There seems to be a lot of talk about this figure around here lately. No big surprise as it's a really wonderful toy, but I was wondering about a few things in regards to its background. I was going to post about this a few days ago but wanted a certain auction to end beforehand - and no I did not win this as it ended WAY higher than I was willing to go.

Any ways, there are amazing similarities between Target Earths Gamerudon and this vintage Yonezawa figure - even down to the paint. Can anybody add some background info as to whether the Target Earth figure is actually a tribute to the Yonesawa?

Target Earth -



Yonesawa -

Wow. Good eye. I was watching that auction and never made the connection.

This is a pretty ironic post. Well for one I'm waiting nervously to see the outcome of the yellow Gamerudon above sent to me by Celga. I hope all is not lost.

Second, it's really ironic because Daniel (akum6n) had just messaged me with this the other day and a link to that very auction:

Old Yonezawa original named Saidon. I've long suspected that Gameldon was based on a vintage patchi-kaiju, but this seems like proof. The pose is a little different, but the back and front texture, head shape and coloration are dead ringers for the Gameldon.

As we all know Daniel knows his stuff and so does Tim. I'm convinced. I'm sure Daniel will shed more light on this as soon as he sees the topic.

Wow. I did not see that ending price coming.

Your guesses are as good as mine. All I know is that when I saw that toy, my brain said, "Gameldon."

So is this the same guy in this image or a variation? Upper left.

Don't know much except I still need to find one to add to the collection.
Love the size and the stance of the sculpt.
Thanks for posting about the Yonesawa piece too.

Sure does look like the vintage dinosaur piece had some influence on the Gamerudon.
I had considered the Gamerudon as being Target Earth's homage to vintage dinos in general like the Peach and Marusan pieces as well. Especially the expression/tongue from the Peach dino.

Vintage Peach Dino


Marusan Dino

This is a b/w ad for some of the Yonezawa kaiju. You can see the original 'Rokuron' and the Dabura that Z posted a little while ago.

That's an interesting scan, Bryce. What's weird about it is that Saidon is named "Arukaroidon" and some of the patchi-kaiju that were never officially named are given names as well. Wonder where they got those from. Looks like a card game?

The scans came from that kaediumtanks' blog. Here are the others. I was looking through them trying to translate and found them and thought they were pretty cool.

Ooohh Bryce there's that wolf monkey guy again in the lower left corner of the first pic. The original is a Yonesawa figure as well right? What is his name (escapes me)? I know Josh was looking for this figure non stop. Are Hukkokudo doing a reissue of him?

C.

Good stuff! Thanks for posting your images and comments.

Your idea of the Gamerudon being a reference to the Dino sculpts of old is a good one Ralph and kind of what I always thought too until I cam across the Yonesawa figure again recently. Some of the Marusan mini dinos are super cool and I love that peach Dino as well.

I'm loving the triceratops in the 3rd scan. Anyone know anything about that little guy?

He's a Marusan vintage mini. Shows up on YJA from time to time and can be picked up for a reasonable price. He's awesome.

Yeah, that mini is cool. I think I picked one up for around $15-20.

Is it a Marusan? I kind of remember the foot stamp having an "M" with a divided circle around it. Mark K pulled up an old ad that linked that logo to the Miura company (not to be confused with the Miura Toy company). This is the same company that made the Ceratosaurus and Pteranodon vinyls that Ralph (onibaba) has in his photo.

At any rate, it is not at all expensive. I'll certainly let you know if I see one.

Bryce- thanks for posting the scans from kadomiumtank. I've never seen some of those in color before.

Agreed, I'm in love with #13 & #17

Dean is right. The only Marusan out of the pic I posted is the Brontosaurus, the rest are Miura vinyls. I sold those with hopes of getting better condition ones at some point so I couldn't check before, my mistake, sorry about that. I did find a pic that Jim or Mark posted showing a few more Miura dinos along with a pic Jim posted of his Yonezawa figure. You can also see the vintage "Space Monster" Hukkokudo is just releasing in the background as well. "Sigh"...Jim and Mark have some incredible pieces.

My mistake. I always thought the mini dinos were by Marusan as well.

I was also wondering as to whether the newly released Hukkokudo Space Monster was a re-issue - question answered!

This thread should probably live in the vintage section at this point.

Another cool and informative thread on awesome figures. I loved the trading card scans. Does anyone know if #4 (winged beastie) is the Bear Model sculpt booschwobe refers to about a figure in the background of his sales thread? Anybody know the name? Looks pink to me so big surprise...I'm drawn to it.

sorry for the crappy pic, but I figured it'd be better to blow it up and post it for reference

Here's a better picture taken fromthe Bear Model site -

I think the name is Zariganindo or something like that? He has a crazy spiral tail.

The all-lobster type body really does it for me. I officially want it. Before I was just like "oh, cool condor/vulture head back there" but now I'm going to keep it in the back of my mind as another toy I'd like to scoop up someday. Dammit, I really DONT need to add to that list..

Does anybody know who made that red bird guy that is #4 in the first pic bryce posted? I think someone told me before but for some reason I can't remember. Was it also Muira?

Thanks for the info on the lobsterish creature Crab and Plover. Sorry to derail the thread a bit, but that guy is pretty sick looking. I can see it's definitely not the same as #4 in the trading card scans.


I'd love to know the background on that one too. Vintage piece?

the red bird guy is a vintage piece. there are no manufacturer markings on the figure, and while mine came loose, the images of seen of bagged examples dont show any obvious markings either. they ususally go for a pretty reasonable price, and its a really great figure.