Medicom Toy

The tonkatsu-shop-adjacent startup that became a global toy empire

At a glance

Status: Active.
Based in: Shibuya in Tokyo Japan.
Known for: BE@RBRICK art collectibles; MAFEX action figures; Real Action Heroes with fabric costumes.
Good fit: collectors drawn to designer toys or poseable licensed characters.
Before buying: for MAFEX choose a retailer that will handle exchanges; overseas warranty claims go through the original seller.
Research coverage: Solid

TL;DR

Founded in 1996 by Tatsuhiko Akashi, operating at the intersection of toy design, street culture, and pop art.
BE@RBRICK has become a cultural phenomenon in the world of toys designed as art objects, with collaborations spanning KAWS, Nike, and the Louvre.
MAFEX action figures, built at one-twelfth of each character's stated height, cover DC, Marvel, Star Wars, and anime characters with steadily improving detail and range of motion.
Collectors should be aware that MAFEX release dates frequently slip, and warranty claims require working through the original retailer.

From Tonkatsu to Toy Design in Ebisu

Medicom Toy was founded in 1996 by Tatsuhiko Akashi, known as 'Ryu,' who left a career in computer manufacturing after discovering the imported toy scene in Shibuya. He set up his first workspace in Ebisu, sharing the space with a tonkatsu restaurant, and started designing and selling toys.

The early years were resourceful and experimental. Akashi's first major creation was the KUBRICK, named after filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, with 'Kyu' (九, nine) referencing the figure's nine body parts plus 'brick' for its block construction. Developed with input from a former LEGO employee, the KUBRICK's clean design and licensing versatility made it Medicom's first real hit, establishing the company's identity at the intersection of toy design and pop culture.

BE@RBRICK, MAFEX, and Designer Toy Culture

Medicom Toy operates across several product categories for different audiences. BE@RBRICK, the company's iconic bear-shaped collectible, launched in 2001 as a free giveaway at World Character Convention 12 in Tokyo. Its simple silhouette became a canvas for collaborations with artists, fashion houses, and brands ranging from KAWS to Nike to the Louvre. BE@RBRICK became a defining art collectible, with rare limited editions commanding thousands of dollars in the resale market.

MAFEX (Miracle Action Figure EX) is Medicom's entry into the highly competitive 1/12 scale action figure market, going head-to-head with imports like S.H.Figuarts and figma. The line covers DC, Marvel, Star Wars, and anime properties with detailed sculpts and extensive articulation. Real Action Heroes (RAH) takes a different approach at 1/6 scale, using real fabric costumes and detailed head sculpts for a premium, almost fashion-doll level of presentation.

Ultra Detail Figure (UDF) is suited to collectors who prefer small, fixed-pose vinyl figures, with subjects ranging from Peanuts to Studio Ghibli. Vinyl Collectible Dolls (VCD) round out the range with stylized vinyl figures in the designer toy tradition.

Limited BE@RBRICK Releases and MAFEX Delays

BE@RBRICK collecting is its own world. Limited releases can sell out in seconds, resale prices can be extreme, and the line attracts streetwear and art buyers alongside traditional toy collectors. The standard sizes are 100% (7cm), 400% (28cm), and 1000% (70cm), with the 1000% pieces being the most sought-after display items.

For MAFEX buyers, two things matter. Release dates slip frequently, sometimes multiple times per figure. Medicom does not directly handle warranty claims for overseas customers, so exchanges and replacements depend on the original retailer. Collector reports on post-2020 MAFEX releases often note firmer joint engineering and cleaner paint work than on earlier entries in the line.

Medicom Toy operates with roughly 60 employees, keeping the company lean and focused. Their MCT Tokyo retail and gallery space in Omotesando serves as both a shop and a showcase for upcoming releases and artist collaborations.

Where Art Collecting Meets Toy Collecting

BE@RBRICK’s cultural reach keeps expanding as art-world and fashion collaborations intensify, and MAFEX is broadening its license roster while refining its engineering with each wave. Medicom is one of the few companies where a KAWS collaboration, a Demon Slayer action figure, and a Real Action Heroes Batman all share the same catalog.