Thanks to the ever knowledgeable Anthony, I learned that Bullmark (ブルマァク) was founded on the 4th of April, 1969. That makes today a pretty special day for the company, as it is marking its 50th Anniversary*. So, for that occasion, I thought it was well past due that we delineated the discussion linked with new Marusan releases, to celebrate this veritable giant and legend of the soft vinyl kaiju toy industry. _____________Happy 50th Bullmark!!!! __________お誕生日おめでとうございます。 Thank you for all the amazing memories, new and old, and wondrous things you have bestowed on fans of monster toys everywhere. The past years have held too many highlights to relate here, and I am sure within all our niches of collecting, we can find some common thread in the appreciation of this brand. Keep up the fantastic work for another 50, and may you always be a toy of the people, and a standard by which all others are measured. Thank you, and thank you. Sincere congratulations on a delightful half-century. As I don't have toys (or a camera) immediately on hand, please accept this somewhat humble tribute to Bullmark and its many, many delights. These happen to be of the vintage flavour, but my appreciation extends equally to its modern incarnation. May the Bullmark parade always continue! * yes, if we want to get technical there have been a few iterations after the '77 closure, but let's not split hairs, just enjoy toys! ** and yes, forgiveness please for some absent-minded photobombers in this collage. This is just the tip of a wider collection, but one which I hope can nevertheless serve as fitting tribute.
Oh wow, I feel awful, I didn't get Bullmark a card or anything. I did get presents, though. (For myself.)
Happy 50th Anniversary! M1GO reproduction header card signed by Saburo Ishizuki-san, co-founder and president of Bullmark. I would love to find a gojira-stamped vintage header some day. Not my photos below, but some favorites from my archive:
Wow amazing specimens guys, too much Bullmark love. @ultrakaiju I've always been curious about that copy of the Bullmark story, Steve would appreciate it if you could share some inside pictures of the book with me. @deafmetal Mark those Hawaiian version Gojiras are just amazing, I volunteer to adopt the flesh color and blue Goji. Thanks for share your Bullmark love!
I have some from a while back, which I think I posted here before, but this is as good a place to bring them up again. Not amazing photos, unfortunately, so I apologise for the quality and resolution, but hopefully it gives you a small taste of what a great book this is. (I can't believe I even sold an extra copy of this back in the day). A Bullmark Story:
@xSuicide Squadx - The human-size Gomora is just insane. Could you imagine having that around? Speaking of Gigan, ever seen this variant before? Seems to be on flesh vinyl. I have only seen this one example.
If I owned that life sized Gomora my lady would have to get her own bed. That would seriously be THE coolest thing I could possibly own/collect! And I have never once seen that Gigan before! Of any production company or value! Where was this image taken from, if I may?
It took some digging to re-unearth this photo, and I hope that Koji doesn't mind me sharing it here, but if we are going to get into a discussion on life-size versions and toy displays, this has always been my go to:
Excellent thread and great content everyone. It so happened that while reading your thread on Bullmark’s birthday I was wearing my Bullmark tee and drinking coffee from my Bullmark mug . I’m not big on labels on clothing and such...but I make an exception when it comes to Bullmark. I’ve got a few gems to photograph and add to thread later this weekend. Thanks for creating this thread Steve.
Yahoo auction in 2011: I have seen other rare figures from the seller with the Winnie The Pooh backdrop. Some more Bullmark favorites, not my photos (let me know if any should be removed):
Bullmark is what got me started on this weird journey. My father brought me back my first Bullmark, a Takkong from Return of Ultraman, from his trip to Japan in 1973. It hypnotized me and I wish I still had it. I really have to get one to replace it one of these days. I also hope to track down that Bullmark book one day!
Yeah, it is the little connections like this which build this hobby, I think. This is always a great story, no matter how many times I hear it. You should be able to track down the Takkong, Doug; they can be found fairly easily. I actually should add, that it is kind of funny, because I think a vintage Takkong was my first foray into the area as well, and is actually what led me to discover Skullbrain!
Yuji of M1 has a Jirass. If I remember correctly there is a picture in one of his books with Yakan Nabe in the arms of the Jirass.
And last year at that big Mandarake auction there was a giant display Eleking head that went up as well.
Photo from Fujiwara-san of Astro Zombies Instagram today. The person in the photo is not Fujiwara. They are at the home of Yuji (M1).
Let's celebrate some very rare vintage glow vinyl kaiju. Photos stolen from the Aucfan archive. Zazahn: Minilla (Shimada engraving): What was the first glow vinyl kaiju sofubi?
