This place is so fun. All your little kawaii toy dreams in one place. Decent sized Tokidoki selection. The blind box policy is awesome, if you open in store and don't like, you have the option to exchange for the one on display. They also have artwork by local artists on the walls and I wanted sooooo much of it. Great place to spend a half hour! read more

About three weeks ago I was sitting in the front window at Delilah's having a beer and looking outside, into Roto's gallery window. When from inside the gallery this little mutt looking dog slowly waddles up to their window stops in the window looks across the street at me lifts its leg and pees on their radiator. Mutt gives me a wink, turns around, and walks back into the gallery. Stars for having a kick-ass dog wandering around after hours. Cool products for sale, too. read more

I got a present for my friend's birthday here... one of those paint it yourself Qee's. I figure it'd be a good choice because he's a designer and asian. No problem right? He liked it a lot. I was really looking, however, that little doll that chases after felines I've seen on emails that read "Every time you you masturbate, God kills a kitten." I forget what those guys are called, however the lady who manned (womanned?) the store told me that the designer of those guys would be in next week. How nuts is that? She also advised that I should go to this one place way out in the suburbs if I needed one. I also hear that they have the toy equivalent of art openings complete with wining and beering from time to time. Neat place to stop by and pick up a little trinket if you aren't really into it. Brace yourself if you've never seen a $150 'doll' before. But they seem to have lots of stuff and can probably special order things too. read more

I. love. toys. I'd rather have a new dunny than dinner, so having Rotofugi in the neighborhood makes me a very, very, happy girl. I am compulsive blind box buyer so if anyone ever wants to trade...find me. read more

Rotofugi can be summed up with this: Drool-inducing Amazement. Something for everyone, from the serious collector to the cubicle jockey looking for their next desk toy (I'm the latter). Everyone here, client and staff alike, are friendly, inviting, and all-around wonderful. There's always something new, so it is worth a frequent revisit. Finally, don't forget to visit the gallery next door. If you can, try to stop on the night of a gallery opening (usually every three or four weeks). It is a great experience. read more

It feels like just yesterday when Rotofugi opened. I feel oddly proud to have been there at the beginning, as they've certainly now left their mark in the urban toy field. One of a kind in Chicago to say the least. I've bought many a gift here - but to be fair a good amount of those were for myself. The addition of the gallery hasn't hurt either, as they've gotten top local (and national) talent in for shows. I'm actually kinda sad I'm not back home for the Jay Ryan show, as those are some pretty frickin' cool pieces. Ah well. Props to Kirby and Whitney for bringing the Kid Robot scene to Chicago. This place really is the coolest. read more

I have recently been to Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery and I have to admit that I was impressed by the wide array of exclusive toys, accessories and arts that it offers. It was a pleasure for me to take a look at all the products and to buy several fascinating toys for my kids. I have to say that the toys are excellent for teenagers who are fond of art. And you can even take them with you when going to this store because there is an astonishing gallery situated in the back of the store that displays an amalgam of national and local artwork. The staff is really polite, helpful and kind and it never forces you to buy something. All the goods are well-arranged on the shelves, so it is impossible not to find what you are looking for. This place has something to offer to everyone, so don't hesitate to go there! read more

Our couple friends took us here after lunch at Bonchon. Unique selection that made for fun browsing. Blind boxes, vinyl figures, plushes, little robots. Looking forward to visiting again :) read more

Sure, this place isn't as big as some other designer toy stores in other cities. OH WELL, because its the ONLY good designer toy store in CHICAGO, so get over all the rest of your cities, people! =P And why don't they tend to have such a huge selection? Because anything popular seriously sells out really quickly - check their website to look at what they really have carried. People buy everything up off the website before it can collect even a tiny speck of dust on the shelf. The owners of this store are awesome, passionate about their business, always friendly and helpful. I've been to some of their release parties which include free beer from Goose Island, can't complain about that. My favorite thing they ever did was invite 40 Chicago artists to paint their own Teddy Troop - the results were seriously amazing. (check it out here http://rotofugi.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=TTI) Furthermore, the addition of their gallery space is pretty neat. I'll love Rotofugi fo life! read more

C'mon, a place that gives adults permission to indulge in hardcore geek-ery? Like many writing reviews here, I am not a collector. BUT, I love this place. I come here when I'm trying to find a unique gift for a friend with a sideways sense of humor. Random, random stuff here but above all a NEAT place. Everyone that works here is ridiculously nice and helpful, trained to be patient with all the noobs. I've gotten a few items here, and had great feedback from friends especially on the Gloomy Bear series. No more words, just go. read more

So stinkin' cute sprinkled with just the right amount of evil! This place is great for quirky gifts, even if your friend isn't necessarily an avid collector. Rotofugi is so great for picking up something special for that someone special!! read more

So I made the drive out to the Ukrainian Village last week, specifically to go to Rotofugi, and I have to say I was not disappointed. They had a very wide selection of Vinyl toys, including some Be@bricks I had been looking for, and The Kid Robot Simpsons toys! I was so stoked. But what impressed me, was the owner, who was so very friendly and talkative, and we struck up a conversation about Be@bricks, and learned that they may be having a certain series I was looking for. Needless to say, they have earned a fan, and I will be back soon. read more

One of the best conversations I've ever had w/ a store propeitor: Me (talking to a friend) "ooh they have Shawnimals here! There's a Shawnimal thats in the shape of a turd" Store guy: "We're all out of turds. His name is actually 'lonely dollop'. but...yeah, he's a turd." Where else can you have a conversation like that? read more

This place is no good for me. This place makes me want to turn to crime in order to gain money to buy out every item on display (except the Yarnies - those things are creepy and gross. Their creator is probably some disgusting, sweaty art school nerd with no social skills and an ability to communicate only through passive aggressive comments on social networking sites). This place does not make me a better person. This place won't make you a better person either. Who wants to form a crime ring? read more

I'd been meaning to go to Rotofugi for a long time, even if just to see what they had to offer beyond rare toys that I'd never buy. I wasn't disappointed. The nicest thing about this place is that they have a huge amount of merchandise that's unique (at least in Chicago) and very affordable. I was looking for a few small gifts--the kind of thing one could send in the mail without much hassle. If anything, I had so many options that it was a bit overwhelming. That's not a bad thing. While I'm not necessarily the target audience, it's a great store for browsing through custom-made stuffed animals, weird toys, and a wide variety of other items, whether they be cute or a little warped. The store's in a beautiful space with tons of natural light, the staff is very friendly and helpful, and it's certainly a place that might easily contain the exact thing you never knew you wanted but now can't imagine exiting Rotofugi without adding it to your collection. read more

So you've got disposable money and never really got over the forced retirement of your GI Joe guys/My Little Ponys. Have I got great news for you... I remember when they opened up, I was walking past and probably said aloud, "Sweet Christ...I have a toy store next to my coffee shop. Why, I must be the luckiest sonuvabitch alive..." Rotofugi has little pieces of molded plastic that probably cost more than some precious metals by weight. These things are a commodity, though, so don't blame them for the prices. What does set the store apart is the fact it exists at all and the owners who are willing to talk to you about toys, sandwiches, weather, etc. for long periods of time. Pretty cool people run this place. The openings are a lot more bearable since they acquired the additional space next door, but you should still be prepared to incidentally rub privates with the young and artistic. Crown jewel: The owners and the openings where you can drink free beer and meet some of the nicer low-brow artists on the planet. Avoid: Bearbricks. I want them all for myself. Jerk. read more

I really should never step foot in here again. It seems whenever I walk in, no matter how low on cash I am, I always end up walking out with SOMETHING. And it's always something that I don't need (I mean, really, who needs a glow in the dark 3" Ronald McDonald action figure?), but it's always something I'm delighted to have. Rotofugi, you bring out so many conflicting emotions in me...but in a good way. read more

I bought my first Dunny from a comic book store and decided to check out this whole designer toy scene. Little did I know we had the THE BEST shop right here in Chicago. Whitney and Kirby are collectors so they know what matters. Service at the store is top notch. If you have any questions, they are met with a smile and you are never talked down to. It's fun for the whole family. read more

This is a great place for one of a kind gifts. Designer toys. Good idea. It's just fun to walk into this place and look around. I've purchased some really fun things in here for my freinds. I view them more as art objects than toys, but go ahead and play with them. They want you to. read more

Rotofugi - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is like Giant Robot or Kid Robot in SF, only smaller. They have lots of cute Japanese toys so if you're a fan of that sort of thing, you'll love it here. I bought a bunch of buttons to add to my collection. I could've picked up some vinyl toys but I wouldn't know where to start. It's not like I need anything else to collect dust. I have enough of that! The prices are pretty reasonable and the staff were really friendly. I would definitely stop by here again if I were in the neighborhood. read more

Dear Rotofugi, I totally love you from the bottom of my heart. I'm so glad that I stumbled upon this little haven of happiness on my way to breakfast with friends. Seriously, as soon as I peeped in the window, I almost ran over my poor friends with my little feet as I barreled my way into the door with a half-hearted "EKYOO-MEEE!". Oh my, good times... I even made it a point to go back there a second time before I left town. Thanks to the lovely lady who suggested "Split Obsession" as a sister store in my home base, Hawaii. I checked it out, but honey, it ain't half as good as Rotofugi. Um, but don't tell them I said so. ^_^ read more

Rotofugi = FuN! They could have a broader print and tee shirt selection, but that's because I am a tee shirt fiend... Free exhibit openings at their next door gallery that include complimentary drinks, music, and artist signings make this place a go-to for your vinyl-plush-sticker-button-cute toy needs. And a thumbs up for supporting the local artist scene. (also...it's Rotofugi with a soft "g") read more

This new location rocks! It is open and has a lot of room to peruse the toys. The gallery is in the same building and also shares the open-area feel. The staff and owners are fun and friendly. This place is a guaranteed good time adventure. You will not leave empty-handed. There is something for everyone here....all ages welcome. read more

I have always been a fan of modern art, graffiti and fashion; but could never really get into the whole vinyl toy craze. That was until i stepped foot into Rotofugi. There is something about this place that makes it ok to oogle over toys. They have everything from uber collectible toys to pillows to zipper pulls. Beware: this is the kind of store that makes it really hard to walk out empty handed. First time I went in I purchased a zipper pull and the next time a stuffed animal. TIP: Join their mailing list for info on new toy arrivals and gallery openings. read more

Only good place to get Kaiju in the Chicago area. Talked with Kirby for like 30 minutes today about toys, it was very nice. really made me want to concentrate more on my Gargamel Collection. Keep up the good fight, and I'll keep supporting. Looking forward to Toy Karma 2. read more

Listen, as an artist this is the best toy/art gallery I've ever been to! You'll find everything from Coarse, Kozik, Mr. Clement to name a few! If you don't collect art it's still a cool place to go with the family. Check it out and get a pizza across the street! The owner Kirby is one of the nicest dudes ever! read more

Got a chance to visit the store a couple of years back after ordering from them online many times, and I must say that their service is 5 Stars. The folks that works their are super friendly. Give them store a visit if you are in the area, so very cool stuff. read more

Hold onto your hearts because they're about to explode with cuteness. The storefront lined with adorable toy models might draw you in. The stuffed animals, or stuffed personified food, might make you squeal with delight. The sets of tiny sushi that are smaller than your fingers might make you giggle. The funny stickers might make you want to buy them all. I'm just saying these are things that might happen to you when you visit Rotofugi. read more

Love coming here, faboulous designer toys and artwork! I can't leave without at least buying one dunny! read more

Rotofugi - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I LOVE THIS STORE. I come in here and I'm in trouble. I always see something I want and more. More more more! I like the artists who do special design toys. Those are cool. I admit to shaking the boxes though most every time to find out the secret toys that are in the blind boxes. Yeah I guess I get frustrated with those blind boxes sometimes, but, that makes it all the more fun! And then if I don't get what I want, it gives me an excuse to start a collection and buy more! These toys make great gifts too. It's special between my friends and I to exchange them as gifts. This place is awesome. This place allows you to be a kid again. A toy store for more mature kids. :) I saw one in New York too. Wonder if there are any closer to me? Gotta look that up now that I moved. read more

I've been to a lot of awesome toy stores in my day, but I keep coming back to you, Rotofugi! And your new location and store-size just takes it to the next level. Truth be told, when I'm across the country for work, I still by all my designer toys from you guys. Why? Because that's just the love I got for you. Your prices are great, and you aren't restricted to one genre of art toys and accessories. You got a little bit of everything, and boy does it work for me. Never go out of business, yeah? HEART! read more

Whenever I'm in a bad mood, I head to Rotofugi. They have a million bazillion cute and fun things, as well as one of those plastic mold toy makers (the roto-matic). There's nothing quite like the smell of just-molded warm plastic. An excellent place for gifts as well! I hit them up pretty much every holiday. read more

If you love cute little things, you will love this place. They have so many figurines that it will blow your mind. You will want to buy everything there until you get the figurine of your liking. They sell blind boxes. They also have an art gallery section and feature different artist all the time. Caution: this is not a place for small children who like to put things in their mouth, it may result in a choking hazard. read more

I used to go here all the time when it was in UV, and its my first time I have been since they moved. The visit came as a request of my nephew, who I used to spoil with the Kid Robot Dunny toys, and he asked if we could go. I have totally forgotten about Rotofugi somehow, and I"m so glad we went today. What an amazing space! Huge, open and what an amazing selection! Wonderful art gallery too! I loved it! I'm actually going back tomorrow because I'm regretting a couple purchases I didn't make. Keep up the awesome work Rotofugi, you are one of a kind! read more

WARNING!! KEEP YOUR WALLETS SAFE SINCE THE CUTENESS AND COOLNESS WILL SUCK IT DRY!! One of the rare designer toys in the country. Its awesome here. The toys are varied and carry the big brands (Kid Robot)... as always, this is a pricy hobby but totally cool... the staff here is knowledgable and know whats cool or any upcoming shows coming around. I always enjoy getting the mystery boxes. Keeps you guessing without blowing out your pocketbook. read more

There is a gallery in the back, but the entire store is a gallery in itself. Regulars will quickly develop love/hate relationships with the blind boxes. The concept of leaving the purchase up to chance is like that of toy vending machines (wiki gashapon for more info). Sure, it's frustrating not to get the figure that you want, but the joy of (finally) getting "the one" makes it worth the trouble, just like the lottery (oh vices). And, of course, the blind boxes are an excuse to make more purchases ;D The prices are just right; buying one or two on a visit won't seem a splurge, but the urge to collect all of them will burn a bigger hole in your wallet over time. The great service does not help my pocketbook ;P read more

Cute store, well organized. Really intersting gallery shows. Color me a fan. read more

If you want to fuel your vinyl/plush/plastic toy addiction, you must hit this place up! I went into the store looking for Shawnimals and Jenn who was working there was extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Everything was ever so neatly arranged in this quaint little toy boutique. It was almost ironic that they're toys and you want to pick them up, but not mess up their display either! A must see place by any means, and not all too expensive either. Toy collectors unite. Wallet be afraid, be very afraid. read more

True to my word, I purchased again .... within the week of my first purchase. Once again, absolutely AMAZING people there at Rotofugi! I called to change my order to something else and even though shipping labels had been printed and I am sure product packed and ready for UPS pick-up (I already received tracking info), they unboxed my original order and sent me the new stuff since UPS hadn't picked it up yet!! Wonderful customer service! E-mailed them about a figurine missing a part and although they didn't have the same one they offered to replace it with one from the same series of my choice (provided they had it)!! I really don't mean to be a problematic customer I swear but while typing the review it seems that way :s But they have the BEST customer service around! read more

I am an avid designer toy collector and this place is great. It's in a really good area of town, too. I think this location is a step-up from their previous location, space-wise. It holds more products and has more space for the art gallery. They have a pretty good inventory of toys, magazines, and other random stuff. The workers are always super friendly, and sometimes I'll see the owners with their dog (which I think is pretty awesome!) I definitely recommend this place for anyone, toy collector or not. read more

Rotofugi - Toy Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois