Little late finding out about this but does anyone realize these Marusan originals (Bondora & Ebieron) have been re-released? I saw one on YJA weeks ago asked Daniel about it and he said yeah they did. Funny it never got posted here, but then again it's all hyped stuff on the board now. Here is what they look like (from various blogs). I hope they release more of the original Marusan series. Especially that Giant Ragon & Bakura:








Also saw this new Killer J sculpt with same body as Sarumon but with a head that looks like an old Marusan sculpt on Kadomiumtank's blog:

that blue one is pretty cool, its reminds me of the gameppa. i like the rigidness of these sculpts, and i really like the look of that sarumon mix up thing.

thanks for the information

I really think its to bad that KillerJ gets so much shit. I like this and I still like the Sarumon.

I've nothing to add, but I missed these too - Thank you for posting about them.
Always liked Ebieron.

I feel the same way. I own two Sarumon and they still catch my eye. People make huge deal over him biting original sculpts but he's biting good sculpts at least.

I dig KillerJ's stuff. I don't see why he receives so much flak for taking influences and inspiration into his own toys. We've seen that so many times in the sofubi world and I rarely see anyone called out on here as much as I have KillerJ. Anyway, that Dino-Saruman is fucking rad!

I was told Killer-J is also a flipper.

I've heard that.

It was also my understanding that Bero is a Marusan original figure and Marusan is still an active company. So the Saruman is like if I went and made "Kaos Mootant!" and it was just a "reimagined" Chaos by RxH but RxH is still actively making toys so it's kinda "not cool dude."

When Gargamel did the Hedos it's not like IKB was out there still, even Hukkokudo didn't start redoing them until after Garg did their versions.

In the case of Target Earth doing the Kusagon and Mecha Gorilla and even the Maza looking thing I think they got permission to do those. So again, not TOTALLY the same (if true.)

This is all what I've read/heard etc though. Just stirring the shit pot MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!

On a positive note the new Bondora's look awesome coming up! More hypesz!

I don't want to turn this thread into a debate on who's copying who and ethics. Jeff I see your points but in regards to this new sculpt (which I'm not that into btw) I'd say those Marusan originals have not seen the light of day since the late 60's. It's not like Marusan has done anything with them since then except these two recent releases (Bondora & Ebireon). Pretty much dead just like the IKB sculpts were when Gargamel starting making their own versions. If anything I hope it does spurn Marusan to say "Wait a minute people want these old sculpts maybe we could release some more."

I don't know or care just what I remember the "stink" being

Here, this is cool

Nice colorway. Wonder if that came out around the same time? Yeah I'm not for the stink either just here for the toys All I know is there are a few vintage Marusan originals in my want list which if I ever even getting close to finding will cost me a mint. Anything bringing availability and price down, including someone bootlegging their sculpt to maybe prod them into it is ok with me. Please Marusan just make em' again ...

I am a huge fan of the Marusan originals, and can't understand why they get no love (re-issues that is). Seriously, here in Japan, where you would think they would be appreciated all that much more, you can pick 'em up for under 2000Yen usually. To me that is just unbelievable. There are definitely some I am waiting for Marusan to re-release. Bondora doesn't do that much for me, but Ebireon is pretty damn sweet.

Incidentally, as far as I know, these were released as a SF 56 exclusive set though I think I have seen them available individually since then.

Yeah these Marusan originals are the ones I want to see out in the wild again:

Angoras:

Garugon:

Giant Bakura:

Giant Ragon:

I scored these two (B & E), hunted them down because I love Bondoraa. They didn't disappoint when I got then, except the paint on B is a bit thick and it's even lumpy in some parts. I had Paul Kaiju do a custom on Ebireon, here's what he did

And BTW I think Grumble Toy actually offered the SuperFest ones and another couple versions.

edit. SO I was looking through GT's site and couldn't find 'em. Probably just dreamed it!

Bondoraa's so cool. Love that blue version.

I have always liked Killer J's toys. I like Sarumon. I like the new (old Marusan pachi) head. I don't like it on the Sarumon body at all. It may have something to do with being so accustomed to seeing that Bera-inspired body with Sarumon, but I think it just doesn't work.

Edit: And the Kadtank dude listens to Godflesh. Awesome.