Hanging around bike geeks will get a non-cyclist riding a bike. Hanging around metal nerds will get a pop-punk into metal and hanging around Kaiju nerds, well, got me into Kaiju. The past few times I was in Japan, I was hanging around the Mishka guys and Lamour Supreme. I really found a special love for the figurines sculpted and painted by an artist called BLObPUS. I found it ridiculous at first to spend real money on a vinyl figurine, but weeks later I found myself really admiring his work. After buying a few pieces in Tokyo I returned to the states to find it nearly impossible to get a deal on any Kaiju. Literally everything had a 200% mark up; so I limit myself to purchases in Japan and stay away from the eBay pricing.
If you're into this kind of stuff, read on below.
When we were there for the Mishka Harajuku opening, I got the chance to meet a bunch of the Tokyo Kaiju artists; some of which I'll be setting up interviews with in the near future. In between riding my bike around, I went to a few Kaiju events and toy stores. One of those stores was Mandarake, a massive toy and comic book store. Think Walmart for nerds. After picking up a Zagoran and a Hydrous Dokugan, I had reached my budget for the trip; you really have to set limits on spending in Tokyo. Shit adds up!
Mike from Mishka spotted this Blobpus Diablo with a bone mask and asked it I liked it. Truthfully, I did but didn't want to spend that kind of money on it. I looked at it, thought about and decided to just leave! Lamour Supreme and I had a bus to catch to the airport, so we headed back to Shubuya. I guess Mike and Greg bought it for me after we left because yesterday, they gave it to me as a gift and a thank you for working on their store and putting up with their constant banter-attacks.
It may be a hunk of vinyl to you guys, but it's definitely a unique hunk of vinyl! Thanks to Mike and Greg for feeding the fire.
Comments
I spy Mike Giant in the back. After browsing your flicker the other day, these toys caught my attention. Where do you buy in the states? Why are they so expensive too? Kid Robot at least isnt as pricey.
cheers
Posted by: missed it | March 14, 2010 7:03 PM
pop punk eh?
Posted by: kris | March 14, 2010 7:24 PM
I never liked pop-punk. Just using it for a reference.
;-)
Missed It,
You can check:
lulubelltoys.com
super7store.com
The reason a lot of them are so pricey is because they're usually limited to a run of 10-20 pieces. Some of the more mass-produced ones are easier to find, but again, people flip them on eBay...
Posted by: prolly | March 14, 2010 7:26 PM
^ the toys are expensive because they are made in small quantities in japan, with the highest quality vinyls, and usually hand painted one by one (and they are worth it!)
as far as kidrobot goes .. the chinese vinyl they use is crap, pad printed, and the designs are mostly uninspired
........ apples and oranges
Posted by: adam | March 14, 2010 7:31 PM
Yeah, forgot to mention the Japanese vinyl vs. Chinese vinyl and the import cost. If 'cheap' or less-expensive is your thing, some of Super 7's stuff is a middle ground between Eastern and Western vinyl. I still prefer the more organic work crafted by the Japanese guys. Not so much into the humanoid figures. The Diablo is one exception.
Posted by: prolly | March 14, 2010 7:33 PM
Wow, well this makes me feel relatively less geeky for being aware that today is Pi day!
How much do these things run anyway, I'm curious?
Posted by: Rui | March 14, 2010 8:13 PM
Shit won't biodegrade for millennia.
Posted by: DoubleOhTwo | March 14, 2010 10:09 PM
ahh, i love living right next to super7 florida.
Posted by: lawlercon | March 17, 2010 5:01 PM