So I thought these were pretty interesting. They are a set of Tsuchinoko snakes, which I guess are a modeled after a type of prize/trick toy commonly made of the cryptid snake monster (ツチノコ or 槌の子). Other than that I don't know much about them, just that I liked them. There is one other paint scheme of these that I have seen (deeper purple with silver spray).



The packaging is pretty cool too, I am not sure if Bearmodel did any more from this series of Japanese folklore monsters. Here is a Japanese flyer showing the Tsuchinoko for fun.

Larger version here.

You might think the toys look a tad weird or playful (which they do), but actually they seem pretty spot-on in terms of matching the artwork of these guys. You can learn some more by googling, they actually seem pretty interesting. Not that large supposedly (50-70cm), but they have very flat, low to the ground but wide bodies - kind of look like a fluke. And they are known to wrap themselves in coils. Anyway, the more you know, right.

Nice report, man! M1 did a very nice standard size of these mythic snakes, but these minis are news to me. Congrats on the score and thanks for the details.

i was curious about those on Mandarake a while ago . . . thanks for the photos and info.

that is one cool snake.. I want!

Yeah, there is a vintage vinyl toy of the Tsuchinoko that looks like the Bear Model version. I think it is a balloon blower type, if memory serves. There are both green and brown versions.

I can't remember any other cryptids made by Bear Model. Neat toy.

I have this Nessie set that appears to be from the same series. Don't know of any others in the series.

Whaaaaaat???? That set is amazing- I've never seen it before.

Looking at the header, it seems like there are 3 other characters pictured in addition to Nessie and the Tsuchinoko.

Excellent! So glad to know that there are indeed more from this series (and even better that they come in cool pairs like that). It's so great when folks on SB share stuff you have never seen before, makes this place worth coming to. Thanks for that Mark!

Here's a better shot of the header. Maybe someone can identify the cryptids. The opposite side is the same just with a green background.

Thanks Mark! The tag at the bottom of the header says that these were Cosmo Knight Alpha exclusives.

Far left could be the Kuchisake-onna (slit mouth woman), though that wouldn't really fit with the traditional cryptids theme. Far right looks like a multi-headed dragon, so a far stab might be Yamata no Orochi.

My guesses would be:

Far left: Jinmenken (human-faced dog)

Middle: Popobawa (evil spirit that has been reported periodically in Zanzibar, often depicted as a one-eyed bat)

Not sure on the last one.

if i remember correctly, i think yoda has them in his display case, maybe were even available for sale although it was a while back already. will ask him about the names next time.

The one on the right really looks like the three-headed dragon from Spectreman, even the disc-finished tail fits. But I wouldn't see any reason it should be on the header. Should definitively be something else, which may have inspired the Mitsukubi Ryu.

Newest release on the right : Sphinx Kaiju (which transforms into Kumo Kaiju on the left).
I love the colors and the grin.

Swell pair. I love how Sphynx Kaiju looks like he may well be made out of wax.

^^ Nice . . . i thought Sphynx's face looked familiar when i saw the preview!

Here's my latest . . . i've been meaning to grab this one for ages . . . finally took the plunge.
I never noticed the stitches on his head until i had him in hand.


Demon King Cobra by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr


Demon King Cobra by The Moog Image Dump, on Flickr

Great score Moog. I am surprised this guy doesn't get more love. He really is a fantastic figure. Your photos are stunning as always, and capture the real beauty of this guy and the paint job. Maybe other pics (mine included) haven't shown what a great line this is so people have been ignoring them. Great header too, thanks for posting it.

I like the way the cobra twists on his right shoulder. Which series is he from ?

He is from Diamond Eye (ダイヤモンドアイ), a 1973 tokusatsu series.

small crappy pics



and the entire evil gang in action

He's a beauty and no mistake . . . . a lot of rarer Bear Model figures dont have many photos out there on the net so i suppose they get forgotten about.


Me too, and the stitches on the head . . . little details like that can make or break a figure for me!

So excited with this classical set!





Gavadon, now you're part of my life… <3

Damn! I was after that set too Ana, but you beat me to it. It is such a nice one. Congrats!

^ Sorry, Steve...

I am very happy with these guys! Even the rocket is cool. This set makes me want to play like a child...

^^^ nice . . . i've nearly picked that set up a few times but something else has always come along. So many toys . . . . so little cash

That clear blue Gavadon larva looks really cool. I really want that mini ultraman too!