So two nights ago, we made it out to Aoto with Dennis and his wife to finally visit "mecca" for me hehe, and my visit to the shop was so incredible, my trip to Japan has already been made perfect and it's only just begun!

We arrived on a rainy night, and you can see the shop lights from down the street. Walk in, and be bathed in the glow of every real head figure of your dreams. Mori is the nicest guy I have met while being involved in this hobby.
We stood around talking about toys for a bit, I showed him photos of my collection (which he loved haha..he was surprised I had a few of the pieces I think), but he was really excited about my complete oni head collection
So we were shooting the breeze and were admiring the new mummy and fly minis and he said " here take one each", and he gave us the minis as a gift! I was so stoked!

I bought a couple of new figures while there (the new kaiser head rules! keep an eye out for another coming soon )

We stayed for a while and talked about things from madballs to kitaro, and then towards the end of the visit I asked him a question about green oni head variants. Talked about that for a bit, and then saw one of the figures I've only seen in pictures...the clear blue oni head with white shirt and black pants!

So I asked about it, and he said it was a sample only. Then he said " Oh oni head is your favorite..." with a big smile. He reaches in back, and grabs one of the other sample colors and hands it over to me. "gift...for your collection". This was the second gift of the evening from mori, but also got another gift from a friend that will blow everyone away as well.

I was (and am still) completely blown away. He was so generous, and so nice to all of us, and it makes me so excited to see a toymaker who is so down to earth. It's tough to put all of it into words, but my collection means so much more now that I have seen where, and who, it comes from.

Best night ever. Words can't completely describe it.

If you can manage it, come over here and experience this country. It's the best thing I've ever done, the best trip I've been on!

USELESS without PICS!
And Clear Blue Oni, we talking full size or Mini?

you just lived my dream

wow! that's hawsome!

so will he ever release the clear blue oni painted????

haha...i didn't bring my camera gear to upload photos. i'll try to take some with my phone later on

it is pretty much the full size red oni head, but with clear blue vinyl instead. it didn't seem like it was going to be released.

it seriously was a dream come true night...

Sounds great !!

Wow, which test sample did he give you, that must have been an honor !

The Kaiju Gods were certainly looking down on you. Thank you for such a wonderful story. I'm in awe!

Stoked for you Ed!!!!!

*Sob*Sob*Sniff*
Happy endings always make me a little weepy.
Congrats on your visit! Very cool!

so awesome...

Totally rules! Couldn't have happened to someone cooler (except me haw haw) great to hear you're having a killer time over there Ed.

with this stories makes me want more and more to go back to japan

Thanks for sharing such a fantastic and personal experience Ed! So Awesome!

Exactly.

Awesome Ed.

Capturing moments like these are usually so hard and Atease, you've shared this moment like a little kid getting lost in a candy store---are you a writer or something? Awesome story.

I can see and feel your happiness from here. Congrats.

Right On Ed! Sounds like a blast, can't wait to hear about the whole trip.

I just completed the Onis too, did Mori happen to mention a green oni with yellow eyes?

yep kurt, that was the oni question i had asked. i can tell you that both were released. one with yellow eyes, one with white.

i hate to tell you this, but i scored another proto oni today
this one i found at a shop though hehe

thanks for the thoughts everyone...glad i could share a cool night with everyone else!

Ya Ed! Glad to hear you're having such a great. And big kudos to Mori for being such an amazing guy.

Oni binge!

glad you're having a good time...say hi to mark for me and steal something from him...

Well, it couldn't happen to a more stand-up guy, Ed! Congrats, brotha!

Glad you and Ryan are enjoying yourselves. Hit ya up when you get back!

Congrats! Well at least I can visit them. . . you just better make sure they're locked-up.

Our day at the Shinto was somthing very special! The pics bring back a tear to my eye!

Sounds like an awesome time man, cant wait to see some pics.

I think this story illustrates why most of us enjoy this hobby.
It's the personal connection that we feel for these things.
I don't know of anywhere else a creator would go out of his way to give a rare proto to a fan.
Mori sounds like a wonderful guy.
The best part, in my mind, is that he knows how much you appreciate it, so it makes it that much of a greater gift.
Glad that you are having such a great time.
And thanks for sharing such a wonderful story.

Great story!