Sofubi and Kaiju Figures From Xianyu (Goofish): Where to Look and What QC Photos Should Show
Sofubi (soft vinyl) and kaiju figures resell on Xianyu at yuan prices. Chinese search terms, how to read a listing, what to ask the seller, and real warehouse QC photos shot to scale.
Quick answer — Can you buy sofubi from Xianyu? Yes. Xianyu (闲鱼, also called Goofish) is China’s biggest second-hand marketplace, and collectors there resell Japanese and artist sofubi, kaiju and Ultraman figures in yuan. Sellers only ship inside China, so overseas buyers paste the listing into an agent like Fishgoo, check the real item in warehouse QC photos, then ship.
Who this is for: you already know the figure you want, or you want to browse China’s resale market for sofubi. For the basics of Xianyu itself, start with how to buy from Xianyu. For reading listings in English, see Goofish in English.
Found a sofubi listing already? Paste a Goofish / Xianyu link, the Xianyu app share text, or a keyword below. Fishgoo opens the item so you can order in English.
You can paste the whole Xianyu share message, short link included. If a link still will not open, see the Xianyu link converter guide.
What is sofubi, and why look for it on Xianyu?
Sofubi (ソフビ, short for soft vinyl) are hollow vinyl figures with few moving parts. The style goes back to Japan’s kaiju boom of the 1950s and 1960s, when toy makers sold Godzilla-style monsters and Ultraman heroes in soft vinyl. Today small studios and independent artists also release sofubi in short runs, often at events such as Design Festa and Wonder Festival, usually packed with a printed header card.
That is where Xianyu comes in. Event pieces and small runs sell out fast, and the resale market is where they reappear. China has its own designer-toy scene, so Chinese collectors buy, trade and resell sofubi on Xianyu, and prices are listed in yuan. The search is growing, too: US searches for “sofubi” rose from about 2,400 a month a year ago to about 5,400 in October 2026 (Google Ads data).
Chinese search terms that actually work
Xianyu search runs on Chinese titles. English words return very little, so search in Chinese and translate the results afterwards.
| Search for | Meaning | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| 软胶 / 搪胶 | soft vinyl (sofubi) | Your base term. Try both: sellers use either. |
| 软胶 怪兽 | sofubi kaiju | Monster figures in the classic style. |
| 奥特曼 软胶 | Ultraman sofubi | Hero figures, vintage or modern. |
| 带卡头 | with header card | You want the printed card that came with it. |
| 全新未拆 | brand new, unopened | You want it still sealed in its bag. |
| 会场限定 / 限定 | event exclusive / limited | Short-run and event pieces. |
| 复刻 | reissue or recast | Read carefully. It can mean an official reissue or an unofficial copy. |
Open a live Goofish search
Opens goofish.com in Chinese. Translate the page in Chrome, copy the link of anything you like, and paste it in the box above.
Live picks on Xianyu right now
Marmit kaiju sofubi, new
¥850 as of 13 Nov 2026
Second-hand listings sell fast. If it is gone, paste a similar listing in the box above.
MAXTOY kaiju sofubi
¥440 as of 13 Nov 2026
Second-hand listings sell fast. If it is gone, paste a similar listing in the box above.
How to read a sofubi listing
Chrome translation gets you the gist of a listing. These are the words worth checking in the original Chinese:
- 成色 (condition): 全新 is new, 99新 or 95新 means lightly used, 有瑕疵 means flawed.
- 掉漆 (paint chips) and 色差 (colour differs from photos): the two most common sofubi complaints.
- 卡头 and 袋: whether the header card and the original bag are included. Many collectors value the card as much as the figure.
- 尺寸 / 高度 (size / height): ask for it in centimetres if the listing does not say. Photos alone make small figures look big.
- 非官方 / 复刻: unofficial or reissue. Never assume a cheap “复刻” is the original release.
What our warehouse QC photos show
These are real QC photos from recent orders, unretouched, shot on a green backdrop with centimetre rulers in frame. They show what arrived at our warehouse, so you can compare it with the listing before anything ships internationally.
What to check in your own photos: the height against the ruler, paint on raised details (horns, eyes, fins), the header card’s print and corners, and any loose part that should be in the bag. If something looks wrong, you decide before it leaves the warehouse.
Questions to ask the seller before you buy
- Is the header card original to this figure, and is it creased?
- Height in centimetres, and is any part loose or glued?
- Any paint rubs, stains or sticky vinyl? (older vinyl can turn tacky)
- Can you send a photo of the foot stamp?
- Is the price negotiable if I buy two?
Fishgoo handles this seller Q&A in Chinese and can try bargaining where the seller is open to it.
What Fishgoo does on a Xianyu order
- 0% service fee on the purchase. You pay the item, the seller’s domestic postage and your international shipping.
- Seller Q&A in Chinese. We ask your questions before buying, and can try bargaining where the seller is open to it.
- 5 free QC photos of the actual item at our warehouse, before anything ships internationally.
- 100-day free storage, so you can keep buying from several sellers.
- Consolidation into one parcel, with 2,000+ shipping routes to choose from.
How to buy sofubi from Xianyu with Fishgoo
- Search Xianyu in Chinese with the terms above, and translate the results in Chrome (how).
- Copy the listing link or the app share text and paste it in the box on this page.
- We confirm the item and your questions with the seller, buy it, and it travels to our warehouse inside China.
- You get 5 free QC photos of the actual figure. Approve it, or raise a problem with the seller before anything ships.
- Keep it in free storage for up to 100 days while you buy more, then consolidate and pick one of 2,000+ shipping routes.
Collecting cards too? See buying Pokémon cards from Xianyu. Worried about scams? Read is Goofish safe and our guide to the Goofish agent service.
Frequently asked questions
What is sofubi?
Sofubi (ソフビ) is Japanese soft vinyl: hollow, lightweight figures with few moving parts, best known for kaiju monsters and Ultraman-era heroes. Today independent artists also release small sofubi runs, often sold at events with a printed header card.
Can I buy sofubi from Xianyu if I live outside China?
Yes, through a shopping agent. Xianyu sellers ship inside China and take Chinese payment, so you paste the listing link into Fishgoo, we buy it, take 5 free QC photos at the warehouse and ship it to you on the route you pick.
What is sofubi called in Chinese?
Search for 软胶 or 搪胶. Add 怪兽 for kaiju, 奥特曼 for Ultraman, 卡头 if you want the header card, and 全新未拆 for new and unopened.
Can a QC photo tell me if a sofubi figure is official?
No. A QC photo shows size, paint, the header card and any damage as the item reached our warehouse. It is for you to judge, not an authentication certificate. Unofficial recasts exist, so compare details with the maker’s own photos before you buy.
How do I keep shipping costs down on figures?
Buy several pieces, keep them in free storage for up to 100 days, and consolidate them into one parcel. Sofubi are light, but boxes and header cards add size, so one combined parcel usually beats several small ones.
Start with one product, sample or restock task
Send the product link or description, approximate quantity and destination. Review the scope before any paid purchasing work begins.
