Best License Handler
 

I think Hot Toys handles their licenses very well. They are aggressive in pursuing fan-favorite, yet sometimes obscure, licenses. They also do a hell of a job when it comes to sculpting. Make no doubt about it, when you look at their figures, they are masterpieces.

I think Mattel does a great job with what they offer to collectors, but distribution on the other hand almost cancels it out. They are giving Ghostbusters some love, knocked the ball out of the park for DC, and are currently kicking ass with MOTUC. Yet distribution, woes that are almost always deflected to retailers, and lines that have so much potential but die off due to bad mishandling of sales and distribution are a constant motif here. It's unfortunate, it's obvious that fans want the toys but actually getting them is a different matter entirely.

I think NECA is doing a great job with their Player Select line, a diverse line of action figures from video games. I think it just needs more figures. For example, you have Hayabusa Ryu from Ninja Gaiden and the main character from Bionic Commando yet no one for them to fight, and there are TONS of enemies in their respective games for them to fight. NECA brings high articulation and exceptional detail to 7" scale, and I think we ought to see more of it. Awesome that they have the Dead Space and Bioshock licenses.

I'll see your Hot Toys and raise you a Sideshow Toys. I think their work has been at least on-par if not above Hot Toys in terms of quality, accessories and sculpt.

As for some of the more mainstream companies, I think overall Hasbro has done an excellent job with the Star Wars license ever since they "inherited" it from Kenner. Having such a vast and colorful universe to pull from and the ability to actually make those obscure characters will keep collectors busy for years.

Also, Hasbro has done a fantastic job so far with Marvel. The MU line is a huge hit and based on what we've seen at SDCC about the things to come, it's only going to get better from here. And to top it off, Marvel Legends will return with some of the best figures to date.

I will also echo Shin's comments on Mattel, especially with regard to MOTUC. If only they could have done this with the 2002 reboot.

My votes go to:

Bandai Japan - For their motion revive series figure line. Extreme articulation and accessories in a tiny package for under 10 bucks. Detailing, poseability, and compatibility within this line to many vehicles and dioramas is amazingly perfect. The only Articulation system that can top hasbro with detailing. Add in the souchaku series, and other diecast figures or DX items they make, and they truly shine brightly. Easily my #1 Japanese Toy company. They maintain extreme accuracy, and loads of interactive fun without being obtrusive. But then when you see the SIC line, completely over the top and cements this spot for a good long time.

Hasbro - For Marvel Universe. GI Joe scale Marvel heroes, built sturdy and well, with many companion lines, and tapping the wealth of marvel history, with decently poseable, resilent figures. Box Sets, Comic Packs and all kinds of flavors of awesome are arising out of this line. They've truly mastered quality, plastic grade, details, and articulation at this scale, which opens up a plenthora of doors for inscale lines. They've truly mastered the 3.75'' scale. Their legends figures are vastly improving too, and even though I refuse to purchase them, they may make me cave soon in the upcoming wave. The giant battle packs, and spidey and his amazing friends pack just cements them as the #1 american company for toys for me. Between how well they treat the Marvel licenses or star wars, and their own licenses like joe and transformers, hasbro just keeps surprising us with awesome. And have been extremely lenient on infringers of their character rights.
And don't forget about the massive library they still have, like Inhumanoids, and Jem.


Mattel while doing great on MOTUC, has been rather lackluster on their treatment of the DC license. While they seem to be getting better and better with figures, their 6'' DC figures look too much like wrestling toys barring a few exceptions, and look weird in poses cause of their articulation. The animated toys are on par with hasbro animated marvel at least, but the DCIH is where it really falls apart completely and is only slowing startng to get better.

So while I want to mention Mattel, their overall lines just don't merit it. They treat their own properties fantasticly, it's a shame they can't treat other ones they have just as well.

Up and Comers:
Toynami (Their Macross and BubbleGum Crisis Figures, but cost and availability hinder them.)
Hot Toys (Ironman and Wolverine among others)
TomyTakara (Microman, and Transformers, but the merger has slowed the down for now on the awesome)
SideShow (Getting their, but has yet to build that library up in comparison to others.)

I would have to say, Bandai handles their Gundam license beautifully. There is no shortage of product and they constantly impress with their innovation. They literally have something for everyone.

This.

Bandai rarely cuts corners when it comes to the beloved franchise. I've felt countless instances of buyer's remorse from buying tons of Joes at one time, but for the price of four Joes I've never felt guilty once for buying a single Gundam. The detailings are insane and like Shin said, they innovate like no other. Even the old Gundam figures are great for their time. The models only get better.

Bandai of Japan is awesome, but Bandai of America is hideous. I remember some years ago when Gundam got really popular in the U.S. and BoA charged horribly inflated prices for the model kits. It was actually cheaper to buy two of the same kit and pay shipping from Hobbylink Japan.

As far as collector's figures go, I'd have to say Medicom is the best. Their Real Action Hero toy line is second to none.

As far as toys for children I'll have to go with the late Toybiz followed by Hasbro. Toybiz did wonders with the LotR and Marvel licenses (except for Super Hero Showdown) whereas Hasbro really fucked up their first two waves of Marvel Legends. The later waves and the two packs were actually pretty good. One the four inch scale however, Hasbro is definitely the best. GiJoe, Marvel U and Star Wars are all great toy lines. And not to mention Transformers, which has only improved exponentially since hitting rock bottom with Armada and Energon.

Mattel for DC Universe... because if I can't have Marvel Legends, dammit...

Plus I finally have a Captain Marvel figure that doesn't look stupid... and they're making Black Adam and Power Girl... POWER GIRL!!!

Hot Toys, Medicom, and Sideshow... those are some of the best figures I have the pleasure to see... even if the prices they ask for them are kinda WTF....

...and yet bandai couldn't help themselves when it came to cutting corners on their macross frontier dx's.

yamato for macross and the new patlabor 1/24th scale