I'd like to know more about Rainbow. How long have they been around? Why do they fetch such high prices in Japan? Are their runs highly limited? Are the Geruge characters from TV/movies or original? I've heard that the "jesus" was from something but I don't know about the rest.

I like what I've seen from Rainbow because I love weird sculpts, but they seem to stick to the basics, more or less, when it comes to vinyl colors and paint schemes. It also seems like more of a niche thing than something a lot of collectors would chase, which is why I find the prices so surprising.

I'd be interested to know more about the company as well.

One thing I did figure out is that some of the characters seem to be reproductions of the old barom-1 villians. (Super7 issue 11 has the old original villians) The old barom-1 villians are super super hard to find and expensive.

But as far as the whole line of toys rainbow produces...I'm not sure.

the rainbow figures are based on the demon agents from the old barom-1 tv show

http://incolor.inetnebr.com/stuart/barom1/mutants.htm

Does the company only make the villains though?

As I understand the higher prices are due to low run sizes. Consider also that these are high quality figures. If I understand correctly, most of Rainbow's releases don't receive multiple editions (colorway releases.) Once a run is done, it's done in most cases. Given the current rise in release prices for many neo kaiju companies. their retail prices aren't all that much higher. Generally $150 - $200 IIRC. The crazy aftermarket prices we've seen recently have to do with rarity and an increase in interest (not to mention ye olde flippage.) You might say that Rainbow is now sort of where Real x Head was circa December 2006, in terms of something that was of rarified interest now "booming" among collectors.

thanks! very helpful.

one more question--has Rainbow made anything other than Barom-1 characters?

From what I remember, the Kuchibiruge, Hiyakumeruge, Nogeruge and Udegeruge were produced first and sat around on store shelves in the US. They all had alternate colourways with the Udegeruge (hand demon) having three. When they made a decision to produce the other demons, these four quickly escalated in price as completists were gunning for them.

The third Udegeruge was a handpainted fan club toy if I remember correctly?!?
And limited to 10 pieces.

There are also standard size vintage demons and minis but unclear who made those.

Sanagiman.

I caught the lips demon on KT and got super pumped until i saw the price lol.

I guess the price range on these has something to do with their availability on KT (23 Rainbows - 12 available) don't see that much under other sections/companies.

I know that the first of the new demons sat at TT for a long time before they went...I think most people thought they were silly and way over priced...me included...but once the Mushroom Demon came out, I was really blown away by it and have been chasing them ever since. I've only been buying the ones I like thus far but I'm starting to feel the pull pf completion...

adding strength to Dean's theory of where Rainbow is headed...methinks that as more and more pieces come out, more people will feel the pull.

Last year though alot of resellers caught on and started ordering quantites so from after the Hyper Hobby Kinokoruge on they are pretty easy to get, sometimes even under retail.

The two Doruges i have are some of my favourite toys. I'll post some pics this week.

Quite a bit more, it seems. I've seen a few Kamen Rider villains (e.g., Jumenki) as well from older runs, as well as characters from series that I don't recognize.

what i'm waiting for is the barom-1 show to be released with english subtitles on dvd. i love these 70's japanese hero shows, and the craziness of the villians i've seen with rainbow figures prove to make it an enjoyable watch!