Although many collectors may not be familiar with Bandai because their figures aren't on the pegs of big-box U.S. retailers, they're familiar with many of the popular characters and licenses under the Bandai / Tamashii Nations umbrella. Bandai has had an incredible 2013; from the perfection that is their Chogokin sixth-scale C-3PO, the addition of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Sailor Moon franchises to their S.H. Figuarts line, and the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of their Saint Seiya Myth Cloth line with the announcement of the much-demanded Athena God Cloth figure. Each Bandai figure is a work of artgineering where aesthetics harmoniously blend with engineering to deliver a figure that is not only artistically iconic, but definitive with the optional switch out faces, hands and accessories that accompany it. In recent years, U.S. Toys manufacturers have even taken a page out of Bandai's book and you need look no further than Hasbro's Star Wars Black series 6-inch line to see the packaging influence. Bandai / Tamashii Nations is our 2013 Collectible Toy Company of the Year.