What is the best action figure company?

The best action figure company depends on what you value most in terms of design, quality, price, and the type of figures you're interested in. However, a few companies are universally recognized as top players in the action figure industry:

1. Hasbro

• Best for: A wide range of popular licenses (e.g., Marvel, Star Wars, Transformers, Power Rangers)
• Why it's the best: Hasbro is one of the largest and most well-known action figure companies in the world. Their lines like Marvel Legends, Star Wars: The Black Series, and Transformers have gained a massive following for their detailed sculpts, articulation, and variety. They also produce affordable figures, making them accessible to collectors of all budgets.
• Notable lines: Marvel Legends, Star Wars: The Black Series, Transformers Generations, GI Joe Classified Series.

2. Mattel

• Best for: DC Comics, Barbie, and classic toys
• Why it's the best: Mattel has produced some of the most iconic action figures of all time, particularly in their DC Multiverse and Masters of the Universe lines. The figures typically feature great detail, though they might not always offer the same articulation as Hasbro's offerings. Mattel also has a strong brand presence with Barbie, which holds its own as a collectible item.
• Notable lines: DC Multiverse, Masters of the Universe Origins, Hot Wheels, Barbie Collectibles.

3. NECA (National Entertainment Collectibles Association)

• Best for: Horror, movie, and video game figures
• Why it's the best: NECA is renowned for producing highly detailed, movie-accurate figures with outstanding paintwork and sculpting. They specialize in characters from horror movies, video games, and pop culture. Their figures often appeal to adult collectors due to their level of detail and limited availability, making them highly sought after.
• Notable lines: Alien vs. Predator, Friday the 13th, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Terminator.

4. Bandai

• Best for: Anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture
• Why it's the best: Bandai is known for its amazing anime-based action figures, particularly those from Dragon Ball Z, One Piece, and Power Rangers. Bandai figures often feature top-notch articulation, high-quality materials, and very dynamic posing. Their SH Figuarts line, in particular, is considered a leader in terms of anime action figures.
• Notable lines: SH Figuarts, Dragon Ball Z, Power Rangers, S.H. MonsterArts.

5. Hot Toys

• Best for: High-end, movie-accurate figures
• Why it's the best: Hot Toys is a leader in 1/6 scale collectible figures and is renowned for its incredibly detailed, lifelike sculptures, with attention to clothing, accessories, and the finest articulation. Hot Toys figures are on the pricier side but are highly sought after for their realism and craftsmanship, particularly for movie-related characters (Marvel, Star Wars, DC, etc.).
• Notable lines: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars, DC Comics, The Dark Knight Trilogy.

6. McFarlane Toys

• Best for: Highly detailed figures, particularly from comics and video games
• Why it's the best: McFarlane Toys is known for producing highly detailed figures based on characters from comics, video games, and sports. Their figures tend to focus more on aesthetics and posing, offering exceptional detail at a lower price point compared to Hot Toys.
• Notable lines: Spawn, The Walking Dead, DC Multiverse, Fortnite, Halo.

7. Super7

• Best for: Retro and nostalgic figures
• Why it's the best: Super7 is known for producing figures based on classic 80s and 90s franchises, including He-Man, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Thundercats. They specialize in highly stylized action figures that capture the essence of the original toys while adding modern articulation and detailing.
• Notable lines: Reaction Figures, Masters of the Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

8. Mafex

• Best for: High articulation and anime/marvel figures
• Why it's the best: Mafex is a Japanese company renowned for producing figures with exceptional articulation and detailed sculpts. Their figures often rival those produced by Hot Toys and Bandai in terms of quality, but they are generally more affordable.
• Notable lines: Marvel, DC, Star Wars, Anime-based figures.

Conclusion:

• Best for Variety and Affordability: Hasbro (Marvel Legends, Star Wars)
• Best for Detail and Collectibles: Hot Toys (1/6 scale)
• Best for Movie and Pop Culture Figures: NECA
• Best for Anime and Manga Fans: Bandai (SH Figuarts)
• Best for High-Quality and Dynamic Posing: Mafex

Each company excels in its own niche, so the "best" company really depends on what type of action figures you're most interested in. Whether you want high-end movie figures, anime collectibles, or figures based on superheroes or horror icons, there's a company that specializes in it.