Yeah, since Mibora is a bootleg of a real character I can see how it doesn't fit the Zokki line and how Garg might want to steer clear of that path (unlike thier other figs which are bootlegs of bootlegs.)

Sad, but I can see Gargamels side too.

The Mibora head is very inspired by Aboras not an exact replica of the real character....more info on this thread
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=27560

Also, I think it has been established that the original Zagoran by Daikyo was not really a bootleg.
Vintagevinyl (Jim) in the vintage thread had dug up a brochure that actually credits Nakaoka Toshiya who created the Zag, Mightin and others so those Daikyo figures seem to have been made with his consent. More below.
http://skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic.php? ... &start=100

more photos from hank! (THANKS HANK!!!)

this colors look so cool in this picture


old, but still so kick ass awesome

mr. horvath is a fan of super7 and gargamel as well http://www.flickr.com/photos/27851887@N07/

Need an Ooze bat in these colors! The green vinyl from the sdcc Gorilla Biscuits would do nicely.

No erasers were available today. I think they sold them only on Preview Night. If not, someone pick me up one. . .

Anyone get a pack?

Gargamel killed this week! I will post pics of my loot this weekend!

Well Miboras is still a bootleg of Aboras, a character used on screen. It doesn't need to be IDENTICAL to be a bootleg. As where the original Zag and stuff were considered bootlegs since, though they were original characters, they were made as toys only and never used on camera and do resemble certain on camera monsters. Zag is like a 1 eyed Goji. The Hedoro's are obvious. I think it's considered "bootleg" even if there's not a direct source. Like cheap toys we'd find in dollar stores now, some are clearly rip offs and some are slightly more original, but I'd still call them bootlegs. The "bootleg" term, in my opinion, means someone is banking in on an overall image they didn't create (in this case toho/tsuburaya style characters.) Guess it's just the way we all use terminology, but we're on the same page so no arguments.

I'd just think there'd be bigger issues releasing a figure that's based on an on screen character vs. one that's based on one that's not.

Trust me, I WISH there were more Miboras, I had one Bwana did but I pick my toys up and mess with them and it was waaaaay sticky so I couldn't excuse the price. Non-sticky ones, I think I'd go for. Hopefully I'll nab one someday. Maybe Gargamel can release a really expensive mini, than give us a Miboras blank for "free" so it's not really walking on any trademark boundries?

Another way for me to express my ideas of "bootleg" is look at Cancun Spring Break style shirts. Sure, Bart Simpson never had dreadlocks, but we all know who it's supposed to be. All you have to do is change 1 thing. Godzilla - 1 eye = Zag. That's where I'm looking at it from, at least. It'd be cool to get a full/clear thought on the situation from the Gargamel boys, though. Just for fun is all.

Like, tacky and unpleasant feeling to the hands? Or some other 'sticky'. I like the look of Miboras as well...

I only know 1 kind of sticky, you touch it, the toy sticks a little to your hand. Dust would grow on it in an open air collection if allowed to be in one. I hear Spoons' has repaired the issue with the stick, so I don't think it's a "thing" anymore.

Lol! No argument here Jeff. I think just a slightly different perspective on "bootleg".

I regard the definition of bootleg as someone using a character, piece of art, product design whatever without the legal rights from the original owners to mass produce a product. In other words "counterfeit" product like "bootleged" records, movies etc that have an exact or almost exact likeness.

I certainly see your point on companies "banking" on a successful or popular character/genre/product but I just don't consider that bootlegging. Companies following trends without infringing on copyrighted or trademarked material is just a common business practice we see everyday. Also, I don't think releasing a figure based on a screen character is any different than releasing a figure from print or product, if it's unauthorized or infringing on someone's copyright. I think it's still a bootleg.

Tons of monsters were inspired by Gojira but Gojira was inspired by a dinosaur so that leaves the field pretty open to create similar characters without infringing on the exact likeness of Gojira. Nakaoka Toshiya's Zag has prehistoric and Gojira inspiration but I wouldn't call it a bootleg of Gojira. However, Gargamels Zag, I would call a bootleg of Nakaoka Toshiya's & Daikyo's vinyl Zag. The features between those two are much more similar than between Gojira.

Gojira inspired a whole genre of kaiju but within that genre exists an abundance of original copyrighted characters. Much like the creation of Superman leading to a world of super-heroes. There are some pretty good threads from a few years ago discussing the use of the Nakaoka Toshiya Kaiju characters.
Definitely an interesting topic to discuss....

I have to go sulk now that I didn't score a Miboras or Camo Zag.

I get you. I just have no other word to describe these things. Like how would we describe Remco's Warrior Beasts? No, not DIRECTLY and IDENTICALLY ripping off He-Man, but pretty close and it was just trying to bank in on the hype of the type of figures He-Man spawned.

Perhaps "inspired by" is more accurate, but I just like the sound of "Bootleg." Anyway, since Miboras seems more direct than the rest of the Zokki line, I think that's why it's been sidelined.

How about "knockoff?" That might be a little better than "bootleg." This is serious buisness BTW!

Sorry to go OT on this thread. How much were the fproduction figures? I can guess on a lot, and see the prices on some, but mainly I'm curious about the Buta-Thrashman. Can't afford one now, but it's great, I'd like to keep an eye on it so I know how much to toss down when I can swing it.

Can anyone tell me how tall the Butanohana Thrashman is? Or how much the clear w/ silver pipe cleaners version is/was selling for at the 'Con?

Most Butanohana run around 5 inches

Ohhh.... so even though he's articulated, he's not standard sized? Hmmm... I suppose he could make a good sized hero vinyl to chase around my minis then.

It's long gone. Sold out today.

Just wanted to share......

Nice! Bummed I missed preview night...buying a 4 day pass now for next year.

Best croucher of the lot

So awesome Hank.

I'm curious if this is a left over from the Kaiju-blue show or if this is the 2nd pink mini hawaii crouching zagoran.

This is left over from Kaiju Blue, along with a handful of others. I'm not sure if they weren't for sale or if they just didn't sell. Either way rules. haha! The Gargamel customs were mind blowing, I don't think pictures or explanations will ever do it justice. Legendary type stuff.

Wow stuff selling out before the busy weekend. That crouching zag looks amazing and you totally deserve it.

It is interesting that you got that little Zag, Hank. Why it interests me is because I noticed that over the past four or five months, the customs done by the Gargamel guys (and even some of the Grass Hut crew) for various shows (like the Kaiju Blue, Jamipoo, Garg Gang @ Grass Hut, etc.) were for sale at the Con. I specifically noticed some of the custom Jamipoo and Mibora that I'd previously seen in pix from prior shows. When I inquired on them, at that time, I was told the items were "sold out". Funny to see them crop up again.

Really??? Left-overs from the KB show???
I am very sure many people have entered the lottery, in particular for those 2 crouching zags during the show. I did too, hence how can they didn't sell from the show?
If they weren't for sale at KB, why put up a lottery for them?
I know what "lotteries", especially those that are conducted behind the scenes mean, so maybe shouldn't be too surprise afterall.
Anyhow, turn out great for you Hank, great pickups
My first picks would have been the kiyoka's miboras for sure!