The story
Founded by Takanori Aki in 2001, in Japan.1
Good Smile Company was founded by Aki Takanori in May 2001 as an event management and talent company. The company began working with Max Factory on hobby related products which would soon become the main focus of the company. It is now primarily involved in the planning, production, manufacturing and sales of markets accessories, figures and toys.
The company's attempt to sue its former executives in 2020 was met with a counter-lawsuit, which notably alleged that Good Smile Company invested in 4chan. This claim was later confirmed in a partnership agreement that was obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, revealing that Good Smile Company invested $2.4 million and acquired a 30% share when Hiroyuki Nishimura purchased 4chan for $8 million in 2015. Following significant media coverage, the company would publish a statement that its relationship with 4chan was limited and severed in June 2022.
In August 2025, the company temporarily halted its US shipments due to tariffs imposed by the US government as well as the US cancelling tariff exemptions for packages worth less than US$800. In 2026, it was announced that Good Smile Company was collaborating with Crypton Future Media to develop the video game Hatsune Miku: Starry Party, which is scheduled to release in 2027.
From Wikipedia’s article on Good Smile Company, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4