I started collecting Chogokins a few years back and stumbled across vinyl toys that lead me here. After browsing around I was drawn to the 'Gargamel' line, especially a 2nd Anniversary Thrashout GID standing Hedoran release but had no idea how to get one. Days later, my late night web surfing introduced me to Kaiju-Taro that had fittingly just updated with the new Trashout figures along with that GID Hedoran. Without know what I was getting myself into, I purchased it and the rest was history.
I had a brief moment with some Biskup toys (Calli etc etc) and then stumbled upon some pics of Emupaiya Ecchi on flickr a few years ago. I think it was clasping walnut's pics actually. Anyhow I suddenly learned that kaiju was not just fight toys like Secret Base etc (which I wasn't into) and encompassed Matango, Hedorah, Ultraman toys from all those shows/movies I loved as a kid. I had already got some M1 Matango and Woo but it was Plover who sold me this GID Ecchi that put me on a track I've never looked back on....
I had been to Rotofugi a couple times 3 or 4 years ago and had seen some of the things they had at the time (primarily Secret Base stuff that I didn't care for, not to say I don't like SB). The first thing that really grabbed me was Touma's Magman (the clear orange one) from the KFGU series. It was the gateway drug that eventually lead me here and the more traditional and/or legit stuff I'm now into. Although I still love that Magman and a couple of the other KFGU figures.
To answer your question, this is the Mad Baron, by Zollmen, in the King Bee-painted Lemon Kirby version. It's an awesome piece, and swayed me over to the higher end of Japanese vinyl toys. He has a removable helmet, as well as a removable 'power claw', which is styled after one of the old Popy Jumbo Machinder accessory hands (they're missiles, not bear claws )
T9G was what got me started down the rabbit hole. I was (still am) into plush and some of his sculpts incorporated plastic and stitchings. It was at the Toy Tokyo booth at 2007(?)s sdcc that I came across T9G's clear glitter pink rangeas. Picked that up, and I've been collecting 'kaiju' ever since.
Set of mini secret base figures with the 4 brains and 4 bees. After that it was the Medicom Balzac, both bought on my trip to Tokyo, after that it was all over.
i love that gargadeath! i think that is the only one i don't yet have. i tried searching for that pick of your fight fig collection, but haven't been able to relocate it. you got an updated pic?
same here! walked into super7 after newly moving up north from l.a. saw that popsoda, the art, and colors and i was transfixed.
The four amazing figures above were my first "neo" kaiju purchases (back in spring 2006). Through a twist of fate, I ended up being a Graphic Design/New Media instructor to not one, but two very esteemed members of this board - Tim (plover) and Chris (grumbletoy). Tim sent me some photos of his collection of Skull Brains and they became my gateway drug!! And it's been incredible seeing what Chris has done with Grumble - truly the nicest guy in the biz. This board has been amazing - so many cool people and passionate collectors. I may not post that often - but I have bought a sheeeetload of your toys! Best in 2010 everyone, Chris P.
A pair of Skullbrains got me into Japanese soft vinyl toys---scored directly from the SF Super 7 store back in 2007. This one... And this one...
Particularly the guy on the top right shelf. Got the "opportunity" to buy him in a lotto on the old Horrorwood Balzac forum (he's gold, has a cloth suit and a real paper bag). Jumped right in and spent way too much money. Followed that up with all three of Kozik's Fortune Cats the next week.
Japanese Vinyl/Kaiju/Neo-Kaiju/Fight Figures- "Toxic Avenger" Chaos Man (first version, flesh vinyl with greenish blueish paint.) I bought other figures before, S7/SB/Balzac but this Chaos is what cemented the addiction. Before I was just buying a few new and exciting figures. After this Chaos I became a collector. Toys Overall- Star Wars Jawa. They rule.
Jordan, I got a loose and well-loved Shogun Warriors diecast Great Mazinger just like the one you posted loose in a lot of transformers from ebay, and by the time I was done researching what it was and looking for parts, I was hooked!
