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In a landscape ruled by Hasbro, Mattel, and McFarlane, it’s easy to miss the wave of independent toy companies that are reshaping what collectible figures can be. These brands are bold, innovative, and incredibly passionate—bringing collectors detailed sculpts, deep lore, and niche IPs you won’t find in big box stores. Whether you're tired of the mainstream or just want something new, here are 10 independent toy companies that deserve a spot on your shelf. 1. Four Horsemen Studios Known for: Mythic Legions, Cosmic LegionsThe Four Horsemen are legends in the toy industry—literally. As former sculptors for major brands, they now build entirely original fantasy and sci-fi worlds, complete with highly articulated figures, modular parts, and world-class design. Their direct-to-consumer model and Kickstarter-style drops make each wave feel like an event. If you love deep lore and epic shelf presence, Mythic Legions is a must. 2. Boss Fight Studio Known for: Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S., Popeye Classics, Sam & MaxBoss Fight Studio excels in bringing nostalgia to life with smart engineering and vibrant sculpt work. Their H.A.C.K.S. line is a favorite among customizers due to its modular builds, while licenses like Popeye and Sam & Max are pure love letters to pop culture. They're versatile, collector-first, and always surprising. 3. Valaverse Known for: Action ForceFounded by ex-Hasbro designer Bobby Vala, Valaverse’s Action Force line reinvents military action figures with an adult collector in mind. Expect tight articulation, realistic weapons packs, swappable heads, and ongoing storyline development. If G.I. Joe Classified is too sparse or stylized for your taste, Action Force delivers a grounded alternative. 4. Fresh Monkey Fiction Known for: Operation: Monster Force, Eagle ForceFresh Monkey blends horror, pulp, and paramilitary aesthetics into one cohesive line. Operation: Monster Force combines Dracula, zombies, and Frankenstein’s monster with elite soldiers in a dark, story-driven universe. These figures are dripping with creativity and great for collectors who love a spooky twist to their display. 5. Animal Warriors of the Kingdom (Spero Toys) Known for: AWOK Primal CollectionAWOK brings a unique vision to the table—anthropomorphic warriors from rival tribes and animal kingdoms, each brimming with detail, accessories, and lore. The figures scale well with other 6” lines and feature rich armor designs, tribal markings, and expressive head sculpts. A true hidden gem for fantasy and sci-fi lovers alike. 6. Nacelle Company Known for: Biker Mice from Mars, Robo Force, SectaursNacelle is revitalizing long-lost toy lines with reverence and style. While big studios chase new licenses, Nacelle is digging into the archives—bringing back properties you haven’t thought of in years with modern articulation and eye-popping packaging. Their strategy of pairing toy lines with media (podcasts, shows) is building serious collector buzz. 7. Savage Crucible Known for: Savage Crucible fantasy figure lineSavage Crucible launched to massive Kickstarter success thanks to its premium articulation, beautiful armor sculpts, and an ambitious world of reptilian, feline, and beastly characters. Every figure looks like it stepped out of a fantasy RPG, and their storytelling ambitions (comics, world-building) make this more than just a toy line—it’s a universe in the making. 8. Ramen Toy Known for: 80s Commanders, Phantom Reimagined, Makina SeriesRamen Toy captures the energy of 1980s Saturday morning cartoons and updates them for the modern collector. Their figures hit that perfect nostalgia-to-innovation ratio, whether it’s a throwback commander vehicle driver or a redesigned pulp hero. They're also known for listening to fan feedback and pushing boundaries in sculpt and tooling. 9. Chicken Fried Toys Known for: Dime Novel LegendsThis is the definitive Wild West line for collectors. Chicken Fried Toys specializes in cowboy action figures packed with Old West charm and storytelling detail. From gunslingers and sheriffs to drifters and prospectors, the line is a diorama dream for fans of Westerns and historical action. 10. Metaverse Travelers (Raginspoon Toys) Known for: Interdimensional sci-fi heroes with retro stylingMetaverse Travelers is a passion project with a strong sci-fi foundation, colorful character design, and retro 3.75" scale execution. The figures blend classic space adventure with multiverse chaos, allowing for imaginative display combinations across dimensions. For collectors seeking indie charm with Saturday-morning vibes, this line delivers. Final Thoughts The toy industry is more than just the Big Three. These companies are taking risks, listening to fans, and making toys with soul. Supporting indie brands not only gets you some of the most exciting figures out there—it keeps the hobby growing in new, unexpected directions. At GoNewMeta.com, we’re proud to highlight lines that deserve more love. Keep your eyes peeled—we’re always on the lookout for the next great figure drop.

Action figures, like anything in life, can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. While we as collectors know the appeal of action figures and the value they bring to our lives, it’s a hobby that sometimes doesn’t make sense to those outside of the collecting community. I’m sure everyone has gotten at least one confused look or a raised eyebrow after mentioning that they collect action figures, maybe even a, “You buy toys? As an adult? For yourself?” Historically I’ve never been too ashamed of my identity as a comic loving nerd, so these kinds of perceptions don’t weigh on me too much, but I do think there’s a real concern about this for a lot of people. I’m not trying to make collecting toys sound too serious here because, after all, this whole thing is about toys and toys are meant to be fun; however, in my time co-hosting an action figure podcast over the last few years and hearing from many of our listeners, I’ve found that collecting action figures can often be looked down on as less mature than other hobbies or, at the very least, misunderstood. I’d like to address that and share three of the deeper meanings behind these plastic figures and how, to many of us, they are much more than just toys. 1. Making Connections  One of the best ways I knew to make friends as a kid was sharing my toys with others and talking about my favorites. I think as adults we can learn something about that by being as unashamed as possible about the stuff we love and finding other people who feel the same way. I collected Marvel Legends as a kid and continued to check out the toy aisle over the years, admiring the Legends retro cards that started to appear while I was in college. I didn’t know if it was mainly kids or adults buying them, but I definitely thought they looked cool. Not long after that an old friend of mine decided to take out his childhood Legends collection, take a few pictures, and look up some online groups. It turned out there were dozens of Facebook groups dedicated to Marvel Legends, each one full of members passionate about these figures that we’d drifted away from. He told me about them and not only did he and I reconnect (and now talk all the time and make videos about Marvel Legends every week), but we became part of these online communities. If not for the Facebook groups and YouTube channels, I might have continued to admire Legends from afar, wondering if I was the only adult I knew who still loved these things. This speaks to the ways in which collecting can actually help combat isolation, something that seems to be growing despite the opportunities for online communities in our modern world. 2. Inspiring Creativity My co host Dakota talks about action figures as art pieces. While that might seem a bit snobbish (and it probably is), one of the things that strikes me most about the collecting community is their creativity. The unique thing about displays is that the collector is completely in charge of the arrangement. They can make whatever scenes they want and add in different elements, coming up with new themes and engaging with a display that can be constantly evolving; I think it would be hard to argue that there isn’t a heavy artistic element to that. Along with this comes action figure photography which is an art form of its own as collectors manipulate lighting or simply come up with unique ways to pose their figures. Then there are the customizers who take figures and make them their own. These can be entirely new paints, kitbashes, or something else entirely. Even the simple act of holding a cool action figure speaks to the childhood desire to make up a story or get to posing and imagine what kind of awesome stuff your heroes could be getting up to. 3.Improved Mental Health While some might say action figure collecting can have drawbacks in becoming a financial strain or even stressful hobby, I’ve found that collecting mostly has a positive impact on mental health. Collecting can give someone an activity to look forward to or a way to keep themselves busy. Mental health is an important thing to be mindful of and getting help when needed is important but sometimes finding a way to keep yourself busy is an essential way to cope with stress. I’ve heard from many people who have turned to collecting when getting out of substance use. I am by no means trying to paint collecting itself as an addiction but turning from drugs or alcohol to action figures presents a much less destructive choice that serves as alternatives to those other habits. With this comes the elements mentioned above such as community and creativity, both of which are incredibly healthy things for a person to have in their lives.  Those are just a few of the important impacts collecting can have on a person’s life. It is my opinion that collecting is ultimately a good and healthy thing that should be celebrated for all the positives it brings. If you feel ashamed of collecting or don’t know exactly how to explain why collecting matters to you, I hope at least some of these ideas help. If you’d like to hear these thoughts explained more in depth (or just check out some other stuff on Marvel Legends and all things action figures), check out me and my co host Dakota on The Strong Collectors on YouTube. Thanks for reading and, until next time, stay strong! https://youtu.be/MfwsoDZla6g?si=Wk7aNZmQt0BpcuOz

Thinking of starting a new toy line? Here's what you're really signing up for. Collecting is supposed to be fun—but sometimes it feels more like a quest. Between exclusives, price jumps, and the dreaded “Sold Out” screen, some lines are a breeze while others test your patience (and budget). We’ve scored the top lines we carry at New Meta to help you pick your next collecting adventure wisely. Scorecard Categories (out of 25 total): Availability Online Availability In-Store Average Retail Price Ease of Completing Waves or Core Characters Secondary Market Costs (what you’ll pay if you miss a figure) Bandai (Dragon Stars, SH Figuarts, Gundam Universe) – 22/25 Online: ★★★★★ In-Store: ★★★☆☆ Retail Price: ★★★★☆ Wave Completion: ★★★★☆ Secondary Market: ★★★★☆Verdict: Deep lineup, flexible budget, and accessible entry points.Bandai offers one of the most diverse collecting ecosystems out there. From beginner-friendly Dragon Stars to premium SH Figuarts, there’s something for every level. Most figures stay available for a while, and even older releases don’t spike too badly—unless you’re hunting rare Figuarts. Combine that with Gundam Universe’s display-ready mechs, and you’ve got a solid, low-stress collecting experience. WWE (Mattel Elite / Ultimate) – 23/25 Online: ★★★★★ In-Store: ★★★★☆ Retail Price: ★★★★☆ Wave Completion: ★★★★★ Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆Verdict: A collector’s dream—if you stay current.Mattel’s WWE line is one of the most robust and accessible action figure lines in the game. You can find Elites at major retailers, online shops, and even grocery stores. The Ultimate line adds premium articulation and accessories at a higher price point, but both lines are generally well-stocked. Just watch out for Legends or event exclusives—they can jump fast on the secondary market. Masterverse (MOTU) – 21/25 Online: ★★★★☆ In-Store: ★★★☆☆ Retail Price: ★★★★★ Wave Completion: ★★★★☆ Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆Verdict: A solid line with room to grow.Masterverse is a love letter to MOTU fans, combining classic characters with modern designs and articulation. Prices are fair and packaging is collector-friendly, but in-store stock can be hit or miss depending on the wave. Most releases are easy to grab if you act fast, though some deeper cuts or deluxe figures can spike in price. McFarlane DC Multiverse – 22/25 Online: ★★★★★ In-Store: ★★★★☆ Retail Price: ★★★★★ Wave Completion: ★★★☆☆ Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆Verdict: Affordable, widely available, and constantly growing.If you want to dive into superhero collecting without breaking the bank, McFarlane's DC Multiverse is the spot. Tons of characters, bold sculpts, and great articulation at a great price. But McFarlane’s rapid-fire release schedule and exclusive variants can make it tricky to build a full team—or even find that one oddly packed Robin you’re missing. Jada Toys (Street Fighter / Mega Man) – 23/25 Online: ★★★★★ In-Store: ★★★☆☆ Retail Price: ★★★★★ Wave Completion: ★★★★★ Secondary Market: ★★★★☆Verdict: The rising star of collector-friendly lines.Jada has quickly made a name for itself with its clean, affordable, and impressively articulated figures. Street Fighter and Mega Man lines are small but mighty—easy to keep up with, fun to pose, and priced well under most competitors. Stock doesn’t linger forever, but the aftermarket hasn’t gone wild yet, making it the perfect time to jump in. Marvel Legends – 21/25 Online: ★★★★★ In-Store: ★★★★☆ Retail Price: ★★★☆☆ Wave Completion: ★★★★☆ Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆Verdict: The gateway drug of collecting—with a few hidden traps.Hasbro’s Marvel Legends line is a great place to start. Big waves, deep character variety, and reliable distribution make it easy to grab most figures. But beware the occasional exclusive or army builder—prices can spike fast if you miss the drop, especially for fan-favorite Spider-Man or X-Men releases. Star Wars Black Series – 19/25 Online: ★★★★☆ In-Store: ★★★☆☆ Retail Price: ★★★☆☆ Wave Completion: ★★★☆☆ Secondary Market: ★★☆☆☆Verdict: A galaxy of figures… but it comes at a cost.Black Series collectors enjoy strong sculpts and a galaxy’s worth of characters, but it’s not always easy. Waves sell out fast, exclusives are everywhere, and if you want to go deep on Clones or Mandos, bring your wallet. It’s a gorgeous line, but not the most forgiving for new collectors. NECA TMNT – 17/25 Online: ★★★☆☆ In-Store: ★★☆☆☆ Retail Price: ★★★☆☆ Wave Completion: ★★☆☆☆ Secondary Market: ★★★☆☆Verdict: Pure nostalgia with a side of chaos.NECA’s TMNT figures are stunning—movie-accurate, loaded with accessories, and packed with 90s vibes. But exclusivity and sporadic retail drops make it a tough line to casually collect. Target runs can feel like treasure hunts, and missing a drop often means turning to the secondary market at premium prices. Final Thoughts: If you’re just dipping into collecting, Jada, WWE, or Bandai lines are your easiest paths to toy bliss. But if you’re chasing NECA Grails or trying to build an elite Star Wars squad, get ready to grind. What’s been your smoothest collecting experience—and what line made you question your sanity? Let us know in the comments!