Yeah, if it wasn't clear that the TM had his mask, it makes a huge difference in the price. I can only fathom how much cheaper it went for, I had to pay through the teeth for mine. And you got the cape too, which is astounding. Did you grab these all in one lot? I feel so bad for neglecting my Tiger Mask guys lately - they want companions!

Great assortment Moog! Hey cheap deals happen, you never know when you're going to luck out. Glad you got your mask.

Carefully cleaned these last night . . . i was surprised how much grime came off them. I ended up using nail varnish remover for the paint scrapes - it worked really well. Used cotton buds and I didn't rub too hard.

I love these toys! The design, size and quality of the vinyl . . . everything about them. I also like to imagine what journeys they've been on over so many years before they ended up in my hands.

I will definitely be looking for more!


Tiger Mask group by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

More pics

They look great .. Mr Shadow has come up a treat, and I'm not sure if you know but your Tigermask is the 1st version (yellow mask and 2 fist arms) so well done!
As far as I know the sash always sat on the figures left shoulder so if you are as anal as me you might want to switch sides of Mr No's sash ... you will have to get an arm off to do that though.

^^ yeah, just realised he's the 1st version this morning.

The mask has a lot of wear (probably cuz its much softer vinyl being taken on and off his head) but i don't mind . . . it just adds character.

I will probably change Mr. No's sash over then . . . thanks for pointing that out

They cleaned up nice Moog. Good work! I tend to do that as soon as I get old toys in also, unless they look clean. The grime usually comes off pretty easy with dish soap. Be careful with nail polish remover though (or any cleaning agent for that matter). I'm always terrified of stripping paint so I look to the feet for base vinyl colors, and I never go near the paint job.

^^ Thanks mate, it took a while. I didn't overdo it though . . . . and I only used the ethyl acetate very sparingly on the paint scrapes. It worked really well.

Here's some magazine cover scans i found this morning (tidied them up in photoshop)


Tiger Mask Magazine by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr


Tiger Mask Magazine by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr


Tiger Mask Magazine by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr


Tiger Mask Magazine by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

Oh, wow! Those are wonderful

Thanks for taking the time for these, Moog!

Also, is it just me, or does the repro tiger "mask" of the same version lack a certain quality than the original? I can't put my finger on what though... Ha, can I say - It just looks better?

Tiger Mask Manga by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr


Manga Magazine 1971 by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

I recently completed the set of type 1 mini's (took forever to find a king saturn !)

Great collection Scott. One of my favourite thing about these minis (above and beyond the totally awesome Tiger Mask nature of them of course) is that unlike so many other minis, or even the Popy scale guys, the poses are actually different. Their different hand/arm positions add so much more character, and, maybe because these are wrestling guys, it just seems to fit them perfectly. Hard to say if some are fighting, dancing, or engaged in passionate discourse - but one thing is clear, they are having fun doing it!

Now onto the mid-size fellas....

Those minis are stellar.

Those mini's are just amazing.. Love the different poses

^^^ wow - really cool collection! nicely photographed too.

I've noticed, after collecting for a few years now, that a lot of mini figures have their hands in the air . . . does anyone know if there's a reason for this? Some kind of toy tradition perhaps? Or is it just the classic 'Banzai' gesture?

^ a lot of it probably has to do with mold release. pulling them out with arms down would be impossible without tearing since the pour point is at the waist, but it would be great to hear that it isn't merely due to such a practical reason.

regardless, great toys! and equally great photos!

anyone else get the "avoid the noid" vibe from a couple of these character designs?

Congrats on completing the set Scott. I need to focus more on these, I only have two so far. The sculpts on these are so much better than the "type 2" line IMO.

ah, i never thought of that . . . sounds very plausible. thanks.

I guess this confirms that I really am just a child, because I always assumed that (in addition to giving the figures more expressive character) these poses were intended to make them playable, i.e. fighting, punching each other. As a kid, I would go for some action pose figure a million times over the static arms-down mannequins.

Guess that explains why I am still a player and not a displayer.

This sounds very plausible too . . !!

^^Reading this instantly brought back memories of flinging those big-ass rubber WWF guys around the room! Good times!

Anyway, you nailed the reason for the raised arms, Steve. And remember, if you're pouring an upside-down torso, if the arms are neutral at the figure's side (thus pointed UP during pour), all the air will be trapped in the arms because it has no way of escaping...so no vinyl will even make it into the arms.

Some comparison shots of the type 2 minis and middle size ..





And all the permutations of vintage Nakajima Pirhana man!

Minis seem to come in three forms: standard pose, fight pose and flying pose.

Those are great. All of this reminds me of the old NES pro wrestling game. It helps that they are all analogs for real pro wrestlers though and probably some of the Tiger Mask characters.

Still one of the best villains I own. Just love the blue veins/skull cracks on him.

^^ one of my top wants at the moment . . . ordered one but it was already out of stock and i haven't seen another decent one since.
That one looks in great condition!