If you are discovering Chinese action figures for the first time, this guide covers the essentials: what the two main scales mean, which brands matter in each, and how collectors usually buy.

The two scales

  • 1/6 scale — one-sixth the size of a real person, roughly 12 inches (30 cm) tall. At this size, manufacturers can reproduce working zippers, fabric uniforms, metal weapon parts, and realistic head sculpts. It is the standard scale for high-end military collectibles.
  • 1/12 scale — about 6 inches (15 cm) tall. The fastest-growing corner of the hobby: smaller figures cost less, take up less shelf space, and still pack impressive articulation. A great entry point if you are just starting out.

The major Chinese brands

China dominates this segment of the hobby. The names to know first:

1/6 scale

  • DAMTOYS (DAM) — flagship-level detail; military figures plus stylized lines like Gangsters Kingdom.
  • EASY&SIMPLE (E&S) — best-in-class weapons and gear sets, plus full modern-military figures.
  • Soldier Story (SS) — veteran brand with a deep catalog across eras.
  • Rocket Toys — anime-style 1/6 figures (e.g. the Naruto ROC line).
  • Others worth exploring: DID, FLAGSET, and Mini Times each have their own followings and specialties.

1/12 scale

  • Romankey — original characters (Cocoon Series) plus hyper-articulated blank bodies popular with customizers.
  • SexyIce / 冰感工作室 — original “VERMIN” insect-themed series and the CRE cybernetic-android line.
  • A wave of smaller studios releases original 1/12 characters regularly — this is where the hobby is growing fastest.

How collectors buy

  1. Specialist retailers — online shops dedicated to the hobby stock new releases and take pre-orders, since popular figures can sell out. 1/12 figures are also widely available through general figure shops.
  2. Pre-order vs. in-stock — most figures are announced months ahead; pre-ordering secures your copy, often with a small deposit.
  3. Kit-bashing — many collectors mix parts across brands (an E&S rifle on a DAMTOYS body, for example). Because 1/6 is standardized, parts are broadly interchangeable.

A note on terminology

Overseas collectors usually say “action figures,” “1/6 figures” or “military figures.” In Chinese collector circles you will also see 兵人 (bīngrén, literally “soldier person”) for military figures, and the broader term 可动人偶 (kědòng rén’ǒu, “posable figures”) covering both 1/6 and 1/12.

Start with one figure from a major brand, and you will quickly understand why this corner of the hobby has such a devoted following.