Western Toy Companies
DC Collectibles - DC Comics' collectibles division. Previously known as DC Direct until 2012. They have numerous collector-quality action figure lines, mostly based off DC comics, video game and TV show characters.
Diamond Select Toys - In 1999, Diamond Comic Distributors, who distributed comics to thousands of brink-and-mortar comic shows, created this company. Their line of "Select" action figures are most often 7", detailed figures with intricate bases. They also make the ubiquitous Minimates series and character coin banks.
Funko - Starting with their line of bobbleheads, Wacky Wobblers, Funko has quickly risen from its small beginning in 1998. They also make the incredibly popular Funko Pop! series and make this action figure-centric list because of their more recent Legacy line, detailed 6" figures from an assortment of IPs.
Gentle Giant Studios - Focused on 3D scanning props and actors to make incredibly accurate statues, they have also dipped their toes in action figures, mainly by scanning nostalgic 6" figures and scaling them up to 12".
Hasbro - Constantly vying for the top spot with Mattel, Hasbro has more successful toys for boys lines, including Transformers, GI Joe, Marvel, Star Wars, Nerf, My Little Pony and tons of others. Their recent acquisition of the rights to Disney dolls (which Mattel used to have) could be very big for them. Starting last year, they began a really cool initiative with SuperFanArt (defined below).
Jakks Pacific - Since 1995, Jakks has made children's toys. Occasionally they make collector-quality figures, such as some of the figures in their new World of Nintendo line.
LEGO - Makes building sets using their iconic LEGO brick. Recently made headlines for surpassing Mattel and Hasbro, largely due to the success of the LEGO movie. They have, in the past decade, opened up to much more licensed IPs (after the success of their deal with Star Wars) increasing market share.
Mattel - Usually considered the biggest toy company in the world, Mattel, maker of American doll, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and many others, is actually slipping to LEGO and Hasbro. Generally considered to more successful with toys for girls. (I hate gender-labeling toy demographics, but that's how it's done.) Their action figures include Masters of the Universe, WWE and DC Comics.
McFarlane - Named after popular comic book creator Todd McFarlane, this company rode the popularity of its Spawn comic tie-ins to quickly become a huge innovator in Western toys. One of the first to make highly detailed action figures with appeal for young and adult collectors. Started in 1994.
Mezco - Largely focused on their cute designer toys, the Mez-its and their creepy Living Dolls line, they, on occasion, make collector-quality action figures.
NECA - Stands for National Entertainment Collectibles Association. They specialize in adult collectible action figures, with many characters featured from properties not intended for children (R-Rated films or video games too old for children to remember, for example).
Sideshow - A higher-end collectibles company, they make statues, props and action figures, usually of the highest quality and a matching sticker price. They now distribute Hot Toys' figures in the US. Most of their action figures are 1/6 dolls from a huge list of licenses.
SuperFanArt - Hasbro and Shapeways' 3D-print-on-demand fanart licensing initiative. Basically, fans can upload 3D models they created of specific Hasbro properties (My Little Pony, Transformers, GI Joe and few others) and, pending approval, sell them on Shapeways' website as officially licensed figures. Possibly the future of figures?
Toynami - Founded in 2000, Toynami is an American toy company focused on producing Japanese properties for Western toy markets. They occasionally make Western toys, such as their Futurama line. Mostly stylized statues, they have been known to make action figures.
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