Japanese collectible toy company celebrated for its iconic BE@RBRICK figures and cultural collaborations across art, fashion, and streetwear.
ORIGIN
Japan
PRICE TIER
luxury
Founded in Tokyo in 1996 by Tatsuhiko Akashi, Medicom Toy transcended its origins as a niche toy manufacturer to become a global cultural phenomenon. Initially gaining traction with the Kubrick, a Lego-like block figure, the company achieved worldwide recognition with the launch of the BE@RBRICK in 2001. Originally conceived as a simple gift for attendees of Tokyo's World Character Convention, the anthropomorphic bear figure evolved into a highly sought-after canvas for artistic expression. Its standardized form became the vehicle for a vast universe of collaborations, connecting with everyone from streetwear pioneers like BAPE and Supreme to luxury houses such as Chanel and Fendi, and artists like KAWS and Futura.