How to store spare parts for your Nendoroids and Figmas

Anyone who collects articulated or interactive figure lines knows the drama all too well. You open the box, pose your favorite character, and are immediately left with a pair of extra hands, three faces with hilarious expressions, two tiny weapons, and a spare joint pin scattered across your desk. The fear of losing one of these micro-pieces is every collector’s true nightmare.

To avoid this stress and ensure your customization experience remains pure fun, we’ve gathered the best practical strategies used by hobby veterans. Let’s learn how to organize this plastic arsenal safely, compactly, and with total accessibility.

The value and safety of the original box

Maximum protection for your collection

At first glance, and for very good reason, storing everything back in the plastic blister and original factory box is the safest and most recommended solution. After all, every small accessory has its own perfect mold inside, which completely prevents friction, accidental paint scratches, or delicate parts from bending and deforming over time.

In addition to offering unbeatable physical protection against drops or dust, keeping accessories stored in their original packaging is the best way to preserve the figure’s market value if you ever plan to resell it. It’s the ideal method for collectors who prioritize maximum safety and want absolute certainty that every spare face and joint stays in strict factory condition.

The triumph of compartment organizer boxes

The ultimate quick-access tool

The favorite tool for ninety percent of experienced collectors seeking a quick-access system is the classic transparent plastic organizer box, commonly used for sewing supplies or DIY hardware. These boxes are extremely affordable, easy to find, and offer the perfect balance between physical protection and visibility.

When choosing an organizer, ensure it meets a few simple requirements:

•    Adjustable dividers: Essential for removing plastic barriers to create larger spaces for extra hair pieces or long weapons.

•    Firm latches: Prevents the box from accidentally opening if dropped, which would scatter dozens of micro-pieces across the floor.

•    Transparent lid: Allows you to view your entire accessory inventory without opening the box.

•    Label identification: Space to place labels with the figure’s name, making it effortless to locate accessories on the shelf without guessing.

Organizing by compartments lets you separate pieces by character or franchise, turning pose changes into a quick task that takes under a minute.

The individual zip-lock bag technique

Compact storage to save space

If your collection has reached massive proportions and organizer boxes are taking up too much drawer space, the best alternative is using small sealable plastic bags—the famous zip-lock bags. This approach is incredibly compact and highly recommended for saving space.

The key to executing this method successfully is using an individual bag for each character in your collection. Place all hands, faces, and weapons belonging to that specific figure inside the bag, and use a permanent marker to write the character’s name and model series number on the outside. This makes visual identification simple when searching for an accessory.

Storing parts in individual bags also prevents an invisible chemical hazard: paint transfer caused by friction. If you mix accessories from different figures in a tight space without separation, prolonged rubbing can cause dark paint from a weapon to stain the light plastic of a spare faceplate, permanently ruining the matte finish.

Essential moisture and heat care

Protecting PVC against environmental enemies

Whether you choose compartment boxes, airtight bags, or original boxes, there are environmental preservation rules you should never ignore. PVC and the chemical plasticizers that provide flexibility to joint parts react strongly to surrounding environmental conditions over the years.

To ensure the plastic doesn’t degrade in your drawer, avoid the three biggest storage enemies:

•    Direct sunlight: UV radiation fades color pigments on exposed faces and accessories.

•    Excessive heat: Stuffy environments accelerate PVC wear, leaving spare joint pins brittle and fragile.

•    Retained moisture: Humid environments create the perfect ecosystem for mold and black spots on the paintwork.

A golden tip is to place a small silica gel packet inside each organizer box or storage drawer. This small detail absorbs residual moisture trapped in the air, ensuring your parts stay dry and maintain their factory-fresh finish.

Finally, avoid leaving your accessories completely sealed for long periods. Plastic parts need to breathe regularly to prevent plasticizer migration. If air doesn’t circulate occasionally, the chemical compounds that keep the plastic flexible evaporate and condense onto the surface due to lack of space, creating a sticky, viscous layer that damages the paint. Opening your organizers or bags occasionally to let them air out is the best way to maintain your collection’s health.

In the end, easy interaction is what matters

Keeping the magic of articulated figures alive

Keeping accessories organized isn’t just about protecting your financial investment—it’s mainly about keeping the magic and interactivity alive that make articulated lines, such as Figma and Nendoroids, so special. When you know exactly where every component is, you feel far more freedom to experiment, photograph, and bring your collection to life.

Now that you know how to manage your arsenal of faces and hands like a pro, you’re ready to welcome the next member of your team without fear of losing pieces along the way. Head over to the figures section at Anikimi to explore the latest arrivals from top global brands and keep expanding your universe with complete safety and authenticity!