toyboxdx toy blog brog: is graceful art of daily expressing japanese toy  

Between the Rody and the smallest Kewpie in the collection.

Meet Mayor Kew P.

Every now and then, ya gotta break out the big guns…

For Bullmark collector, there was a bit of a ruckus about a month ago. In rapid succession, a number of highly sought-after Toho vinyls popped up. Far and away, the more celebrated of these was the legendary green Godzilla that Brian Flynn scooped up!

Also causing a stir around the same time, a mysterious Mechagodzilla appeared that Mike Johnson told me was an especially rare vinyl variant. IIRC, that went for around 500k…far too rich for my blood at the moment…

Ah, but with all eyes and anxious keyboards watching what would happen with these two titans, the humble Megalon appeared (“humble”, my ass!). And no one seemed to notice! It was listed originally for 200k, which arguably isn’t a bad deal at all…even with today’s exchange rate. No action. The auction recycled. No action again; it recycles again. In the middle of its third week, I had Tokyobuyers contact the seller and offer 150k. No response, but upon the third recycling, the seller dropped the starting bid to 150k and added a BIN of 200k. Still no action…and the very morning of Brian’s green Goji, I swooped in and scored it…30 minutes before Brian’s fabled purchase!

Broke as hell, but happy, I received Megs and a bunch of other Bullmarks last week. Walker, Nekrodave, and I took a nice little group shot at the shop Wednesday night:

Anyway, here’s more fun with Megalon!

Bullmark 1974.

Standard size sofubi from Bullmark, with removable mask.
Smart ass baby face.

Mirrorman was Tsuburaya’s first non “Ultra” superhero TV production from 1971.

This is a video I created showcasing a group of Super Robot Mach Baron illustrations set to the TV show’s opening theme song. Hope you’ll like it.

Ladies and gentlemen…I proudly present another nerd Brog from the Rockbat universe ;-)

Today I focus on Rockbat’s archenemy, GONG.
WAIT…I always thought this  hairy beast is called GONG, because GONG is
written on his chest armor…this would be too easy, I was totally wrong.
My personal japanese to english translating & extra information god, Mr. Matt Alt brought
light into this mystery. Thanks again Matt!

“His name is Doradanuki, or “Stray Tanuki.” A tanuki is a raccoon-dog. It’s a real animal
but also seen as a trickster in Japanese folklore. (The Studio Ghibli movie “Pom Poko” is
all about them). Normally, their secret power is all in their testicles, but Doradanuki
doesn’t seem to have any! ;) ”

So, adieu GONG…hello DORADANUKI!

I only know of these 3 versions of Doradanuki, all made by Bullmark.
The “nearly” standard size version is from the Rockbat 5 figures carded set.
The small sofubi is from the 4 figures carded set and the mini sofubi looks
like he’s from the Rockbat playset.
…wow I created a new sofubi category. The “nearly” standard size sofubi ;-)

The sizes of the Doradanukis are 5,4” (13,7 cm) for the big one,
4,1” (10,5 cm) for the small version and 3,5” (9 cm) for the mini version.

Here are 2 groupshots. The Doradanukis side by side and together
with the rest of the Rockbat gang.

Finally some action fotos.
Doradanuki always trys to kick Rockbat’s Ass…but in the end he always gets the spanking.

As always…more fotos etc in the BBS.

I had seen them so many times before in the old Bullmark Catalogs but never “in the plastic”.

I decided to take the plunge on a BIN “Export version” set from Yeebay which i received this morning.

Even though it’s just one small set ( Set 4 Aerial Airport) , I didn’t get a whole lot done today.

I still have to go into the breakfast hutch where it’s currently located and crank it every so often.

It’s quite fulfilling and I’m not ashamed to admit it!

Had to add some Mini kaiju into the mix as well.

I’m planning on expanding my city eventually and adding a Coffee grinder and a revolving tie rack..

(more…)

Compliments of Dylan AKA Sketcher: