Stikfas

The debut of STIKFAS was through a successful co-branding in 2001 with the computer game publisher Electronic Arts. This collaboration provided proof of concept and STIKFAS Pte. Ltd. was incorporated in August. Work began on the first mass-production model of the STIKFAS Action Figure Kit, which was made available to the public in December 2001.

From 2002 to 2004, STIKFAS was licensed to Hasbro Inc. This move saw an increase in its product range, distribution network, and market recognition. During this period, STIKFAS was awarded the title of "Best Original Concept" in "Best of the Best 2002" by Wizard's Toyfare magazine, the industry's leading publication.[1] That year, STIKFAS came in second for "Most Fun and Innovative Toy" in Toyshop Magazine's consumer poll.[2]

STIKFAS debuted in Japan in the fall of 2003 under the distribution of Tomy Direct Co., Ltd. In February 2005, the first comprehensive fan book about STIKFAS, its products, and the people in the company was published by Hobby Japan, the nation's leading hobby magazine since 1969. This publication reinforced the cult status that STIKFAS had in Japan.

As of June 2006, different kits have been released, including Recolors (where only the colors of the parts have changed). Also, numerous different blisters, consisting of a single figure and no accessories, have been released.

The online webcomic community has taken notice of STIKFAS action figures due to their poseability and customizability. Several illustrators use STIKFAS as characters in ongoing webcomic adventures. The exceptional articulation allows for nearly limitless expressions through body language, while the blank slate features offer limitless facial customization options using Stickers, clay, paint, and/or digital tools. In these webcomics, the blank STIKFAS can be personalized by adding hair, facial features, and apparel. Clay, fabric, twine, thread, and paper are the most common materials for customization. In addition, the comics frequently feature one-of-a-kind sets and accessories, which are frequently created by the artist or borrowed from other toy lines (Playmobil, Lego blocks, Megabloks, and so on).

Because of the "ultra pose-ability" of the Stikfas figures have also been widely used to create independent stop motion animation films. Stop motion film examples:

The Stikfas company has hosted yearly stop motion contests at the Comic-Con Convention since 2007.

Stikfas also have small square notches on their bodies, allowing rare earth magnets to be inserted. These notches are found on the upper legs, feet, and body sections. The curved U-shaped hands are also the same diameter as the notches. Once inserted into any of these areas, the magnets allow the Stikfas to be posed while adhering to a magnetic surface so they won't fall over.

Stikfas had been used as a product name before, completely unrelated to the current toy figures. Lee Kuan Yew helped develop a glue based on tapioca, which he sold under the name Stikfas in Japanese-occupied Singapore during World War II. Lee Kuan Yew would later serve as the Prime Minister of Singapore for more than three decades.

• Stikfas Home Page (link dead)