I really like the new design and format of the magazine! (Mine was NOT folded by the way.)

It just occurred to me, however, that in addition to the square binding, etc., another first is that this is the first time I know of that a Japanese toy has not appeared on the front cover. Also, I don't remember the lead article ever being dedicated wholly to non-japanese vinyl before.

In going back and looking at old issues, the magazine's mast-head logo (or whatever is the correct name for it) changed from "Japanese Toy Culture" to "Toys + Art + Design."

Does this signal a change (subtle or not) in the direction or focus of the magazine?

I was trying to figure out how Kaws might be considered Japanese and didn't come up with anything real compelling. There is the new boutique in Tokyo, but the toys are designed my an American and made in China (I believe), and are descended not from any Japanese kaiju heritage that I know of (really a distinctly American take on urban vinyl). So selling the toys in Japan doesn't make them Japanese - more like opening a shop in Tokyo to sell Levis, or KR opening a boutique in Tokyo to sell [expletive deleted], or whatever.

Biskup had a figure on the cover not too long ago, but his toys (or most of them) are expressly and overtly designed and indebted to kaiju figures.

It probably makes some sense to not be wholly and exclusively devoted to "japanese toy culture," at least from a business diversification standpoint...

Anybody have any thoughts?

Kaws is recognized internationally.

there was the Pushead issue. mine has pee on it.

That may be so, but so is Michael Lau, and arguably many other designers of non-Japenese vinyl (Dalek, So, Jerevicious, etc.).

And is being recognized "internationally" a new criteria then (as opposed to "japanese toy culture"?

(The "japanese toy culture" logo changed with Super7 issue 10.)

I am not saying the change to a broader focus is bad, but just trying to get a grip on whether it is occurring and, if so, how others feel about it.

isn't the kaws figure through Medicom? and some BxH figs are made in china.

that "Toys + Art + Design" isn't new... is up since issue 11...
i don't think means that is going to be a change on the direction at all. Super7 has covered "non japanese vinyl toys" since issue 1...
and you forgot issue 12: KAWS - Pushead cover

The Kaws toy is made by Medicom.

Therefore, it IS a Japanese toy.

True that!

But even Pushead, I guess, has significant Japanese ties (cocobat joe, cosmo liquid, takeshit, secret base, and toys made specifically for the Japanese market).

Again, I am not complaining about, but exploring, what may be a shift in focus and emphasis. This shift may not even exist. I assume, however, that there must have been some thought behind changing the masthead logo as previously noted. There was a concious decision to remove the word "japanese" from the cover.

I don't want to speak for the Super7 crew, but I wanted to point out a couple of things:

- Issue #12 featured a Kaws/Pushead toy on the cover, and issue #13 showed a painting by an American artist of an American Micronauts toy.

- The change to "Toys + Art + Design" was made in issue #11.

When #11 came out, I noticed that change and voiced the same concern to Brian here on the boards, and he assured us that there would continue to be a vintage Japanese toy presence in the magazine.

I agree that it doesn't make sense to devote Super7 exclusively to Japanese stuff, but I also think it needs to remain true to its roots (not to mention its name), and the last three issues have been very strong in terms of the quality and quantity of the Japanese content.

Just speaking from my end, Justin and I have talked about plans for articles that extend into 2007 and beyond, and I will keep writing them as long as they and their readers keep asking for them.

I think Kaws is kind of a moot point. Since he was one of the first westerners to work with Japanese toy makers (BxH) along with Jarvis and Kozik.

I think they know what they're doing

But by that criteria, there are a lot of Japanese toys that most folks would be surprised to see in Super7. Probably each one of these is also internationally known too, all made by Medicom (probably all made in China too): bearbricks, kubricks, maffy, smurfs, nightmare before christmas toys, superman and spiderman action figures, unkle, futura, stash, recon...

I kind of doubt that just being a Japanese toy or being internationally know, by themselves, define what Super7 was or is intended to be about, at least in the public's mind.

would you object to an article on Max toy even though its obvioulsy japanese inspired but made in china?

Not questioning...

Super7 is defined by the decisions of its editorial staff.

they could do a Pogs/Beanie baby edition and still be the best toy magazine out there.

You seem to assume that I am objecting to something. I am not, nor am I looking to get into dragged into some kind of a fight. Further, I am not laying down or suggesting any kind of criteria for what Super7's focus is or should be.

I was just struck by the Kaws cover issue, and the subsequent realization that the "Japanese Toy Culture" moniker was gone.

I am trying to have a reasoned discussion about something that I find interesting, and apparently at least a couple of other Super7 fans do too.

Perhaps:

http://www.02.246.ne.jp/~orion/Cl_Godzilla_fight.jpg

can't discussions have questions?

I understand your intention, but I doubt that what you say is true.

"The owls are not what they seem..."

a lot of other toy mags LOOK good, but theres no in depth collector info.

S7 looks good AND has in depth articles that show tons of info.


its an excellent resource.

Sure. No, I would not object to an article on Max Toy. I think it would be great. A couple of my favorite figures, including some sold by Super7, are designed by Japanese companies, but made in China: for example, the three Super7 exclusive Jumbo GID Godzillas by Marusan.

um, so whats the problem with kaws toys

I agree 100%, but that is not really what the discussion was about.