Well, we had that project underway via Sanjeev about replicating some of the weapons some time back, not sure what the status is of it now. But anyhow, Jonathan posted a decent pic of one from an auction he saved: NA sword (no scabbard). I also know that Jordan has one with the original scabbard (you can see it just above in his post) so maybe he can document that for us as well.
This is an image of a full figure, with original sword and scabbard. I do not know what you guys think, but I prefer the original to the replica weapons. Although a full figure looks better, there is something with replicas that does not leave me totally satisfied, and that may encourage unscrupulous people to sell them as originals at a higher prices. Note:The image is not mine, it is from an old auction from YJP.
Oh, without question Roger. There is no doubt we would all like original pieces, and I am sure no one on the board would ever try and pass a replica off for anything else. These were just a little idea we had for SBers only (i.e. no intention of selling them or anything) to use as replacements/placeholders for those who couldn't manage to find a complete version. Sanjeev does some incredible work on his own projects, completely separate from his SB side of things, and I think it was just an interesting idea to see if we could extend that to apply to some vintage toys which are frequently incomplete. I am a purist in many senses too, so I can completely understand your point of view, it isn't for everyone, but I don't see any issue either with sort of helping out our little community to fulfill some dream wants.
Sorry maybe I did not express myself in the right way, I was not referring to you, the members of the board or the work @Sanjeev is doing. I think there are more people who have access to this new technology like 3D printers and can use them to make replicas and introduce them to the market, as has happened with other lines like starwars (especially those made in Mexico by Lily Ledy) or MOTU or even some Jumbo Machinder. As for the replicas do not leave me totally satisfied; It's something personal, it's happened to me that I've seen some Ninja Arashi bootlegs that just need the chain belt and it's something as simple as going to Hobby Lobby and buying a piece of gold chain and putting it on, but maybe I'm too obsessive but I can not do it. I ask you an apology if somehow I may have offended someone on the board.
Thanks guys. That's the sword/scabbard combo I figured was original, but I've also seen unopened bagged Bandai pics with a grey hilted sword. I'm trying to figure out if there were two variants made by Bandai. I'm also an original only collector. If someone wants to make repros, they should be made in a different color or clearly marked in some way. Otherwise they eventually make their way into the wild and mess things up - which is what's happened with Star Wars accessories.
Oh, not at all Roger! Sorry if that came off sounding defensive or the wrong way. I was just offering that for the purpose of clarification for anyone who might be reading this and wasn't aware of the background. No offence at all was taken. Funny you mentioned the Star Wars repros, because that is something that came to mind immediately as well, but as far as I am concerned is a whole different beast (and something I don't understand either, but that is besides the point). I don't really think you guys are getting the proper impression from these. It's not something that is going to be in anyone's collection but people on here, we are talking maybe 2 or 3 swords (or whatever it might be). But anyways, flogging a deceased equine and all. To each their own, and there are as many opinions on here as there are members.
Thanks for sharing those pics Roger. Yeah, I had seen a grey hilted version too, but nice to see confirmation of that with the packaged fellas. Even though maybe it makes more sense, personally I prefer the red hilt; though let's be honest, either is just dandy!
Yep, there's the grey fellow. Funny thing is I've seen pics of both of those katana variations in unopened bags. But there are so many shenanigans with the 8" Arashis that it's hard to know what's right.
Yeah, absolutely no offense taken. In fact, I think this is an important discussion to come back to every now and then. I tend to agree: I definitely prefer original accessories and whatnot for my own collection. But that said, I'm pretty sure my odds of scoring a vintage sword and scabbard for my Arashi (not to mention the weapons for the rest of the figures in the line) is next to zero. For me, I just use one of those super-detailed diecast swords meant for fancy 1/6 dolls. There's ABSOLUTELY no way someone will ever mistake it for a genuine vintage accessory....but the most important thing is that it "completes" the toy for me in a perfectly satisfactory way. My henshin-samurai hero now has a weapon to wield! What's better than that??? And as for replicas (resin-cast, 3D-printed, or otherwise), I also agree that they should be done in some way that clearly marks them as replicas. Then again, if you can't tell that a part was 3D-printed, then you got other, more-pressing problems to deal with... For example, here's skullbrain's own prometheum5's Star Wars accessories that have been getting a lot of press lately: https://prometheusrising.net/2017/01/14/prhi-kenner-star-wars-accessories-available-on-shapeways/ As if the rocky texture of the 3D-printed polyamide material isn't already a dead giveaway, he further chops an "R"-shaped hole into each weapon's handle. That makes sense to me.
I have to agree with Sanjeev, while I certainly see the preference for original accessories- finding these vintage toys complete with them is a daunting and expensive task! I have no issue with arming any vintage toy I own with a replica accessory. I'd even take that further with how far 3D printing has come to include removable masks and helmets. Every single time I look at my Bandai Giant sized Thundermask or Ultra Ace I'm annoyed neither has the removable mask. I mean can't complain too much I got both of them on YJA for under 5000-6000 yen each years ago which were steals. Still I long for the masks which I know I'll never find by themselves. Heres hoping more people take up the missing toy accessory cause and turn it into a burgeoning industry!
+1 for drilling an obvious hole in it to make it 100% clear that it's a fake. For a lot of these weapons (such as the Arashi sword and enemy weapons) 95% of collectors have never seen an authentic one in person. So they won't know the difference between real and fake. Drill a hole in it, and it's crystal clear. If you want a replacement weapon, that's totally cool. But replacements that try to be *exactly* the same as the originals just screw things up long term.
I fully understand your point guys (@ultrakaiju, @Lixx, @Sanjeev,); having a full figure looks better when you have it on display and in most cases have the weapon or a helmet repro,is the only way to complete a figure. As the Ninja Arashi universe is not as vast as; Starwars, MOTU or GiJoe, there may be no confusion as to which weapon belongs to which character, but as @andy says: most of us have not seen and maybe never see an original weapon, so we do not have a reference to be able to differentiate the authentic from the fake. But I think it's one of the good things about the board, that everyone sometimes has a different opinion. Personally I feel that I learn a lot from you, because I have relatively less time collecting and still have so much to learn from the vintage sofubi. Best regards!
Well, just because we've got pics of the other version posted above, thought I might as well collect and save some other large photos of the red-handled sword version packaged here, confirming both available options, and so we can always come check some detail on the packaging. (and I can stare at them ever so longingly) These are some big pics, so click to embiggen at your leisure.
Nice jumbo photos. A bit of an update. I've contacted multiple local experts, and the jury is still out. There's a possibility that one of the unopened figures shown above was repackaged. Can't say definitively yet that there are two variations, but it's my working theory. Incidentally, some of the discussion has zeroed in on the holes (or lack thereof) in the sword guard. They can be clearly seen in the pics of of the unopened red-hilted sword, but not the grey one. If anyone has a clear pic of the grey sword guard for an unopened figure, please post, since it could prove clearer evidence that the sword hilt/guard came in two variants: grey and red.
Cool man, thanks for posting. I believe I've seen this hilt/sword guard configuration: Grey hilt + solid grey (ie. no holes) sword guard. Like yourself, I've only seen one loose. What's really interesting is this is a completely different mold from the red hilt + sword guard with holes. My theory (shared by one of the local experts I talked with) is that we're looking at a color variant of the sword guard with holes - either red or grey. (And if that holds true, then these grey guards w/out holes are knockoffs.) But if we can find clear evidence of the grey sword guard w/out holes in a couple of sealed (and clearly not resealed) packages, then we're looking at two completely different molds for the accessory. That would be huge, since very few toys even came with weapons in the first place in the early 70s. Fun stuff.
Thanks for the information @andy ,I wish we could talk to someone who had worked during those years in Bandai in the production of Ninja Arashi figures, we would get out of many doubts. I will continue looking for photos to try to corroborate your theory.
Thank you very much @andy , in general it is in good condition; only the left arm is a little loose and in the right hand has a small peeling paint. It does not have the weapon either, but none of my licensed figures have them
Hi @Mr. Humphreys, I remembered that I had seen a chapter where it appears Doku Utsubo, I already found it but the downside is that it is the Thai version without subtitles. Grace If you want to see it appear from minute 8:34 I hope you enjoy it. Best regards!
THANK YOU ROGER!!! That was really fun to watch! Doku Utsubo is a bit creepy (although in the movie, he's "funny creepy" ). While I do admire the toy, it's still to scary for the poor little buta, who would all huddle in a corner if I brought one home . Thank you for posting and sharing the video, that was really neat!
Lovely toy Roger, I think you are being far to critical, he looks to be in gorgeous shape! Another really spectacular villain. This just encapsulates both that incredible wonder and creativity that is tokusatsu villains, as well as the excellent execution of great monsters in vinyl. Doku Utsubo really has some excellent sculpting and proportion work, really I can't fault any aspect of him. And the lovely paint, right now to the smeared lipstick mouth, it is all so perfect. The whole series from Bandai never stops impressing me, and I hope to add a few more to my collection in the years to come. Congratulations on getting a really nice figure there man, and thanks for sharing all those photos of him.
