I wonder what exactly makes collectors get out of western and into kaiju.

This happend to me, I used to be an avid 'urban vinyl' collector. Then, almost abruptly my interest in western fell off. Actually my interest in all toys.

Later I began to notice some eastern stuff and started to like it... the rest is history..

What's worse is the next step in the collecting evolution... cats...

Yeah. I love BlobPuss.

Thank you all for the great responses.

That clears quite a bit up. Interesting that people seem to feel differently about the separation between design and production and the cultural divide.

I was doing some research about PVC production last night and found a company (in Michigan) who claimed to be able to do translucent vinyl but not without a blue or tan tint and it sounded a bit cloudy... and I'm thinkin but i've seen a lot of totally clear stuff...

I hope I don't move to cats for me they are far more toxic than vinyl

Thank you.

Agreed, taken to its logical conclusion, i wouldn't be able to touch anything produced in Japan. And perhaps that would make it even more appealing. Cause it would be out of my reach. People usually desire what they can't have versus what is within their reach.

For the most part, I'm not excited by any east/west fusion stuff that I've seen to date. Yes, I like Biskup's work so I not completely shutdown on this mixing of stuff. American customizers paint up Japanese toys. Whatever. US toy company pairs a release with a Japanese figure. Whatever.

I would also argue that I'm not a complete purist cause I like some of the Japanese mashups: Skullrex comes to mind. Walder Blobpus.

I'm rambling...

I had to google Clayton Bigsby.

Where does the self loathing fit in?
That I loath the direction of this country? hahahaha.

There's a wave of US designers designing Kaiju. Whatever. For the most part, not my thing. Can't tell them not to do it obviously, especially if there's a market out there for it.

I would be sad if say KidRobot started designing Smogon figures and hoodies with Smogon prints. It would just dilute the appeal of something completely alien to me.

Adulterate is a great word.

I see where you're coming from. I have to come clean here. I am designing some figs and I am inspired by a range of things including Kaiju and other Japanese pop-cultural influences. I was interested in how they might be received by members of this board since for the most part this place seems to be populated by knowledgeable and discerning collectors/ producers, basically people who are really into toy design.

While I'm not Japanese I don't feel that means I am not entitled to be inspired by Japanese influences. I don't choose what inspires and influences me it certainly isn't all Japanese. I agree with you to some degree. But overriding that is the impression that only more diversity and creative coolness is what is likely to come out of this cultural cross-pollinisation. As I said I'm not Japanese so my take on the culture is as an outsider and I also bring my own background and influences to my work as do other non-Japanese designers interested in Kaiju/ Kaiju-like work.

The possibility of poor quality design and production entering the market is highly likely but I don't think that is a result of more creatives entering the fray. I think it is a result of popularity. The pattern seems to me to be that as something becomes more popular there is a greater chance of opportunists trying to make a quick buck coming in. This tends to lead to reductions in quality which then unfortunately tends to taint the original thing. I might be wrong but I think this is more what your problem is about Liquidsky.

I totally agree with you that it's horrible to have something you love tainted or adulterated as you said. Hopefully "Western Kaiju" will continue to maintain high quality design and high production values and just bring more ToyJoy

Obviously ultimately it's about personal taste. I just wanted to have a chat about it. Sorry if I've pegged you wrong in any way (just in case )

But....if it's not Japanese, it's crap.




Or is that Scottish....