If you're a Japanese vinyl collector, or Sofubi if you're in the know, you know all about Gargamel.
Gargamel is one of the more popular companies out there for your nostalgic fix of old-school Japanese kaiju figures. You know the type: hollow, semi-soft plastic, with maybe only waist movement. If you haven't seen authentic sofubi, you have likely seen bargain bin knockoffs at the dollar store, trying to pass off as the real thing. Emphasis on trying.
Traditional sofubi figures are rather larger, at least compared to keshi, but Gargamel has released micro versions of the figures they fans love. They were shrunk down to what appeared to be three inches of kaiju awesomeness, and I imagine this perked the ears and interest of the keshi community. Ditch the vinyl, we must have said. Rubber is better. And who better to do it than American independent keshi artist Eric Nilla?
It didn't go like that, I'm sure, but however it went, I'm glad it ended all the same with these amazing looking guys. Gargamel makes some really amazing kaiju characters, but the sofubi format is just not for more. I love Godzilla like everyone else, but I never was lucky enough to get too many large monster toys growing up, nor do I have the budget now for some limited-run throwbacks. I did however drop many coins for knockoff MUSCLES and other strange wrestlers and monsters. This sort of project looks like that perfect bridge between both worlds, and Eric's resume and work is quickly turning him into the top guy in America for keshi minifigures.
For more information, check out the links below!
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