I really like this toy a lot; the design and neck extension bring about awesome playability and character true to the lore. But the quick spike in price from ¥8000 to ¥15000 was practically an immediate deterrent for me, personally. And I had been waiting on this blue version since it was teased. Rokuro is awesome, but I can’t say price wise it’s on par with a Mockbat, Boss Carrion or Headlock releases, especially being more expensive than full size HLS. Even still, it’s great to see board members come up and share their photos!
So I went ahead and bit the bullet on the most recent Rokurokubi lotto, and despite my past gripe with the increased price, I’m glad I did! I can’t say this’ll at all even be a semi frequent toy I collect, but should the right/proper version drop I certainly will try again! Right off the bat havin’ it arrive with the neck extended in the bag was a great decision. Folded hands, sitting soft. She’s beautiful. That is, until she laps up her share of lamp oil at night, and her neck extends to extend fright to anyone and everything she stretches past! These colors are wonderful, and the standard GID vinyl gives her a very, ghostly appearance in the skin. The light blue kimono and purple zabuton are wonderfully complimentary to the eyes. Spoiler
I love your in-bag photos so much, Rob. They really let me me feel like I have something new in front of me, or relive seeing a toy for the first time and opening it. I was so on the fence about entering for this release. I think the palette on this one hits the right balance of harmony and threat, while previous clear yokai-looking efforts threw the toy a little off balance to my eyes. Price aside, I think part of what makes the original Rokuro so special to me is that it's the only one I own. Maybe a future release will convince me to enter again, but for now I'm happy with what I have, and even happier the new ones are going to good homes.
Thanks so much, Taimur! The in bag photos started in June 2018. I had Secretoy’s final run of the Bone Usir DX and thought about how it’d look as a presentation shot. So many toys have so many amazing headers, or they generally just look great bagged and headered. So it became a standard for me to figure out a way to consistently show off not only the toy itself, but how it arrives to collectors from the artists! That first release Rokurokubi is definitely special. There’s a very human aspect to her, with the flesh vinyl base and red dress. Pair that next to this current release and you’ve got a wonderful night and day of living and dead!
Winning notification went out for the Franky. Winners were offer a chance to purchase a Halloween marble Owl.
This new Frankie is wonderful. Unfortunately I just couldn’t swing it and opted to miss out, but the GID works great with the painted grey suit and the actual green circles around the eyes. Those marble Lucky look wonderful, though I don’t pick up much Halloween vibes off of ‘em.
Was anyone interested enough to enter? Lovin’ both of these sculpts by Shelterbank for Maruhachi, but given my unhealthy obsession with death I really had to enter for the reaper. The mummy is definitely rad, though. Lookin’ forward to a potentially traditional black cloak reaper for a future release.
I found out about after them only after the lottery had already closed, but otherwise I would have been in for these. I really enjoy the two Frankenstein's I have, and would have loved to get some of the other sculpts as well. I like the fact that they are smaller and can easily fit into the palm of your hand. They are fun to pick up and play with. I did send an email even after the close time just to throw my hat in the ring in case anybody flaked and didn't end up paying. But that was just a shot in the dark. Better luck next time.
I’d like to get at least one version of each figure, but I’m kinda particular about the color choices he makes with his releases. I have one Frankenstein’s Monster, mainly because it was a Halloween release, but the original green is high up for me. The Rokuro I have is nice, but the flesh or the blue faced version would be preferable! I will say, however, that this reaper will be a repeated attempt for me, simply for the fact that it’s a reaper! The single arm articulation is inexplicably fun.
Really, really enjoyin’ Maruhachi’s two newest entries into their character lineup! The continued theme of monster/Halloween/yokai is a very welcomed consistency for my collecting and aesthetic tastes. With this reaper and mummy pair you only get a single arm and head articulation, but it’s enough to provide plenty of playability. Each figure has their own distinctive characteristic to their arms, with the reaper pointing a single finger for death’s touch, and the mummy with a classic, undead arm’s reach. I’m also liking how Shelterbank sculpted the right arms into the single pull of the body. Somethin’ about that gives me a little bit of a bootleg figure vibe. Spoiler Spoiler
Also, these painted samples were spotted at WonFest over the weekend. Really wish the mummy would’ve had some thin, black sprays to give over the bandages for some contrast and definition to the glow(?) vinyl base. But I’m very much lookin’ forward to the black vinyl reaper.
Much prefer these versions of both sculpts. Feels much more accurate to traditional lore of each character. I’d love to see a red cloaked reaper next. Spoiler Spoiler
The Kasa-obake is supposed to come out by summer but I'm hoping sooner. I love maruhachi gang. Such great toys.
Looks like winning emails were sent out for this super-kool Karakasa. Hope everyone else who entered has luck on their side! View this post on Instagram
I've picked up a couple of the single piece figures through Bwana's GamJam. I think they have a nice old timey feel. I kind of wish they leaned in more to being coin banks with a plug in the bottom and a slot in the back. Oni from this year. I think he's waiting for the bus. Tiger painted by Bwana from GamJam 2023
How big is the oni? I haven't really bought any Maruhachi Gangu stuff, but that oni has a nice sculpt.
i was gifted a blank red and he asked me to paint it for my collection- so I used brush only to give it a souvenir style feeling.
