Cult figures from Baden-Württemberg: Who will be the next Playmobil star?

Cult figures from Baden-Württemberg: Who will be the next Playmobil star?

There are moments in life that are simply unmistakable - for example the charming Playmobil figures that have conquered the hearts of young and old for 50 years. They are currently very popular as cult objects, especially in Baden-Württemberg. Many collectors think about how they can expand their collection. This is a real bestsellerPlaymo “Black Forest Marie”, which is already sold out on the shelves of many stores, like this Borken newspaper reported.

But it's not just the “Black Forest Marie” that is in focus. There are no limits to creativity when it comes to new cult figures. Names likeBoris Palmer, who could shine with his bike and an always argumentative character, are brought into play by fans. Former national coachJogi Löw, famous for his turtleneck sweater, or the impressive Olympic championMalaika Mihambo, which once again proved its class despite all adversities, are also hot candidates for the next bestsellers.

A look at the diversity

But that's not all! AlsoQueen Silvia of Sweden, the native of Heidelberg, andBertha Benztogether withGottlieb Daimler, the pioneers of the automobile, could get their own characters. Those would also be a highlightMonkeys and horses, the legendary cartoon duo, as well as the charmingBächleputzerfrom Freiburg. This traditional figure is responsible for the cleanliness of the Bächle, a custom with a historical background.

The list of suggestions shows the great potential to inspire people with new characters. TheSwabian-Alemannic witchand theWhitefish fishermanfrom Lake Constance round off the interesting selection. These are characters that could definitely reach a wide audience, and not just in Baden-Württemberg!

A look at the sales figures

As far as Playmobil figures are concerned, you can now find a wide variety of offers on platforms such as eBay. New goods are available there between1.00 and 235.00 euros, while used figures are traded significantly cheaper, often between1.49 and 49.99 euros. The Prices and sales figures are amazing: some items even have up to824 sales. If you're clever, you can also make price suggestions, and shipping costs vary from1.00 to 49.95 euros.

The fascination for Playmobil is unbroken. The original figures measure 7.5 centimeters and have moving parts, which makes them so appealing, especially to younger generations. They were founded in 1974 byHorst Brandstätterinvented to solve the corporate crisisgeobra Brandstätterto overcome. Since then there have been aroundfour billionPlaymobil figures were produced - if they were lined up end to end they would reach four times around the world! Figures like are particularly popularMartin Luther, which came onto the market in 2017 on the occasion of the Reformation anniversary and with a circulation ofa millionbecame a real hit.

But despite these successes, Playmobil faces challenges. After Brandstätter's death in 2015, uncertainty arose in the company, and in 2022 there was the first loss in the brand's history. In contrast, Lego manages to reinvent itself with licensed products like “Star Wars”. Playmobil has made greater efforts to include women and diverse characters in order to appeal to new target groups. This development is seen as forward-looking, as the needs and demands of today's society are also taken into account BR describes.

Overall, it shows that Playmobil is not just a toy, but part of a living culture that is constantly being reinterpreted and celebrated. The potential for future characters and stories is obviously great. As far as the next steps for Playmobil are concerned, it remains exciting! Maybe there is a new bestseller in the pipeline that will soon hit the shelves.