.

• Sunlight can bleach both the box and figure over time.

• When storing multiple figurines on top of each other, avoid stacking too high to prevent crushing the lower boxes.

• Use shelving units with dividers or spacers for stability.

• Oils from hands can cause discoloration or wear - try to minimize contact with your figurines if possible, other than to clean them when necessary.

Conclusion

Whether you're a casual collector or a die-hard figurine fan, keeping your collectible figurines clean and protected can greatly extend their life and preserve their value.

In short, these are our top tips on how to keep your collection in check from Cooledtured:

• Clean gently and regularly

• Use protective display cases

• Avoid direct sunlight and humidity

• Minimize physical contact

• Store smart and display safer

What did you think? Did we miss any? Fixing to implement any of these solutions in your collection? Let us know by reaching out to us on social media! 

 

Pop Culture in Media: How Anime Has Affected Western Media

May 16, 2025

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Fan of shows like Samurai Jack, Avatar: The Last Airbender, or Teen Titans? Also a fan of anime or Japanese culture?? You probably won’t be surprised when we tell you that anime has had a profound effect on not only these shows, but western media in general. Learn about other shows and pop culture phenomena that have been influenced by anime by reading below!

We’ll talk about:

• How your favorite shows (including but not limited to the ones mentioned above) have been influenced by anime

• Other forms of media (movies, video games, TV shows) that anime has changed

Let’s dive right in!

Your Favorite Animated Shows and Anime

Samurai Jack

Older fans will remember watching Samurai Jack on Cartoon Network often, while slightly younger fans might remember the reruns that occurred periodically on Cartoon Network’s Cartoon Planet. Nevertheless, the effect that Japanese culture has had on Samurai Jack is quite obvious, seeing that the artstyle is directly influenced by ukiyo-e, a historically Japanese style of artwork. Additionally, the personality and appearance of Aku, a main antagonist in the series, is inspired by tales of Japanese demons.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

A Nickelodeon classic created by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, the animation and storyboard team specifically drew inspiration from Studio Ghibli films like "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited Away," as well as "Cowboy Bebop" and "Samurai Champloo". The creators admired the balance of action, humor, and emotion in Studio Ghibli's work, particularly in "Princess Mononoke" and "Spirited Away," and incorporated those elements into Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Teen Titans

Let’s mention the obvious here: the original Teen Titans’ theme song was written and performed by the Japanese performers Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura, as well as animated to a backdrop that was very reminiscent of the Cowboy Bebop introduction sequence. Both the English and Japanese version of the theme song were featured on alternating episodes of the original series, and the characters even travel to Japan in the TV film Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo. It’s no secret that anime has had a remarkable effect on the Teen Titans series up to this day with Teen Titans Go! as well, such as exaggerated expressions and exhibitors of emotion such as sweat lines and anger marks.

Anime Influences in Other Western Media

To keep it short, we’ll go from here:

• In Overwatch, characters such as McCree and Ashe can equip Cowboy Bebop (a reoccurring theme, we know) skins that mimic characters from the show such as Spike Spiegel and Faye Valentine, respectively.

• The art of the video game series Skullgirls is inspired by anime such as Kill la Kill and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

• Cyberpunk 2077’s sister animation series, Edgerunners, is an anime adaptation of events relating to the main video game. 

• Animations and trailers for the game Valorant feature over-the-top action with a focus on personal rivalries and triumphant victories.

Conclusion

As both huge anime/Japanese culture fans as well as die-hard video game and TV show fans, we worked pretty hard to compile the picks of what we thought were great mentions of how Japanese culture and anime have influenced Western media. Did we miss any? Let us know by reaching out to us on social media!