Agreed!

Uh oh. I converted my entire stock portfolio over to Bemons.
May we should set up a vinyl mutual fund
BUY! SELL! Short the ZOLLMEN and Pork Bellies.

I'll buy some units when this fund is setup

It's funny how things like this come up no matter what toy line you collect. I think there's built in collector angst - I spent how much on that?

So some people say they're "just toys" since they don't want to call them collectibles. Fair enough. But there are plenty of other people who, when putting $300 down on something like this, are going to have a different perspective. And that includes a ton of Japanese collectors who don't remove their stuff from packaging. It's a collecting style, not an investment strategy.

I actually think RxH is producing so many neo-replicas to napalm the idea that his toys are anything but toys. Some people will be happy that it's getting easier to get the latest releases (either on release day or a few weeks later). Others won't, since they did sink a lot into the line, and they did look at these as collectibles. If they're pissed, it's their right, eh?

Anyway, I think it's lame to come down on either side. You could fit the number of people who collect this stuff into a small airplane. Yeah - it's kew-el on some sites to hack people apart no matter what they do - but look around. Keep hacking and there wont be anyone left to buy (or make) this stuff.

Me, I'll be sacrificing plenty of yen at the sofubi alter after I hit Japan tomorrow.

Let them eat kaiju, and pass the mustard.

i agree with kirkland however not too sure if people realize what's going through their minds (subliminally or not) when one buys toys... the old rare expensive kind. when you fork out $1000 for a two headed Bemon, you are hoping with some confidence that one day, if you decide to sell it, you can get that money back, or if you like something else be able to trade it for around the price you paid for. i will be surprised if someone doesn't think this...

i have 2 lego collectors, and some of the releases are rare and they refuse to open them up. i don't do that but just lead me to think many collectors are investing (thinking of the future value) when purchasing.

A few things, in my opinion:

-The line was "falling" before repros or redos or re-whatevers.
-The "fall" has more to do with the "rise" than anything. Things got big, though production was still limited, prices soared, new collectors and flippers got involved, things started getting easier to get, interest lost by fair-weather collectors, the mentallity of "OMG THIS WILL SELL OUT IN SECONDS" flew away and now we're where we are. It was all in our heads, still is.
-I don't think of RxH as a "line" because I have no interest in all of the figures. Nothing is watered down to me then, since all I have are ones I feel are strong. Knowing there are RxH figures out there that I feel to be weak doesn't make me look at what I have and say "what a shame, they're all diluted now" because they stand on their own.
-RxH rules, I love that Mori does what he wants with little thought of "the market" or "scene" or any other lame ass name for a bunch of dorks spending this much money on toys or collectables or art or whatever you tell yourself you buy.
-RHND.

I'm just waiting for the right time to cash-in all my Chaos and buy a small island in the Bahamas to retire to . . . in ma head!

this is all beginning to remind me of comic books in the 90's

Look, I know the body proportions are off on RxH toys, but they're not NEARLY as crazy as Liefeld!

Real Head toys have feet. 90's Liefield comics did not.

But maybe the shorts are button fly?

I'd buy foil variant RxH.

A little off topic, but I think it's interesting thinking about RxH (and other similar vinyl toy companies) as a brand and what strengthens and weakens them. There are probably hundreds of vinyl collectors who have heard of RxH, a select group here who are very familiar. But often what you hear from people outside of the collectors here when they look at a RxH figure is what is that supposed to be.
These small companies don't really have a strong brand, a couple logos, a small inexpensive website, some stickers, some t-shirts. Maybe intentionally, maybe due to financial restrictions. They release these characters that have a brief often unknown story, they're not attached to a franchise, therefor not immediately recognized and dismissed by 99.99% of the population. Western vinyl and as of late a few Japanese brands have started to collaborate with well known artists and designers to broaden their appeal but they're still only noticed by a tiny demographic. I think the people who collect these toys (at least I am) are attracted to that. They enjoy being part of a small group of in the know collectors hiding these treasures away while everyone else in the world goes blissfully unaware.
When a relatively unknown designer or artist wants to make a toy, the solution is to start a company, then instead of selling your art (because no one knows who you are and no one cares about your art), you're selling a product, .
That's what attracted me to Neo-Kaiju years ago. I had no idea what it was or who was making it, it was just cool and obscure and I wanted it. And to me that was the brand of all Neo-Kaiju, mysterious and hard to get and, a lack of a developed identity and collateral only enhanced the mystery. Now the world of Neo-Kaiju is changing. Companies are growing, gaining exposure and buyers and releasing products they hope satisfy them. I don't know how it will play out or how the brands will evolve to stay relevant and keep their appeal, but I look forward to following RxH and others and seeing the directions they take.

Collectors are always going to be upset with reissues. The most dedicated fans spend countless hours hunting the rarest toys online, in shops, from board members. Then on top of that the figure costs money that could otherwise be spent on rent, eating properly, fixing the car. You put all that energy, time and money into a figure and it gets reissued for retail with minor differences.

On the other hand, reissues give collectors a chance to own something that would otherwise be unobtainable. Yet even after the reissues I still missed both the red evil and yellow MH

You have just described everything that I dislike about this hobby.

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking that... if I enjoy a toy, why do I care how many other people own one?

*yawn*

Looking forward to picking this up at Designer Con.

here's hoping there are a few left over for the webstore!

I wish there was more clear and GID RxH toys coming around.

is that lulubell designer con version clear (can't remember the exact name of that figure)?
it looks clear. actually, it looks like glass in that picture! i wonder if it would look as pretty without direct sunlight shining through it...

I'm sure it will.

Clear purple vinyl is the best. And I'm with you in hoping it will make it's way to lulubell's webstore.

The figure is amazing!