Toy Haul 05/10/2015 Wal*Mart Edition!

Today's Toy Haul is unfortunately not a interesting mail bag of cool minis, but brought to you by Wal*Mart, low expectations, and an evening of morbid curiosity.

That might actually be the wrong term to use.  I've seen the Wal*Mart exclusive Jurassic World blind bags cycle around the Interwebs, so I sort of knew what I was getting into, but for a mere dollar and so, I figured it was worth the drive over for a good chuckle.

Boy, these dinos are bad, and really, so bad, they are almost bootleg-awesome.  I half expected them to have a 1983 trademark stamped on them, from some reused mold of a random dinosaur set.  Sure, in all actuality, maybe they still are, but at least they had the decency to file off the old date and replace it with this year's.  One thing of a positive note, is that the plastic used is of better quality of what you'd expect from dollar store dinosaurs, so take that for what you may.  Also, they are single-cast, at least these two are.  One solid chunk of utter trash... I mean awesome.

On my way to the checkout, I found this tiny blind bag for Trash Pack.  For another mere handful of pennies, I could get a random trashie and trashie tag, whatever that was.  Inside was a cool little purple sofa character, I don't believe I owned already and a Gutter Grub key-chain tag-thing that ended up being a holofoil chase super rare thing.  Wow, the excitement.

I went to the big blue box, spent three dollars and got four things, I suppose it wasn't as horrible as I make it sound out to be.  Sure, nothing here was that mind-blowing, but I knew that was going to be the case from the start.  Still fun to uncover some Grade F dinos though, so really no complaints.  

Scott Wilkowski X Jeff Lamm Mini Greasebat!

Produced by Monster Worship, these two collaborations between kaiju designer Jeff Lamm and skeletal master Scott Wilkowski are more than absolutely stunning.

Using the original design of Greasebat, Scott sculpted what this character's skeletal body would look like, and with the double cast style that has made him famous in the art toy scene, created these two amazing minis for the upcoming Monster Worship art show that's happening later today, 6pm EST, in Beacon, NY.

As much as I absolutely adore these guys, I know there is no way these guys could be mass-produced to fit inside my budge.  As it stands now, at least to my best understanding, these two are sitting as art pieces for sale at an art gallery, so if these are must-haves for you, take that you'll be paying art gallery prices into consideration.

I really expect nothing less from these miniatures, however.  When sometimes I talk about the beautiful simplicity of keshi, yet perfecting the slug format, these two personify that extra mantra.  From the edible-looking translucent fades, to the glowing skeletal remains cast inside, and even to how symmetrical and balanced the design is, you can see it's more art than toy.

I won't be able to visit the art show, but if you're in the New York area, please stop in and show the guys some love.  It's not all lost for us Internet visitors though.  Check out the link below to sign-up for the preview list, which allows people outside the art show to view and buy pieces.

http://www.cluttermagazine.com/about/gallery-preview-list

Toy Haul 05/05/15 Korean Ddakji Edition!

Today's mailbag we see a little package from all the way from the home of rubber ddakji, South Korea.

Some may remember my first post, showing my curiosity and interest in these types of figures or game pieces, however you look at it, and I'm really glad to say I have my first four to share today with all of you.

These guys are from a bootleg Pokemon set, as I'm sure anyone could really notice, with characters having guns, knifes, scars, and all kinds of hilariously insane things added to the original designs.  

In the two packages I received, I was able to get Mr. Mime, Lickitongue, Meowth, and Golbat, all of which look really nice in the translucent purples, pink, and clear.

I really like these guys, even for not-for-kids-anymore bootlegs.  I've never owned any ddakji before, and really, just weeks ago, and I never even heard of them, so I think I'd be happy with just about anything.

Of course, I have no plans of turning Keshi Drop into Ddakji Drop, but I do plan on picking up some more in the future.  Let me know in the comments below, if that's something you want to me to cover when they arrive.

Thanks for dropping by, everyone!

Candie Bolton x Toy Art Gallery Minifigure Prototypes!

Shown off on her Instagram, these prototypes come of the mind of Candie Bolton and might just the out-of-nowhere star of the year.

As a collaboration with Toy Art Gallery, this eastern-inspired gacha-style mini-figure set already look full of life and expression, even in this stage of development.

I particularly enjoy the dragon-looking character, shown first in the first still, who reminds me of my dog with his ears set back.

I'm usually not into sofubi toys in general, even mini-figures.  As you could guess, I love the weight and density of keshi rubber or PVC, but I'm not sure I can resist the curiosity of checking out at least one of these guys when they hit shelves.

It's perfectly understandable, where these guys are so influenced by traditional Japanese art, to also use traditional Japanese toy formats like sofubi vinyl.  It's a no-brainer as a toy developer for sure, just to complete the package, but maybe will enough interest we can get a keshi version too.  Crazier things can happen!

Check out other wares from Candie's store here!

http://candiebolton.bigcartel.com/

Atomicron Micro Mini-figures!

I don't know if it's felt like it on your side, but on mine, it certainly feels like the last few days nothing has happened on the keshi front.  All the conventions wrapped up, all the toys were released and purchased, and now everyone is just relaxing and recuperating.

Despite all that, I really have been keeping an eye out for something to post about, and finally today I found something, by the way of Italy, I wanted to talk about.

They are called Atomicron and they are hitting European toy stores just now.  These figures are super small, maybe hanging around an inch, but if you have some chibi Kinnikuman, they might fit well with them, but what is particularly cool is how generous they are with the portion.

Granted they are too small for purists' liking and with some paint application, but you get a giant assortment in a single blister pack, with the option to grab extra in blind bag form.  If nothing else, think of it as a revamping of a bag of army men, but with an alien/monster vibe, and for them to throw so many little figures in the hands of kids and collectors, I can totally get behind that.

With even just a couple packages, you could be looking at +100 micro-figures to battle all across the floor.  That's really only a bad thing when you miss a couple and step on them sometime later that night.

So, if grading had to be given out, the keshi purist would give these guys four-hundred thumbs down, but the kid inside me gives it four-hundred and one thumbs up, so it's pretty much a wash.  If these guys ever find themselves in the States, pick some up.  Who knows, maybe other companies will take note and offer more figures as well?  How can that turn out bad for us?

http://www.atomicron.it/

Rumbbell Exercise Gummi Mini-Figures!

London's ToyConUK also happened this weekend, loading this last weekend full of news and releases, most I'm sure I have unfortunately missed.

One particular overlooked piece was a new colorway for Jeff Lamm's Greasebat & Friends Gummies that Unbox Industries released some time ago.  I certainly need to find more details on these, because it's one set I've always been interested in, yet haven't owned.  It did remind me to click over to the Unbox Industries site, however, just to see what was going on, and I'm glad I did.

I have never heard of Ryan Lee's Rumbbell character before, but certainly, there's a lot to like about him, especially in two-inch keshi form.  Whether you pick up individual blind boxes or the complete set box, you know these fitness guys can fit in with any collection.  I particularly love the sea-foam green color, with the half-and-half skeleton being the top choice of mine to pull out of a blind box.  I also find the human pyramid one pretty interesting as well.

My single criticism, however, would be the grey bases or possibly fitness mats.  The Yoga Joes incorporated yoga mats into the base of their figures, and while I don't find it the most aesthetically pleasing, it fit the theme.  Random weight lifting doesn't quite fool me into letting these fitness mats pass, especially when the push-up pose missed out, so it leaves me feeling the mats where much of an afterthought to counterbalance weight distribution with the actual miniature.  Anyone can see, from the size and shape of the character's head, that it could very well be a challenge to sculpt in miniature form, but I feel its something worth working to accomplish before accepting bases.

Now I don't mean to sound like I don't like these guys, because I do, just don't let Funko beat you to the game, if they can balance their big-head-small-body Pop vinyls and you can't.  Hopefully this is not the case, though, and it's merely for displaying purpose's for these photos.  I'd love to grab a couple and find out myself.

You can too at this link!
http://store.unboxindustries.info/

C2E2 Evo:Goliath Hits MWOTR Webstore Tonight!

With C2E2 winding down, we were all very curious of what quantities of the latest Mystical Warriors of the Ring release would survive.  As the picture shows, and what I would have guessed, there is not a lot left.

I'm not sure exactly how many, maybe 30-40, but that's just a guess.  Either way, they are hitting the MWOTR web-store sometime very soon, so tonight is your night if you haven't had the chance to get one of these hot gators yet.  Remember, once this colorway is gone, it is gone, so don't let it pass you by.

As of the time I'm writing this, they have not reached the website, but I would hunker down and keep a close eye for the drop.  This figure is an absolute steal at $6 and could be one of the sexiest miniature releases this year.  Not to mention, you should look at all the other good finds MWOTR has to offer.

Decimate your F5 key here!

http://www.mystwarriors.com/shop.htm

Shamrock Arrow Superfest 68 Exclusive Drop!

While everyone in the States are either attending C2E2 this weekend, or keeping their ears to the ground for exciting geeky news happening there, it's easy to forget Superfest 68 is pretty much happening at the same time in Tokyo.

Generally keeping to model kits and toys, Superfest is seeing plenty of independent keshi releases to keep us collectors salivating.

Superfest 68 sees the release of the purple colorway of Shamrock Arrow's Ninja Heaven miniature.  Previously made in both black and flesh tone, this clawed badass' indigo clone could very well round out anyone's keshi ninja army.

Sadly, much like a lot of Japanese convention exclusives, it sometimes is pretty hard to purchase a piece without attending.  I would still suggest you try - you never know what happens - even with a possible language barrier.

Check out these links for more info!

http://artstorm.co.jp/sufes.html

http://shamrock-arrow.com/

I Took Some Poor Pictures Of My Collection!

With the arrival of my new additions to the collection, I found out I am completely out of room in their current standing on my shelves.  So, before I figure out a new way to get these guys displayed, or simply install MOAR SHELFFS, I took some pictures of the collection to share.

There's a lot of different stuff here, just keep in mind it's very cramped and some stuff is hard to see, aside from all the Trash Pack hogging the front row.  Hope you enjoy!

Slam That Korean Ddakji!

Little rubber gumball minifigures weren't a hit everywhere in the world.  To a certain extent, people could argue they even had limited success here in the States as well.  They could say it was nothing compared to the popularity of TMNT, He-Man, Transformers, and the rest of the Hasbro and Mattel lot you know.  Even in neighboring countries, like South Korea, they had their own ideas with soft plastics.

They are called Ddakji (or Ttakji).  I have no idea how either are correctly pronounced, but they are rooted in a traditional tabletop game with cardboard discs.  Westerners would best recognize traditional Ddakji as something like P.O.G.S. without the metal slammers.  Kids would merely take a cardboard piece and slam it crazy-hard down on others to try to flip them over.

Alternatively, rubber Ddakji found themselves on toy shelves as well, replacing the small thin discs for large, hand-size, rubber cut-outs of popular characters, with the exact same rules: whack your opponents Ddakji so hard with your Ddakji that theirs flips and lands on the opposite side.

I'm personally drawn into these guys, but then again, virtually anything neon, transparent, glittered, and slug-casted will always know how to get my wallet lighter.  Although I don't have the budget into being a serious Ddakji collector, I would love to have a a good amount around, if nothing else than to have a few drunk Ddakji games with friends.

I just recently learned of their existence and currently in the works of picking up some.  I'll do a hands-on review in the future when I get to slam them around myself, maybe even intoxicated.

Day Of The Slug Wave 2 Drop!

One toy series we unfairly overlook quite a lot here is the beloved classic Mini Boglins.  I have a few myself and nothing really captures that gross-factor and silliness like those classics, but the throwback homage Day of the Slug by BigManToys certainly fits the bill as well.

If you like your keshi short and stout, to possibly pair with your favorite Mini Boglin, I suggest you drop by BigManToys' website very soon.

Wave 2 of their Day of the Slug series is dropping April 25th at 11pm GMT in a great number of colorways and rubber/resin formats.  From glittered and neon solids, BigManToys has your slug needs covered.  Also, there are sale packages of Wave 1 still available to catch you up as well.

Check it out!

http://bigmantoys.bigcartel.com/

Onion Fights Super Festival 68 Exclusive Keshi!

Curses to Onion Fights and a general hex to Japanese conventions I can never attend.  May you awake an angry Godzilla for making such amazing looking keshi that will never reach my hands.

That's right, everyone, Onion Fights are back at it again, launching another amazing convention exclusive, this time in the form a character called The Momo Taroh.

The Momo Taroh will be released at Super Festival 68, far away from me, in Tokyo Japan, Sunday, April 26th.  If it sounds like I am bitter, it's because I am.  Onion Fights are turning to be one of the most coveted Kinnikuman throwbacks out there, in not just rarity but quality too.  They are sold literally only in Japan, and in most cases, exclusive to particular conventions, with the Punk Drunker collaboration I zoned-out through being one of a possible few exceptions.

I'd have to imagine this is because there could only be a small team working the Onion Fights productions.  Let's not forget, this is the same country with world-class, five-star, sushi restaurants with only two seats and an old man.  If this could be something of the case, making world-wide releases might overwhelm them in product demands.

The hope of the westerners lies in California's Designer Con later this fall, and whether or not Onion Fights attends.  If they do, and let's say annually, we finally might see Onion Fights more commonly here in the States.  It would certainly save a riot or two.

Here's the link for Super Festival 68!
http://artstorm.co.jp/sufes.html

And for Onion Fights!
http://www.onion-fights.com/