• TECH4SSD
  • Posts
  • Turn Your Photo Into a Collectible Action Figure with AI

Turn Your Photo Into a Collectible Action Figure with AI

The Viral “Action Figure” Trend

Author

TECH 4 SSD
September 13, 2025

Introduction: The Viral “Action Figure” Trend

From TikTok to Instagram, one AI trend is going viral: turning ordinary selfies into hyper-realistic collectible action figures.

The results look like they came straight out of a toy catalog — glossy PVC textures, acrylic bases, and cinematic lighting. The best part? You don’t need design skills, a studio, or expensive software.

With Google’s NanoBanana model inside Gemini, plus tools like Kling AI and Artlist AI, you can create your own figure in under a minute.

In this article, I’ll break down:

  • What the trend is and why it’s blowing up

  • The exact tools you need

  • Step-by-step workflows (with prompts)

  • Pro tips to get the most realistic results

  • Alternative tools if Gemini restricts your edits

By the end, you’ll know how to transform a simple selfie into a viral-worthy collectible.

What is NanoBanana?

NanoBanana is Google’s most advanced AI image generator, integrated into the Gemini app. Unlike typical text-to-image tools, NanoBanana is designed for photo transformation.

That means you can:

  • Upload your own photo

  • Apply prompts for specific styles (like collectible figures)

  • Get outputs that look consistent, realistic, and brand-ready

Original image

Realistic 1/7 scale collectible figurine of [UPLOADED PERSON], crafted with accurate facial likeness, hairstyle, and outfit. Figurine posed standing on a modern computer desk, holding a yellow banana in one hand as if it were a gadget. Clear round acrylic display base with no text. Behind it sits a premium product box styled like a high-quality collectible figure, printed with glossy stylized artwork of the character holding the banana (no logos). Soft studio lighting, dual-monitor reflections, DSLR realism, shallow depth of field with crisp focus on figurine. --ar 16:9 --quality 2 --stylize 150

Photorealistic DSLR photo of a 1/7 scale figurine of the pictured characters, sculpted with realistic painted PVC textures. Figurine stands on a round transparent acrylic base with no text, placed on a wooden computer desk. A monitor shows 3D modeling software with mesh and viewport UI of this figurine. Beside it is a premium toy packaging box styled like a collectible figure brand, printed with glossy 2D illustrations matching the figurine’s pose. Soft daylight and monitor glow illuminate the scene. Shallow depth of field focused on figurine, blurred background.

--ar 9:16 --no people, text on base, watermarks

Create a 1/7 scale commercialized figurine of the characters in the picture, in a realistic style, in a real environment. The figurine is placed on a computer desk. The figurine has a round transparent acrylic base, with no text on the base. The content on the computer screen is a 3D modeling process of this figurine. Next to the computer screen is a toy packaging box, designed in a style reminiscent of high-quality collectible figures, printed with original artwork. The packaging features two-dimensional flat illustrations

andid smartphone-style photo of [UPLOADED PERSON] painting a large figurine of himself at a cluttered desk. The figurine, standing on a transparent acrylic base, is nearly half his height and wears the same outfit with lifelike human skin, natural details, and PVC texture. Brushes, paints, and hobby tools scattered casually create a natural workshop vibe. Eye-level shot, subject glances directly at the camera with authentic expression. Soft indoor lighting from a desk lamp, natural shadows, slight handheld feel. Realistic smartphone photography style, warm tones, sharp detail on figurine and subject.

--ar 9:16 --stylize 100

NanoBanana specializes in consistency — meaning faces, clothing details, and poses remain intact across edits. This is key for figure-style images, where warped faces or distorted logos would ruin the effect.

Step 1: Upload Your Photo

The process starts simple:

  1. Open Google Gemini

  2. Select NanoBanana

  3. Upload a clear, front-facing photo of yourself (or your subject)

💡 Pro Tip:

  • Use good lighting (no harsh shadows).

  • Avoid cropped faces.

  • Keep background clean so AI focuses on the subject.

Step 2: Paste Your Action Figure Prompt

Now comes the fun part: describing your action figure.

Here’s a base prompt you can paste into Gemini:

Hyper-realistic cinematic portrait of [UPLOADED PERSON] at a wooden desk, painting a large figurine of himself on a transparent acrylic base. The figurine is nearly half his height, ultra-realistic with lifelike skin, natural facial details, and premium PVC texture. Both wear identical outfits. Painting tools, brushes, and hobby items scatter around, creating a creative workshop vibe. Eye-level medium shot, subject makes direct eye contact with camera. Cinematic lighting: soft key light from right, subtle rim light behind, rich shadows. 85mm lens, shallow depth of field, 8k detail, professional photography.

--ar 9:16 --quality 2 --stylize 150

andid smartphone-style photo of [UPLOADED PERSON] painting a large figurine of himself at a cluttered desk. The figurine, standing on a transparent acrylic base, is nearly half his height and wears the same outfit with lifelike human skin, natural details, and PVC texture. Brushes, paints, and hobby tools scattered casually create a natural workshop vibe. Eye-level shot, subject glances directly at the camera with authentic expression. Soft indoor lighting from a desk lamp, natural shadows, slight handheld feel. Realistic smartphone photography style, warm tones, sharp detail on figurine and subject.

“Transform this portrait into a hyper-realistic collectible action figure: 1/7 scale PVC look, glossy painted finish, clear round acrylic base with no text, white sweep studio background, soft key light + rim light, shallow depth of field, crisp edges, preserve identity and outfit details, professional product render aesthetic.”

Variations You Can Try:

  • Desk Showcase:
    “Action figure posed on a computer desk, product box behind it printed with stylized character art (no readable text), dual-monitor reflections, DSLR lighting.”

  • Collector Shelf:
    “Figure posed on a collector shelf with spotlight and subtle dust particles, glossy PVC paint, cinematic shadows, editorial product photography.”

  • Hero Close-Up:
    “Action figure cropped close on the face and chest, glossy PVC highlights, premium sculpt detail, cinematic studio spotlight.”

Step 3: Generate Your Figure

Once you hit generate, NanoBanana will transform your portrait into a 3D-styled collectible.

What to expect:

Hyper-realistic cinematic portrait of [UPLOADED PERSON] at a wooden desk, painting a large figurine of himself on a transparent acrylic base. The figurine is nearly half his height, ultra-realistic with lifelike skin, natural facial details, and premium PVC texture. Both wear identical outfits. Painting tools, brushes, and hobby items scatter around, creating a creative workshop vibe. Eye-level medium shot, subject makes direct eye contact with camera. Cinematic lighting: soft key light from right, subtle rim light behind, rich shadows. 85mm lens, shallow depth of field, 8k detail, professional photography.

--ar 9:16 --quality 2 --stylize 150

Hyper-realistic cinematic portrait of [UPLOADED PERSON] at a wooden desk, painting a large figurine of himself on a transparent acrylic base. The figurine is nearly half his height, ultra-realistic with lifelike skin, natural facial details, and premium PVC texture. Both wear identical outfits. Painting tools, brushes, and hobby items scatter around, creating a creative workshop vibe. Eye-level medium shot, subject makes direct eye contact with camera. Cinematic lighting: soft key light from right, subtle rim light behind, rich shadows. 85mm lens, shallow depth of field, 8k detail, professional photography.

  • Glossy PVC texture (like real figures)

  • Clear round acrylic base

  • Consistent facial likeness

  • Professional studio lighting aesthetic

⚡ Quick Fixes:

  • If details blur → regenerate with “sharp edges, ultra-realistic”.

  • If base looks wrong → add “clear round acrylic base with no text.”

Step 4: Animate with Kling AI

Now that you have your figure, it’s time to make it move.

Upload the image into Kling AI → choose an animation style:

  • Slow spin (360° showcase)

  • Push-in zoom (like a product ad)

  • Box-reveal (figure in front, packaging behind)

This turns your static render into a video ad style showcase, perfect for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube Shorts.

Example Kling Prompt:

“Create a 5–7s product shot video: slow orbit around action figure on clear base, subtle specular highlights, spotlight overhead, studio white background.”

Step 5: Handling Restrictions

Here’s the catch: Gemini may restrict some prompts (especially around people, faces, or brand names).

⚡ Solutions:

  • Use neutral prompts (e.g., “person” instead of brand name).

  • Switch to Artlist AI (Image-to-Image) for unrestricted editing.

  • Artlist lets you upload your photo → restyle it directly → no restrictions.

Example Artlist Prompt:

“Image-to-image stylization: convert subject into collectible action figure on pedestal, clear round base, glossy PVC finish, studio lighting, no logos or text.”

Real Use Cases for Action Figure AI

  • Content Creators: Create viral Reels/Shorts showing transformations.

  • Businesses: Showcase team photos as collectible mascots.

  • Fans/Fandoms: Style yourself as superhero or anime-inspired figure.

  • Collectors: Mock up custom figures before manufacturing.

Conclusion: From Photo → Collectible Figure

The action figure AI trend is more than fun — it’s a new format for storytelling, marketing, and content creation.

With tools like NanoBanana, Kling AI, and Artlist AI, you can:

  • Turn your selfie into a collectible figure

  • Animate it for viral video content

  • Create professional-quality renders without 3D software

🔥 And yes — it all happens in seconds.

Reply

or to participate.