Youtooz has grown in popularity in the past few years, providing a unique alternative to similar caricatural vinyl figurines made by other well-known manufacturers. I’ve had limited exposure to the company’s products in the past, but I’ve recently been eyeballing its ever-growing catalogue of licensed figures and plushies with an eagerness to see what the fuss is all about.
Thankfully, I finally got a chance to do just that when Youtooz offered to send me a selection of collectibles from its Elden Ring lineup. Seeing as Elden Ring is one of my favorite games of all time, I opted to sample multiple vinyl figurines and plushies to gain some insight into its two main collectible types.
In the details: Malenia and Ranni vinyl figurines
I received vinyl figurines of Malenia and Ranni, two fan-favorite characters with rich backstories in the lore of Elden Ring. And before I even took them out of the box, I was blown away to find that the inner packaging is printed with the pattern of Elden Ring’s in-game map. For collectors who keep their figurines boxed, it’s an extra little bit of flair that really draws attention, and I think that’s awesome.
As someone not interested in any hardcore collecting practices, though, I quickly popped the figurines out for a closer look. When doing so, I noticed two major things: There’s a noticeable heft to them, and they feature significantly more fine detail than something like, say, a Funko Pop.
Whereas Funko tends to keep similar-shaped molds for brand consistency, the Youtooz figurines are somewhat less restricted by aesthetic uniformity. There’s a general cohesion across the product line, of course, but I suspect that if I separated Melanie and Ranni on my collectibles shelf, the average person likely wouldn’t connect that they’re made by the same company.
Despite the figurines’ impressive detail and higher-quality feel, they have the same type of charm and cuteness that is common with these types of collectibles — especially Ranni, who appears quite content with a big smile as she sits upon her chamber chair. Finding this balance between being authentic to a character’s design and personality while maintaining a playful and fun visual style must be a challenge, so big props to the designers on that.
Cuddle time - Torrent and Miriel plushies
Small vinyl figurines may be what many folks know Youtooz for best, but after checking out the two Elden Ring-themed plushies the company sent over, I’m convinced some folks may be sleeping on these cuddly offerings.
I took a look at the 9-inch Torrent plushie and the 16-inch Miriel, Pastor of Vows weighted plushie. Both are made with soft, minky (microfiber) materials that are immensely pleasant to the touch, and they each have the same “happy eyes” look that makes them all the more inviting when you want to pick ‘em up and give ‘em a squeeze.
The faux fur material used on Torrent’s long mane and tail got a bit matted and disheveled in the plastic bag it was shipped in — which made him a bit unsightly on arrival — but my wife broke out a bristle brush and got him looking spiffy in no time. Now, he’s displayed alongside some of my other collectibles with a fluffy mane over his eyes to give him a boyish charm.
Meanwhile, I really love that the Miriel plushie’s weighted feature can provide a bit of extra pressure on your chest or stomach, which is a big help for those with sensory needs. Its 16-inch size may be a bit too small to make this very beneficial for larger adults like me, but it’s the perfect size for younger folks and those with smaller frames.
These two plushies capture the Elden Ring spirit without sacrificing their cute and cuddly properties, partially because they’re based on friendly characters. I’d be inclined to say that’d be harder to achieve with villains like Morgott or Radahn, but if anyone could pull it off, I’m officially convinced that it’d be Youtooz.
If you’re interested in checking any of these out for yourself, also be aware that there’s a smaller non-weighted version of the Miriel plushie, a Melina figurine, and both a plushie and vinyl version of everyone’s favorite jar NPC, Iron Fist Alexander. You can check out the full Elden Ring Youtooz lineup here.
