Sure, no worries. I know since they are not hyped or whatever, these other independent companies get ignored. I just like to shed light (and credit) where it is due.

For clarification of other not following the discussion, here are the Longneck figures being referenced (I wasn't going to post them as it is a TE thread, but seems like it might help now, so I will post small thumbnails).

The 'Megagorilla' with its supposed 'bootleg' (which is just the vintage Marushin Garuban modified I think - but still excellent)


and the Zollbots,


Anyhow, more robot apes for everyone I say! I have plenty of love to go around for these.

Took a little while to track down (I started thinking I had dreamed of it when the Longnecks came out) - bottom right corner. Even has diamonds in the eyes from the looks of it and apparently had magnets as connectors for the arms and head. Would be a cool feature for these new figures to have.

No apologies - I'd kill a nun dead for that Kemular. And now back to your regularly scheduled TE bashing...

John! John!!! John?

Yeah, we are getting off-topic a bit here, but the vintage toy is just excellent. Not that it needs any more hyping, or getting people to chase after it, but I guess for people not familiar the vintage side of things, it comes as new. I would love to have one, or the Garuban for that matter. But hey, I'd also be happy with a newer vinyl take on him too. You can see some more pics of the original toy and its connection here: http://robotjapan.proboards.com/thread/ ... ban-review

Very cool link! Thanks for posting that and I think it's still on topic.. if I was unfamiliar with Target Earth or had just joined the boards, seeing discussion about the influences for these toys would be welcome to see in the thread I think. This is the kind of thread I come to Skullbrain for.. packed full of toy information and a little bit of jabbing here and there.

???????

How is this guy able to sleep at night?

I've been a very big fan of TE stuff for years, pretty much since I started getting into sofubi. His toys were amongst the first I ever collected.

These two most recent rips (on Zollbot and Brutal Ace) are just way too much, and I would never consider buying them. I like them. The sculpts are great. I would just kind of feel odd owning a toy that is a very direct inspiration of another sofubi maker's toy. I don't get it, and I honestly wish he'd just stick to original creations, and stop with these.

True that - something like Hackberry is cool, but to produce pretty much a straight copy (maybe some proportions are a bit goofy) of something like Brutal Ace - a toy that has been out for less than a year - is kind of a dodgy decision.

But hey, it's got us talking about them at length - which I'm pretty sure was a big reason why he decided to produce such a thing.

Can't blame the dude for providing a cheaper "alternative" to toys that have ridiculous after market prices though.

In 10 years or so these will be accepted into the toy community through the bootleg sub culture.

Given the fact that the Zollbots, uh, "original" is already being marketed as a "BOOTLEG TOY!!!!!", shouldn't this make the universe implode or sth..?

It's all a bit baffling. Gotta give the man credit for making such a drastic statement, though; at least that's what I consider these to be until someone can provide more insight than google translation.

Half the problem is just the timing of the releases when you think about it....Amapro did their take of the mecha Gorilla before Yoda, and Yoda waited the presumably requisite amount of time to release his toy to not to be an issue.

Sato is obviously riding the coat tails of today's "hot" trends or whatever...I don't know, the whole argument is ridiculous like most arguments on this board. Just remember none of these guys are making a killing selling this stuff. Yoda's runs are so small, it's obvious to anyone who understands basic economics it's about the love of toys and not the money for him. Even with a steep retail price. It is the same with Sato on many levels regardless of the copycat factor. And his prices are always affordable.

TE's versions are often such direct and blatant rips of newly released versions of toys that it really makes you do a double-take. Part of the charm and part of the reason to pass on some of his toys, all at the same time depending on your viewpoint.

^ Reasoned discourse and rampant scatalogical pissposts? Imma make an honest woman of you yet, Miss Bev!

Dept. of Blatant Trolling:
You never hear this kind of talk when somebody release yet another '62 Goji sculpt!

Scatalogical pissposts > reasoned discourse on any given day.

i don't think sato-san is trying to ride on the coat-tail of "successful" sculpts nor that he expects to do well with these releases financially. I don't believe his previous takes on "successful" sculpts have been financially rewarding for him. I think he is just angry with these hyped figures making kaiju super-stardom right off the gates hitting crazy prices.
Just like classic toho kaijus, i believe there are room for different interpretations of the same character by different companies. So personally I don't take offense by what TE is doing. Only find it strange that he goes to such an extent to actually spend time & money to make these sculpts to express his anger.

Anyway, the colourway of the parabola-ace rocks

A hero to some, a villain to others... But as with any good character, those roles are never mutually exclusive. Politics aside, I do have to say I prefer both Target Earth sculpts, to the Longneck and HS. They are very nice.

I can see the frustration with a lot of people that are fans of the originals and artists, but I really also do see the bootleg sub genre appeal to it, as well. I do tend to like TE's versions a bit more, though more often times than not I can't say why. The best example I can give is the Marilla that was made by Bemon, then TE. I prefer the TE version over Bemon's 'cause it doesn't feel as fat and chunky as a character. The Brutal A rip is the same for me. I like the slimmed down TE version just works better as far as dimensions. I also like that the hands seem more exaggerated on this version. They look like robotic cat paws.

Whatever your take on TE's toys, Sato's skills and creativity are undeniable, and his contributions to the hobby shouldn't be discounted. Target Earth is just one of his many projects over the years. He has plenty of "original" releases as well. I agree with Maxaltoman, there should be lots of room for other makers to interpret characters. The timing of his releases is silly though, unless it is as Joe says that TE is truly trying to provide the community with affordable alternatives to otherwise high priced toys. That would make sense to me.

I personally don't like many of his recent copycat renditions. I loved the Gebolf ( Maza), but prefer his original characters and/or takes on classic characters not already covered by current makers.

Circular skullbrain conversations..."all of this has been discussed before, and all of this will be discussed again".

Sato it punk as fuck. Shine on you crazy diamond.

TE's versions are neat and have a style of their own.

He's not the archaeologist who uncovers forgotten designs. So indeed, he is easy on the releases ideas and grabs any good opportunity to reinterpret. So what. Isn't that the very spirit of bootleg toys ?

I'm pretty sure he does not do it for fame & wealth but, first for fun, and to give sofubi fans a version they CAN actually get.

Target Earth rocks.
Why don't I own any by the way ???

What exactly is punk about this?

The fact that he doesn't give a shit about what people are saying about his work? That he sees a consumer being exploited by $1,000+ after markets and decides to make a similar product. That he sells at a reasonable price, open preorder. Doesn'the make countless colorways. Maybe just one or two per sculpt. Making little to no profit on what must cost a fortune in molding. Whether you agree with his "copy cat" work or not. I think it's unquestionable that his spirit in indomitable.

Making expensive facsimiles of more expensive designer toys- he's a regular folk hero!

Everything about this hobby is expensive haha. But I'd rather pay $200 then $2000. But maybe that's just me.

Target Earth dump golem by Kaiju Monster, on Flickr