Meet the heroes and villains of the Masters of the Universe (MOTU) in the world of Funko Pop! vinyl.
The complete MOTU Funko Pop! vinyl gallery and checklist.
Masters of the Universe (MOTU) is a beloved franchise that emerged in the early 1980s, captivating generations with its mix of sword-and-sorcery, futuristic technology and iconic characters.
The story of MOTU began in 1981 when toy company Mattel sought to create a competitor to the popular Star Wars action figures from Kenner.
Mattel, under the guidance of toy designer Roger Sweet, developed an original fantasy line that could encompass both medieval magic and futuristic technology. The result was Masters of the Universe, a universe centered around the power struggle between the heroic He-Man and the evil Skeletor.
The first wave of Masters of the Universe toys was by Mattel released in 1982. The central character, He-Man, was marketed as “the most powerful man in the universe”. The toy line came with miniature comic books (produced by DC Comics), which gave backstories to the characters and their mystical world, Eternia.
The backstory of MOTU follows the adventures of He-Man, whose real identity is Prince Adam of Eternia, son of King Randor and Queen Marlena, who ruled the kingdom of Eternia on the planet of the same name.
He-Man and his allies, including She-Ra and Man-At-Arms, fight to defend the supernatural secrets of Castle Grayskull from the evil forces of Skeletor. The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull granted Prince Adam the power to transform into He-Man, which Adam did by raising his Power Sword and proclaiming, “By the power of Grayskull”.
In 1983, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe debuted as a syndicated animated TV series produced by Filmation. The show ran until 1985, with 130 episodes across two seasons. The animation provided more detailed backstories and character development, adding a humorous and light-hearted tone that appealed to children.
The show’s format followed the classic “good vs. evil” theme, with He-Man and his allies protecting Eternia and Castle Grayskull from Skeletor’s schemes. Each episode also included a moral lesson at the end, which further endeared it to parents and young viewers alike.
The show became a cultural phenomenon and helped cement He-Man, Skeletor and other characters like Man-At-Arms and Teela as icons of the 1980s.
A spin-off series, She-Ra: Princess of Power, was launched in 1985, introducing He-Man’s twin sister, She-Ra. The MOTU franchise expanded further with a 1987 live-action film and several animated reboots, including The New Adventures of He-Man (1990), a 2002 animated reboot, and modern adaptations like Masters of the Universe: Revelation and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in 2021.
The saga of He-Man, Skeletor and Eternia has become an enduring part of 1980s pop culture history, and as new generations discover the magic of the Masters of the Universe, it’s clear that the power of the franchise will never fade.
Funko takes us back to the eighties and has transformed the characters of the Masters of the Universe franchise into Funko Pop! vinyl figures. The Masters of the Universe Funko Pop! vinyl figures are part of the Funko Pop! Television series and the first Funko Pop! MOTU figures were released in 2013.
In addition to released Masters of the Universe Funko Pop! vinyl figures in the Funko Pop! Television series, Funko has released figures in several other Funko Pop! vinyl series, including the Funko Pop! Art Series, Pop! Retro Toys series, Pop! Rides series and Pop! Town series.
Click here for the complete Funko Pop! vinyl Masters of the Universe gallery.
Click here for the complete Funko Pop! vinyl Masters of the Universe checklist.
