Late to the Party! Super 7 Comes Out Huge @ Toy Fair!

Hey, everyone, welcome back!  Sorry, this write-up is so late and ancient news by now.  The SpiderEarth family has been fighting off one of those late-winter early-spring colds, and I finally fell sick to it just recently.  I had considered just letting it go and move on, but I do have some thoughts I wanted to share about it all, so hopefully it's not too late for that.


As I am sure most of my readers know by now, as well as keshi collectors that are just dropping by for the first time, Super 7 has been quite the keshi flag-barer the last couple years.  Ever since their first wave of Masters of the Universe/ MUSCLE cross-over mini-figures were announced in the spring/summer of 2015, they have had their foot firmly pressed on the gas pedal for keshi, and this year's Toy Fair shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.  Who can't love that?

Actually, a lot of us should have expected it.  They did announce quite a lot of this in advance, but there certainly have been surprises along the way, as well.  When they revealed the set of Masters of the Universe MUSCLE, they had announced plans to include the movie Alien, Mega Man, Robotech, Ghouls N' Ghosts, Street Fighter, and others.  This year's Toy Fair was certainly one that has showed how much progress they have made since then.

On display, were the Mega Man, Robotech, and Street Fighter mini-figures previously announced, but they had some surprise company as well.  At least, surprising to me, were the displayed The Worst and Shogun mini-figure sets announced, as well as the blind bag Street Fighter figures that have me crying in my wallet already.  And if all that wasn't good enough, additional sets of Alien and Masters of the Universe was there to satisfy the fans looking to extend their current collections.

What I wanted to bring up, however, is this weird division I have in my head.  On one side, I am nothing but thrilled Super 7 is doing so much with the keshi format.  They are adopting nearly every trademark they have into little rubber mini-figures, and that's awesome.  That's exactly what I would command them, if I had some sort of wand of dark magic.  However, on the other side of my brain, I see some of these figures, particularly the Mega Man and some of the new Alien mini-figures, and I can't help but admit how unattractive they are.  I know they can't hit home-runs every time, and I know they do have to blend both MUSCLE and the other franchise together into something that will look natural in both worlds, but, even still, some of these look pretty awful.

And that's what's so weird, you look at other things coming out and there's a lot of great looking stuff.  The Street Fighter set, in particular, looks top notch, and The Worst stuff isn't too far behind.  Was there just too much work that needed to be done, because there is a significant drop-off when it comes to the Mega Man set.  And that sucks, because I really dig Mega Man, but for me, the proportions are all off.  Some parts are too thin and too long and others are too blown out, to create a figure that looks more like a MUSCLE character with a Mega Man costume on than an actual living character.  Like I said, I know there has to be some compromising to detail, so characters of movies and video games can blend into the MUSCLE world and all the mini-figures can all have a similar look, and if that's what happened to the Mega Man set, I have to question why other sets break that rule and look so much better because of it.

There are other Mega Man keshi sets out there, maybe it was a matter of separating their product from how those look.  I am not sure, but I did want to share my opinion, because things could change in future series.  I think creative feedback is always a good thing, and I am hopeful that Super 7 will change things if this first Mega Man set fails to reach expectations.  I'm not sending an online hex or anything, I am just setting up high standards for the company that's been representing the keshi format largely these last couple years.  Maybe some crumby vending machines get a pass for being ridiculous novelties, but Super 7 outgrew that a long time ago.  I would argue, if anyone finds keshi on toy shelves nowadays, it'll likely be made by Super 7, so it's only proper we make sure they are putting the best out there for new and old fans alike.

Super7 Reveals Street Fighter M.U.S.C.L.E. Drop!

What's going on, everyone, and welcome back to the old drop blog.  I don't want to get too hyped up, but there is a lot of stuff bubbling under the surface when it comes to keshi stuff.  I feel there will be a lot to ramble about very soon, which will be really great.  I've been really wanting to hit a good natural stride lately.  Like, you know, blasting out the words in a natural flow that doesn't take me too long to think about and edit, and I think updates like certainly get me in that mood.

Keshi champions of 2016 and coming out early this new year swinging, looking to level out all the competition.  Super7 is red hot, despite all rotten veg I could sling their way.  It started with He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, then Alien, and now it's the classic fighting video game franchise, Street Fighter.  Everything they are touching is turning into G.O.L.D, and that couldn't be more exciting and awesome for anyone else but us.

Adding on to their previous successes, Street Fighter M.U.S.C.L.E. will be seeing the light of day January 11th 2017 on the Super7 webstore, and I have to say, maybe more than the previous series they've produced, this one looks the best and has me the most excited.  Sure, I enjoyed watching both He-Man and Alien, but I don't think I could accurately guess hour many countless hours I've spent smashing controller buttons to Street Fighter, and seeing how well these mini-figures turned out is even better.  I love the proportions and how stubby arms and fists are, just like classic Kinnikuman, and there is no confusing who is who.  If you're a fan of the video game, I am willing to bet you're into it.

Thanks for stopping by everyone!  Just to quickly reiterate for those who missed it, I may be a little ghostly in the next few months, and scroll down for more details about that, but when something big happens, expect to hear my point of view on it.  \Do also make sure you read from other bloggers and forum members too, just so you're fully educated on every possible angle.  And of course, for more official information, please visit the link below.

http://super7store.com/

Super7 Announces Alien MUSCLE Wave 1 Drop!

When you're talking about those who have really grabbed the reigns of mass pop culture, if I can even suggest it, and forced the popular eye to gaze upon the splendor of keshi, you're conversation has to include Super7.

Ever since their announcement of Masters of the Universe crossing into the realms of MUSCLE mini-figures, they have really taken on the mantle of standard bearer, waving the keshi flag, even if I haven't been the biggest supporter of their pop-up store events.  Regardless, when they release Masters of the Universe, but reveal plans on Alien, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Robotech, and Ghouls n' Ghosts, you can't help be on board.

Today, details on their second MUSCLE-inspired series has been released, and I am excited to share that Wave 1 of these bad dudes are dropping Friday, December 9th on the Super7 web-store.  Very interesting indeed, as I for one am looking to see how these react, not just with keshi collectors, but maybe Alien fans who never thought of collecting such figures before.  Good work, Super7!  Thumbs up!

http://super7store.com/

Bandai Reveals Kinnikuman Kinkeshi Vol. 2 For Preorder!

Seriously, people, the hits just keep coming!  And I'm glad, because what better way to end a year of some keshi hotness but with some... "'Yuge. Very 'yuge news. Trust me, it's gonna' be 'yuge," news.  Sorry, I think in all this excitement my brain was cut off of oxygen there for a second.  Regardless of health and mental conditions, the keshi world was shaken once more by Bandai fireworks.

Exactly one month ago, frantic MUSCLE fans will remember the bombshell of Kinkeshi coming back with revisited and re-sculpted classic mini-figures.  It was called Vol. 1, with the promise of more, and I am here, likely last in line, to tell you Vol. 2 has been revealed in all it's glory and ready for preorder!

Visit my previous write-up for all the gushing about this brand and my excitement for this series, but you can also tell, with just one look above, these guys are legit.  Sculpted by the son of the man who sculpted the original classics, they carry the legacy created decades ago.

Words just really don't express how awesome this event all is.  For something to have arguably fathered and started everything we associate with keshi mini--figures and a keshi community for them so many years ago, to come back with new breath and vigor, pass the torch to new brilliant minds, with the fortune to have the blessings of the past.  It may be silly, but I can recognize not every fandom will experience this and I can be thankful for being this lucky.

In many past posts, I've suggested any production initiatives were great efforts to increase the keshi community.  Any new line or relaunch or redesign has the chance of catching a new generation and a new collection of fans to appreciate this toy format.  Does anyone else feel Bandai and Kinkeshi could be a tidal wave of that?  What will come of all this?  Lend me your thoughts and comments below!

And of course, for more information and to preorder this set, visit the link below!

http://p-bandai.jp/item/item-1000110350/?spec=pc41&cref=501251177&click_recom=1

Super7 Shows Off Street Fighter MUSCLE At SDCC!

Photo by @datadub on Instagram

Welcome back, everyone!  It's SDCC Weekend, so you know there had to be some reveals coming our way, and that's exactly what we have going on today.

Some months ago, Super7 revealed they were expanding their MUSCLE franchise to other properties other than just He-Man and The Masters of the Universe.  If I remember correctly, they showed card backs for Mega Man, Ghouls and Ghosts, Alien, Robotech, and Street Fighter.  Today we have our first glimpse into this expansion.

If you're a keshi enthusiast on social media, you've probably noticed this glass case was very popular today.  For reasons I am sure you can tell, at the Super7 booth, while selling their trash can and 30 pack sets of MOTU MUSCLE, they were showing off previews of their Street Fighter line.

These look really nice, I have to say, and not because they are pink slugs, of course, but look at the proportions.  They are much stalkers and thicker than the Masters of the Universe mini-figures, who find some criticism for being a bit too small and wiggly.  Classically posed and reminiscent of Kinnikuman in almost every way, if Super7 doesn't cast a wider net with these, I have no idea what will.

That's it for today, but I am sure SDCC is far from over.  So I'll be back if there is more to share!  Thanks for stopping by!

Convention Champions Super7 Retains With More MUSCLE!

Toy Fair 2016 ended a few weeks ago, but news and updates from the convention are still surfacing.  Pixel Dan on Youtube recently posted a video discussing and showing off the planned Super7 products expanding on their MUSCLE license.  If you're a toy enthusiast or collector, I'm sure you already know of Pixel Dan, but if you haven't checked his stuff out, I implore you to search him out on Youtube.  His stuff is so on point and it's pretty wild to see what his connections and ambition gets him in the toy making world.

Anyway, about the new MUSCLES coming out!  As everyone knows, the Masters of the Universe will be seeing their colorful trash can set come around soon, but it looks like other classic 80's franchises are getting some love too.  Granted, there's not much to show from a lot of them, but things are being planned and mapped out to expand their MUSCLE keshi figures into Alien, Robotech, Street Fighter II, Ghosts N' Goblins, and Mega Man.

Holy crap this is exciting news, and you have to figure, if these guys won the San Diego Comic Con, they came right back and won it all over again at the Toy Fair.  Without exaggeration, I feel this is monumental, and not for my own wallet and personal collection.  These are five more beloved franchises, franchises with hordes of loyal fans, that are now going to be introduced to keshi mini-figures and the MUSCLE brand.  If the keshi community ever wanted to see a tide of new hobbyists, artists, and collectors enjoy their love in keshi mini-figures, this announcement might be the launching off point.

Wow!  Just wow!  Great job, Super7!