Academy Plastic Model
Academy Plastic Model is a South Korean manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer (founded 1969) producing plastic model kits, licensed character toys (Pokémon, Minions, Street Fighter), air guns, educational science kits, and board games through its academy.co.kr storefront and nationwide retail network, serving hobbyists, families, and educational institutions in Korea.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1969
- HeadquartersUijeongbu, South Korea
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Academy Plastic Model does
Academy Plastic Model (아카데미과학) is a South Korean manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer of plastic model kits, licensed character toys, air guns/B.B. guns, educational science kits, board games, and radio-controlled products, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do. The company's core technology centers on plastic model manufacturing (in scales from 1/35 to 1/144), die-cast toy production, and proprietary platforms such as the 4D Color Kit color-coded assembly system and AGX air gun line with metal conversion barrels. It operates a portfolio of nine sub-brands including Pocket Kit, Moncole (Pokémon), Pocket Piece (squishy toys), AGX, Robocar Poli, Ttobot, Mekander V, Giga Builder, and 4D Color Kit.
The business runs a vertically integrated B2C model: products are sold through the company's own e-commerce storefront (academy.co.kr), direct brand retail locations, and a nationwide Korean sales/reseller network, with prices ranging from 2,500 KRW entry-level items to 76,000 KRW premium collector sets. Customer segments split across hobbyist consumers, children and families, competitive model-building enthusiasts, and educational institutions. The company holds licensing agreements with major global entertainment brands — Pokémon Company, Universal Pictures (Minions), Capcom (Street Fighter), Universal Studios (Jurassic World), Bandai Namco (Mega Man), KRAFTON (PUBG Battlegrounds), Spin Master (Tech Deck), and BabyBus — making licensed IP content a central revenue driver alongside proprietary model kits.
The current legal representative is CEO Kim Myeong-gwan (김명관); former Chairman Kim Sun-hwan (김순환), a foundational figure, passed away on 2025-03-02 at age 92. The company remains privately held with no parent organization, no disclosed funding rounds, and no public-market listing. Operating geography is domestic (South Korea), with no public claim of global footprint, and the firm maintains marketing channels across YouTube, Naver Blog, Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook alongside traditional TVCM advertising and model-building contests.
Academy Plastic Model firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Academy Plastic Model
- Legal name
- (주)아카데미과학
- Website
- https://academy.co.kr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1969
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Academy Plastic Model is a South Korean manufacturer and direct-to-consumer retailer (founded 1969) producing plastic model kits, licensed character toys (Pokémon, Minions, Street Fighter), air guns, educational science kits, and board games through its academy.co.kr storefront and nationwide retail network, serving hobbyists, families, and educational institutions in Korea.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Academy Plastic Model industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Toys and Hobby Products
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Office Supplies, Stationery, and Gift Retailers (4594)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944), Dolls & Stuffed Toys (3942)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scale Model Kits (Aircraft, Armor, Ships, Cars) (CRALAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hobby & Model Kits Distribution (RC, Scale Models, Miniatures) (CRAOAMAD), Educational & Learning Toys Retail (CRALAFAB), Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused) (EDAMADAN), Educational & Hobby Robotics Kits (Consumer) (CRACARAG)
Keywords
Where Academy Plastic Model is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Uijeongbu
- HQ country
- South Korea
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
Academy Plastic Model business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Plastic Model Sales: Revenue from plastic model kits including military aircraft, vehicles, and figures in various scales (1/35, 1/48, 1/72, 1/144)
- Toy and Figure Sales: Sales of licensed character toys including Pokémon, Minions, Street Fighter, Jurassic World, and original character products
- Air Gun/Gel Blaster Sales: Air-powered toy guns and gel ball blasters including electric models and accessories
- Educational Science Kit Sales: Science educational materials including wind-powered planes, robotics kits, and Da Vinci series mechanical models
- Board Game Sales: Board games including original titles and licensed IP games
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level models and small toys |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range plastic models and toys |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium/large-scale models and collector items |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Academy Plastic Model product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Academy Plastic Model is a Korean manufacturer and direct-to-consumer seller of scale plastic model kits (military aircraft, tanks, vehicles, naval vessels in 1/35 to 1/144 scales), licensed character toys and figures (Pokémon, Minions, Street Fighter, Jurassic World), air-powered B.B. guns and gel blasters, STEM educational science kits, board games, and radio-controlled vehicles. The company sells its products primarily through its own e-commerce storefront (academy.co.kr) and a nationwide retail store network in South Korea.
Product overview
Academy Plastic Model (주)아카데미과학 is a Korean toy and plastic model manufacturer offering a diverse product portfolio across multiple categories. The company operates primarily as a B2C e-commerce business through its direct online store (academy.co.kr) with a direct sales model. The core product lines include: (1) Plastic Model Kits under the Academy brand and 4D Color Kit sub-brand featuring military models (aircraft, tanks, naval vessels) in scales 1/35 to 1/144; (2) Air Guns/B.B. Guns under the AGX brand and own brand including pistols and rifles; (3) Licensed Character Toys including Pokémon (Moncole series), Minions (Minions 3 series), Street Fighter action figures; (4) Squishy Toys under the Pocket Piece brand; (5) Transformers-style Giga Builder and Mekan V conversion robots; (6) Board Games including Battlegrounds and original titles; (7) Science Education Materials for STEM learning including wind-up models and robots; (8) Radio Control vehicles and drones. The company holds licensing agreements with major franchises including Pokémon, Minions, Street Fighter, and operates its own proprietary brands for plastic models and toys.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- 포켓키트 (Pocket Kit): Pocket-sized model kit brand featuring miniature models
- 몬콜레 (Moncole)
- 포켓피스 (Pocket Piece)
- AGX
- 로보카 폴리 (Robocar Poli)
- 또봇 (Ttobot)
- 메칸더V (Mekander V)
- 기가빌더 (Giga Builder)
- 4D 컬러키트 (4D Color Kit)
Products and services
- Plastic Model Kits (프라모델) Military-themed scale plastic model kits featuring aircraft, tanks, military vehicles, and naval vessels in scales ranging from 1/35 to 1/144, including historically accurate models with detailed decals and parts. Targeted at hobbyists and collectors.
- Air Guns / Air B.B. Guns (에어건/에어 BB건) B.B. gun and air gun products including pistols, rifles, and related accessories under the AGX brand. Includes electric models and accessories for recreational shooting.
- Toys (완구) - Licensed Character Toys Children's character toys and figures including licensed products from Pokémon (Moncole), Minions, Street Fighter, Jurassic World, Mega Man, Battlegrounds, BabyBus, and others. Includes squishy toys, action figures, plush toys, and collectible items for children and collectors.
- Board Games (보드게임) Tabletop and party board games including licensed titles like PUBG: Battlegrounds Last One, Hi-Five, and Run&Gun, as well as original game titles.
- Science Education Materials (과학교재) Educational science kits and toys for STEM learning including rubber band airplanes, dinosaur robots, wind-up cars, half-wheel robots, radio-controlled devices, and mechanical models (Da Vinci series).
- Radio Control / R/C Vehicles (무선조종) Radio-controlled vehicles, robots, and drones including Robocar Poli, transformable robot toys, and various R/C cars and helicopters.
- 4D Color Kit (4D 컬러키트) Universal 4D plastic model kits with color-coding system for easier assembly, including military vehicles, aircraft, and automotive models with multi-material components for enhanced realism.
Companies that use Academy Plastic Model
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Academy Plastic Model technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Academy Plastic Model partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Academy Plastic Model competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Bandai: Japanese toy giant producing Gundam plastic models, character figures and licensed toys globally. Overlaps with Academy on plastic models and licensed character products but operates at vastly greater scale across geographies; also a licensor (Mega Man) to Academy.
- Takara Tomy: Major Japanese toy and hobby company producing Transformers (a direct comparison point to Academy's Giga Builder line), licensed character toys and scale products. Broader incumbent with overlapping product categories, similar licensing-driven product roadmap and hobbyist retail reach.
Direct peers
- Airfix: Iconic UK plastic model kit brand producing aircraft, military vehicles and figures in standard hobbyist scales. Direct peer to Academy's military scale-model line with overlapping customer demographics and similar entry-level-to-collector pricing tiers.
- Kotobukiya: Japanese manufacturer of plastic model kits, scale figures and collectibles under multiple brands. Compares to Academy on scale models, action figures and licensed IP product development for hobbyist and collector segments.
- Tamiya: Tamiya is the global benchmark for plastic scale model kits (aircraft, armor, ships, cars) and RC vehicles. Directly comparable to Academy's core plastic model and RC product lines, sharing the same hobbyist customer base, scale offerings (1/35, 1/48, 1/72) and direct-to-consumer retail distribution model.
- Hasegawa Corporation: Japanese plastic model kit manufacturer specializing in aircraft, military vehicles and character models. Directly comparable to Academy on scale plastic models in 1/48 and 1/72 grades, with similar R/C and hobbyist retail channels through domestic online stores.
- Trumpeter (Hobby Model Kit): Chinese plastic model maker focused on military armor, aircraft and ships across multiple scales. Directly competes with Academy's military scale-model portfolio on the same global hobbyist shelves and online marketplaces.
- Young Toys: Korean toy manufacturer known for licensed character toys (Pororo, Turning Mecard) and similar product breadth spanning figures, R/C and educational products. Compares to Academy on domestic Korean market share, licensed-IP strategy, and direct-to-consumer retail presence.
- Revell: German/US plastic model manufacturer of military aircraft, armor and ships under Revell and Revell Germany brands. Directly comparable to Academy on scale models, licensed tie-ins, and hobbyist retail distribution across multiple geographies.
- Sonokong: Korean toy company and major Gundam/character plastic model distributor in Korea. Directly comparable to Academy on licensed plastic models, character figures and broader Korean toy retail distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Academy Plastic Model social profiles
Digital presenceAcademy Plastic Model financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Academy Plastic Model leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Academy Plastic Model funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Academy Plastic Model M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Academy Plastic Model
What does Academy Plastic Model do?
Academy Plastic Model is a Korean manufacturer and direct-to-consumer seller of scale plastic model kits (military aircraft, tanks, vehicles, naval vessels in 1/35 to 1/144 scales), licensed character toys and figures (Pokémon, Minions, Street Fighter, Jurassic World), air-powered B.B. guns and gel blasters, STEM educational science kits, board games, and radio-controlled vehicles. The company sells its products primarily through its own e-commerce storefront (academy.co.kr) and a nationwide retail store network in South Korea.
Is Academy Plastic Model a public or private company?
Academy Plastic Model is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Academy Plastic Model founded?
Academy Plastic Model was founded in 1969. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Academy Plastic Model based?
Academy Plastic Model is headquartered in Uijeongbu, South Korea, in the Asia region.
How does Academy Plastic Model make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Plastic Model Sales are the primary driver. The others are toy and Figure Sales, air Gun/Gel Blaster Sales, educational Science Kit Sales and board Game Sales.
Who are Academy Plastic Model's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Bandai and Takara Tomy. Direct peers are Airfix, Kotobukiya, Tamiya, Hasegawa Corporation, Trumpeter (Hobby Model Kit), Young Toys, Revell and Sonokong.
Does Academy Plastic Model have an API?
No public API is recorded for Academy Plastic Model.
What industry is Academy Plastic Model in?
Academy Plastic Model's product category is Toys and Hobby Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAKAA, Scale Model Kits (Aircraft, Armor, Ships, Cars), with a secondary code of CRAOAMAD, Hobby & Model Kits Distribution (RC, Scale Models, Miniatures). Its NAICS code is 339930 and its SIC code is 3944.