A Nag Pa I Root (NAGNAGNAG) and der Angora Patio

Re: Got paranoia?

Well it's certainly not difficult to figure out that the "Whom" saying "Fuck Off" is more than likely from the country of origin as stated on the "other" foot.
Do you really need to know it's a specific person?

 

Re: Got paranoia?

the zollmen query was a general remark. they were equally blamed for manipulating the market which i am still keen to find out how they did it.

anyhow, i still cannot see how this maker is manipulating the market? did he instigate this thread to stir mystery?
also, there has been a teaser pic of this guy up on ichibanboshi site for the last weeks now so its not news either.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

The guy who made the toy said I could post a couple of pictures but didn't want his name announced or anything, which is why I haven't posted it. He's done a couple of one-offs, but no releases so far- so it's a bit early to be criticising the availability/ release style.

Hopefully people will get a shot at them if/when he does make some larger runs because they are very cool toys. Very tactile, and the articulated elbows really do add an extra dimension to it's play-with-ability.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Bemon didn't just catch wind, he was told about the claim Kozik was making on SB and denied it.

There is a school of thought among some US historians (taught in some US Japanese history classes) that the bomb was dropped on the Japanese (as opposed to the Germans) to test it on non Westerners.

In addition some believe the second bomb was completely unnecessary in that there was no real chance to surrender after the first bomb and prior to the second. That the second bomb was a message to the Russians.

I will not argue in support of this theory either way but wouldn't put anything past US leaders.

I believe there my be some truth to this theory. If I choose not to collect this it will likely be because the toy reminds me of atrocities committed by my government and renders the toy into a sad reminder of something that's shameful in my country's past.

If a toy reminds me of how repellant some people are I won't buy it.

Whether the maker is an ass, or attaches some statement that makes me sad, or I would need to buy from someone who treated me like dirt I won't buy the product.

Toys are for fun and if you look at them and think "got this from a complete shithead" or "my country wiped out an incredible amount of innocent people in an atrocity" it renders them into crap.

Not sure how I feel about this toy yet.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

No, not the person.
What I’m trying to say is that if in fact the toys are not from Japan, it’s just worthless hype.
I’m also struggling what the idea that quote is being tolerate and enjoyed since it’s (hopefully) from Japan.
Would a Taliban handcraft doll with a similare message pass as well ? Not sure.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

I agree with you. I also think that we as collectors look at these as "toys" but we also have to be open minded and realize that artists may look at this media as a means of expressing ones self or viewpoints, much like Bansky creating prints or Picasso painting (Guernica) on canvas.
I said I liked this piece more if there was a statement behind it but that doesn't mean I'd buy it, it's becoming quite thought provoking so I'm on the fence...however, I can appreciate it more though. I'm not sure I'd say folks are getting enjoyment out of the statement but it's certainly drawing out more serious discussions about a figure than I've ever seen on this board and to me that is a good thing.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

I'm by no means saying that you need to provide the info, I'm just confused as to why the maker would purposefully withhold that info. To me that seems to be a way to build hype - the mystery factor. It's great that you're a trustworthy person and are respecting the wishes of the person who gave you these photos.
And I agree on the "FU" statement - if it were made by an American posing as a Japanese then this would just be a lame gimmick. I still think it's kinda gimmicky, as I am assuming the creator knows that there's a bunch of Americans eating up Bemons/Anrakus/Zollmens/etc and is targeting the foot stamp at a large portion of his/her potential customer base. If it's a sincere message i hope he/she does whatever they can to assure no Americans are able to buy these figures on the primary market - basically make all sales in-store, and refuse to sell to anyone that's not Japanese.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

In a distant universe, there was some discussion of the sculpts echoing Giacometti. The faces also remind me of a primitive painter but I can't recall the artist's name. I think the pieces start to approach an artistic level versus toys.

I could envision picking them up, but not mixing them into a toy collection, but rather keeping them separate.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

It almost feels like the slogan should be stamped on a KR-like toy which is kind of lame since its imitating so much of Bemon and those original toys Gargamel pays tribute to. Isn't Kaiju more about tributes and its' influences rather than gimmicks of this kind? I find its trying to be too intelligent for it's own sake but leaves a very bad aftertaste...unsettling as it feels like a direct blow to Super 7.

I am guessing it is a westerner from the US living in Japan who created this. I seriously doubt that a Japanese guy would say it outright. They don't ever do this. If that is the point to make a joke, don't we know it as collectors already?

Will US distributors boycott it? It's great to go gung ho about being made in Japan, but not when its putting someone else down as a comparison. I don't see this as funny or clever.

On a side note, I bought this mini diatonic Harmonica today called "Puck" which I laughted out loud when I saw it. Had to get it.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

 

Re: Got paranoia?

my grandfather fought it Okinawa and Saipan. He would turn over in his grave if he knew I owned this or supported it.

I cant see anything coming out of America attached to the slogan "Fuck Japan"

one of the tackiest things I have been exposed to. joke or not.

unfortunate b/c I like the sculpt, it will be next to impossible for me to buy this.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Just thought I'd add (because I hadn't noticed this when I first saw it) that the one on the right has a red-white-and-blue motif on its lower half. Probably intentional considering what's being discussed.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

The colors on the right one is based on the Frankenruge.
Here's a vintage one for your reference.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Cool sculpt. I do feel this is somewhat hyped to release pics but then withholding the makers identity. I foresee limited releases of <20pcs, secret sales, lottery sales etc etc... It does seem like it's subliminally catering to the west and mocking the very people that buy this.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Sorry if my comment on the first page made it seem like I was trying to make this figure out to be hard to acquire before it even gets released, that really wasn't my intention. I have no solid info on who is making this, only guesses, and I should have just kept my mouth shut.

Whatever the case, I think the foot stamp is in bad taste and that alone would keep me from buying one. The US did some reprehensible things during the war, I won't argue with that. However, I don't think you'd get a great response on either side of the Pacific with a Unit 731 play set, either.

edit because I don't know the difference between "attention" and "intention" (i.e. I'm a dummy)

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Not defending dropping A-Bombs on civilians at all, but let's remember that it was an unprovoked attack by Japan that started the whole thing. Japan wasn't innocent in the matter. Regardless, two wrongs don't make a right.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Wow, I didnt know so many of you toy collectors were so politically/socially conscious

 

Re: Got paranoia?

And yet they would shank a fellow inmate for a desired toy....

 

Re: Got paranoia?

haha, not all of us. Who ever owns this toy and is constantly reminded of horrid atrocities and feels a sense of guilt in owning one, please send it to me. I will absolve you of your sins. Thanks

 

Re: Got paranoia?

The only post in this thread I have enjoyed thus far

 

Re: Got paranoia?

I wouldn't say that. There was a rather infamous Microman toy that had a similar slogan printed on its back. As far as I can recall, it was made in Japan without Westerner input.

Well, maybe you can explain your statement that, "If it weren't for us dropping the bombs, there wouldn't be kaiju." Perhaps I am reading something into this that is not actually there.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Oh. Just that WWII and the dropping of atomic bombs was the impetus that inspired Godzilla. Radioactive monsters and all. So why am I disturbed when someone likens this figure to a person ravaged by radioactivity due to American bombs when all of what we collect is essentially tied to those atomic bombs? It seems to be a double-standard - I like Matango but am disturbed by this guy when they're essentially the same.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

i find it hard to believe that i am going to be the voice of sanity in this thread.

Look, you guys are really fuckin over analyzing this. The end of the day its just a toy like all the others in your collection. who cares what the message means or who added it or why. you like the thing, buy it, you don't, then PASS.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Real Talk. +1

I think we should all just wait and see what the release is all about and stop assuming and over analyzing.

 

Re: Got paranoia?

Well if there was any info on the figure then we COULD stop making assumptions. Personally I've found the discussion to be fairly interesting, even if none of it has anything to do with the figure in the end.
Should we just limit all posts to "cool" or "gross" until concrete info is released? That'd make this a pretty fucking lame message board.