Japanese Toy Company Primer

Over the last year there has been an increase of Star Wars license holders from Japan and South East Asia that have announced or released action figures, models, die-cast vehicles and other toys to the US market.

To help keep some of the releases straight, we’ve put together a list of the various companies and the lines of toys that they put out.

Bandai

Bandai is the parent company of Tamashii Nations and both have multiple lines of toys.

• Bandai
  • Movie Realization – 6” (1:12 scale) action figures
  • Egg Force – Stylized transforming action figures
  • Converge – Deformed characterization figures
• Tamashii Nations
  • S.H. Figuarts – 6” (1:12 scale) action figures
  • S.H. Monsterarts – 6” (1:12 scale) action figures

Beast Kingdom

Beast Kingdom has a line of stylized and articulated action figures called Egg Attack. The figures usually feature interchangeable hands and some have electronics in them, such as light-up features.

Good Smile Company

The Good Smile Company and Max Factory will be rolling out a line of action figures under their Figma banner.  Figma are in the 6” scale, as with many of these new offerings, and are known for being very detailed, articulated and including multiple accessories if not also interchangeable hands and other parts.

Herocross

The Hong Kong-based Herocross is currently producing the Hybrid Metal Figuration line of action figures.  The 5” figures are made mostly of die-cast metal but also include soft goods.  While they are stylized, and slightly deformed, they are highly articulated and most come with multiple accessories including interchangeable hands or parts.

Kaiyodo

Kaiyodo produces the Revoltech line of highly articulated and detailed action figures in a 6” scale.

Medicom

Medicom has had several Star Wars action figure licenses over the last few years and has recently moved into the 6” scale with their MAFEX line.

• Real Action Heroes – Approximately 10” (1:7 scale) detailed figures with soft goods
• Kubricks – 3” stylized figures sold in blind boxes with chase figures
• Vinyl Collectible Dolls (VCD) – Deformed/stylized, approximately 8” vinyl figures
• Sofubi – Approximately 9” soft vinyl figures
• Miracle Action Figure EX (MAFEX) – Approximately 6” scale, highly detailed and articulated

Square Enix

Square Enix will be releasing a line of 1:6 scale (approximately 11” tall) Star Wars figures as part of their Play Arts Kai line of action figures.  The Star Wars line is called Star Wars Variant and, as with their super hero lines, are amped up versions of the characters they represent.  The Square Enix toys are sculpted and usually include multiple accessories and interchangeable hands and parts.

threeA/3A

3A got their start as an outlet for figures based on Ashley Wood’s comic characters but are now branching into licensed toys.  Their Star Wars line will be called Star Wars Alternate.  At this time no actual toys have been shown so we’re not positive of the scale but the 3A toys are known for being sculpted but also having soft goods.