Good Smile Company
ActiveOverview
Good Smile Company is a Japanese manufacturer specializing in collectible figures and hobby products, primarily based on anime, manga, and video game intellectual properties. The company is known for its Nendoroid and Figma product lines, which represent stylized and articulated figure formats respectively, as well as scale figures in PVC. Beyond manufacturing, Good Smile Company engages in design, marketing, and distribution, and serves as a distributor for other hobby-related companies including Max Factory, FREEing, and Phat! Company.
History
Good Smile Company was founded in May 2001 by Aki Takanori as an event management and talent company. The company pivoted to focus on hobby products through collaboration with Max Factory, releasing its first branded figure in September 2004. The Nendoroid series launched in February 2006, becoming a flagship product line. In June 2012, the company relocated to the Tokyo Skytree East Tower, establishing a joint headquarters with Max Factory. The company has since expanded internationally with offices in the USA and China.
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Nendoroid | Stylized, highly articulated collectible figures | $40 - $80 |
| Figma | Articulated action figures with detailed sculpting | $60 - $120 |
| Scale Figures | Detailed static display figures in PVC | $80 - $300 |
| Goods and Accessories | Anime and game-related merchandise and collectibles | $10 - $100 |
Manufacturing
Good Smile Company operates the Lucky Factory in Kurayoshi, Tottori, alongside its main office in Tokyo. The company handles planning, design, and production internally while maintaining partnerships with multiple manufacturers. Manufacturing combines in-house operations with outsourced production to meet demand across its product lines.
Notable Products
- Nendoroid Series - Stylized collectible figures with interchangeable parts and expressions, based on popular anime and game characters.
- Figma Series - Highly articulated action figures featuring detailed sculpting and multiple points of articulation for posing.
- Scale Figures - Premium static display figures rendered in PVC with detailed painting and sculpting.
Reputation
Good Smile Company is widely recognized as a leader in the collectible figure market, particularly for quality Nendoroid and Figma products. The brand is respected for supporting creators and bringing Japanese pop culture internationally. Enthusiasts appreciate the articulation and detail of Figma figures and the charm of Nendoroids, though some criticize pricing relative to competitors and occasional quality control inconsistencies in mass production.
Sources (6)
- https://www.zoominfo.com/c/good-smile-co/372575914
- https://corporate.goodsmile.com/en/about-en/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Smile_Company
- https://ultimatepopculture.fandom.com/wiki/Good_Smile_Company
- https://www.lusha.com/business/0fa6d8971c8fb813/
- https://dannychoo.com/archive/en/posts/good-smile-company-new-offices