10 Small Toy Companies that New Meta wants to carry by 2026! | By: David Gibbens
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 Legions
The 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 & Max
Boss 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 Force
Founded 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 Force
Fresh 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 Collection
AWOK 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, Sectaurs
Nacelle 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 line
Savage 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 Series
Ramen 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 Legends
This 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 styling
Metaverse 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.
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