Irutan Family Album

Discussion in 'Vintage Vinyl' started by Mark K, Oct 9, 2007.

  1. Mark K

    Mark K Addicted

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    Irutan Family Album
    Irutan was the mascot of the 1975 Ocean Expo held in Okinawa. I am not sure if there was a television show featuring this character, but a whole family was developed for him. Several companies, most notably Bullmark, made toys of Irutan and his family.

    This shot shows various sized Irutans. The tallest one is 18cm tall. The 2 larger ones have removable hats. All are by Bullmark except the smallest one which is a pendant by Patora.

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    This shot shows the 5 family members, they are all marked Bullmark in katakana and Japan on one foot and the name of the character on the other. They were originally sold carded on a blister pack. From left to right: PaPa, MaMa, Ane, Ani, and Irutan. PaPa is 13cm tall and Irutan has a removable hat.

    [​IMG]

    This shot shows another version of the family that is very similar to the Bullmark, set. I think they were also made by Bullmark but they only have the NTV copyright on the foot and nothing else. They are different sculpts and slightly shorter. PaPa stands 11cm tall. I am missing the Ane character. If anyone has a lead on one, please let me know.

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    Here's a shot of a carded set that I stole from YJA a while ago. Notice the Bullmark company symbol on the card, but the set is the one with the unmarked figures. Any ideas why this is?

    [​IMG]

    The Irutan story has a strange and sad ending. Check this link http://toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?4,169261,169429 Also check out the fantastic talker. Again, if anyone knows of one of these for sale, please let me know. This link also shows the diecast version made by Grip.

    Sorry for the crappy pix, but I hope you enjoy them.
     
  2. the_z

    the_z Side Dealer

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    Wow thanks for sharing! Just when I thought I'd seen every offbeat character...this guy rules!
     
  3. ElvisFromHell

    ElvisFromHell Comment King

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    those are the 'berries. I love them.
     
  4. hypermook

    hypermook Addicted

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    Those are some of the coolest vinyls I've ever seen!
     
  5. Paulkaiju

    Paulkaiju Mini Boss

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    A bunch of "Flippers'

    Hah hah.

    Those are really cool!
     
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  6. Katsu-shin

    Katsu-shin Toy Prince

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    Great collection you have there!
     
  7. Erik Sjoen

    Erik Sjoen Toy Prince

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    Sweet!! I've been looking for the diecast for about 2 years and have not seen one come up.. That thing is RRRRRR.
     
  8. hypermook

    hypermook Addicted

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    Ok Erik, now that you're here, you've got to post some pics of your vintage vinyls...
     
  9. vintagevinyl

    vintagevinyl Line of Credit

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    mark , you dont know how hard i kick myself in the ass for not buying that irutan talker that was on e bay years ago . masudaya made other "cute " talkers like hiatchi which is a bee and mooman in both male and female hippo figures and my fav ganba which is a mouse . billy galaxy is also a huge irutan fan and also is looking for the talker .
    welcome to the board erik
     
  10. billygalaxy

    billygalaxy Fresh Meat

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    Irutan is the best! Somebody find me that talker...

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    [​IMG]
     
  11. hillsy11

    hillsy11 Post Pimp

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    I always wished there'd been more Kure Kure Takora stuff made. Aside from the Bullmarks, just the newer Kaiyodo stuff.
     
  12. vintagevinyl

    vintagevinyl Line of Credit

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    whats the story on those three vinyl sharks ? i know what you mean hillsy . wish they made kure kure in standard size .
     
  13. billygalaxy

    billygalaxy Fresh Meat

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    The sharks are just generic crap vinyls sold in Japan in the 70's. I am still missing at least one color. I wish Kure Kure Takora was my dad....

     
  14. vintagevinyl

    vintagevinyl Line of Credit

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    welcome to the board billy . was wondering about the sharks because popy did a boxed " swimming " version of jaws a long time ago and i was wondering if these were mini " jaws ".
     
  15. KJB

    KJB Comment King

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    Great to see the Takora love happening. Thanks for posting that pic, Billy - I had no idea they made vinyls of all the characters (though I might have guessed). Now I have something (else) to dream of owning . . .
     
  16. Yuck!!!

    Yuck!!! Side Dealer

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    Thanks for sharing! Does anyone know why is he a cowboy?
     
  17. billygalaxy

    billygalaxy Fresh Meat

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    Cuz he is badass
     
  18. Fig Belly

    Fig Belly Comment King

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    irutan family

    I think billy still has the cared family set for sale if somebody wants to plunk down.
    Thanks for all the pics peeps.
     
  19. shhhi_da_yo!

    shhhi_da_yo! Toy Prince

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    how kawaii. Hopefully these weren't slaughtered by the Japanese too.
     
  20. chimmychazz

    chimmychazz Comment King

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  21. michael

    michael Side Dealer

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    giving CPR to this thread- is anyone here familiar with this variant? seems to be two versions, one on an aqua vinyl and one on a more blue-grey vinyl base. the aqua one also has the band on the hat sprayed black all the way around, whereas the other one is blank.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  22. Mark K

    Mark K Addicted

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    @michael I have the aqua vinyl one with the painted hat band sealed in bag. There is another one that comes with a log accessory which is very scarce. Perhaps that is the other version. Can't find a picture.

    EDIT: oops probably thinking about KureKureTakora

    BTW, I did manage to land a talker quite a while ago from YJA just never got around to posting a decent picture. The window box is very nice also.
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    Last edited: Jan 16, 2020
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  23. Kerk1

    Kerk1 Addicted

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    Thats a real treasure@Mark K, thanks for sharing. Are his boots slip on?

    Would love to see the box too if don't mind sharing!
     
  24. Mark K

    Mark K Addicted

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    @Kerk1 Yes, the boots come off.
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    [​IMG]
     
  25. Russblue11

    Russblue11 S7 Royalty

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    Incredible, toy looks mint and great box too. I wonder if @billygalaxy ever tracked one down? Something else to add to the hunt list...
     

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