[2025 Latest] A comprehensive review of the world's popular toy brands: from Lego, Bandai to Hape, Jellycat, complete analysis and recommendations

Toys are not only children’s loyal companions in their childhood, but also an important vehicle for many adults to relieve stress and collect hobbies. From classic building blocks and models to healing plush dolls and trendy blind boxes, the global toy industry has many well-known brands with their own unique characteristics. This article will take stock of popular toy brands from all over the world, analyze their history, characteristics and charm, and take you to explore this world full of creativity and fun!

1. LEGO - Danish building block giant (founded in 1932)

• Core Features: LEGO, from Denmark, has become synonymous with building block toys since its establishment in 1932. Its classic convex dot design allows tiny plastic particles to be firmly combined into ever-changing shapes.

• The charm: LEGO not only provides a rich variety of parts and bright colors to inspire unlimited imagination, but its excellent assembly technology also makes the works sturdy and exquisite. For children, the building process can effectively improve their creativity, spatial sense and hand-eye coordination; for adults, complex models such as buildings, vehicles or movie scenes have become an excellent way to release stress and enjoy immersive building fun. LEGO spans different age groups and is an evergreen in the toy industry.
• Popular series: City, Technic, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Creator, etc.

2. BANDAI - The Light of Japanese Anime Models (Founded in 1950)

• Core Features: As a leader in the Japanese toy industry, Bandai is famous for its precise anime models, especially the "Gundam" series of models, which are considered classics among classics.

• The charm lies in: Bandai relies on superb component assembly technology and extreme pursuit of details to make the parts fine and numerous, and the assembled mecha structure is tight and solid. Its high degree of restoration of the original anime makes the model not only a toy, but also a work of art worthy of collection. For mecha enthusiasts, Bandai is not only a company that provides products, but also a spiritual home that carries passion and dreams.
• Popular series: Gunpla (HG, MG, RG, PG, etc.), Dragon Ball, One Piece, Kamen Rider, etc.

3. Mattel - American toy empire (founded in 1945)

• Core Features: Mattel is one of the world's largest toy companies, with many well-known brands. Since 1945, it has created countless toy legends.

• The most representative doll is Barbie . From gorgeous evening gowns to fashionable business suits, Barbie has accompanied generations of girls in weaving colorful and exquisite dreams. In addition, Mattel also owns the world-famous "Hot Wheels" and the preschool educational toy brand "Fisher-Price", which meet the needs of consumers of different ages and interests and are frequent visitors to family toy boxes.

4. Hot Wheels - American alloy car model classic (founded in 1968, affiliated with Mattel)

• Core Features: Although it is affiliated with Mattel, Hot Wheels is unique in its own way with its unique charm. It is famous for producing die-cast alloy cars.

• The charm: Hot Wheels has a large number of original and licensed models to satisfy car fans' fantasies about car styling. It uses wear-resistant paint and realistic details, and each car exudes charming charm. The rich and diverse track sets allow players to build complex tracks and experience the thrill of high-speed driving. Hot Wheels is not only a toy for children, but also a treasure for model collectors and racing game enthusiasts.

5. Hape - German wooden toy brand (founded in 1986)

• Core features: Hape from Germany is a representative of high-quality wooden toys. It uses high-quality wood and combines exquisite German craftsmanship with educational concepts.

• The charm: Hape's toy design focuses on combining education with entertainment. For example, puzzles cultivate observation and patience, while building blocks train spatial thinking and hands-on ability. Its products have rounded corners and are treated with natural water-based paint to ensure safety and non-toxicity, giving parents peace of mind. Hape is committed to giving children a green and healthy childhood. Many of its products incorporate Montessori educational concepts, emphasizing environmental protection and sustainability.

6. Jellycat - British soft and cute doll (founded in 1999)

• Core Features: Jellycat from London, UK, is popular all over the world for its extremely soft and skin-friendly fabrics and cute and unique design style, especially the "Bashful Bunny" series.

• The charm: The cute appearance of the Jellycat doll can dispel worries the moment you hug it. The brand has strict control over quality to ensure that the toys are not easy to deform or shed, have excellent touch and are durable. In addition to the classic rabbit, its creative "Amuseables" series is also widely loved, becoming a healing doll that adults and children cannot resist.

7. POPMART - China's new trendy toy force (founded in 2010)

• Core features: As a leader in China's trendy toys, Pop Mart was founded in 2010 and quickly became a trendy brand with its "blind box" gameplay.

• The charm lies in: It owns many original IP images such as Molly, Dimoo, Skullpanda, etc., with rich and diverse designs. The unique blind box mechanism stimulates people's desire to explore and collect, just like opening a treasure chest, making people unable to stop. At the same time, Pop Mart is actively expanding its offline stores and online communities, providing a space for trendy toy enthusiasts to communicate and share, and promoting the development of designer toys and art toys.

8. Disney - the toy extension of the American IP empire (the company was founded in 1923)

• Core features: Disney occupies an important position in the toy industry with its profound cultural heritage and huge IP resource library. Although its core is entertainment content, the derivative toys are extremely influential.

• The charm: Whether it's classic princess dolls, Mickey and Minnie, or Marvel and Star Wars action figures, Disney toys are all made with high-precision craftsmanship. The dolls are exquisite, with vivid expressions, highly restored character details, and delicate painting. Owning a Disney toy is the dream and sentiment of many people during their childhood and even in adulthood.

9. Nintendo - The peripheral charm of the Japanese gaming giant (founded in 1889)

• Core Features: Although Nintendo is world-famous for its video games (it originated in 1889 and had diversified businesses in the early days), its game character IP-related products, especially dolls and models, are also very popular.

• The appeal: From Mario to Zelda to Pokémon, Nintendo's classic game characters are extremely popular. The Amiibo interactive dolls, character dolls, plush toys, etc. launched by it are well-designed and highly restored. They are not only collectibles for game fans, but also attract a large number of toy lovers with their cute or cool appearance.

Summarize

From creative Lego bricks to exquisitely realistic Bandai models; from Mattel Barbie that carries dreams to the fast-paced Hot Wheels; from the warm and safe Hape wooden toys to the soft and healing Jellycat; from the trend-setting Pop Mart blind boxes to the peripherals of the IP empire Disney and the gaming giant Nintendo... every toy brand has its own unique history, culture and charm. Whether you're looking for a gift for your child or a collectible or pastime for yourself, there's always something in this colorful world of toys that will tug at your heartstrings. Hopefully this inventory helps you get to know these beloved toy brands better!