How to Care for and Display Your Anime Scale Figures

By Home - Kotous Store | Published: 2026-10-14

Category: Tips & Care

A practical, ordered routine for dusting, lighting, and storing anime scale figures so paint and plastic stay sharp. Includes checkpoints for common mistakes.

Quick answer

Keep scale figures out of direct sun, dust them every two to four weeks with a soft makeup brush, and store them in a padded, climate-stable box when they are not on display. The order matters: clean before you move, support the base when you lift, and never let a figure sit in heat or window light for months.

Set up a display spot that fights dust and UV

A closed glass or acrylic cabinet slows dust buildup and blocks most UV light, which is what fades paint over time. If you use open shelving, keep it away from windows, radiators, and kitchen grease. A stable indoor temperature and moderate humidity do more for anime figure maintenance than any single cleaning tool.

For figure display lighting, choose LED strips or small LED spotlights. LEDs run cool, so they will not soften or warp PVC the way halogen bulbs can. Put lights on a timer or switch so the figure is not lit 24 hours a day.

Match your cleaning tool to the part you are touching

A soft makeup brush or camera lens brush lifts surface dust from hair, capes, and detailed armor without scratching. For deeper dust in crevices, use a bulb blower first, then a dry microfiber cloth on flat bases. Avoid paper towels, tissues, and household spray cleaners, which can leave lint or dull the finish.

If a figure has a matte finish, do not rub it with a cloth; friction can polish the matte area shiny. Stick to the brush and blower for those surfaces.

Handle figures by the base, not the hair or weapons

Thin hair strands, swords, and capes are the most breakable parts of a scale figure. Lift the figure by its base or the most solid part of the body, and set it down before you adjust a pose. If a part feels stuck, stop and check for a peg or tab instead of forcing it.

When you move a figure, clear the shelf first. A dropped figure usually breaks at the ankle, wrist, or hair connection, and those repairs are hard to hide.

Store figures so they can come back out safely

For scale figure storage, use the original blister and box when you have them. If not, wrap the figure in acid-free tissue or a clean cotton cloth, then pad it inside a rigid box so it cannot shift. Store boxes off the floor and away from damp basements or hot attics.

Do not store figures in sealed plastic bags for long periods. Trapped moisture and plasticizer can cause a sticky surface or a faint odor. Label the box with the figure name so you do not have to open every box to find one.

Your step-by-step figure care routine

Clear the display area and wash your hands: Remove other items from the shelf so you have room to set the figure down. Wash and dry your hands before touching the figure; oils from skin can dull paint over time. Checkpoint: if the shelf is crowded, stop and make space before you lift anything.
Dust from top to bottom with a soft brush: Start at the head and hair, then work down to the base. Use a bulb blower for tight gaps between armor or hair strands, and a dry microfiber cloth only on flat, glossy bases. Common mistake: pressing hard on matte areas and polishing them shiny.
Check joints, pegs, and stands for stress: Look for white stress marks, loose pegs, or a leaning stand. If a figure leans, adjust the support before it warps. For articulated kits, test each joint gently and reseat any hand or weapon that feels loose. Checkpoint: if a joint feels tight, do not force it; warm the room slightly and try again.
Rotate the display position every few months: Move the figure to a different spot in the case and change the light angle. This spreads any light exposure and lets you spot dust or leaning early. Common mistake: leaving one figure in the same direct light spot for a year.
Pack for storage only after a full clean: Dust the figure completely, let it dry if you used a slightly damp cloth on the base, then wrap and box it. Store the box in a stable, dry spot. Next step: label the box with the figure name and the date you stored it.

Product facts that affect care and display

MY HERO ACADEMIA ARTFX J HIMIKO TOGA [2023]: From the hit anime My Hero Academia, Himiko Toga is joining Kotobukiya’s lineup as a scale figure. Scale figures like this often have thin hair and clothing details, so use a soft brush and lift by the base rather than the head.
MUV LUV ALTERNATIVE TAKEMIKADUCHI TSUKUYOMI MANA VER PLASTIC MODEL KIT [2021]: Pieces are molded in pre-colored plastic; no painting necessary. The Takemikaduchi Tsukuyomi includes multiple weapons, armor, and hand parts. Features multiple points of articulation for a wide array of posing options. Articulated kits with extra hands and weapons need a small parts tray during posing and dusting, since tiny pieces are easy to lose or stress.