Timeline of the Gojo Figurine Buzz: from Viral Infamy to Shibuya Drops
By Sophia Al-Mansoor
One humorous byproduct of the scandal was its direct effect on second-hand marketplace listings. On platforms like Mercari, eBay, and Mandarake, sellers offering loose (out-of-box) Jujutsu Kaisen prize figures began inserting playful disclaimers into their condition descriptions. Notes like "Pet-free, smoke-free, incident-free home" became common in late 2024 and early 2025.
While written tongue-in-cheek, these listings reflected genuine collector neurosis regarding hygiene. Second-hand figure buyers have always scrutinized pre-owned PVC for sticky plasticizer residue, sun fading, or paint transfers. The viral event added an unprecedented, albeit absurd, psychological hesitation toward unboxed budget figures. Pristine, factory-sealed boxes (MISB) commanded a minor premium of 10% to 15% over loose models of the exact same sculpt.
The dynamic altered how local anime conventions handled figure swaps. Independent vendors at events like Anime Expo and New York Comic Con frequently reported attendees laughing while inspecting second-hand Gojo displays. The incident became a collective inside handshake for anyone who had spent too much time online during the winter of 2024.
Sophia analyzes international trade, startup ecosystems, retail transformation, and supply chain logistics for modern digital publications.
