How to Fix a Leaning Anime Figure?

Animated figures come in all shapes and sizes. They take different poses, some of which seem to defy gravity. However, sometimes gravity prevails, which can cause certain parts to bend. The end result is an anime figure that leans to one side. But don't worry, this tilt problem can be fixed.

What makes a figurine lean?

Several factors can cause a figure to tilt, but the most common is simply gravity. Over time, figures tend to lean forward or sideways due to the weight of their heads (especially for figures with thick hair), arms, or massive weapons and accessories.

Another possible cause is an uneven surface; if your figurine is on a shelf that is not level, it will lean to one side or the other. Loose joints can also cause a figure to lean; If a figure's joints are too loose, it will not be able to stand up straight and may lean over.

In some cases, leaning figures are due to poor sculpting and insufficient figure support. It's not uncommon for anime figures to come with support pegs to support their heavy parts.

For example, this Aqua figure comes with a support peg for her hair, since it's too heavy.

Aqua Phat company
The Aqua figure by Phat Company has a ton of hair, which warrants a supportive ankle. The support ankle is necessary to prevent the figure from leaning over.

Leaning figures are not very common with modern figures as many companies have improved the production process. I wouldn't be surprised if the manufacturers reinforced the legs of the figures with metal.

Notably, figures that are tilted heavily to one side are more prone to unnatural tilt issues. This Kurumi figurine by Alphamax naturally leans to the left. I've had it on display for over 5 years (with the limited edition gold base) and thankfully it seems stable. She does not show any unnatural inclination.

Tokisaki kurumi alphamax
Figures that lean in only one direction are more prone to tilting issues. Fortunately, this Kurumi figure has been stable for over 5 years.
Another figure that leans heavily to one side is this Anne Takamaki figure by Amakuni. This time, she leans to the right. I have had it on display for over 3 years now and it shows no signs of abnormal tilting. His whip comes with a support peg to prevent it from being deformed by gravity.

Anne Takamaki Amakuni

Anne Takamaki by Amakuni - leaning to the right but stable for over 3 years.

How to prevent anime figures from tilting?

Since most figures that develop leaning issues are figures that are already leaning in one direction, you can simply avoid these kinds of figures. This isn't something I recommend though, as figures that lean to one side often have very dynamic poses, which is one of the things that makes a figure a good figure. Additionally, figures that lean are already rare, unless you buy a figure released more than ten years ago. Here are some tips you can follow to prevent your figures from leaning unnaturally.

Use the support pegs

If the figure comes with support pegs. Use them. You may hate that they sometimes ruin the aesthetic of your display, but they are a necessary evil. These pegs serve a purpose. They are intended to prevent your figures from tipping due to unbalanced weight distribution.

Display them on a flat, stable surface

Do not display your figures on a tilted surface, as this can make the tilt worse. Also be sure to place them on a stable surface, in a location where the figure will not tip over, as the rocking motion can damage the figure's stand and cause leaning.

Store the figurines away from heat

Even in tropical climates, normal room temperature should not be high enough to damage figurines. What you should avoid is placing the figures near places that generate a lot of heat, such as inside a PC case, near the coffee machine, near the oven or near a window exposed to the sun. Heat can make PVC soft, which can lead to tilting issues. Likewise, ultraviolet rays from the sun can cause yellowing of the figurine's surface as well as fading of the paint.

Steps to Fix a Leaning Figure

If you notice that your figure is starting to lean, there are several things you can do to fix it. Note that the solutions below only work for PVC figures. This is unlikely to work on figures made with other types of plastic and resin. Some PVC figures may have accessories made of ABS or other plastics, and these methods will not work for these pieces.

How to Fix a Leaning Anime Figure Using a Hair Dryer?

If your anime figure is leaning, don't despair! You can repair it using a hair dryer. Just follow the following steps:

• Place your figurine on a flat surface.
• Turn on the hairdryer and blow it on the leaning part of the figurine until it begins to soften. Avoid heating the parts that are not bent to avoid damaging them unnecessarily.

• Try to return the bent part to its natural position. If it's not soft enough to move, heat it again with the hairdryer until you can repair it.

• Let the figurine cool before placing it back on its base.
• If you don't have a hairdryer, you can also use hot water to repair a leaning figurine.

How to Fix a Leaning Anime Figure Using Hot Water?

To fix a leaning anime figure using hot water, simply follow the steps below:

• Prepare hot water. Boil hot water in a saucepan or turn on the hot water tap.
• Immerse the folded part in hot water. Do not immerse the part in active boiling water, as this may damage the paint and cause the PVC to warp. Pass it over the hot water tap if you are using a hot water tap.

• Wait for the part to become soft and try to bend it to its natural position. If it is not soft enough, put it back in hot water.

When you are satisfied with the attachment, immerse the part in room temperature water. Do not immerse it in very cold water, as a drastic change in temperature could cause cracking.

• Dry your face with a microfiber cloth. Do not let it air dry, as this may cause unsightly water spots, especially if your faucet produces hard water.

Poor quality figures or fakes are more prone to bending, so avoid this problem. here are some tips in this article to know if a figurine is official or not.

So, good luck fixing that leaning animated figure. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can let me know in the comments.