For both these groups, it can help to take a look at the biggest names in action figure manufacturing. The following six companies may not necessarily be the biggest or most well-known, but each of them stands out in the industry for specific reasons. These are the six companies with which every collector should be familiar, and from which every collector should consider buying action figures. It’s time to put your unfamiliarity or loyalties aside and take a look at the best the action figure industry has to offer. On top of the lasting value of its own brands G.I. Joe and Transformers, Hasbro is possibly most recognized for its licensed brands, including Star Wars and Marvel Comics. Because of these four brands, Hasbro’s action figures make up a huge portion of any modern action figure aisle, and this is all on top of their already dominant toy and board game presence.
Major Lines
Captain America MovieG.I. JoeIron Man MovieMarvel ComicsStar WarsTransformers
After He-Man’s fall into obscurity, Mattel’s influence in the collector action figure world was rather small until recently, with the revamped Masters of the Universe Classics line and the acquisition of the DC Comics, WWE Wrestling, and Ghostbusters licenses. Mattel is once again a major player in the collector action figure industry, taking up their own fair share of toy aisles.
Major Lines
DC ComicsGhostbustersMasters of the UniverseWWE Wrestling
Bandai’s single biggest action figure line in the United States is the Power Rangers and its various incarnations. Many of the figures that most collectors ignore as they move through toy aisles are the cartoon and TV show based properties that Bandai thrives on. Despite many brands not taking off with collectors, Bandai’s authority has grown recently thanks to the newly acquired ThunderCats license and its star Lion-O.
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Ben 10Dragon Ball ZPower RangersThunderCats
The one major criticism of McFarlane Toys’ products is that they lacked the standard articulation that kids had become used to. That problem has been remedied with McFarlane’s newest products, as can be seen with the widely-popular Halo line based on the hit video game. McFarlane Toys is not as prominent a company as it once was, though its impact is still felt across toy aisles.
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HaloSpawnThe Walking Dead
The importance of NECA to the industry as a whole can’t be underestimated, as its products bring non-collectors into the action figure world. Video game or movie fans who have never purchased an action figure before are suddenly supporting the industry thanks to the fantastic quality and likenesses NECA’s figures offer.
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Player SelectPredatorTwilight
A vast majority of their figures are based on movie properties, and result in eerily life-like representations of the major characters, down to the real cloth costumes they are wearing. If you have a lot of money to spend and want the very best, look no farther than Hot Toys.
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The Dark KnightIron ManPredatorStar Wars
