My apologies, the Ultra Leo article was a nice thing to see.

Takara Star Wars toys -no

And I guess it depends on what the "acceptable" definition of "vintage" is.
Many people on ebay sell "vintage" toys that were made in the 80's and 90's
What constitutes vintage ? Would an in depth article of Marmit's VP line be considered a vintage vinyl article ?

I totally agree ! How many "new" collectors are gettting introduced to the classic stuff through the pages of S7 ?
It's the balance of new and old that I have reservations about.

If we must get all technical...

An object is antique (which is analagous to vintage) if it is 25 years old or older.

2007 - 25 = 1982

So this year, anything made in 1982 or older is vintage...

Does that answer your question?

sorry...
I'm not going up in flames over this.

Excerpt from Web Finance:

antique
Definition

A collectible or other item which is old (usually at least 100 years old) and is collected or desirable because of its rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features.

No flames. Just discussion. Really.

I like hearing readers comments, both negative and positive.

The end goal is to make a better product. And, often, that ain't easy...

As usual I have both...
Always have

My definition came from www.dictionary.com

Yup, and if you scroll further down
antique [ӕnˈtiːk] noun
something made long ago (usually more than a hundred years ago) which is valuable or interesting
Example: He collects antiques.
(on the same website btw)
(Your particular definition pertains primarily to cars)

Which just goes to show you.... subject to wide interpretation....
And on another note.... look up the definition of vintage.

Personally, S7 has definitely helped me see the different types of older figures out there, and reading the history behind it has been quite beneficial to me.

Granted, I do collect mostly newer lines (except my vintage tin toys), but I have been researching where to begin with collecting older figures. I wouldn't know where to begin if the back issues weren't around.

It's an invaluable resource to me, and I'm eager to see the direction taken with the new format.

Akumaizer, if you don't consider 1970s Takara Star Wars items "vintage Japanese toys," then yours is a minority viewpoint. It seems your preferences for subject material are pretty narrow and your expectations for the mook are unrealistic.

Im very concerned with the anti-new JP vinyl sentiment.How can you say it has nothing to do with the scene?These toys are made in Japan, by Japanese, and are often Homages, rips, replicas of vintage Vinyl.
In case you were wondering, yes, you are Vintage or Antique, whichever you preffer.

I would think the term "vintage" differs by genre. In relation to Japanese toys, 70's and early 80's. Stuff by Popy, Bullmark, Marusan, Masudaya, Takatoku, Gakken etc. during that time is generally accepted as falling under the "vintage" umbrella. Late 80's and 90's...not so much. As for the Star Wars, there were diecast toys by Popy made specifically for the Japanese market. While that may not be your collecting vein, it surely is an interesting topic, and definitely "vintage".

I'm looking at the "mook" as being an expanded issue of S7. Sure, there will be new vinyl articles, but both Brian and Chad are big into the older vinyl, and Roger into the mecha, so I don't see the magazine changing all that much. Just think of the Fireman article. Instead of 4 pages, you can make it 8 pages (not that there's that much merch of course) or more.

Ironically, the three articles I've pitched to Brian are completely non-mecha related.

OK, I haven't been paying attention, I plan on subscribing come Feb when I get paid again, I'll be getting 2 huge issues a year, rather than 4 not as huge? That's fine with me, I just wanna know what I'm getting.

My definition for "vintage" is anything that was produced before the end of Japan's economic bubble in 1989. (Incidentally, the year I graduated high school. Truly the end of an era.)

Again agreed, alltho there are at least two vinyl figures that I know of that were not pictured and a handful of diecast toys, (sorry, I'm a completist )
And again, it's easier to write about new product than it is to write about old,
much less research involved.

I guess I'd rather see the attempt and effort, rather than none at all because they didn't have every piece. Even the Saito books weren't comprehensive. In fact, they finish articles in S7 encouraging people to contact them if they missed something or were unaware of a specific toy. This is such a niche hobby that it's easy to think you've covered everything, then all of a sudden a piece pops up that you never even realized existed.

I think this is exactly the crux of why we are making the change, there were a lot of other roads to go down with the Star Wars stuff. Vintage bootlegs, bootlegs of the Takara, Popy box variations, displays, and much more. Just think of what it COULD have been. That is why I decided to make the switch.

For Fireman, it would be exactly the same -more space. I focused on the vinyls, but did not go into the swimming figure, the popy die-cast of the ship or other renditions of the ship, and did not use the clear vinyl mask bootleg, as it somehow went awol before the shoot, and I then omited unintentionally when looking through all the photos to peg the article. Much like where I store my toys, I NEED MORE ROOM!

As far as new vs. vintage, I consider anything before the death of Popy vintage in relation to Japanese toys. As much as I really focus my personal collection on vinyl and usually henshin heroes or kaiju, there is much more to the entire word of Japanese toys than this narrow niche, so I think it is important to show all the angles.

Additionally, I think the new toys are completely valid. They are new toys we have never seen before, made by a passionate group of new companies creating a whole new scene from the ashes of the old. This is just as interesting, and much more historically valid than a company who only makes new reissues of classic characters. For perspective, Imagine if a magazine in Japan had chronicled all the Bullmark, Marusan, Masudaya, Nakajima, etc. toys as they came out, and what a great artifact of knowledge that would be now.

As to your tempt that these articles are just fodder for sales, in short, advertising, I would take offense to that, as I think you greatly exaggerate the amount of toys these people are selling. Most have to keep their day jobs just to make this stuff. I cover it because I think it is valid, and exciting, and worthy of mention. There are plenty of other stuff coming out of Japan we leave out because we don't believe in it. In the end, I collect Japanese toys in a very broad sense, but focus on particular areas. I try to keep Super7 broad enough, so everyone can get a little of what the love, and a lot of what they like. It will be impossible to niche us all the way down for everyone, as it would be 10 of us in each club.

Lastly, I can only do what I can, and I will write about what I think is genuine. There are lots of articles I should have done so far, and have not had the space to do that most people still need. I think we assume everyone has lived with these toys as long as we have. Most people are still waiting and hoping for a visual checklist of the names to the ultra-kaiju, much less and in depth article of them.

I know that Super7 and the new toys have brought collecotrs to both sides. I know vintage guys who now pick up specific new characters that they really like (Damnedron and Mutant Chaos for example), and many new collecotrs wading into the deep end of vintage. Check out how many people were asking about the Barom-1 Doruge new figure. A few years ago, this would not have happened. I think it is good for everyone.

I think of all of this as good constructive criticism, and I am open to hear all of it. In the end though, there are only so many pages, and it can never be everything to everyone.

Brian,
What a wonderful diplomaticly succinct, eloquently stated and honest post.
Not even a touch of flame or acrimony, very much appreciated and welcome. Thank you !

I think its a fucking awesome idea. I shiver with delight thinking about it.

like..30 pages on Scopedog or Kanegon or whatver is fucking AWESOME. AWESOME.

full page shots? AWESOME.

I dont care about records dvds or whatever the fuckor or whatever bullshit.

the MOOK will ROOL. 100% TOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hell yes.

Brian is a genius.

Heh...it sure seems easier sometimes to whip out some f-bombs and call someone an "idiot" if they don't share viewpoints, than have a civil discussion. Nice when it happens.

********DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The mook sounds great! I am looking forward to the first edition!

i've been with super7 since issue 2 and its my fav. magazine period. so i'll support the mook matter what. i can't wait.

I love the Mook idea!!!!
Can't wait to see a shelf full of them as the years go on!!!

I say go one step further...offer a premium subscription. Leather bound hardcovers!!! I'd jump all over that.