Kotobukiya

Kotobukiya

KOTOBUKIYA Company first began as a single toy store for dolls operated by Jusaburo Shimizu in 1947. In 1951, he re-created his sole proprietorship into a limited liability company, together with his two brothers.

While always continuing to focus on retail sales, KOTOBUKIYA first venture into original products as a model kit manufacturer began in 1983 with Armament, our first original model kit. This was followed in 1985 with King Godzilla, our very first licensed kit.

What really set apart KOTOBUKIYA from other model kit manufacturers was the acquisition of the model kit license for Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam THE-O mecha, the first time a company other than Bandai was able to release Gundam products!

Our first foray into the non-kit business was in May of 1989 with soft vinyl statues and the Active Styling Figures (today branded as ARTFX Statues). Since then, we have increased our lineup with fully assembled and painted resin statues (now known as KOTOBUKIYA Fine Art Statues), Action Figures, One Coin Mini Figures・nd more!

As a model kit manufacturer, we were always striving to further improve the material and detail and articulation of our kits. That level of commitment has continued throughout all product types that we have developed, and KOTOBUKIYA is renowned for our quality and dedication to craftsmanship.

In our retail stores, we hold annual sculpting and painting contests, which is judged by our in-house and other known sculptors and outside judges, including the editor-in-chief of Hobby Japan, the Japanese model magazine. The number of entries normally exceeds three hundred, with entrants from all over Japan. In fact, some of our in-house sculptors originated as entrants into the contest and other toy manufacturers have scouted many others!

Over the years, were attracted the attention of not only top artistic talents, but also the favor of publishers and licensors who wish to work with only the best the toy and collectible industry has to offer.


Exciting upcoming products from Kotobukiya! Iron Man, Armored Core & More!

Exciting upcoming products from Kotobukiya! Iron Man, Armored Core & More!


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OTACOOL INTERNATIONAL LAUNCH EVENT AT AFA 2009

Kotobukiya is proud to announce the official international launch of OTACOOL: WORLD WIDE OTAKU ROOMS at Anime Festival Asia 2009. World famous OTAKU blogger and enthusiast Danny Choo and South-East Asia’s renowned cosplayer and this years Regional Cosplay Championship finalist Alodia Gosiengfiao will be our special guests in commemorating this exciting new launch. The book will be on sale at the AFA shop and those who purchase it at this event will be able to get it autographed by Danny and Alodia.


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Review: Model Kit TRV-06k-H Viper II

The Virtual On's Viper II makes its model kit debut from Kotobukiya. No need to insert coins to continue!


Review: Virtual On Raiden II

Koto's Raiden doesn't disappoint


Review: Gespenst Mk-II M Kai

I'm going to try something a little bit different with this review and show some pictures of construction and comment on it. After all, building a model kit's one of the most important parts.


Kotobukiya offers STAR WARS LIGHTSABER CHOPSTICKS!

Kotobukiya is delighted to announce an innovative and fun addition to their Star Wars line of products: CHOPSABER!


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CYBER TROOPERS VIRTUAL-ON TRV-06K-H VIPER II (VER. 1P)

Following the standard player robot Fine Scale Model Kits from the classic video game series Virtual-On is the newest edition and upgrade to the Temjin model, the TRV-06K-H VIPER II (VER. 1P). Quick and agile, the Viper II is designated a fast tactical mecha. It is armed with a variety of long-range weaponry including missiles, vulcan cannon, and homing beam.


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KOTOBUKIYA FRAME ARMS GOU-RAI MULTI ASSEMBLE MECHANICAL UNIT MODEL KIT

Second in Kotobukiya’s original line of Frame Arms multi assemble mechanical unit model kits after the Stylet is the GOU-RAI.


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FRAME ARMS SA16-STYLET MULTI ASSEMBLE MECHANICAL UNIT MODEL KIT

With its unparalleled knowledge and experience in the field of robot model kits, Kotobukiya is now embarking on its own original series, Frame Arms!


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Review: Kotobukiya Cybuster Model Kit

An effort in frustration


Kotobukiya offers free Shunya Yamashita poster at San Diego Comic-Con

Japan’s #1 collector toy company Kotobukiya announces an original illustration of Marvel comics heroines has been created by master illustrator Shunya Yamashita. Yamashita-sensei has designed many of the new statues in the Marvel X Bishoujo series, and now has captured Rogue, Black Widow, and Scarlet Witch is a new, more playful light. This image was commissioned specifically for the San Diego Comic-Con, and as a special treat for fans, the image will be featured as a free poster as the centerfold of Kotobukiya’s SDCC catalog.


Kotobukiya Announces Live Sculpting Demonstration at San Diego Comic-Con!

We are delighted to announce Kotobukiya will bring master sculptor Mr. Junnosuke Abe to the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con to perform a live sculpting demonstration!


Frame Arms kits from Kotobukiya

New kit series from Koto uses common frame


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KOTOBUKIYA X-FORCE WOLVERINE EXCLUSIVE

During Marvel Comics' Messiah Complex story arc, Wolverine became leader of the new X-Force team, and got a wicked new costume as well. For the first time ever, the mutant hero's fearsome black and gray outfit, accented with piercing red eyes, has been created in the forma of a high-end collectible. This is not simply a repaint, but an entirely new, highly-detailed, original sculpture.


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