Marusan & Bullmark back in Showa days used Shimada Toy Manufacturing. Marusan now uses Sofubi Factory Ojama. Bullmark I don't know who they use. Marusan started it all within the past 5 years with the series number of using the yen only to differentiate the sizes between 350 and 450 as both back then were consider almost as standard size even though they were a few inches apart in sizes. Now the 450 is consider large size.

Ricky, basically my explanation is clearer. The only added thing is that it states the reason for the choosen 450 size is because the larger size of the toy in an adults hand may bring back nostalgic memories of when they were a child holding. Same idea as Akamatsu-san of Marmit when he started the Vinyl Paradise line when they were big and bulky.

Lol, this is exactly what Funnyara and I were talking about at SF last weekend. I actually got all giddy and ran over to hold the King Joe, it is such and awesome feeling toy in hand!!! The 450 series is great, I just wish they weren't so expensive.

I can't wait to get my King Joe when it comes out in March. Looking forward to seeing who else Marusan pushes out this year. Trying to collect all the MechaniKongs are burning a hole in my wallet.

thank Anthony~~

This 450 Goro look interesting.

The flesh goro 450 was shown at the recent sufes, does look very good in the massive size.

Actually I thought the LB pieces at 10,000yen each is somewhat reasonable given the massive chunk of vinyl, licenses etc. I am totally thrilled that Marusan made the black kong and joe 450s! Sofbi dreams at its finest.

¥10,000 is not bad for a lucky bag giant size figure. But I have to be picky when the reg unpainted are ¥12,800 and painted are ¥16,800. I almost bought the flesh Goro but no more unpainted figures for me, I have so many already. Hopefully they do a painted brown and then blue Goro and then stop so I won't go broke.

Painted 450 Goro postcards are out for Pre-order now, ¥16,800. I'm ordering one tomorrow!

Not a big fan of this Brown Goro color. but that is the only version Marusan release back in 66.
i got the 1999 b-club reissue, it just not as attractive in person. buy or not to buy...

Goro to is not my favorite Ultra character but the sheer size makes me want to add it to my gorilla beast collection. A very imposing addition to any shelf me thinks.

My thoughts exactly. Never could get into the Bclub ones, they just looked stale to me, for lack of a better word. But a big Monkey would look nice with the rest of my apes.

He will look like a god compare to those brown Buta Apes i have.

Welp, I pulled the trigger on the Goro. Looking forward to holding this beast. I don't think I will be disappointed.

I didn't go to WF today as the heavy snow caused the roads and trains from my town to be closed going towards Tokyo today. But luckily I checked the Marusan blog yesterday and a very nice friend was able to pick up one if the best toys I've gotten in a long time, the 450 series Blue Goro that was an exclusive today and is gorgeous! They had a few others too that would be great, test shots of 450 Pagos and a 450 Aboras that I'd love to pick up later. I think also a couple 450 Ultraman colors too. Not sure it was all for sale today so hopefully some pictures surface of the display they had.

Wow, fantastic score Dennis! Can't wait to see some good pics when you get it in hand. It is a real shame about the snow storm. I don't know what is going to happen with the turnout, I am sure a lot of people didn't end up going (vendors included). I was really after something from the M1 table, but as they don't typically do direct sales of these sorts of things, I am not sure where the toys might end up. Really excited for the Aboras test shot, hopefully someone was able to snag a photo.

I dont have it in hand but the awesome guy and his lady sent me a pic after they got it. Apparently it was the last one so I got pretty lucky, so excited to see it in hand later! If you are wondering about the scratches what they did is reproduce the blue one that showed up for sale a little while back. It was a sample color and not a regular production, I had never even seen a picture of one before that YJA auction.


Marusan 450 Goro Blue Metallic Wonder Festival Winter 2014 by Baikin, on Flickr

Man oh man I wish they would do this color as a preorder. I am keeping my fingers crossed for more bright/metallic colors. They are running the color spectrum gamut for the 450 King Joe; hopefully they will follow suit with Goro.

Bazongas! That guy is amazing. I love the vintaged authenticity of it. Stunning colours. Marusan went all out and then some on this figure. Really, really nice. Such a lucky beast man, I am sure you are going to just love him.

Wow look at that Goro's eyes! Congrats, Dennis. Already one heck of a story on this guy!

Such a great score!!

I found this b-club Bullmark repro Goro pic, it was released as set back in 2008.
inspired by this paint app somehow?

The 450 Blue Goro is based off an original color sample from the 60's, not the 4 figure set.

i see~
got another image

Very nice. Seems that each one has unique "faux" vintage rubs. These were easily my favorite release from the last WF.
I am really excited about what Marusan is making these days.

upcoming 450

Mechani Kong and Tower sets are shipping. Kong looks a 1000 times better in hand, I'm glad I bit the bullet.