Japanese Figures 101

Here's a quick summary of the key differences between the main Japanese action figure companies and lines.

Bandai SH Figuarts

Pretty much the standard by which other figures are measured because of their high quality, engineering, and realism.  Articulation widely varies by figure, mostly easy to pose, excellent detail and realism thanks to Bandai's 3D face printing technology.  Makes a wide variety of licenses like Star Wars, Marvel, and even more obscure ones like Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury!  Tend to use many different joint systems depending on the figure.  Not without their issues either though they vary greatly by figure.  Figures tend to not come with bases (they really want you to buy their bases sold separately of course).

Max Factory Figma

Known for their smooth joints system which makes posing figures very easy, also good to excellent articulation, and nice feeling high quality materials and construction.  The majority of their characters are anime figures that look really good, but their human recreations are hit and miss (e.g. Bruce Lee).  Generally very consistently made.  Licensed figures tend to be more expensive (e.g. Iron Man series).  Figures almost always come with their own arm and peg base.

Kaiyodo Revoltech

People either love or hate their figures.  Revoltech's ratchet joint system is very quirky with some design issues (joints can come apart with too much twisting resistance from the figure), their joint sockets vary in friction (somewhat easy to fix if it's too tight), they tend to use softer plastics for the rest of the figure which can sometimes bend over time from their own weight.  They can get some of the most dynamic poses because of the unconventional angles the joints are mounted at, but they aren't the easiest to pose.  Figures come with varying display aids ranging from a basic pegged support rod, foot peg base, simple V-base, or the newer arm and claw style bases.

Medicos Super Action Statues

Known mostly for their Jojo's Bizarre Adventure characters though they do make other anime characters from time to time.  Not seen as a "big player" due to this exclusivity.  Figures tend to be quite articulate, their paint work can be quite detailed especially for face sculpts and eyes.  Figures always come with a display base.

Medicom MAFEX

Not to be confused with Medicos (Entertainment).  Another figure maker that I don't own any of or know anything about.  Embarrassing!  They are more known for their larger 1/6 scale figures but also make 6-inch action figures of various characters from bigger franchises like Disney/Marvel/Star Wars and DC Comics.

[Page Created July 15, 2016]