Probably late but didn't see anyone talking about it here:



I know the original is rare as hen's teeth, and M1 has their own version, but this is pretty cool. Says it ships in August 2012. Maybe I'll look for one then. Two versions. D Type 1 and 2.

Cool. I am happy to own the M1 version, but I am very excited about this. I distinctly remember in my early days of collecting coming across an article all about Mark (Nagata's) massive Ultra collection and his hunt for the elusive Ultraman for girls figure. It was something that really inspired me sharing the simple love of sofubi with other fans, and opened up a world of toy love I was indirectly a part of, but barely knew was out there. I am glad the story had a happy ending - and it couldn't belong in a more deserving place I think. For the rest of us, I am happy there are reissues

This looks promising. I like the M1 version, but I like this sculpt as well. I am excited to see it in person.

Article:

http://www.toybotstudios.com/2005/10/mo ... on-in.html

and pic (from Joe's flickr):


Ultra Rare Red Ultraman by Fiends Ain't Family, on Flickr

Not sure which headsculpt the original had, the one with hole in the ear or no hole. Looks more like the first one (with hole). That's the one I'm favoring. Hopefully some will show up on YJA then. Maybe Hobby Search will do a pre order? Someone remind me to look, although I'll be in Spain for two weeks in the beginning of August!

Thanks for digging up the article Lixx. I am on my dial-up so I couldn't really hunt around for the link.

I really dig the elongated head on the vintage version. While the M1 is nice, I honestly feel it doesn't really come close to these (at least from the preview shots). The flat vinyl on the M1 and the fact that these are a much brighter red really are a huge improvement I think.

Dial-up? Wow, talk about vintage!



Just playing, man! But I kinda agree about making these glossier and making the colors pop more. I feel that if you're gonna repro a vintage sofubi, you should try to change it a little, at least. I doubt anyone's gonna get snookered by an unscrupulous seller trying to pass the M1 off for an original, but why not jazz up the repro a little by glossing it or doing something like that to improve the aesthetics?

I inquired with Hobby Search and they said they will not have a pre order for these because they are an exclusive magazine mail order. Insert sad face

Damn...

I really like what Marusan's been doing lately.

Any idea which magazine?

No idea it was just a generic answer "exclusive magazine mail order". I searched online an used translator and got this: Triple magazine Quant collaboration

If that means anything to you?

The preorder for these guys closed on May 31st - they were available thru hobidas site. However, on Marusan, a blog post dated 6-4 says you may be able to contact Mr. Hobidasu directly if you missed the preorder and see if you can still get them. The link to hobidas site is in the blog post dated 5-25, its expired for those products now but the contact info should be in there somewhere. Hopefully there is still time.

The blog is at Marusan dash toy dot com and click on the 'sof-vi wide' link on the left side.

Check out the 'luxury box' they have up for preorder now - 45k yen O.O

The antique, yellow and blue ultras are new too - says something about them being show exlusives this summer maybe?

Nice, thanks for the heads up on that. If someone is going to order one, and figures out the cost, drop me a PM. Or maybe a couple of us could go together even, if it was doable.

Still wondering if anyone ever got one of these and trying to find one. I've searched YJA under 'marusan ultraman', ultraman, marusan, never seen any of these come up. Were they super limited? Guess I'm just blowing in the wind because I don't think I'll find one. I prefer these to that M1 version.

Count me in as another person who has been hunting but has not found any more info, let alone success at tracking one down. The M1 is great, but I would have definitely loved to be able to add one of these glossy guys too. So did anyone actually get one through an order?

Finally!:


Marusan x Hobidas 1966 Red Ultraman Reissue by Beautification Syndrome, on Flickr

Obviously not as good as having the original vintage but considering I've never even seen one for sale it's the best "eternal place holder". Better than the M1version (IMO), which is no slight on Yuji but it's Marusan man...

Big, fat congrats on the score!

Nothing could diminish my love for Yuji's take on the theme, but that doesn't get in the way at all of my appreciation for the straight repro. I'd love to find more pics of the original; Mark N's snap has me just as uncertain as to which of the two new ones utilizes the same head as the OG:


As most of us know, Buta also took a turn at paying homage to the ladies' Ultra:

Any other versions out there?

It's definitely the reissue type 2 version (not mine). The version I got (type 1) is the Marusan 1st 1966 version, just made red. So now I know what Type 1 & 2 meant finally...Type 1: Marusan 1st, Type 2: Marusan 2nd which became Bullmark. Actually the Red Ultraman was made by Bullmark (not Marusan) so even though the reproduction was put out by Marusan, I've been wrong in saying 'Marusan' when referencing the vintage version. Confused yet? Mark Nagata explains here:

http://www.ultramantoys.com/1960/

It's all about those ears!

And he put up this pic on his site which shows the earlier versions (Marusan/Bullmark standards):



Through this photo just now I was able to figure out that other Marusan 1966 350 reproduction I have is made to look like the self paint version (right of M1 version):



And to confuse everyone even more Marusan did put out a real 'self paint' reproduction in the past year or two. I saw the blank one on YJA. Not sure if it included paint. LOL

Amazing score on the red Marusan Ultraman Chris!

I was really curious why the initial head/ears changed so I've been digging thru my Tsuburaya Master of Monsters book to see if the original Ultraman helmet looked like the firs version but I haven't found anything yet. I wonder if the sculptor just misinterpreted the slight bevel on the top of the ear as a line, thus the second more accurate head?