The Zenith figure's base really does look like the Antikythera Mechanism pictured above.

An ancient greek clockwork mechanism, a name shared with a classic high end Swiss watchmaker...what exactly are the creators getting at ?

Wow, great find - I can't believe you tracked that down. It is without question the inspiration. Talk about extra cool subtlety, what a crazy and amazing choice. Makes me wonder what other ancient gems might be hidden in the Zenith designs. I tell you, I am liking these guys more and more.

that's pretty great.
be weary at the sound of clockwork
it could be a mighty zenith awakening

I just saw a random post on FB and thought it looked familiar. I didn't realize that post was most likely made in the wake of the airing of this :

http://m.video.pbs.org/video/2364988981/

I am expecting the awakening of the mighty Zenith with trepidation.

About Zenith in an old post on the one up blog :

２０１０年、設計事務所を退職後以前から興味のあったアート作品を作り始
める。
初のソフビ化の作品をＯｎｅ　ｕｐ．よりリリース。

現在ニューヨーク　ローワー・イースト・サイド在住。

^ interesting ....

Has anyone else on here obtained one of these yet ?

This is one of the craziest toys I've ever seen.

It reminds me of Warhammer stuff or the artwork of James Stokoe in Orc Stain.

Okay I'm sold, need to track this down

yea, you had me at ancient clock mechanism.
this thing is in need of some multi-color spray action.

Has anyone on here thought of acquiring this guy ?



On the blog it is announced as ??? X Zenith. That clarifies things.

Oh man, that is my favourite one yet. It may 'ruin' a bit of the mysterious lost artifact feel with those colours, but boy, that classic kaiju paint combination really sets it off for me. Considering this is on the lower end of the price scale, I am guessing it must be another paint job from them or a non-professional friend. Thanks for sharing the pic!

I'm droolin' at this thing.

It's so tastily intimidating.

I don't actually think the colours fit the sculpt at all... Yours looks much better Ben! Congrats, btw!

weird writer by Ed Edderson, on Flickr

Does Zenith remind anyone else of the early nineties "Weird Writers" from Wendy's?

This is one of the coolest things I've ever gotten in a kid's meal.

Zenith is hittin' home on some fast food toy nostaligia!

Whoa, this is an amazing find.
Going WAY back on that one.

Shinichi Sawada
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/exhibitions/souzou/360-degree-objects/sawada.aspx

Souzou: Outsider Art from Japan
http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/exhibitions/japanese-outsider-art.aspx
London UK

Nice find! Has to be an influence

Great catch Ben, I would definitely venture to say this guy was one of the sculptors who had a hand in designing the Zenith figures.

This is pretty rad, and big... Isn't that giant kanegon soft vinyl or are those made a different way... and the big booska and now thinking of some others too, like the jumbo sized gargamon with blinking eyes. this looks crazy and awesome...Maybe just big for a small toy maker.

Hey Ben, thanks for pointing out Sawada's work, nice stuff. I don't know if there is a connection with the mysterious Zenith though. According to an old post on the one-up blog the artist works out of "the Lower East Side" ...?

Longtime since last i heard of Zenith. I was checking the one-up blog for news when i fell on this flyer.



Can anyone help me understand what this is about, the lengthy blog post hints at interesting stuff but i don't understand japanese

Blog also links to this page : http://one-up.org/sofubiyarouze.htm

Thanks in advance.

I'm curious about that as well.

From what I could gather I believe a new sculpt is in the works...

From what I understand this flyer is for a sofubi design contest that One-Up is doing. You enter a sculpt and they will choose a winner to make into a vinyl release.

Very interesting. I hope a new phenom emerges.

I was asked by One-up to paint a few of these Zenith monstrosities.
These things are really huge and nuts with textures. Holding one definitely make an instant fan out of you!
Included was a bag of assorted limbs. It was sort of a challenge deciding how to arrange them for optimum visual placement, then cutting the holes. Sort of like a big crazy Mr. Potato head.



I did get hooked up with a blank.
I am going to paint it, but I'm definitely taking my time!

fantastic work Paul. I'd love to score one painted by you.