Designer toys, artist collaborations and MEGA figures.
Summaries are AI-generated
Schleich announced that David Albert will take over as CEO on January 1, 2027, succeeding Manfred Ziegler. Albert currently oversees North American business and has 12 years of experience at Schleich. The role of President of North America will be taken by Chief Commercial Officer Annie-Laurie Zomermaand.
Tenacious Toys will host the Tenacious Collective at booth 1771 for NYCC 2026, featuring brands like UVD Toys and Furry Feline Creatives. The booth will release three exclusives: Atomik OG Roller Blue, MAD Toy Design Citizens Blue GID, and Jae Martin's Lovestronaut Tenacious HRT Edition, alongside various blind boxes, resin figures, and vinyl toys.
2026 mid-year results show a 11% drop in overseas revenue. Wang Ning labels 2026 a 'year of operational adjustment' and leads visits to Apple and LVMH to learn ecosystem and brand building.
Indietoy Con returns to Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, CA on September 12-13, 2026, featuring 35+ indie designers. The event offers free general admission and limited VIP early entry tickets.
MegaHouse announced that its new board game ‘Investment Ranking’ won the Grand Prize in the Game & Puzzle category of the Japan Toy Award 2026, also receiving Excellence Awards in the KIDART and Variety categories. The 2‑to‑4‑player game, themed around gold, stocks and crypto assets, includes a board, cards and other components, is priced at ¥4,378 (tax included) and is slated for release in mid‑September 2026. Players can experience investment decisions and discuss wealth‑building with family and friends.
Kotobukiya announced that the comic adaptation ‘Arcanadia Cross Connect’ of its original Arcanadia model series will be released on August 14, 2026 on comipo and other e‑book platforms. The manga, written by viviON, expands the SF‑fantasy world of Arcanadia and offers fans a new way to experience the story. An exclusive ‘Arcanadia Engage Fest 2026’ event on August 29 in Shinagawa will feature information about the comic and other franchise content.
Takara Tomy participated in Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles from July 2‑5, showcasing its BEYBLADE X battle tops, Licca‑chan dolls and Gacha capsule toys. Over several thousand visitors attended the booth, with more than 7,000 fans taking part in BEYBLADE X tournaments and the limited‑edition Hatsune Miku × Licca‑chan doll selling out each day. The company used live battles, interactive attractions and a Gacha Galaxy to let North American fans experience Japan’s “asobi” culture and expand its global presence.
Takara Tomy Arts’ Gacha brand will make its North American debut at Anime Expo in Los Angeles from July 2‑5, 2026, with a dedicated booth. The “Gacha Galaxy” booth will feature capsule‑toy machines, a giant Gacha figure photo spot, exclusive giveaways and over 170 items—including more than 80 anime‑themed products and the latest Japanese trends.
KAIYODO Co., Ltd. announced that Wonder Festival 2026 Summer, scheduled for July 26, will begin ticket pre‑sale on May 22. The event expects over 2,000 dealers showcasing a range of items such as garage kits and figure prototypes. Tickets are offered in several tiers, including priority lottery tickets at ¥7,500 and advance tickets starting at ¥3,500, with discounts for under‑22s and afternoon‑only options.
POP MART Japan will host the ‘MONSTERS BY MONSTERS: NOW AND THEN’ 10‑year anniversary exhibition in Tokyo’s Azabu‑dai Hills Gallery from June 11 to July 5, with tickets on sale from May 25 on the official website. The show features an immersive projection theater, painting and sculpture zones, and eight themed areas—including limited‑edition merchandise and a raffle—offering a comprehensive look at Kasing Lung’s LABUBU universe.
MOMOTOY debuted DunDunShou and other series at the 139th Canton Fair, featuring AI companionship and gold craftsmanship. The brand secured tens of millions in investment and aims to open 50 stores globally by 2026.
MOMOTOY showcases Dun Dun Shou, Li Xiang Shen Cai, and other series at the Canton Fair, featuring AI emotional companionship and gold luxury craftsmanship. The brand secured tens of millions in investment and reached a 250 million yuan valuation within four months, planning to open 50 global stores by 2026.
High-end AI toy brand MOMOTOY launched three original IPs and a collaboration with author Rao Xueman at the 38th Shenzhen Toy Show, unveiled the world's first embodied AI automatic blind box vending machine, and announced strategic partnerships with JD Toys, KKday, TOP TOY, MINISO, and Apple.
MOMOTOY secured tens of millions in funding with an investment of 250 million yuan four months after its establishment. The company debuted 38 original IP products at the Shenzhen toy show and plans to participate in the 2026 Canton Fair.
Takara Tomy Arts announced that on April 6, 2026 it began operating the PIMT‑0 ‘Nui Pan Shop Mobility’ mobile unmanned vending robot in the post‑security area of Narita Airport’s Terminal 1, selling its bread‑shaped ‘Nui Pan’ plush series. The robot, a specially decorated version of PIMT‑0 provided by PIMT Co., offers 12 initial figures—including Disney characters—accepts cashless payment and runs 365 days a year. The service creates a new on‑the‑spot souvenir option for departing travelers and marks the brand’s first foray into unmanned retail channels.
Takara Tomy Arts launched the “KAWAISOUNI! Fair – KAWAISOUNI! Märchenland” on April 25 2026, running in over 100 stores across Japan. The fair showcases original merchandise featuring the newly illustrated “KAWAISOUNI! Märchenland” artwork, including plush toys, acrylic keychains, stationery and more, priced between ¥2,420 and ¥4,620. Customers who purchase a qualifying item receive a random limited‑edition postcard, while supplies last.
New toy brand OHKU achieved nearly 10 million yuan in monthly revenue and over 50% gross margin within a year of founding, securing a 100 million yuan first-round funding in late 2025. With 80% of revenue from overseas markets and 4,000+ sales points globally, it focuses on its own IP 'Fuzzy Monster'.
MegaHouse (Bandai Namco Group) will release the first two figures of its Sofubi Fantastic series in late May 2026: the “Alien from a Distant Planet X” Spider‑Head (≈120 mm tall, ¥14,300) and the “Dune” Sandworm (≈150 mm tall with a stand, ¥12,100), both available for pre‑order through Premium Bandai and select retailers. The line recreates iconic sci‑fi creatures from the 1970s‑90s with a blend of realistic and stylized design, giving fans a tangible way to celebrate the movies.
Takara Tomy Arts will release the Miniature Panda Food Mascot series for Matsuzakaya Ueno in nationwide capsule machines starting mid‑February 2026, priced at ¥400 each. The five items—panda short cake, panda mille‑feuille, panda rice‑ball, panda bread and panda chestnut bun—replicate the store’s popular panda‑themed foods, are aimed at ages 15+, measure about 25‑55 mm, and will have a pre‑sale on January 24 at a special event.
Takara Tomy Arts will host the ‘Gacha Swamp Exhibition’ from February 7‑8, 2026 at WITH HARAJUKU in Tokyo’s Harajuku, with free admission. The show will feature historic capsule toys from 1965 onward, popular lines such as the ‘KataZun Fig.’ series, and over 50 new gacha items slated for spring 2026, with 22 of them available for early purchase on site. Visitors can reserve entry starting January 22 and enjoy photo spots and a pop‑up shop for the PERIHAPI! figure series.
Takara Tomy Arts will begin releasing the SR+ 20th Century Studio ‘Alien’ figures in capsule machines across Japan from mid‑December 2025, priced at ¥500 each (tax included). The line includes five figures—Alien, Alien (inner‑mouse), Ellen Ripley, Egg & Chest Buster, and Kane & Facehugger. Built on human skeletal and muscular models, the figures feature poseable joints and interchangeable parts for realistic displays and scene recreation.
MegaHouse says the ‘Disassembly Puzzle Lite Yuki‑Miy Daitfuku Puzzle’, themed after Lotte’s popular snow‑cream ice, will be released in late November 2025 at ¥1,848 (tax included). The toy reproduces the ice‑cream container with an openable lid, includes soft “mochi” pieces with a fluffy surface, and can be displayed as a collectible. Two stickers are provided for personalized messages on the lid, making it suitable as a gift.
POP MART Japan announced that the SKULLPANDA POP‑UP SHOP will run from November 18 to 25, 2025 at Shibuya TSUTAYA 1F in Tokyo. The pop‑up will debut Japan‑only SKULLPANDA × XG plush pendant and other items, and feature a signing event with artist Xiong Miao. Entry is by pre‑sale raffle and only electronic payment methods are accepted.
Kotobukiya and KDDI Technology announced a joint verification of product display using the latest 3D Gaussian Splatting technique. The method renders high‑precision, lightweight models in browsers on smartphones and PCs, addressing the difficulty of showing transparent surfaces and fine details for figures and plastic models online. Data from the test will be released gradually between November and December 2025 to explore ways to improve the e‑commerce shopping experience.
Takara Tomy Arts announced that its capsule toy series “ふんばり～ぬ２” will start rolling out nationwide from late October 2025, priced at 300 yen per pull (tax included). The line‑up features five regular dog figures—including Bichon Frise, Pug, and two Chihuahuas—plus a secret figure, and introduces a large‑size Golden Retriever for the first time in the series. 2025 also marks the 60th anniversary of capsule toys in Japan.
MegaHouse announced it will exhibit at the Tokyo Toy Show 2025 from August 28‑31 at Tokyo Big Sight, presenting its latest toys and figures. The booth will feature award‑winning items such as ‘Butaminton’, ‘American Battle Dome’, and ‘Rubik’s Cube Pixel’, and public‑day events including a Butaminton tournament, an American Battle Dome competition and a Rubik’s Cube challenge, with prizes for winners.
DesignerCon 2025 will take place November 14–16 at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The event offers a 20% discount and features artist collabs and exclusive releases.
Kotobukiya announced that its Megami Device line will release a collaboration limited acrylic stand prize at GiGO stores across major Japanese cities starting August 15, 2025, with three designs. The items, illustrated by Nidy-2D, are portable and aim to attract a younger gamer audience. The partnership builds on Kotobukiya’s ongoing collaboration with GiGO since 2024, further boosting the series’ visibility.
Kotobukiya announced the launch of a new figure brand, OSHI WORKS, aimed at offering affordable prices and a wide range of products for global collectors. The first titles under the brand are a Vasht the Stamped from TRIGUN STAMPEDE and a Bubble Head Nurse from Silent Hill 2, with the latter displayed at Anime Expo in Los Angeles starting July 3, 2025.
Dreams USA has secured two preliminary injunctions against alleged infringers of its trademarked and copyrighted Sonny Angel®, HIPPERS®, and Smiski® products in the U.S. market. The company is actively policing and pursuing legal action against various infringers, including kiosk operators, C-store owners, and social media sellers, to protect authorized distributors and prevent consumers from purchasing unauthorized and inferior products.
