This is just my opinion, but it just baffles me why after the Maverasu, Zyurai Asu and Bakurasu, the subsequent Cronic sculpts have taken a big plunge. Is it that ideas are running thin or just taking a different direction in characters? Thoughts?
I don't understand what you mean by "have taken a big plunge". - Last month, Cronic released around FIFTY different figures in his lucky bags, including new versions all 7 of his characters. (including 5 new Mavs and 4 or 5 Zyurais.) That's a total of hundreds of figures painted by Naoki. - This month he released TWO new Doromes through Rotofgui at Wondercon - TWO new Ankorons just came out from Max Toy - TWO new GID Doromes were released this week in Japan via DM - FOUR new figures were released two days ago at Wonderfest, including 2 Zyurais, 1 Mav, and 1 Baku.... OK, I'm going to stop here. I think I've made my point. ^_^ Oh, and Tripasu is about to come out, as part of a new line with Max Toy. I think Naoki also has stuff coming with Nerd One. Naoki is at the top of his game, and Cronic is very much alive and well. ^_^
I always thought that the sculpts were kind of weak, but the paint app is what made it. with cronic, it's hit or miss IMHO. The zyurai asu was my favorite, but there's only a couple I'd like to own. The new stuff hasn't really been popping for me.
Incidentally, I have one of the Japan LB Zyurais in hand, as well as the Hobby Con Zyurai Asu from a few months ago. Both of these versions are INCREDIBLE. Easily top 10 favorites out of the 40 or so that I have. Thing with Cronic toys is they are best appreciated in person, because of their subtle paint work and intricate designs. That's always been the case. I'll take hand painted Cronic toys (he still paints them ALL) any day over...well, let's see where this thread goes and I'll see how much I want to say. Oh yeah, and Ankoron RULES!
BTW, if anyone out there feels like getting off the Cronic bandwagon for whatever reason, PM me. I have money to give you that you can spend on INCREDIBLE factory created variants produced by MAJOR kaiju companies. Daddy's here for you!
Ah....well I wasn't talking about paint apps. The paint apps are what really make Cronic figures! I am simply talking about sculpts. And like I said, it's just my opinion. The dorogami, dorome, nougaki.... They just don't pop to me like the first three I mentioned. I'll admit, the Tripasu is going in a better direction tho. Since I had this thought this morning, I thought it would spark some good conversation on here.
Some of Cronic's paint jobs are amazing, but some are weaker than "production" paint leaving you with just a weak figure IMO. I initially liked the Maverasu, but I could never get over the goofy Donald Duck head. And as far as I know on "production" paint, for the most part it seems to be hand sprayed, not pad print, by some pretty skilled artistians, Koji comes to mind.
I bothered to type a well thought out response but hit back in my browser and lost it all. Good question Jacranky. So I shall sum up. I think when the creators of popular characters try to create new characters, often fans are divided and some often respond by saying they'd prefer more of the characters they've already grown to love. Personally speaking for example, with RxH I'm not bothered with most of the new sculpts and even one of the old ones (Bigaroid/aos/o). Similarly with Cronic some of his newer sculpts will find new fans and probably not appeal to some of his old ones but sometimes the great workmanship with his figures is enough to win over even the harshest critic
I agree with you Darky. My hope is that more sculpts will be release of the initial look and feel. ...and don't get me wrong..the thought has crossed my mind more than once on some nice paint apps on dorogami's. I just couldn't bring myself to click the mouse!
The X bag standard Zyurai is orange flake with candy apple fists, its one of the best I've seen so far. The Lucky bag Mavs look gorgeous as well. I don't think he's fallen off at all. The pics of the WF stuff look staggering. Different strokes I guess. If you divest and Andy has that piece I'd likely be interested.
Dorogami was the third Cronic figure, after Mav and Zyurai. It's been out for around 1.5 years. It's also Brian Flynn's favorite Cronic figure. (He's even a completist.) At first I wasn't crazy about Ankoron, but as soon as I had one and took it out of the package, I knew Naoki had created something very cool and subversive. Oh yeah, Nougaki also kicks ass. One of my top favorite Cronic figures. The innovation Naoki brings to his work goes on and on. I've rarely seen a designer push himself as much as Naoki does. Recently, I've seen some companies biting some of his styles, but I guess that's going to happen. (But I'm not naming any names.)
Kind of curious why we have yet another thread like this...... Old pattern - what's it about, eh? BTW, I think people are too hung up on fight figures, which is why they dont "get" Nougaki and Ankoron. Eh?
i don't own any chronic, nor do i plan to, but from my limited knowledge of it and its maker, i have nothing but respect for it. hand painted, all of them?? that's crazy. The doragami is the only figure that reaches out to me, but i know if i get one i'll want more and i'm already stretched as it is! one thing i don't get is the pinstriping that people seem to go nuts for - maybe i really do need to see one of these pieces in person?
That's where I'm at too - I always think of a bionic Donald (or Howard the!) Duck. I like some of the elements of his sculpts, but there isn't a single sculpt that I enjoy in its totality. That said, I really like Chronic in theory. By this I mean the stuff that Andy has said. The paint jobs are usually pretty great. The attention to detail that he puts into his figures and the obvious love for his craft is inspiring. I think that makes Chronic one of the more intriguing lines. But then the sculpts keep me away. Oh, and I understand the original question - even though I don't like the original sculpts, I can see how one would be disappointed with the newer (smaller) sculpts. I think the same could go for RxH - a lot of the new sculpts have looked like garbage (and not in a good way).
Cronic should team up with RxH and Gargamel (again). The paint is cool, but yeah, the sculpts just don't grab me.
It's a vibe and a mood. Helps if you also check out his prints and other line work. Cronic doesn't need "help" from any company, but I'm all for more collabs, and so is Naoki. He's been pairing up with a ton of awesome companies and designers since he started making toys in 2005.
The pinstriping is his signature, it takes an incredibly skilled and steady hand to run clean straight lines like that on a figure. Plus the stripes don't look out of place as they follow the figures features.
I'm quite confused about why the Dorome gets no love. There are very few paint jobs I have not liked. It has so much personality for a little guy and lends itself beautifully to Naoki's metallic paints and mixing techniques. I guess to each his own.
I think that's right. Besides the "main" Cronic characters, I'm a Nougaki freak, and I know there are a few others out there. I think it's great that Naoki keeps making new characters, so there's a lot to interest different folks.
I actually beg to differ about the sculpts after the Mav., Zyurai and Bak being a "drop off"...those who have read my posts know that the Nougaki is my favorite ...and the Dorome is an AMAZING sculpt...especially when you get one in hand... I'm not a big Ankoron or Dorogami guy...but I'm beginning to like the Dorogami a lot more now that I actually have one... also, have you seen the new MTC/Cronic sculpt coming up? that thing is killer...and I can't wait for it... It's always a matter of taste. I appreciate RxH...but for life of me cannot understand the obsession with every single thing that comes out...I know that's not accepted around here...but I only buy a piece here or there and find Cronic to be much more suited to my taste...the body sculpt on most RxH pieces is kind of odd and cartoony...so I only buy pieces that I LOVE or fit with other stuff I have in my collection... Everything creative...toys, art, movies, music, etc. is a matter of personal taste...you may not "get" Cronic just as I don't get the Bemon...but that doesn't make Cronic suck...and the fact that most pieces sell out instantly show that others like it and it's not just a freak thing... anyway, the main confusion I have is why these threads happen...I just don't understand what their purpose is...conversation is always good...but putting one of these threads in the SB, RxH or Gargamel thread would surely lead to instant thread lock or deletion...I once posted an innocent question about Gargamel which was deleted in less than a day... why hate the Cronic so much?
Like I said, it was a thought I had this morning and I wanted to stir up some good conversation. I always find myself lurking on this board and just looking for what's for sale and news on new releases....but that's about it. Commentary and thoughts on an artist and series of figures brings people together to discuss. I quite enjoy it, especially when its of toys that I'm interested in. No need to get so defensive! I'm still a big fan of the Cronic and my thoughts ultimately are because I have hopes that some newer (and different) releases of Naoki's will spark EDIT: *my interest* in the line again. But at this point, I'm Mav, Zyu and Bak'd out. The latest paint apps have been good...but haven't made me say, "I MUST HAVE THAT," in quite a while, like past ones have.
+1 - some people seem to be getting a little overly defensive or over thinking this discussion! Everyone that has posted in this thread has probably owned or owns one or more Cronic pieces and loves them Yay for Cronic, yay for toys
