The 7 Best Japanese Plushy Makers
You should know that Japan gets first place every time when it comes to the Kawaii or Cute culture. If you love stuffed animals that are undeniably cute, your best bet is Japanese plushie makers.
Japanese plushies, also known as stuffed animals or soft toys, have always been popular with children, but nowadays, even adults buy them worldwide. From the iconic anime characters - cough Levi - to adorable animals and food-inspired designs, Japanese plushie makers have mastered bringing these creations to life. In this blog article, we will explore 7 of the best Japanese plushie makers who have captured the hearts of plushie lovers around the globe.
Sanrio
If you know iconic characters like Hello Kitty and Gudetama, you are already familiar with some of Sanrio’s best works. Sanrio was founded in 1960 and has gone through many changes over the years. It was first a silk company, and then it became a rubber sandals company in 1962. When the founder discovered that his products increased sales when he added a cute character, he moved to creating memorable characters and selling their merchandise.
Sanrio has a small gift, big smile philosophy, and that's exactly how their products are viewed. With characters like My Melody, Hello Kitty, and Cinnamoroll, it’s easy to say that their plushies are adorable and would bring a massive smile to people’s faces. You not only get their regular character design, but there are also cool limited versions available, like Hello Kitty Octopus and Hello Kitty Green Dragon.
Amuse Co., Ltd
Amuse Co., Ltd. is one of the most renowned plushie makers in Japan. The company was created in 1990 and was strongly influenced by the Japanese Kawaii culture. Since then, they have created characters like FuwaFuwa Harry, Samurai Mouse, Rosie Bunny, and Nekokkapuri.
With a wide range of plushies, including animal collections, Amuse has built a strong following among plushie lovers. Their plushies are super soft and huggable, with vibrant colors, and unique designs. Whether you're looking for an adorable animal plushie or a kawaii character, Amuse offers a delightful selection that appeals to people of all ages.
Shinada Global
Shinada Global was founded in 1997, and its main goal is to bring children “feelings of the sense of warmth.” The company sells plush toys of different animals and original characters that are super soft and huggable. Cat lovers are especially going to love Shinada Global because there are many cat characters like Mame- Nyanko, Mochi Neko, Nagomi Neko, and Omusubi Neko.
There are other cute animal characters like Mochi-Hari - a stuffed hedgehog, Mochi-Buta - a stuffed pig and Mochi-Kuma - a stuffed bear. These plushies come in super large size and tiny keychain sizes, so there’s something for everyone.
BanDai
If you’ve seen anime or movie plush toys, they’re probably from Bandai. This company was created in 1950 and focused on metal toys like action figures and small cars. It wasn’t until 1963, when the company produced action figures of a popular character called Astro Boy that it started becoming popular.
The company realized the potential of making merchandise related to video games, movies, and anime, so their business strategy changed to character action figures and stuffed toys which was a hit with customers. Now, you can get My Neighbor Totoro, Demon Slayer, Jujitsu Kaisen, and Naruto character plushies from Bandai.
San-X
San-X Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company famous for its cute and quirky characters, such as Rilakkuma, Sumikko Gurashi, and Mamegoma. Just like Sanrio, they deal in creating merchandise surrounding these characters. Even though they are not as popular as Sanrio characters, San-X is a close second. In 2019, a stop motion Netflix made a series featuring Rilakkuma and it was widely popular.
Their plushies are crafted with attention to detail, making them highly sought after by collectors. San-X plushies have charming expressions, high-quality fabrics, and extra fluffiness in different sizes. With their imaginative designs and irresistible charm, San-X plushies have become a must-have in Japanese plush toys.
Pokemon Center
Pokémon as an animated series is extremely popular; however, its fame skyrocketed with the Pokémon Go game. That is why having a Pokémon plushie at this time is a necessity. Pokémon Center is the official merchandise retailer for the Pokémon franchise, so if you're getting it from anywhere else, the quality will be different.
With an extensive range of plushies featuring iconic characters like Pikachu, Eevee, and Charmander, they cater to Pokémon fans of all ages. Pokémon Center plushies are different because they are crafted with excellent attention to detail. I mean, the size of the plushie match the actual Pokémon dimension, so you get a realistic plushie. Also, they offer themed varieties like Statue of Liberty Pikachu for American fans and other cool variations.
Taito
Taito Corporation is a Japanese company known for its arcade games and prize machines. They have also ventured into plushie production, offering a diverse range of character plushies and crane game prizes. Taito plush often has a distinctive, chibi-like style and is known for its high-quality materials. From famous anime and game franchises to original designs, Taito plush is cherished by collectors and fans alike.
When it comes to Japanese plushie makers, the attention to detail, craftsmanship, and undeniable cuteness exhibited by these companies are truly exceptional. Their dedication to quality and the ability to bring beloved characters to life through plush toys have solidified their positions as some of the best Japanese plushie makers. So, get ready to cuddle up with your favorite plushie.
Have you been looking to buy some high-quality Japanese Plushies? Lucky for you, ZenPlus now distributes Shinada Global Plushies. You can check out our ZenPop store for kawaii stationery goods.
This article was originally written by our freelance writer Umm-Kulthum Abdulkareem and edited by us.
