Catching Back Up With Bandai's Kinkeshi! Premium Vol. 7+8!

In the last blog update, in some tongue-in-cheek fashion, I dunked on a particular hobby for sharing customer space with keshi mini-figures, despite their presence having no impact on sales or popularity.  If someone told me keshi was out of fashion and on the decline, I would be hard-pressed to believe them.  At this moment, there are two enormous pillars of keshi power standing, spanning across the world, undaunted by opinion and sales trends.  In the west, you have Super 7, as well as an endless selection of talented independent artists.  In the east, and today's topic, there is Bandai and their revitalization of Kinkeshi.

It's almost been two years since I first covered Bandai's new project with the classic Kinnikuman Kinkeshi franchise, and who could have ever guessed it would continue this far so strongly?  At a time where things were caught in neutral gear for a bit, when keshi was concerned, westerners looked to the east just at the right time to see Bandai's announcement of re-sculpting classic 80's Kinkeshi mini-figures with a few new additions sprinkled here and there.  These premium sets instantly became the must-have items, with sales number something Super 7 must have looked at once or twice before they considered relaunching their versions of video game and movie MUSCLE.

Currently, Bandai is taking preorders in September for the 8th Premium set, which is a staggering number, even when you don't consider the number of new gatchapon sets that have released along side the celebrated volumes.  On one hand, who could have guessed Kinkeshi would be back in the driver's seat again, but when you look at the quality of the work within each set, it's not in the least bit surprising why it was so popular when it first debuted.

Despite my busy schedule off the blog, I am taking a look at Volume 7 and 8 now, and I have to say how much I regret not returning any sooner.  Volume 7 looks unbelievable, with maybe the most unique and bizarre line-up yet, with the newest set having a ton of favorites that I recognize from earliest keshi memories.

Absolutely knocking it out, still, years beyond their first announcement.  If you're interested in preordering a set for yourself, follow the link below.

http://p-bandai.jp/item/item-1000127785/

Kinkeshi Avalanche! Gacha Series 4+5! Premium 5+6! Noir!

Happy New Years, everyone!

I do want to apologize again for being largely ghost-like in 2017, and I hope posting like this is a good sign for things to come for 2018.  Honestly, although I think I brought this point up briefly in a previous post, I feel I could have done a little better last year, especially near the tail-end of it all.  The fact of the matter is: I could have, but being so absent from the scene for so long, it was increasingly harder to find the perfect spot to jump back in, although a hundred of hundred people will tell you there is no perfect spot, just jump in whenever.  Be that as it may, missing a laundry list of convention news and releases, from all the new products coming from Super 7, down to all the independent work I wanted to cover, it added the problem of coming back with now the extra question of why.  What could possibly shake me out of this hiatus if the stuff that just whizzed by my head couldn't?  That was the question that circled in my head, although I figure now it's a silly one to really consider a moment of thought.  That's the stupid thing about stupid thoughts.  You can throw some bad food in the trash or a bad drink down the drain and that's that, but a poisonous thought can keep coming back, haunting you with its broken logic and unreasonable demands, breaking down your common sense until you finally give in.  Assuredly, that's something of a over-dramatic look at it all, but I'll tell you one project that isn't missing one step: Bandai and Kinkeshi.  And what they are doing, just might be the boot to the ass I was looking for.

Last April, I covered Bandai's Premium Kinkeshi Volume 3 Set, but since then, they have exploded in new products, for both serious collectors and newbies with just a few coins in the pockets.  Missing the news and release of their new Gachapon series, which appear to be a micro set of new sculpts, exclusively found in Japanese vending machines, they have expanded that, or at least working on expanding, to Series 4 and 5, that look to hearken back to the wrestling move posed heroes and villains.  There appear to be some added surprises in there as well, so keep your coins close.

But if you're the sort that has a little more than loose change, you might be more interested in the Premium sets releasing sometime in the near-distant future.  Sadly, Series 4 came, went, and was shipped to happy customers, without so much of a mention from me, so for that, I'll have to go back and check out what I missed.

Moving forward, however, Bandai released some images showing off a few new series to the ever-expanding awesome resurgence of Kinnikuman and Kinkeshi.  For one made and released just for someone like me, the "Noir: The Best" set seems to be a re-release of some of the favorites from previous sets, just for those who have been hiding under a rock, but now in a cool dark-grey colorway.  Pretty awesome stuff for us clueless collectors, as well as completionists who now have a new colorway to add to their collections.


But I wouldn't be calling this a Kinkeshi Avalanche if it was really just that.  As partially-spoiled above, Bandai is also working on the release of both Premium Volumes 5 and 6.  Aiming to come out during this winter, and possibly the next couple months, these guys are home-runs after home-runs.  It's absolutely amazing to see how well these guys are looking and how thriving their comeback has been.

Keep an eye on the link below for more information on release time and price, as well as any more surprise releases, because of this is just the first of the year.  What else does Kinkeshi have planned for 2018?

http://p-bandai.jp

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

"Perfect Large Numbers" Rekindles Kinnikuman Volume 1!

Hey, welcome back, K-Droppers.  I've got some seriously huge news to share with you, but first I have to do some housekeeping for a quick sec.

Before I get into anything, I do want to express my serious thanks to UraHameshi for all the new pictures, graphics, and the new beautiful banner.  She's a young talented artist that I met on the LittleRubberGuys toy forum and she's been nothing but professional and total joy to work with.  I seriously suggest you to check out more of her work, whether that's more of her graphic design, her crafts, or her videos on Youtube, and show some support for independent artists doing there thing.

Dragoste Art
http://dragosteart.wixsite.com/store
Shendijiro & Ura
https://www.youtube.com/user/Shendijiro/videos

Also, speaking about the LittleRubberGuys toy forum, I do want to credit both NamaNiku and BrockenmanJr for blowing this story wide open, earlier this afternoon.  Without their help, I think a lot of us would be very excited to see some of these images, but be quite confused to what any of it meant.  I've said it before, but it's worth repeating, this is why being a part of a toy forum or some sort of community is so important to your hobby, and why, if you haven't already, you should consider finding one that fits your needs and join.

LittleRubberGuys Toy Forum
http://www.littlerubberguys.com/forums/

Alright, let's jump right into this!  Hot damn, this is some really exciting news, so much so I'm finding it a little harder to find the point of entry.  I'm not sure where to begin, so please excuse the whiplash from bouncing back and forth.

Kinnikuman is regarded, if not completely legitimate, the grandfather of keshi mini-figure brands.  At least in the view of the American keshi collector, which could be very different to the say Japanese one, Kinnikuman took their wrestling characters off of their manga pages and anime episodes, and began making small, single-molded, mini-figures in various colors of unpainted rubber in the 1980's.  As far as the keshi west is concerned, this was the genesis of the trend and beloved toy brands like Monster In My Pocket only rode on the popularity created by it's predecessor and expanded on the niche for collectible pocket-sized figures in the early 1990's for American children.  The rest is pretty much in the story books.  Kinnikuman had a good run with numerous sets, even an Ultimate Muscle one that wasn't so bad.  Monster In My Pocket did as well, as did many other companies, keeping the keshi torch bright, but when you think of classic, old-school, toy lines and series from days long gone, you really think something new and different will be coming up next.  You wouldn't suspect something like Kinnikuman to burst back to life like a phoenix, but maybe that's why the reveal was extra exciting.

I unfortunately don't read the books, but from sources, I am gathering the manga is in midst of a story arc called 'Perfect Large Numbers', and to celebrate, classic Kinnikuman mini-figures molds are being revisited and re-sculpted into a new set and possible series of sets.  But it's just not a new HD version on an old classic, but as classics are getting redone, there will be a handful of new characters as well, all done by the son of the original 80's Kinnikuman sculptor!





Preorders on this first series seems to be up or coming up very soon, and I have to say, I, for one, will be all over this.  Something as special as a new running Kinkeshi toy line is something I thought I'd never see.

Who else is completely hyped over this!?

Kinnikuman Kineshi Volume 1
http://p-bandai.jp/item/item-1000106367/

NJPW World Showcasing Classic Kinnikuman Episodes!

Let's take a quick break away from all the Designer Con 2015 stuff, and chat about something completely different.  For those waiting for more D-Con updates, we'll be back to more of that very soon.

New Japan Pro Wrestling is a very large and very successful wrestling promotion based out of the land of the rising sun.  Think of it as the WWE, but focused heavily on in-ring maneuvers and a boxing/MMA style promotion.  I've been following it for years now, and it's very entertaining.  I certainly recommend it to any wrestling fan, but I do understand getting imported wrestling product isn't always the easiest.

New Japan does have a Video-On-Demand subscription service called NJPW World.  Think of it like Netflix or Hulu or anything else when it comes to watching movies and television shows on the Internet.  Not to sound like an advertisement, but for roughly 8 American a month, you can get all the prerecorded and live shows New Japan is doing throughout the year, and this little update is very awesome as well.

Subscribers to NJPW World can now enjoy classic Kinnikuman episodes #87-90, that take place during a tag team tournament that is also right around the corner for the Japanese wrestling promotion.  This is very cool, especially if you have never seen the classic anime that inspired the Kinnikuman/MUSCLE keshi minifigure line.

One piece of advice, however, if you are looking to join: the website is entirely in Japanese and can be a little hard to navigate, if you have no experience with the language.  There is plenty of third-party support however to help you.  I would suggest using Google Chrome when browsing NJPW World, where it has a built in translation function that helps out a little bit.  As well as that, there are plenty of resources on Reddit and other fan sites that can assist you with a tutorial or walk-through.  Worth a look for sure!

http://njpwworld.com/

Circle K/Sunkus Sees Kinnikuman Reprint Promo!

Do it with me, everyone!  Do the Official Keshi Drop Fist Shake of Fury, as news has been revealed that Japanese convenient stores will be seeing a super awesome summer time promo event with Kinnikuman.  Not shaking your fists yet?  What if I told you it was with Circle K and Sunkus companies, Circle K also have convenient stores all across The States?  Yeah, there you go!  That's the fury, I'm talking about!

I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one to say a summer promotional event of this sort would please many mini collectors here.  In fact, Monster in My Pocket did many promotions in the 80's and 90's, and those mini-figures are some of the most coveted.  Granted we can take some relief in the fact that this promo would be just offering reprints of classic figures, but still, we are missing what could be a very fun event and opportunity to collect figures we don't already have.

This story was dropped by Super Punch and I want to thank them for the information.  Please check out their blog below for the original news release.

http://www.superpunch.net/2015/06/the-limited-return-of-muscle.html

Mega Toy Haul 02/13/15!

Hey guys!  As you may know, this last weekend was a crazy one for toy drops and happenings, and today I got a good chunk of the spoils from it's events.  The picture above is a shelf that homes a lot of the newer stuff, but still, some of the other small random things I picked up are crowded on other shelves and unfortunately are not pictured at this time.  Moving on, let's take a look at what I got in the mail today and share some views on them.

Starting off with the tiny stuff not pictured, I grabbed all the of OTMFG releases for this month that were on sale during their 24 Hour Toy Break marathon.  That included the dark blue Mini Gwin, the clear purple Zombie Pheyden, and the light blue Toy Break mascot.  All of these minifigures are variants of others I already own.  Picking these up just expanded my already complete set of them.  I like all of them, but some criticism could go towards the Toy Break mascot for being top heavy and the Mini Gwin for being rather small.  Other than that, these are cool additions to the set and I'll likely continue snagging up these cheap guys as they come along.

Now to the stuff in the picture.  Finally, after some deliberation, I have a quasar, clear pink, set of OMFG series one.  I have the clear red and the maroon variants already, but these guys are just stellar.  I love the color, just as I figured I would.  I'm such a sucker for hot colors and glitter, and these guys stand as some of my favorites right now.

In front of them in the picture, are my first couple sets into ToyFinity's Mordles minifigure line.  These guys are pretty neat, all sharing some sort of trait together, while having little differences, they certainly feel like a species of alien creatures.  I picked up both the unpainted flesh set and the black detailed set, and I like them both equally.  They are a little on the small side, but for only a dollar each, you really can't go too wrong.

Finally, but certainly not least, I have the second series of Kinnikuman x Georgia Coffee promotional keshi figures, straight out of land of the rising sun.  I love how wacky and juxtaposed these figures are to their natural buff and wrestling poses, but there is one big difference with this new set that I never considered, covering it the first time.  The keshi in this set is noticeably smaller than before.  And, really, of course it should be - the set is twice as big, doubling up on room on the coffee can.  I guess I never really thought of what it meant when I was going to get two figures instead of one each bubble, but it makes perfect sense now.  The figures aren't small enough to not fit in scale, but compared to the first set, they look rather tiny.  But what's odd, is that they are actually more to scale to classic Kinnikuman figures this set than before.  I wonder why I didn't notice the first set was so large...  Hmmmm...  But even still, some of the minifigures in this set are just perfect and I'll certainly be looking out for series three, if it's ever a thing.

Anyway, that's what I got in the mail!  All great stuff!  And I'm sure more is on the way, so I'll be back soon with them to share!  Thanks for stopping by!

Kinnikuman X Georgia Coffee Series Two!

Last year, Kinnikuman did a promotional deal with Georgia Coffee, where inside limited edition canisters of their coffee, they received one of six free Kinnikuman keshis.  These strange but cool figures were exclusive to the Japanese products, but they found themselves on trading forums and auction websites pretty quick.  A set even found a way to travel to my own collection, which was certainly a highlight of my collecting last year.

Well, it appears they are at it again, bigger and badder, with a second series!  I don't read Japanese, so someone please help me out on this one, but it looks like these limited edition cans with have a pair of promotion Kinnikuman keshi inside, depending on the character on the bubble.  And with eight bubbles, that brings the total miniature count of this series to a whopping sixteen!

That's pretty rad, if you ask me.  I really enjoyed the last set, so you best believe this set is high on the priority list.  I'll certainly be keeping an eye out on forums and auctions to see if they surface anytime soon, but I wonder, what sort of worth would this series generate?

The first set came out of the gate red hot.  It was getting top dollar for a Kinnikuman keshi, but as time went on, the market found there was more than enough of these guys in Japan to share with collectors everywhere else.  Series One is still very awesome to collect, and I believe you should, but it's not going to be your rare find.  I wonder if the same effect, if not more, will happen to this set.  That effect happened to a set of six.  This set is sixteen.  Are they flooding it or have they build enough interest with the first set to expand?  

Either way, I hope the promotional is successful and they continue what they are doing.  I sure will be looking out for this set, and future sets they release, really no matter how common.

http://www.georgia.jp/chojin/