As 2026 approaches, the legacy of Elden Ring, the 2022 Game of the Year, burns as fiercely as the Erdtree itself. Even with the long-anticipated Shadow of the Erdtree DLC now a cherished part of gaming history, the community's passion for The Lands Between shows no signs of fading. For countless Tarnished, the journey continues not just in-game but on their shelves, with Bandai Spirits' Figuarts collection offering a stunning new way to commemorate the adventure. The recent pre-order launch for highly detailed action figures of Malenia, Blade of Miquella, and the loyal half-wolf Blaidd has sent waves through the collector community, proving that the game's characters are as timeless as the stars in the night sky over Limgrave.

🗡️ Malenia & Blaidd: From Screen to Shelf

These aren't your average collectibles. Bandai Namco has masterfully captured the essence of two of Elden Ring's most iconic figures, transforming them from digital nightmares and noble allies into tangible art. The officially licensed Figuarts figures are a paradox in plastic: they render some of the most terrifying and battle-worn denizens of The Lands Between with an almost adorable, miniature precision, like finding a perfectly detailed, jewel-encrusted scarab in the middle of Caelid's scarlet rot. Yet, they lose none of their menacing aura.

• Malenia, Blade of Miquella: The figure immortalizes the goddess of rot in all her graceful, deadly glory. Every segment of her intricate, prosthetic arm is visible, and her helmet's wings are captured with feather-like delicacy. It's a figure that whispers of countless Tarnished defeats, yet fits in the palm of your hand.

• Blaidd the Half-Wolf: Ranni's loyal shadow is captured mid-stride, his greatsword at the ready. The texture of his fur armor and the grim determination in his sculpted stance are palpable. Having him on your desk is like having a silent, stoic guardian watching over your work, a sentinel carved from moonlight and loyalty.

The Goddess of Rot, forever poised for her Waterfowl Dance.

⏳ The Agony and Ecstasy of the Pre-Order

For eager collectors, securing these figures is a ritual familiar to any Soulsborne veteran: a moment of triumph followed by a grueling test of patience. While pre-orders have been live, the official release was set for a distant horizon. This created a unique dynamic where the thrill of acquisition is immediately tempered by a long wait—a feeling as familiar as running out of Flask charges right before a boss's final phase. It's a small-scale mimicry of the community's own wait for major content, turning collectors into a fellowship of the waiting.

The Collector's Timeline:

Event	Emotion	Equivalent In-Game Feeling
Pre-Order Opens	Triumphant Elation	Defeating a major story boss
Payment Processed	Momentary Satisfaction	Finding a Lost Grace
The Long Wait Begins	Patient Anticipation	The journey between Sites of Grace
Release & Delivery	Ultimate Victory	Becoming Elden Lord

This collection also includes earlier releases like Melina and the Raging Wolf set, offering completionists a chance to build their own Roundtable Hold display piece by piece.

🌌 Elden Ring's Enduring Flame in 2026

Years after its release, Elden Ring's community continues to innovate and celebrate. The game's DNA has seeped into other titles, much like the frenzied flame spreads—uncontrollably and with transformative power. We've seen everything from legendary WWE Superstars paying for leveling services (a modern echo of summoning help) to modders performing digital alchemy, importing landscapes from FromSoftware's later titles like Armored Core 6 into The Lands Between. These acts are testaments to the game's foundational and inspiring world-building.

Why the Hype Never Dies:

1. A Living World: The lore is so deep and interconnected that new discoveries and theories still emerge, years later.

2. Character Legacy: Figures like Malenia and Blaidd aren't just bosses or NPCs; they are legends with rich, tragic stories.

3. Community Creativity: From challenge runs to breathtaking art and detailed figures, the fans are the keepers of the flame.

The half-wolf stands ever-vigilant, a masterpiece of sculpted fur and steely resolve.

🔮 What's Next for The Lands Between Collectors?

The success of the Malenia and Blaidd figures is a clear signal. Given the game's permanent place in the pantheon of greats and the ever-expanding universe of characters—from the tragic Radahn to the enigmatic Ranni the Witch—it's almost a certainty that Bandai's Figuarts line will grow. Collectors can likely look forward to future releases, each one a new chance to hold a piece of gaming history. These figures are more than toys; they are fragments of a shared dream, crystallized in plastic, allowing us to keep the memory of our journey tangible long after the final boss has fallen. In 2026, being Tarnished is a permanent state of mind, and these collectibles are its most beautiful relics.