How about : If you don't like it, express yourself eloquently ?

I could name quite a few well sculpted things that don't belong here. Yes some people buy stuff from Connell they would not dare post here. Does anyone actually think a PVC whale with model builder style paint belongs among MVH, PK, Splurt or anything else that gets love in this vinyl section? If people want forums where any toy is welcome, they exist. Why try and make SB another one of them? I like this guy but it would make more sense in whatever or maybe resin.

Realdeaocho if you put it out there on a open forum you have to expect people to give you their honest opinion right? I don't think anyone is being malicious, maybe sarcastic- but that's one of the things I love about this place. If you can't laugh I'm sure someone will be into it, just not my cup of tea. Also if you truly believe in your work who gives a flying fuck what a bunch of old sofubi collectors on a bitchy board think right?

This place can't be the "feel good every toy is great and perfect" the way you want it to be. Never going to happen. Censoring sucks. I can see this toy appealing to people into that sort of thing just not a lot of people here that's all.

Thanks again to all those who like and support my posts here. I really appreciate it. I would like to thank those who criticized me in a polite way about this issue as well. I will take your feedback into account when next posting here. I thought from previous experience here that this figure would fit in well in here but obviously I was mistaken. Next time I will post about my stuff in another section. I will now stop posting in this thread in order to not stirr up any more emotions.

Granted the American idols threads focus has moved more in the direction of USA based artists that make vinyl toys. That has not always been the case and I don't think the rules were ever officially changed to make it politically incorrect to discuss non vinyl toys in this section. There have been tons of non-vinyl toy makers openly, and many cases fairly, discussed in this forum in the past.

I don't mean to bash and was actually trying to stay out of this discussion (I suck at that). While I don't see this fitting in this sub forum I am by no means an authority or an old timer. From the sub heading, I had always assumed this section was once a much different place. I suppose I am speaking from what I know but that doesn't mean it has to be that way. In the end my opinion is just that and nothing more. When I usually feel the need to speak up is when people question why certain toys are less welcome. Unless something has changed, both the rules and the community keep certain toys off here. There are toys that when even a well liked SB member has a hand in it, it still doesn't get shown or discussed here. Then there are a ton of toys that, like this one, lie somewhere in between. They are things that do not reek of those specific toys that are not welcome and often are quite good in their own right. Some get free reign and some will get remarked upon when they show up. I don't feel comfortable playing judge when it comes to these kinds of toys. I think a lot of people agree but like me, they worry that it's a slippery slope. This type of self policing among the community confused me when I first showed up (hard to determine any clear cut lines and such with many toys) but have come to appreciate it. I know that others bemoan it. I actually like that these topics get explored a bit and aired out, even if it can seem like beating a dead kaiju at times. If we are the community I like to think of us as, then it should not be surprising that some discourse happen about what that means and how to preserve it. Of course there will always be those that feel it's headed to hell in a handbasket... and I'm driving the buss.

Fuck man, don't stop for that reason. If you just want to respect peoples opinions, then that's one thing. If you read around, join in more and decide that it is out of place, that's cool too. But don't fucking do it to stir up less emotion. You will find some passionate discourse here, even if it is sometimes nothing more than a toy nerd pissing match. I like that people here care about their hobby and dollies. I like your whale and have often checked out your work on that other forum. It's fun and I agree it has a nice 80's Saturday morning cartoon feel. It does seem out of place here to me but that isn't a value judgment. It's based purely on the materials, feel and paint style.

This is the thing that people DO NOT get in this thread. Hauke's U.R.I.-NAL “crazy bathroom robot,” toy resin/pvc thing was pretty much well-received on this board. I encourage you to look it up...it was quite fun to look at.

This mecha-whale not so much. It doesn't mean people hate him or that he should stop making toys etc.
I know quite a few people who like Rich's toys but are not fans of his new two head collab. So be it.

I just think it's narrow minded when people start assuming that people are 'hating' or being uncivil. It's a discussion. For example, I've never made a movie in my life but I can tell you that Return of the Jedi sucks and I hate it...whereas Jeff/Blooddrinker thinks it's one of the best ones made...even over Empire Strikes Back. Clearly he's fucking CRAZY but it doesn't mean I don't like him.

I for one like the Mechawhale and mine should be arriving sometime tomorrow. It looks like it will fit in nicely with my Beast Saga collection.

There's a big difference between saying you don't like something and saying something doesn't belong here. For years, threads about Three A, Kaws, Bearbrick, etc. have been tolerated and actively participated in by members of all standing and joined-on-dates.

It smacks of thought control to say "Get this out of here!" towards one Western or platform toy and "More, please" towards another. It constrains the discussion, hampers the willingness of toy makers and collectors to share and participate, and creates a narrow view of what is aesthetically "good" and "bad."

Engaging in thought control is the antithesis of punk.

What is a "beast saga"? Sounds like something I'm already involved in. Really.

It is interesting that the naysayers feel free and open with their opinions until someone steps outside of the cue and then that person is scolded with sarcasm and thinly veiled references to their apparently verboten altruism. In addition to getting a grammar and cetacean anatomy lesson. If open, honest and free discussion is the goal here, why all the party line reterric? Its a bit hypocritical. And to borrow a line "rebellious in a conformist sort of way". I wish I had the words to express it the way Andy did. ( Not Scary Andy, who's comments I actually appreciate and look forward to reading. GFYS. ) I am also done with this thread. I'll go back to looking at Pus Pirates and playing with my toys and leave the smack to the Nag and Mook discussion. My whale should be coming soon.

What the heck people?? This is a real TOY. It is made of PVC and has ARTICULATION garnfunnit! It's a weird toy board where painted resin lumps are ok, but toys with actual play value are not.

Honestly, I'm surprised by the comments, and yet, I'm also not that surprised in the context of the last couple years. I thought this place was about quality toys made by people who invest themselves in their work. Excluding toys because they are not soh-foo-bee and do not look like PK, MVH, etc. etc. etc. is pretty narrow-minded. A few years back, most of everything in the American Idols forum would have been blasted out of here without a second thought, so the current comparison is even kind of funny. Even that horrid KFGU Buff Monster toy got a fair discussion here... I understand the 'place and time' argument- and that is why we do not have threads about Transformers (oh wait, actually we do)- but it kind of misses the forest for the trees in this case.

Personally, sperm whales are kind of low on my favorite cetaceans list, but I can dig the animals-in-power-armor thing. (I did like the orca and blue whale designs from the animation.) The armor isn't overly 'anime' or derivative of anything else, which is good. And the weathering on the factory paint- amazing! I'm always blown away by the type of work that people can produce with relatively small operations these days. Nice work on landing the spot on BBTS as well.

^^^ This!
Also, a whale in a walking power suit!? How ridiculously cool is that?!
Also, I learned something about sperm whale blow holes. Yay!
And now I wonder if using sperm, blow and holes in one sentence will make Skullbrain NSFW on some computers?!

Hehe
Yes it's obvious Hauke is a talented guy and I reckon those mecha whales could kick some whaleboat arse!

These ritualized SB stompings just peel the skin right off my cock.

That seems like another initiation only you and Mr Kozik are party to . . . be sure to sterilise the mini Zag beforehand!

Whenever you feel like bringing that debate up AGAIN, please use the "search" function and see whether you want to make a point that has not been made A GAZILLION TIMES (often by yourself).

I like this one (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=26965&hilit=western+vinyl+tastes) because it also bundles up a few other perennial "debates" like punkness and copyright issues. Plus, roger talks of meta-irony.

It -does- lack a newbie pontificating from his two-month board experience pedestal though. And while it mentions Bemons, there's nothing about Nags.

Do you remember Battle Beasts? Beast Saga is kind of like those guys. They're made by Takara and have a dice in their chest. You hit the plunger on the back to shoot the dice out to roll it. They are part of a game, but I like them for the figures themselves. There are also Sofubi Beast Sagas available. Those don't have actual dice and are larger than the normal figures.

Here is an example of the figures.

Oh Andy, you know i'm all about fight figures up the chunnel...

2-headed Bemons wouldn't turn a profit, ahh 2008. Bemon is probably the only Japanese maker who might walk away a millionaire, or close to it.

I don't know if I'm adding anything to the conversation here, but I'll say it anyway. If this toy was cast in bright Japanese vinyl and hit with colorful airbrush sprays the reception would be much different. I think this is a well made nice toy. There are probably a dozen guys on the forum who are very vocal when they dislike somethings, if a thread has 2000 views and a handful of people voice their dislike that is not a fair indicator of public opinion. There could be hundreds here who like it or are neutral but who just don't care enough to say anything.
Mechawhale aside, I'm glad those guys actually speak up. I think one thing missing from Japanese and designer toys is thoughtful criticism. And I think the whole field has hit an all time low. I can't believe what garbage gets praised and bought these days.

I find it rather funny that the person that seems bothered least by everything going on in this thread is Hauke himself...

First off, more or less playful hazing has been a part of this board since I first discovered it and always set this place apart from all the others. FFS, the word filter turns n**bs into "fresh meat"..! If you can't deal with that, just don't. No one's forcing you to endure Skullbrain. I for one prefer sarcasm and honest opinions over pointless cheerleading and all that "posi"-crap that some people have been advocating lately any day.

Secondly, before certain seditionary remarks were made and all that old SB trauma - which seems to be a question of priciple and not so much about this toy in particular - came floating to the surface, this thread was sinking pretty fast. I don't think the issue is whether you like this or not, but rather "Why here?" when there's probably a plethora of other boards out there where this would find a much more receptive and appreciative audience. Here, there simply isn't a subsection to accommodate blow-molded PVC action figures. Go figure.

Not hating on Hauke (who is obviously very talented & with whom I've had a brief, but friendly pm exchange), just saying. And yes, all these points have been made and regurgitated countless times, but since fresh meat these days apparently can't be bothered to use the search or read some older threads, here we go again. I'm just glad Ben didn't post a pic of his peeled cock (yet).

When one of our locals who makes great sofubi is subject to intense criticism, how is a PVC whale supposed to be only talked nicely about? When so and so's latest sculpt, paint scheme or accessory are open to scrutiny then how the fuck is discussing if this is the right section for this toy or offering up some criticism akin to mind control, destroying creativity and keeping people from expanding our horizons? Clearly these things get decided on a case by case basis regardless of your side on the issue. Sometimes this place make me want to slam my tender vittles in a car door! Whether this toy fits in this section is obviously open to discussion as we can clearly see there is no common consensus. Can we please be a little less sensationalist though... I feel like I started watching Fox News. Like I said, I like the toy but it does seem out of place. If that makes me a evil, elitist, control freak well then so be it.

Edit: To be clear, I am not calling anyone on either side of this discussion a hypocrite. I see now that it could easily appear so. The hypocrisy I am speaking about is that we have ambiguous rules and guidelines but then when applied to a specific toy, everyone comes out and acts like everyone should clearly see where those lines are drawn. While I have no doubt many people know where THEY draw the line, obviously we all see the lines in different places. I am as guilty as anyone, so I was not trying to sound self righteous or judgmental. I just don't see this discussion as a surprise and was a bit shocked at the weight being assigned to it.

We made that figure? I know I miss a few things here and there but...