He’s back. Seong Gi-hun isn’t just returning to the screen with a dyed-red chip on his shoulder; he’s hitting the shelves. Honestly, the hype for the new wave of Squid Game Season 2 Funko Pop vinyls is hitting a fever pitch that feels even more chaotic than the first time around. We all remember 2021. It was total madness. You couldn't walk into a Target or browse a hobby site without seeing the Front Man staring back at you.
But things are different now. Netflix has been incredibly tight-lipped about the specific games in the second season, which makes the toy releases feel like a game of detective. Collectors are basically scouring every leaked frame of the trailer just to see if Funko has dropped a hint about a new player or a redesigned guard.
The Mystery Behind the Squid Game Season 2 Funko Pop Wave
Usually, when a show is this big, Funko drops the whole line at once. Not this time. They’re being tactical. We’re seeing a focus on the returning faces first, specifically Gi-hun (Player 456), but with his updated, more weathered look. He’s not the tracksuit-wearing loser we met at the start of season one. He’s on a mission. The new sculpts reflect that intensity.
If you’re looking for the classic "Red Light, Green Light" doll, you’ve probably noticed she’s getting some company. Rumors and early catalog leaks suggest we might see "Young-hee’s boyfriend," Cheol-su, making an appearance in vinyl form. Can you imagine the resale value on a creepy giant animatronic boy? It's going to be astronomical.
There’s a weird tension in the collecting community right now. Some people just want the main cast, while the "completionists" are sweating over the potential for dozens of different player numbers. Funko knows this. They thrive on it. By releasing the Squid Game Season 2 Funko Pop line in staggered waves, they keep the secondary market—sites like StockX and eBay—buzzing for months.
Why Player 456 Looks Different This Time
Look at the hair. That’s the big giveaway. The Season 2 Gi-hun Funko captures that specific, slightly aggressive vibe he has now. He’s no longer a pawn. He’s the one trying to take the system down from the inside. Funko artists have clearly spent more time on the facial expressions for this wave. The first season figures were a bit more generic, but these feel like portraits of the characters’ trauma.
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Tracking Down the Retailer Exclusives
If you want the good stuff, you can't just check Amazon. You've gotta be faster. Retailer exclusives are the bane of every collector's existence, yet they’re the only way to get the "Chase" variants or the glow-in-the-dark versions.
- Hot Topic usually grabs the "Blood-Splattered" variants because, well, it's Hot Topic.
- Walmart tends to get the metallic versions or the multi-packs.
- GameStop is the go-to for the masked workers, often with different shapes on the helmets—circles, triangles, squares—that aren't available in the common sets.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a headache. You’re basically playing the game yourself just to get a piece of plastic. I’ve seen people camp out for the Front Man on a throne, and with the new Season 2 reveals, that frenzy is only going to scale up.
The Investment Side of Squid Game Vinyls
Let's talk money. Don't buy these thinking you're going to retire on them next week. Most Funko Pops stay around the $12 to $15 mark. However, the first edition Player 001 (Oh Il-nam) saw a massive spike once everyone realized who he actually was.
For the Squid Game Season 2 Funko Pop releases, keep an eye on the new antagonist. Whoever is playing the "Vip" or the new lead guard is likely to be the sleeper hit of the collection. If the character dies early but has a cool design? Gold. That’s the sweet spot for value.
The production runs are also a factor. During the pandemic, Funko had massive shipping delays, which accidentally made some figures rarer. Now, supply chains are smoother, which means there are more figures out there. More supply usually means lower resale value. If you’re buying for profit, you need to find the "Store Exclusive" stickers. No sticker, no massive profit. Simple as that.
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Spotting the Fakes
Because Squid Game is a global phenomenon, the market is flooded with "bootleg" Funkos. You’ll see them on AliExpress or random Facebook Marketplace ads for $5.
They look "sorta" right, but the paint job is always the giveaway. If the eyes look slightly tilted or the box art colors seem washed out, stay away. Real Funko boxes have a very specific matte finish and a serial number stamped on the bottom of the box that should match the stamp on the figure’s foot or neck. If they don't match? It's a fake.
What to Expect Next from the Collection
We haven't even seen the full "Game" lineup for Season 2 yet. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has hinted that the new games are even more "universal" but twisted.
Expect Funko to capitalize on the "set pieces." We might get a "Pop! Town" version of the colorful, M.C. Escher-style staircases or a "Pop! Deluxe" of the glass bridge. These are the ones that take up a ton of shelf space but look incredible under LED lights.
It’s also worth noting that the "masked" figures are the most popular for customizers. People buy the cheap Guard Pops and repaint them with their own designs. It’s a huge subculture on Instagram and TikTok. If you see a "Gold" Guard, it’s probably a custom job unless it has an official Funko sticker.
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Building Your Collection Strategy
Don't just buy everything. That's how you end up with a wall of boxes you don't even like.
- Pick a lane: Do you want only the Players, or only the Staff?
- Focus on the "Protagonist" arc: Get every version of Gi-hun to show his transformation.
- Secure the "Villains" early: They always have the coolest designs and usually the shortest production runs.
The reality is that Squid Game Season 2 Funko Pop figures are more than just toys; they’re a snapshot of a cultural moment. We’re all obsessed with this dark, satirical look at capitalism, and then we go out and buy plastic versions of the characters. The irony isn't lost on most of us. But hey, they look great on a desk.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should be checking the Funko official blog and "Leaked" accounts on X (formerly Twitter) daily. The pre-order windows for the high-demand exclusives often close within minutes. If you miss the initial drop, don't panic-buy on eBay immediately. Prices usually spike on release day and then dip a few weeks later once the "FOMO" wears off.
Wait for the secondary market to stabilize. You'll save yourself at least twenty bucks per figure. And honestly, that's money better spent on the next wave.
Final Steps for Collectors
Start by auditing your current collection. If you have Season 1 figures, check their current "PPG" (Poppriceguide) value to see if it’s worth trading up for the new Season 2 variants. Set up alerts on Target and Walmart apps specifically for "Funko" and "Squid Game." Most importantly, join a local collector group. Oftentimes, members will trade at cost rather than hitting you with the "scalper tax" you’ll find on major resale platforms.