What are the best Anime Figure Brands?

(Source: Actar_Raikit: “It took 9 months, but my display room is finally complete!”, Reddit.com/r/AnimeFigures) 

If you’re an anime fan you’ve probably admired the incredible detail and craftsmanship of Japanese anime figures. Maybe you’ve even thought about starting a collection but didn’t know where to begin. Most of these treasures aren’t sold internationally so information can be scarce. Knowing who the best figure companies are and how to buy the best quality figures can be hard to find. 

These anime figure brands are renowned for their beautifully crafted figures that capture the essence of your favorite characters. They offer some of the best figures around whether you’re just starting or growing an existing collection. Let’s explore what makes each of them special, and how to get our hands on some!

1. Kotobukiya

(Image Source: ARTFX J "Pokémon" Series Hikari with Piplup on ZenMarket)

Popular Lines and IPs: ARTFX J, Bishoujo, My Hero Academia, Marvel Universe, Attack on Titan, D.C. Comics, Star Wars, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Yu-Gi-Oh!

Overview: Kotobukiya, founded in 1947, started as just a single toy store in Japan. Since then, it has grown into a leading manufacturer of high-quality anime figures. Kotobukiya is undoubtedly one of the best figure companies in the world. They are particularly well known for the ARTFX J and Bishoujo lines.

Kotobukiya figures are renowned for their stunning detail and dynamic poses. The company’s range covers a wide spectrum of characters, from iconic heroes like Attack on Titan’s Levi to the enchanting designs of the My Little Pony and My Hero Academia series. Each figure captures the essence of beloved characters with striking accuracy and artistic flair, ensuring they stand out in any collection. 

2. Alter

(Image Source: Alter Takamachi Nanoha Uniform Ver. Figure Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha on ZenMarket)

Popular Lines and IPs: Love Live!, Fate/Grand Order, Idolmaster, Sword Art Online, Azure Lane, Strike Witches

Overview: Alter specializes in 1/7 scale figures revered for their exquisite craftsmanship and lifelike representations. Whether you’re drawn to the magical world of Fate/Grand Order or the musical prowess of Love Live!, Alter’s figures consistently deliver both aesthetic appeal and collector satisfaction. 

Also Read: HOW TO BUY ICHIBAN KUJI FROM JAPAN WITHOUT GOING TO JAPAN

3. Max Factory

(Image Source: Aki Hayakawa from Chainsaw Man Plastic Painted Movable Figure Max Factory on ZenMarket) 

Popular Lines and IPs: Figma, Genshin Impact, Hatsune Miku, Overwatch, Splatoon, The Legend of Zelda, Attack on Titan

Overview: Max Factory was founded in 1987 and offers a huge variety, from basic to some of the best quality figures that money can buy. They’re highly regarded for their Figma figures, which are known for their varied styles and poses.

These figures range from the iconic Hatsune Miku to the heroic personas of Fate/Stay Night. Collaborating closely with Good Smile Company, Max Factory combines cutting-edge design with robust engineering to ensure each Figma figure not only looks incredible but also offers endless possibilities for customization and creativity. 

4. MegaHouse

(Image Source: Megahouse Cosmo Fleet Special Mobile Suit Z Gundam Argama RE on ZenMarket) 

Popular Lines: G.E.M., Portrait of Pirates (P.O.P), Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Gintama, One Piece, Gundam, Digimon, Sailor Moon, Hunter x Hunter, Demon Slayer, Bleach

Overview: MegaHouse, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings since 1997, was originally established in 1963, making it one of the oldest anime figure brands in the world. They have since become a prominent name in the anime figure industry. MegaHouse delights fans with its G.E.M. and Portrait of Pirates (P.O.P) series, while focusing on beloved franchises like One Piece and Digimon Adventure. 

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5. Aniplex+ 

(Image Source: Aniplex 1/7 Shielder/Mash Kyrielight Figure (Fate/Grand Order) on ZenMarket )

Popular Lines and IPs: Fate/Grand Order, Sword Art Online, Full Metal Alchemist, Asterisk War, God Eater, Demon Slayer

Overview: Aniplex+ stands at the pinnacle of high-end anime figure brands, making some of the best quality figures available. Founded in 1995 as a subsidiary of Sony, Aniplex is a giant in the world of anime, and they started the Aniplex+ brand to offer high-end anime figures like exclusive releases tied to popular series such as Fate/Grand Order and Sword Art Online. These figures are coveted for their limited availability and impeccable quality, making them prized possessions among collectors. 

Also Read: MOST EXPENSIVE ANIME FIGURES

6. Good Smile Company

(Image Source: POP UP PARADE Toga Himiko Limited Edition Figure on ZenMarket) 

Popular Lines and IPs: Nendoroid, Figma, My Hero Academia, Attack on Titan, The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario

Overview: Good Smile Company was founded in 2001. Since then it has quickly become a household name in the anime figure community. Renowned for its Nendoroid and Figma lines, which have become icons in the world of anime figure collecting, Good Smile Company captures the hearts of fans worldwide with its diverse range of figures.

From the adorable charms of Nendoroids to the versatile poses of Figma figures, Good Smile Company offers something for every collector seeking quality and charm. Whether you’re a fan of gaming icons like Overwatch’s Tracer or classic anime heroes like Naruto Uzumaki, they are consistently one of the best figure companies. 

7. Orange Rouge 

(Image Source: Nendoroid Haikyu!! Daichi Sawamura Orange Rouge Figure on ZenMarket) 

Popular Lines and IPs: Touken Ranbu, Yuri!!! on ICE, Tokyo Ghoul, Bungo Stray Dogs, Black Butler 

Overview: Orange Rouge, a collaborative brand between Good Smile Company and Max Factory, is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. Whether it’s the elegant warriors from Touken Ranbu or the dynamic ice skaters from Yuri!!! on ICE, Orange Rouge delivers figures that capture the essence and charm of each character. Their figures are celebrated for their lifelike poses and intricate details, making them standout pieces in any collection. 

8. Banpresto 

(Image Source: Banpresto My Hero Academia All Might Figure on ZenMarket) 

Popular Lines and IPs: Prize Figures, One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, Re, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Overview: Banpresto, founded in 1977 and now a part of Bandai Spirits, is synonymous with prize figures that blend affordable prices with quality. Popular among collectors for their accessible pricing and wide availability through crane games and lotteries, Banpresto’s figures are perfect for enthusiasts looking to build impressive collections without breaking the bank. 

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9. Phat! Company

(Image Source: Shinjo Akane Figure by Gridman Phat Company on ZenMarket) 

Popular Lines and IPs: Scale Figures, Nendoroids, Idolmaster, Kill La Kill, Persona, Overlord

Overview: Phat! Company offers a diverse range of figures, including scale figures and Nendoroids, known for their vibrant designs and meticulous attention to detail. Whether you’re enchanted by the idols of IDOLM@STER or drawn into the fantastical world of Kantai Collection, Phat! Company figures capture the essence of each character with flair and imagination. 

Also Read: BEST ONLINE SHOPS FOR ANIME AND MANGA GOODS IN JAPAN

10. Stronger 

(Image Source: [Limited Edition] Kizuna AI "hello, world" 1/7 scale completed figure by Stronger on ZenMarket) 

Popular Lines and IPs: Love Live! Sunshine!!, Fate/Stay Night, Idolmaster

Overview: Stronger, a relatively newer company founded in 2011, has quickly gained a reputation for its detailed craftsmanship and dynamic poses. From the idol charms of Love Live! Sunshine!! to the heroic personas of Fate/Stay Night, Stronger figures are revered for their lifelike representations and high-quality finishes. Each figure is a testament to Stronger’s commitment to delivering figures that not only look impressive but also resonate deeply with fans of anime and collector culture. 

How to buy anime figures from Japan? 

You might be asking yourself what good all this information is if these products aren’t sold in your country. This is a valid concern as many of the best quality figures are only sold in Japan and most of the best figure companies don’t ship internationally. Luckily, ZenMarket has made buying directly from Japan super easy. They let you buy your favorite anime figure brands directly from thousands of Japanese retailers including Rakuten, JDirectItems Auction, and Mercari, no matter what country you’re in. If you aren’t familiar with ZenMarket yet, the basic process is this:

1. Search for the items you want and add them to your cart.
2. After ZenMarket confirms each product’s availability, you pay for your products, and domestic shipping. There is a flat service fee of ¥500 per product. 
3. Zenmarket orders your items.
4. Once received by Zenmarket, all packages are consolidated and weighed for the final international shipping cost. 
5. You pay for international shipping and Zenmarket ships out your consolidated packages.

If you’d like a more detailed guide on how to use ZenMarket to buy figures and other goods from Japan we have a great guide here.  

Also Read: HOW TO USE ZENMARKET TO BUY ALL JAPANESE GOODS?

Final Thoughts 

Collecting anime figures is an exciting hobby that brings your favorite characters to life and lets you showcase your love for anime in a unique way. Whether you’re captivated by the intricate details, looking for the most insanely realistic dynamic poses, or driven by the thrill of landing an exclusive release, you’re sure to find something you love in such a vast world of collectibles. These 10 best figure companies offer a fantastic gateway to discovering the beauty and craftsmanship of Japanese figures. For a long time, the best quality figures from the best anime figure brands were hard to get outside of Japan, but now with ZenMarket, that’s no longer an issue.

Information Sources:
https://resin.fandom.com/wiki/Kotobukiya 
https://www.facebook.com/alterJP/
https://animefigures.fandom.com/wiki/Max_Factory
https://en.megahobby.jp/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniplex
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Smile_Company
https://animefigures.fandom.com/wiki/Orange_Rouge
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banpresto
https://animefigures.fandom.com/wiki/Phat!_Company