Not one, but two Marusan OGs outside? That would pull me in, instantly, no matter what type of shop or bar it was. Definitely my kind of establishment. I think I spy an original Goji on the standup inside, can't quite make it out as the head's almost gorilla-like, but the arm very much looks the part.
i love the idea of pop up Kaiju shops,it reminds me of doing mini record shops in squats,out of the van at parties etc.Great opportunities to make contacts and everyone comes in with the intention of finding something special.
I fully agree, Daniel. Thank you again to @chimply.kaiju for this tip -- I asked Mr. Eiji Kaminaga on FB how many of each color/spray variant were created for both the Godzilla 60th Anniversary (350-size, 2014 preorder) and 62nd Anniversary (450-size, 2016 preorder) collections: We were all close with our guesses, but I hope this is direct from the source. Here are the two versions from the 60th Anniversary 350 series from 2014 that I have picked up so far: #28 - Bullmark blue/gold mid-size goji tribute -- #35 - Bullmark Hawaiian metallic green "loose" tribute. This series is the thickest and densest vinyl I have ever seen from Marusan. They feel like solid art objects in your hand, and my two do not suffer from some of the bent legs on the thinner vinyl reissues. These figures are a few mm smaller that similar 350-sized Marusan reissues. I have seen quite a few different variants pop up on the aftermarket for ~5K - 12K JPY depending on the appeal of the color palette. I am looking to buy or trade for #11, #15, #19, #24, #29, #30, #36, #47, #52, and #57. No rush though, as I have the rest of my life to work on this set. I have small jpegs of the original 2014 catalog below (click the Spoiler button), and would also be interested in a copy of the paper catalog if anybody has one to let go. Spoiler: Click Here
Thanks for following up on the production numbers. That #35 350 Goji is much more interesting now that I can see the yellow spray on its spines. I like that one a lot. To answer @deafmetal 's earlier question on the vinyl quality for the 450s, it doesn't seem to be unusually heavy. I don't have much experience with the older Marusan reissues. The thickness and heft seems comparable to M1s.
@akum6n - You are welcome. Happy to share info if you are all interested. Also, thanks for the note about the 450 you picked up. I have an unpainted glow 350 from the same time period in 2014 as the 60-versions, and it's also very dense and thick vinyl (and glows like crazy). Perhaps it was just the mold/plant they used that year that these figures turned out that way. I missed a chance to snag #5 recently, and I now regret it. Here is a photo of that one from tokyotoybastard (forum member?): View this post on Instagram I am now resigned to leave painted pink gojiras for other people, haha. Great photo though. Anyway, enough gojis, how about some new Bullmark reissues?
I have the new King Joe...I love that thing. This one looks like that vinyl that will age...will have to track one down when I can. Thanks for the update.
This is really cool, maybe some will show up on the m78 site and I can use a buying service? Already given up on the M1 GID Gaira and Sanda lol. No way I'm paying 200+ for those.
Really like the new U7 too, that glowy head is a subtle change, but very nice. Plus it'd be great to get a really high-end new version for the shelf too. Not sure why they make these preview shots so glossy though. Excellent Suflan too, I was very pleasantly surprised to see the resurgence of them at the last festivals, but the fact they are continuing it makes we wistful for other non-major brand versions of sadly neglected monsters. I hear you on the pain of chasing these toys, Chris. It is becoming too much of a headache and disappointment to even follow the aftermarket sales. Seems like the occasional pre-order, even when you might end up waiting 6-8 months, is the only sane way to go. I'd still like them in an ideal world to loosen up on the licensing restrictions though.
Yes! Loosen up! The characters have been around for decades! The people's support is why their success is still enjoyed to this day. They belong to everyone...best to play ball with people who want to play with you--or you might find that people will make their own ball and play without you. Can't stop people from enjoying the game.
Agreed it's absolutely ridiculous that the entire western collector base is at the mercy of flippers and middlemen- 90% of the time. Mostly because of that stupid licensing thing. What makes it worse is Marusan and Bullmark (along with M1) have come back full swing and are really consistantly putting out great versions of licensed character toys which is 100% what I collect. I constantly feel like that donkey with the proverbial carrot in front of me but I can never reach it. I don't mind going through middlemen for vintage toys because you only really find them on YJA or Mandarake (or rarely run across some other bizarre outlet). But new toys, nahhh no way I'm paying 200-300% starting markup out the door. I mean at least with Bullmark you can directly order online using a service and sort of keep costs down. But what I'm seeing a lot of lately is event exclusives- which always have existed, but now it's almost always that. Which usually means no online sales you have to live in Japan and get there for a super limited item. Do I really need to just move to Japan to collect anymore?
Services like Tenso add to the cost for sure, but are worth it in the long run imo. It allows me to order directly from Marusan/Bullmark/Etc then it's shipped to the service who sends it to you.
I guess in the end, no matter how I feel, they don't owe us anything really. I do appreciate it when they open it up to the West though.
Ultra7 and King Joe are on white milky vinyl. Marusan is once again starting to offer international sale directly from them. So far since starting international again, it has been mostly original Marusan products with the exception of the 450 series Booska. Booska originally had international pre-orders for June deadline and then extended to end July. Not sure how well the sales are doing for international. But maybe more support can open up to selling more license characters. So far most of the Godzilla for international sales have been through Medicom Godzilla Vinyl Wars line.
I ordered my first international directly from Marusan to me with that vinyl set that includes oil tanks, tokyo tower, and the power tower as well. I look forward to getting it directly from them. Next time they offer some of their original kaiju I might try and get a few as well.
Marusan Toy Company - August 2017 preorders: Metarica Ultra-7 Dark 450: King Ghidorah Akiakane (Japanese "Autumn Darter" dragonfly) glow vinyl: Metarica '55 Gyakushu Gojira: '62 Classic Godzilla 450 Ghost "Godzilla in a hibernating state sleeping in an ice block of the Arctic Ocean": Also, upcoming event exclusives:
King Ghidorah Akiakane is such eye candy! I would love to see the Gacha series get that treatment. Autumn leaves are always so subtle yet eye popping, the way that they peak at the point of dying off.
I'm perfectly happy ordering these fire releases without caring out about release numbers or lotteries. There's something nice about getting a very fresh 450.