Japanese Plastic Model Kits

Smeagol touched on something that I see is RE-gaining popularity, and that is the the mythical category.  I see more and more video game kits being sold and build.

I say WWII aircraft and armor is what is big in North America.  And. like Rob said, modern vehicles are slowly gaining popularity, specially with younger modelers. 

Fummy

I'm working in a manufacturer in Japan.

And would like to know which product is popular and selling well in North America or Europe.

Sorry if you don't like this kind of survey. 

What do you have planned so far?

You must have some subjects in mind and are checking here for validation.

Rob Gronovius

Modern armor and armored trucks are gaining popularity because of their relevance in the world today. Will all the conflicts going on, many people who may want to start model building may turn to see models of vehicles they see in the news to build.

Additionally, movie based models do well. Model kits based on vehicles seen in war movies or action movies, like Transformers, tend to do well.

Rob is dead on with this, getting a license from a movie, TV show, or Video game would bring in more money then you would know what to do with, especially big name franchises like Halo, just to name one.

Also, my favorite company, since I forgot to mention, is Bandai.  They make very nice products and while their prices do keep increasing with every price increase the quality and detail of their kits rise exponentially.

Modern armor and armored trucks are gaining popularity because of their relevance in the world today. Will all the conflicts going on, many people who may want to start model building may turn to see models of vehicles they see in the news to build.

Additionally, movie based models do well. Model kits based on vehicles seen in war movies or action movies, like Transformers, tend to do well.

As far as my favorite Japanese companies,I like Tamiya and Hasegawa.I like modern jets in 1/48'all armor in 1/35 and WWII ships in 1/350

Thank you very much.

I will talk to colleauges.

Well I can tell you WWII armor is one of the best sellers, specificly 1/35th scale. 

If your company is looking for subjects I SERIOUSLY suggest you to consider looking at subjects that are either done but are expensive (Fine molds japanese tanks) or aren't done that much at all, French tanks for example.

Also WWI is VASTLY untouched outside of planes and 1/72nd.  NEW WWI armor and figure kits would be a VERY welcome sight.

Also on that note, Medieval to Renaissance to Napoleonic era soldiers and artillery in 1/35th scale that are not solid pieces like Italiari would be EXTREMELY welcome by many people.

Thank you for your precious opinion. I definitely utilize this information for my work.

Fummy, The National Museum of the United States Air Force is into the last two years of the restoration of the "Memphis Belle", a national icon of the massive bombing effort over the Third Reich in WWII.  If you and your company were to engineer and produce the B-17F in 1/48 scale, you would realize great profits.  Nearly every airplane modeler in the free world would want to buy at least one.  You would have to produce a kit that had accurate detail and lots of interior components.  Surprisingly, modelers like to create great detail even though it eventually gets closed up in the body of the aircraft.  That is one little opinion from one modeler.  Rick.

I don't know what modeling subjects are the most popular but you've come to the right place.

Searching through this FSM site will give you an idea of the most popular manufactures and the strongest on-line retailers as well.

Since the forums are divided into subject sections, you be able to get a lot of information there about the most popular subjects as well.

Dan .

Umm..Thank you for your gentle erply. Not like a professional survey or any project. I just wanted to grasp what kind of product is selling well in North America.  I understand that MM is the most popular category in US.

MM  ->  Aircarft  -> Warship  -> Car/bike/truck

Any information is appreciated.

Or,...what would be your dream plastic model kit..?  ....dream car, dream ships..etc.

Fummy

It's not much a a survey since the questions are too vast and open. Possibly, if you could be more specific, more modelers here might answer.

As far as I've been able to tell, there are many truly knowledgeable modelers here and most are very friendly if you approach them correctly. What I don't know though, is if a survey of this type is against the forum rules.

Best of luck with your project.

Dan

I'm working in a manufacturer in Japan.

And would like to know which product is popular and selling well in North America or Europe.

Sorry if you don't like this kind of survey. 

Hello,I see you are new to the forums,welcome,why do you need to know,for your own info as which kit to buy,are you talking planes,ships,cars,or armor.or are you starting a business and looking for marketing info about which kits to stock,just wondering 

Depends, what subject matter do you like to build?  Cars, Planes, Tanks, Boats, Figures?

What is your favorite manufacturer?

And what was the best  kit?

Do you have any information of best sellers?

There are many model companies in Japan and they all sell to American markets. 

The most common ones you will find are... Tamiya, Fine Molds, Kotobukiya, and fujimi if I remember correctly.

You can find these in most, if not all American retailer's stock. 

For other countries there are many many companies from different countries, Zvedza for example is a Russian (I think, might be Ukraine) company that produces some very nice armor kits.

If you want a good look at all of the companies available in japan check this site out.  http://www.hlj.com/  It is one, if not the largest online store for model kits in that country and the best place to get new kits before they are available in North American retailers.