HOBIC Mekabuton

In 1976, Takatoku kicked off a new series of toys called "Hobic." They were large scale, full of gimmicks, and made entirely out of plastic. They aren't quite Machinder size, but they feature a lot of polyethylene in addition to the usual styrene, and are far larger than most toys. There are only a handful of toys in the series, and the most interesting ones are from the '75-'76 series Time Bokan.

This Mekabuton measures roughly one foot long, with a one foot wingspan. I found it at Mandarake Nakano last month. I'd been looking for one for a long time.









Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2008 10:27PM by MattAlt.

Oh, my heart!

What other Time Bokan toys did they do? Is the transparent Tentouki with the sproingy arms one of them?

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hassenpfeffer

Matt, this is great! I'm thrilled for you. I'd love to see some comparison shots with other Mekabutons.

Also, what other Hobic pieces are there?

There are a couple of Ultraman Leo toys (one of the "MACky" ship and another of the MAC Base). But the other major Time Bokan Hobic piece -- which I actually prefer to the Mekabuton, great though it may be -- is a massive rendition of the Tentoki, which is built like a James Bond car. If ever there was a case to be made for "they just don't make 'em like this any more," this would be it.

It has retractable antennae, hidden spring-launched side-punches that pop out at the flick of a switch, detachable manipulator claws, an extender that elevates the body of the Tentoki a good foot off the floor, rear-firing missile launchers, and a detailed little cockpit. It is one of the wonders of the vintage Japanese toy world. I've probably got your mouth watering, but alas, I don't have a clear photo. These swiped auction shots'll have to do until I can get mine out of storage.



The translucent Time Bokan toys (there's a Tentoki, Mekabuton, Kuwagattan, and Dotanbatan in that series) are really amazing, but roughly 1/2 the size of the Hobic stuff.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/2008 11:35PM by MattAlt.

Congrats on the Mekabuton. These toys are wonderful. I didn't know that there were Ultraman Leo Hobics as well.

Here's a shot of the Hobic MAC Base from a Japanese blog:

[aichinchin.blog79.fc2.com]

That base is simply awesome.

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[pgaijin.blogspot.com]

Fortunately, the Mekabuton aside, the rest of the Hobic pieces are all really reasonably priced. $250 and under if you get lucky, even for the Tentoki. Totally under-appreciated.

Hobic Tentoki!





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/26/2010 03:23PM by MattAlt.

All the BIG size TimeBokan toys are sole reason to hate Alt-san. I am beyond jealousy and envy. I covet.
I covet the MekaB and Tentouki toys, and alas, they are so hard to find from afar.
One of my great laments is a missed YJP auction almost a year ago for the big TakaToku Tentouki NMIB that ended up for a penny over 10,000 Yen. and I have not seen a reasonable one since.
Sigh...beautiful pics, Matt. Avarice across the Pacific....
mg

thanks for all the info on thoses matt, and off course the pics of those jaw droping toys. total envy.