Established in 2001, Good Smile has been making animation products for 16 years. Good Smile is based in Tokyo, Japan.

One of the most well-known products are Nendoroid figures, figs, and PVC figures. If you have a Nendoroid figure on your wish list, it's safe to say that Good Smile is behind you.

At least in many cases. And they are also popular on social media. Over 148,000 Facebook likes will tell you how popular the anime merchandising community is. If you are a Nendoroid fan, Good Smile will support you!

Revenue: $31 million

Founded: 2001

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Website: www.goodsmile.info

Similar to Good Smile, Megahouse works with Nendoroids as well as PVC figurines and figures. MegaHouse Corporation is a major Japanese toy manufacturer that is part of the Bandai group. Originally established in March 1962 as Kagaku Giken Co., Ltd. (often abbreviated as "Kaken"), the company was acquired by Bandai in March 1996.

They are well known in the anime collector community and consistently create high quality figures.

Revenue: $31 million
Founded: 1962
Location: Tokyo, Japan

Website: http://https//www.megahouse.co.jp/

These figures are usually made from Japanese anime series and video games, and these characters are depicted with various clothing accessories and poses. All models feature exquisite craftsmanship and detail, created by master animators in Japan. The Kotobukiya brand has grown into one of Japan's leading toy companies.

You'll believe it's been active since 1947! A man named Jusaburo Shimizu established Kotobukiya.

Kotobukiya models and creates action figures for the anime community, as well as Marvel and DC characters. And the quality of their figures never fails.

Revenue: $87.72 million
Founded: 1947
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://www.maxfactory.jp/en/mxf

Max Factory was founded in 1987 with a focus on the planning and production of alloy figures and toys. What started as a manufacturer of garage kits soon grew into a larger company with a range of products that have always been held to a high standard by collectors and fans alike.

Max Factory is a manufacturer of anime figures, figs and statues. Max Factory, like Megahouse, has business relationships with companies such as Good Smile Company, Hobby Japan, etc. They are also based in Tokyo, Japan, like many other anime and toy manufacturers.

Founded: 1987
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://www.maxfactory.jp/en/mxf

Alter is a manufacturer of anime action figures and toys, founded on March 1, 2005.
And have been working for over 12 years (as of 2017). Based in Japan, Alter is the figure and toy company that creates statues which are so good you just might want to build an “altar” to display them on! Alter is well known for the high quality of its figures which are often inspired by your favorite manga and anime franchises.

Many of Alter's toys are PVC figures from anime such as Idolmaster, Love Live, Hyperdimension Neptunia, and more. Alter is a great company to look out for when buying officially licensed anime figures.

Founded: 2005
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://alter-web.jp/

Banpresto Co., Ltd. was a Japanese toy company, a former game developer and publisher based in the Shinagawa Seaside West Building in Shinagawa, Tokyo. The current version of the company was founded on April 1, 2008 with a focus on toy manufacturing.

Founded in 1977, 40 years ago, Banpresto specializes in the video game industry. Making figures and toys. But he also sells anime figures from shows like Dragon Ball Z. Banpresto merged with Bandai in April 2011 and is now operating under its own brand.

Founded: 1977
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://www.banpresto.jp/

Phat is an anime figure maker founded in 2007. Just 10 years ago! They are known for their really high quality PVC figurines and figures. Many are drawn from female anime characters from various shows.

Phat! Company is one of Japan’s most successful toy and figure manufacturers. As well as crafting beautifully sculpted non-articulated figures and statues inspired by the most popular anime and manga franchises including The Idolm@ster Cinderella Girls, The Idolm@ster, Persona 4, and Kantai Collection -KanColle-, Phat! is the manufacturer of the super deformed mini-figure series Medicchu and the highly poseable, accessory laden action figure series figma.

Phat! also creates figures for the massively popular Nendoroid series of chibi-style mini figures which come with interchangeable faces and a selection of accessories, as well as playsets for the series too. Phat! is based in Tokyo, Japan. Like other Anime manufacturers on this list.

Founded: 1977
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Website: http://phatcompany.jp/

Unlike others on this list, Bioworld is a merchandise manufacturer, specializing only in animated merchandise.

It produces baseball caps, hats, Pokémon jumpers, scarves, clothing, and more. According to Bioworld's LinkedIn, they founded Bioworld in 1999. They have worldwide warehouses in UK, USA, India and other countries.

BioWorld Merchandising, Inc. is part of the apparel and apparel accessories industry based in Irving, Texas, USA. Bio World Merchandising, Inc. It employs 433 people across its subsidiaries and has revenues of $137.29 million.

Founded: 1998
Location: Texas, United States
Website: https://www.bioworldmerch.com/

FREEing is a Japanese manufacturer of premium anime, manga and video game figures distributed by parent company Good Smile Inc.

Anime characters such as Ryuko Matoi, Miho Nishizumi and other female/male characters. Although not as big as the others on this list, FREEing makes some really cool figures and statues.

Founded: 2006
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Website: https://www.freeing.co.jp/

As s Brand Dedicated to Male Characters, Orange Rouge is a product created by Good Smile Company and Max Factory to fill the void in the male character.

Good Smile Company and Max Factory have been paying close attention to the demand and constant rise in popularity for male character products. In order to match the demand for these products, an all new brand dedicated to these male character figures and goods has been established - ORANGE ROUGE. And that's what sets it apart from other animators on this list.

Location:Tokyo, Japan
Website: http://orangerouge.com/en/