What exactly makes this a toy? Because it is made out of vinyl?

Probably. At least by some people's definition.

After seeing the drawing.. I actually get the concept of it. I think the drawing is pretty cool and I like the pose. The two-tone coloring etc. I just don't understand the middle finger thing.

Was there a reason why they couldn't have made it like the drawing?

while were at it, let's ask the same thing of this

I knew it was a question of time before somthing Kozik's popped
up in this tread

It's an interesting idea that's sorta been brought up before. I guess if the figure has articulation, then it has some sort of 'play' value, but non-posable minis and stuff and closer to decorations or baubles, but they can still be fun I suppose. 'Fun-factor' is obviously subjective though. I mean, I suppose you can have a Fortune Cat as some hand-candy, but it's really more of a decorative item than a toy. Where do you draw the line though?

haha It was more about the RxH cat than kozik. With that said, I'm not commenting badly on the rxh cat. I have more than my fair share and have had a tattoo of one for a number of years now. Just stirring the conversation.

Yes, it's nice to go all C-3P0 on this shit !
It think it's common use to say Toy, be it posable or articulate.
I won't admit it's like grandma's baubles, so just for this sake
it's OK.

Why did they make it give the flip instead of just going with the drawing in beyond me. Who are the trying to appeal to ?
Usually I'm way more open than the next guy but I would feel very cheap putting that in my collection where my kids and all there friends would see this, purposedless.

I think that's my point. I don't think they care who they appeal to. They are making something they like.

I was so hoping this guy was gonna have the same proportions and stature of the GB when Klim first mentioned the project . . . but the more I see of it and the more people rip on it, the more I'm liking it!

Mascot toys rule.
Mike Giant's drawing for Toypunks rule.
Reckless did a great job bringing it to 3D.

Are any of these things really "toys"?

These seem more like adult collectibles that draw inspiration from (some more loosely than others) from actual children's toys from the 60's and 70's. They're certainly priced and marketed as such...

Oh...and sorry--are we at "Mike Giant/Toypunks toy is good; Coop's toy still sucks"? I've sorta lost track...

I think "toy' is used in the vernacular simply because there is no other word to use. I don't think anyone is confusing this with say a gi-joe.

really, I thought that was the kung fu grip....

You get all excited anytime you see a kung fu grip Glenn

This is one of those probably-unresolvable debates that I love, because the perspectives and opinions all seem to carry some validity. It's the "but is it art?" debates that make my blood boil.

When I was a kid in the '70s my bro and I had some Bullmarks that we treated with incredible disrespect (because we loved 'em of course) ... they're lost to history and what happens when you attach fireworks to toys, but ... for us they were toys. Now the same figures, should we choose to pay the big bucks for them would be collectables for adults, treated with care and reverence and seasonal dustings. Sometimes it's more about context than the toy or "toy" itself.

What I think everyone can agree on is that whether or not the contemporary J-vinyl we discuss here are toys or not, they clearly have their historic roots in toys intended for kids ... and of course many of the traditional kaijus come from the same historic molds, even if context of end product has changed. "Toy" means more than it once did.

I know a young girl whose parents are wonderful Japan-o-philes. They have Maneki Nekos and Darumas in their home. The girl isn't allowed to play with those but I gave her a couple of mini RxH fortune cats. For her, they're toys to play with.

After seeing Coops picture on the first page I think I'm digging it more than the Dr Mortality . . . although I'm unsure if MK seem to swing more towards the KR business model which indirectly affects my thoughts on the toy!

Well, aside from the price, I don't see any actual different between say, a standard sized Zollmen or Elegab or Yamomark kaiju figure and a Bullmark or M1GO. Elegab's stuff even has a great level of interactivity worked in, making them genuinely fun to play with.

You should go into politics.

My daughter has full reign on my collection and usually pics the vintage stuff to play with her Barbies. OK I actually play too but at least it's with "toys" I like. For the record, my figure is also giving the finger but you can't really tell because he has a claw hand.

BTW, you can hate Lil' Mort all you want - I was happy with the final result, it sold well, end of the story as far as I'm concerned. As far as the middle finger business- I explained on that other thread exactly what the middle finger meant - it has a specific symbolic connotation, and was not meant for punk rock shock value at all.

I just thought it was funny that pretty much ALL the criticisms of my toy could also be made of the Mike Giant piece, but, because he has more punk rock "toy cred", and it is made by an "approved" toy company, everyone is falling over themselves find something to like about it.

Come to think if it, this is just like punk rock - the part where it mutated into elitist scene stratification bullshit...

(Sorry, this probably sounds more angry than it actually is.)

Nah, I'm retired . . . pay sucks but the hours are great . . .

COOP

I think I'd like Lil Mort better if he was shown posing with some more of those "lady friends" in prior photos

I would describe this as a mascot toy.
An American toy that happens to be made in Japan.

Maybe in the same genre as Ron English's stuff.
Not for me as I like pollution monsters and such.

So it's the same as Mummy Boys, but people here love those because they're the Super7 mascot (not that there's anything wrong with that).