A couple random shots from IG: View this post on Instagram View this post on Instagram So good. Love the chunkiness of the sculpt. Facial expression and eyes are wonderful and slightly goofy to match some of the absurdity of the 4th form ShinGoji. I'm reading only 40 of these were made. I'm floating a few inches off the ground knowing one of these is currently flying across the Pacific toward my home.
40??? That seems crazy to me. I mean, it sure seemed like there were more than 40 made of the each of the 2nd and 3rd forms...and I figured they'd make enough of the 4th to complete all those sets out there...
I would be interested in any confirmation of that number. I read it on an IG comment. It is a large toy, so could potentially be lower numbers pulled due to all the factors involved.
I just got to check out the 4th form Shin Goji here yesterday and oh MAN it's amazing. I really hope I can get one in the future. It's exactly up my alley showing a fully modern kaiju in total Showa-era glory.
Doug, I hope you are able to land one. It will be interesting to see if other vinyl colors will be pulled for this mold. It looks monstrous on a shelf. Here it is compared with an Iwakura mini: I love this big bastard:
After seeing Meiomon in person this past weekend, I admit I'm a little intrigued. Is this the first version of this that they've released? And is the body the same one from the Baragon they did way back when they started? (The one in the two-pack with Godzilla that can latch onto his arm.)
Just picked up my very first sunguts, a lovely tylosaurus from five points fest. Really dug all of them in person, might have to track down a form 3 Shin Godzilla as that was one of my favorite films in years.
Hadn't noticed that Meet Zombie, is that a new piece based off the VAG series? Or has it been around pre-VAG?
Yeah, i thought that last night too. Unbelievably cheap if we are talking US dollars. WTF? Pretty sure its the original VAG Series 3
They are in US dollars. Those were for the Five Points Festival in New York this past weekend. @Roger - First time I am seeing the Baragon body on it. So might be the first release of this version? I prefer the original body design.
Damn, that is a good example of how much money flippers make from Sunguts. Those prices are insanely good value. Its actually kind of depressing.
He had a sign up with the toys saying that he didn't speak English and to either point to the toy or bring someone over who spoke Japanese. I should have grabbed a translator and let him know that he should be selling them for 5x the price! Things were mostly sold out by around 3 pm the first day.
The question should be, how are some makers getting away with charging high prices for minis that have zero charm compared to Sunguts? But to address the actual question, I think he is relying on cheaper prices = selling higher volume/selling out every show, which means no cost/hassle in bringing things back home as a bonus. Some guys choose to have $50 profit on a figure but that means they are selling a mini for $65 which they may only sell one of.. if Sunguts charges $25 for a mini and let's say makes $10 profit, chances are he will sell a stack of them and leave with more cash in his pocket and in turn, more fans owning his toys.
I like this guy. I'm thinking they may have gotten inspiration from a prehistoric turtle but he really reminds me of a Chinese Big Head Turtle (link). I think it's cool that they're designing these vinyls so that he can do the head swaps easily. Very forward-thinking.
Was surprised by the prices as well. Used to spending $30-40 on the minis, so $25 is a steal. 5Points figures actually went down in price (Azuki was $30 last year)... rare occurrence in this hobby to say the least. Considering that stock lasted into the afternoon (opposed to basically cleaned out 1hr after open ie: last year), I would assume larger runs/lower production cost/cheaper pricetags. Smart move on Sunguts’ part and a win/win scenario for him and his fans.
That, is a particularly excellent question. I've always had the impression that Sunguts has never really understood how many Gaijin toy collectors love his toys. All the non-Japanese Honpo junkies, that would love to buy his stuff retail straight from the source. The amount of Kitaro figures he's released that I've missed out on, and the fucked prices they go for on the secondary market - it just makes me sick People are making a lot of cash off his back. Its a shame. Edit: I appreciate that Mizuki toys have licensing issues, but being the premier GeGeGe no Kitaro toy maker in the world, surely he could swing a deal. Is anyone going to argue he's not the best Mizuki character sculpter working today?
Tadayoshi prices at Five Points Festival is on par with what he charges in Japan. Example his Breast Goddess and the majority of them are 2700 yen in Japan. With the US exchange rate for 2700 yen it falls a little under $25.
I'm glad they were so affordable in person, it gives me hope that if I attend any shows he's at in the future I can expect similar prices. Meanwhile I'm going back and forth on whether or not to get the bright red shin Godzilla 3rd form or the glittery flesh 3rd form for $$$.. decisions, decisions. Anyone have these on hand wanna weigh in?