Alright, Mr. Smartypants - I'll go as far as admitting that they tend to look a little better outside of their boxes... ...but c'mon now! M1号 m1 M1GO yujimade "Kaiju Booska" "Comfort beast" trike tricycle SAN repro Marusan sofubi toys mini squeaky 快獣ブースカ
Bringing Up Minya Self-indulgent, you say? Maybe... but who am I hurting, I ask you? M1? M1 M1Go Goji Godzilla MiraGoji Minya Minilla Bullmark Marusan repro mini midi Yujimade walker bank trike tricycleToho
I've finally completed collecting the full run of mid-size Hedorahs so I thought I'd share pics and post proper release info for those interested. I was already a big M1 fan, but once I held these in my hand, they took my appreciation for M1 to a whole new level. The standard size M1 repros, which I still enjoy greatly, have the charm of their heritage, the imperfections of the original Bullmark sculpt, and the mind blowing variety of M1s' releases which I appreciated vicariously thru Ian's (aka smo9monster) photos and inspiring collection. But these mid-size figures are sculpted with a smoothness and graphic quality that's as if U.S toys or Gargamel helped sculpt or clean-up, while still retaining the Bullmark design. In my opinion, a beautiful combination. Also, the quality of the paint application on these figures really goes beyond anything I've seen in larger figures, let alone this size. Each and every mid-size Hedorah is a small, precious treasure. I <3 M1. M1 mid-size Hedorah official releases in chronological order: Tokyo Version Mid-size Hedorah • Bagged w/header • Release Date: March 2010 - Mail order • Limited to ? sets • Retail Price - 2,100 Yen Hawaii Version Mid-size Hedorah with Egg • 2 figures in M1 Egg - One Toho & one Tsuburaya figure • Release Date: May 2010 - Beams store "Lottery Draw" • Limited to ? sets • Retail Price - 3,150 Yen Set A • 3 figures in large Hedorah Eye • Header has "A" sticker • Release Date: July 2010 - Wonder Festival • Limited to 115 sets • Retail Price - 7,000 Yen Set B • 3 figures in large Hedorah Eye • Header has "B" sticker • Release Date: July 2010 - Wonder Festival • Limited to 115 sets • Retail Price - 7,000 Yen Set C • 3 figures in large Hedorah Eye ( Eye is similar to A & B eye except for yellow and slight glitter embedded ) • Header has no sticker • Release Date: August 2010 - Mail order • Limited to ? sets • Retail Price - 7,350 Yen Beams Set #1 • 3 figures in large Glow Hedorah Eye • Header has "Tokyo Cultuart Beams" Sticker • Release Date: June 2011 - Beams Gallery • Limited to 50 sets • Retail Price - 7,350 Yen I'm not sure if these unpainted versions were test shots or not, but I could have sworn I saw a pic somewhere that showed a bunch of unpainted mid-size Hedorahs being sold at a show or were part of a lottery. If anyone has any more info, please feel free to chime in.
Congratulations on getting them all! They look terrific as a group! I always really liked the Beams GID eye.
Fantastic set, congrats on getting complete on them. While I have a soft spot for the full size and minis, I can really see that these don't get enough love. The classic Tokyo is my favourite of course, but I really like the orange one from the Beams' eye.
Damn impressive set. Congrats on completing it. The group shots are great. If this doesn't convert nonbelievers, I don't know what will.
Thanks guys! ^ Holy crap!? @ Russ; Is that photo of the shelved Hedorahs a Beams one-off show? Tell me more! ; )
Yes it is! Pulled from kaijutaro's amazing flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaiju-taro/sets/72157622023141467/with/3858747340/ I hope others who have complete sets will make similar databases
GREAT post, Ralph- congrats, and very well-said on why this figure rocks! On a whim, I bought one of these little guys a while back (the red-based one in your Set B pic, on the right), and damned if it didn’t become a strong fave of mine. The sculpt is beautiful, hitting all the notes you spoke of above, and Yuji’s paint app is sublime- needs to be seen in person to truly be appreciated. The way he very strategically left the red base showing through at the edges of the figure from a straight-on view is nothing but marvelous. I’ve often felt like this little Hedorah could be an ideal reference prop the next time I have to give the Why I Love This Stuff rap to a non-initiate.
I've never been a colorway completest, but I do so love the feeling of finishing up a personal run whatever the criterion - congrats on a project well-completed! Adding gorgeous pics and thorough documentation to the project? Wow, Ralph - perfection! I briefly caught the completest bug when these guys first started showing up, but I quickly slapped my own hand and kept it too just one - first the Zazahn tribute and now just the Hawaiian - but it makes me glad to know that the vicarious thrill of being around the lot of them is only a day trip away. When do we meet, my Midwestern brother? Thank you, by the way, to those on this page that had nice things to say about my Goji party up above; it's appreciated. And Chris - yes, that's my yard that they're playing in. Okay, people - more photo essays, STAT!
^ HaHa! After trying to collect every Gargamel Zag official release, and being only two away, I gave up! I thought of myself as being utterly foolish, especially since I didn't even like a third of the color-ways, and vowed never to be a completist again! Then these guys came out. With six releases, albeit some a bit challenging, these seemed within reach AND I've loved essentially every color version. Not to mention, at a cost that didn't require me selling a kidney. ; ) And yes, anytime you are south of Cleveland, give a holler! A meet-up of kaiju fans would be stupendous! We also have friends in Detroit so we make the three hour trek once in a while. Makers fair and Theater Bizzare at the Masonic Temple are a BLAST big time!
Or you can get up close an personal with every hedorah from Dennis' old photo set of that Beams event: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vinylriot/ ... 305083822/ You know barely any of those one off Hedorah turned up on YJA after that event. Only a handful (still have most of the auction pics) and they all seemed to go for quite a bit. I'm actually surprised I never picked up a M1 mid size Hedorah. Weird. I've always loved Set C and the Glow Eye set (oh and of course the tokyo and hawaiian versions). Great pics Ralph!
^ Thanks Chris! Those Beams pics Dennis took are mind blowing! Did Yuji Nishimura paint all those Hedorahs himself????
Wonderful collection, Ralph. My guess is that those unpainted mid-size you have are ring toss prizes from shows like Superfestival and Wonderfestival.
@ ungawa222; You hit the nail on the head! Once I actually held one in hand, it was over. These guys are little gems! @ Mark K; Thanks Mark, that makes sense. I know I saw a pic of a variety of unpainted versions. I'll keep digging.
Those Minis are AWESOME!!! I literally just bought my first two based on these images and because I think they will look great with my new started full-sized collection! Thanks for sharing! Beautiful stuff!
Awesome collection, Ralph. And thanks for putting them in chrono order. At one time I was going to try to complete the midsize hedos too but I gave up. Glad you finished the job.
Gah! My two favourite versions - together no less. What a picture Ralph, I love it. I am not even from Detroit, but heck yes, I dig it just the same. Great sign.
Wow Ralph, that's quite an accomplishment! Thanks for sharing the collection pics. That first one on the sideboard looks great. Always wanted to snag a few of those.
