Toy OTD: Fewture Artstorm Hajime Ningen Gyatoruzu Vinyl Figures: Piko, The Hinemoguras

I was intrigued by these odd designs several years ago, and still haven't learned very much about the source manga (or anime), Gon the Stone Age Boy (aka はじめ人間　ゴン, Gyatoruzu, Giatrus The First Man or First Human Gon). The characters are very appealing - sort of a cross between The Simpsons and The Flintstones. At some point, I'd like to watch an episode or two, if there's any available with English subtitles!

Considering how stylized these drawings are, I think Fewture Artstorm did a fine job realizing them as toys. When I first bought the Hinemogura couple I assumed they were monkeys, but upon seeing the source drawings now, I'm not as sure. I'd like to see the sculpts get pushed even further, emphasizing the chubby limbs, wonky proportions and tilted feet. Still, they're good compromises, working well on their own!

There's only a few point of articulation (in fact the Hinemoguras have none at all), but the paint work is decent, and the colors are sharp-looking. The bright side of a more conservative sculpt is that there's fewer balance issues. Display stands are always a good idea, but they're hardly needed here.

It's been quite a while since I've seen the packaging for either of these figures. Here's a box for another toy in the line, and I seem to remember the box design being fairly similar. Nothing spectacular, but at least it's decorated with logos and drawings from the show!

I can't remember whether nor not these characters were packed together or not. Information about the manga/anime/merchandising (at least, info in English) is spotty and scattered all over the place. You may want to try searching here (at http://goods.ruten.com.tw/) periodically, as they do have a couple of other figures from this line for sale right now. I can't find much of anything else for sale online, so your best bets are an eBay favorite search, or a Japanese toy search service. I'd expect to pay at least $40-$60 for each toy. Good luck!

PS - If you'd like to watch a(n annoyingly dubbed) episode of the anime, click here, then click on the "screening" link.

Toy OTD: Princess Mononoke Image Collection Maquette: Ashitaka (2003)

Almost every bit of merchandise based on a Studio Ghibli film is amazing, and this piece is especially good! Princess Mononoke is one of my favorite Miyazaki films, and this is a beautiful sculpt of a possessed Ashitaka (one of my favorite sequences in the film, too!). The pose is really lively, and the well-applied paint work is spot-on model. Nice!

The figure is packaged separately from the base, but it's simply a matter of setting it up - that really helps minimize shipping damage (as opposed to molding the figure and base together). Ashitaka's sword is also packed as another piece for the same reason (I haven't included it here).

Japanese merchandise is generally limited and quickly 'retired', and this piece is no exception. There's a few for sale online, but they've gone up to $300 + shipping! Grit your teeth and get shopping - it'll probably only get worse if you wait (though you could try to dicker if one comes up in "or-best-offer" mode on eBay) - good luck!

Toy OTD: '90s Bandai (?) Shokupanman Vinyl Squeak Toy

I bought this toy fifteen years ago (easily), when I was still living in southern California. I can't remember where I picked it up down there - I bought it knowing nothing about the Anpanman manga or anime. I just thought it was funny to have a little superhero with a slice of bread for a head!

I still don't know much about the source material - I haven't been able to find any of the manga translated into English. It's mainly about the designs for me, anyway - they're very simple and super-cute!

The execution of this toy isn't spectacular, but it's just fine for what it needs to be: three points of articulation, a nice sculpt, and adequate paint work. I don't remember how much I paid for it - I think it was less than ten dollars, which makes the toy quality even better.

Since this is an older toy, you won't be able to go out and buy this exact item, but since Anpanman is still so popular, you'll probably be able to find a similar toy of this character cheaply and easily! Granted, I can't find anything online right now, but if you add favorite searches for "anpanman" and "shokupanman" to your eBay account, I'm sure something will turn up in short order... good luck!

UPDATE: Here's a set of figures on Amazon.jp that look very similar to the ones I own. You can buy them for ¥ 2,855 ($29.60 USD)+ tax and shipping. Thanks to my Flickr buddy HNishinomaru for the tip!

Astro Boy Teaser Online

At last! There's more to see of Imagi's Astro Boy feature! Unfortunately, the designs look pretty watered down. I realize that Tezuka's designs are challenging for CG, but I wish that more of the original manga's graphic appeal had been retained. Oh, well... ultimately, it'll all pivot on the story anyway.

I'm probably just envious... I'd love to direct an Astro Boy movie!

Toy OTD: Mega House Panda-Z Figure: Mogyu (2004)

This is a nifty line of toys - I've never seen the anime, but the character designs work great all on their own!

The sculpt is a nice adaptation of the original drawings (ironically it's a 2D show, even though the simple, geometric style looks like a natural for the computer), and the colors are really attractive. The paint work isn't as tight as many overseas toys are, but it's still quite nice.

The articulation is pretty basic - about seven points or so - it's a display piece more than anything. Here's where the biggest minus comes in... construction. This line of toys has an unusually weak track record for molding and fitting. Unfortunately, this tends to lead to awkwardly bent legs and feet, which can lead to balance problems. If you have the opportunity, look the toy over in its blister carefully before purchasing.

This figure has been sold out for a while, but you can buy one right now on eBay for $13.29 + $10.00 shipping. Hop to it if you want one!

Mighty Atom Gains Weight

"Forget the svelte little feller capable of soaring through the skies and 100,000 horsepower strength: the roly-poly latest incarnation of Japan's most famous cartoon character of all is more like LardAss-tro Boy, according to Shukan Shincho (4/10).

In a collaboration with decorated illustrator Lily Franky, Tezuka Productions has produced a version of Astro Boy (known as 'Mighty Atom' in Japan) with fleshy jowls and a belly that wouldn't look out of place on Japan's other icons, sumo wrestlers."

Read the rest of Ryann Connell's Manichi Daily News article here.

Another New Flickr Group

Here we go again! You have to admit, though - don't you think it's a little bizarre that the titan of manga doesn't have a Flickr group devoted to him? I do - so I made one!

I've made it an 18+ group, because a lot of Tezuka's work deals with violent and/or sexual subject matter. I don't intend to dwell on that facet of his work - mainly, I'm just being careful.

Join, post, enjoy!

ANOTHER Toy Show TOMORROW!

SACRAMENTO COMIC, TOY & ANIME SHOW
Sunday, March 9th - The Sottish Rite Center
6151 H Street (Across From Sac State University)
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Admission: $6.00

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Sweet - see you there!
PS - I've posted the last of the current pinstriped beaver toy auctions. Bid high, bid often!

Remake OTD: Akira

VARIETY: WB takes franchise turn with 'Akira'
Studio to adapt graphic novel
By MICHAEL FLEMING - Posted: Wed., Feb. 20, 2008, 12:59pm PT

Warner Bros. will turn anime artist Katsuhiro Otomo's six-volume graphic novel "Akira" into two live-action feature films, the first of which is being fast tracked for release in summer 2009. Legendary will co-finance with WB.

Each feature will be based on three of the books in Otomo's series. The story takes place in New Manhattan, a metropolis that was rebuilt after being destroyed 31 years earlier. Otomo will exec produce the films.

Graphic novel was first adapted for the bigscreen in 1988 as a popular animated film which Otomo directed.

Studio has closed a seven-figure rights acquisition deal with manga publisher Kodansha and has set Ruairi Robinson to direct a script by Gary Whitta ("Book of Eli"). Andrew Lazar's Mad Chance will produce with Appian Way's Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson.

WB had the "Akira" rights several years ago only to let them lapse and then recapture them in a spirited bidding battle.

Robinson, an Irish helmer who has been Oscar nominated for his short film and commercials work, is making his feature debut.

The project was brought in by exec veep Greg Silverman, who has supervised "300" and "Batman Begins."

Lazar is producer on the WB comedy "Get Smart," and he's about to start production on the Jim Carrey starrer "I Love You Phillip Morris" for EuropaCorp.

Appian Way is producing the John Cusack starrer "The Factory" for WB and Dark Castle.

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This could be interesting, from a story perspective. The original is cool, but kind of degenerates into a lot of screaming and effects animation at the end. The challenge will be to clarify the story without damaging it. One of these days, I should try reading the entire graphic novel. I bought a lot of the re-laid out/re-colored version that Epic Comics did back in the day, but I don't know if they finished it.

Toy OTD: '90s Doraemon Vinyl Squeeze Toy

Thanks to my buddy Bill Presing, I was finally able to read some of the Doraemon manga in English! He found some collections in San Francisco's Japantown - they're bilingual so that young Japanese-speaking children can learn English.

The drawings are really fun, and the stories are short and simple - Nobita will have a problem (doing his homework too slowly, wanting more toys, etc.), and Doraemon will produce something from his his fourth-dimensional pocket (like Felix the Cat's bag of tricks) to help out. The helper gadget usually comes with a rule that Nobita winds up breaking, and hilarity ensues. Gadgets might include pills to make you quicker or slower (!), a black belt that hurls anyone you touch away from you, animal picture books that produce real animals, and so on. Super cute stuff!

Anyway, I've been a big fan of Doraemon's design long before I knew anything about him. This isn't the most elaborate or well-executed toy, but it's pretty faithful to its source, and that goes a long way. Even though the pose is very symmetrical, the design is still charming because its intrinsic variety of shapes is strong.

It's a simple toy, but its one feature is also true to its source. Doraemon has a propeller that will pop out of his head so he can fly around (like Inspector Gadget). Thus toy has a hollow propeller with vents on the sides of the rotors (you can see one on the left rotor). If you squeeze the toy, air is forced out of the vents, and the prop spins. Very clever!

I bought this over ten years ago, so getting this exact toy might be very difficult. I can't find it on eBay or Google, but if you're stubborn and put a very open term like "doraemon" in one of those search engines and dig like crazy, it might turn up. If you can find it, at least it shouldn't be all that expensive - I think mine cost under twelve dollars. Good luck!

Toy OTD: Ghibli Vinyl Totoro Bank: The Cat Bus

Studio Ghibli merchandise is always charming and well-made - I'd buy it even if I'd never heard of the films. Of course, having such strong sources to work from is a plus!

The cat bus character is pretty stylized to begin with, but it's been simplified a little further in the sculpt. It looks great! Some of the paint passes are a little ragged (by Japanese painting standards, anyway), but it doesn't detract from the overall appeal of the piece.

There's no real features to speak of - just the coin slot and the plug underneath - but it's worth mentioning again that there's nothing unnecessary added to the figure, either. No logos, slogans or branding, no clumped-on characters or landscaping. The design is very stable by nature, so there's no balance issues.

The sole weakness of this item is that it's made of vinyl - a material that isn't particularly good for banks. While I haven't tried filling this one in particular, I've had some trouble with sagging in other vinyl banks, once they're sufficiently filled with coins. If you're aiming for a display piece, (which is what most collectors do anyway) then that's not a problem.

The biggest problem is finding merchandise like this on the secondary market, once it's sold out. I missed out on some Princess Mononoke nodders, and they still haven't turned up! I can't find this anywhere online, so it's going to take some serious digging at toy shows, and on eBay. Japanese toy hunting services are another option - pricey, but effective. Good luck!

Toy OTD: Kurimu Panda (aka Cream Panda) Vinyl Figure

Here's another cast member from the Anpanman manga/anime series - I bought this figure when I was still living in southern California. Like many of the characters, he's based on a food or pastry. It's a really appealing, simple design - the sculpt preserves the cute proportions and the punchy color scheme makes it an eye-catcher! The paint work isn't perfect, but it is very good for such a mass-produced item. It's not an expensive toy - I'm sure this cost between ten and fifteen dollars.

I don't imagine you could find this exact figure today, but I know Apanman toys are still very cheap and plentiful. I can't find any for sale online right now, but it shouldn't be too hard to uncover a Kurimu Panda toy if you're persistent! Try checking with Super 7 - they usually have some of the characters in stock. Or drop a line to this Flickr group - I'm sure someone there can help you out. Good luck!

A First Look At The CG Astroboy

Here's a still straight from Imagi's website. It looks like it's from the robot circus part of the manga - while that may sound like a sequence from A.I., Astroboy also fought fellow robots as the entertainment of a futuristic populace. I'll be curious to see how they handle that 2D-cheated 'hairdo' in 3D!

Colin Brady on Directing Astro Boy

Colin and I worked together on Toy Story, so it's great to see him take the helm of one of the most iconic animation projects ever! Here's an interview where he discusses his approach as they move into production. Go Colin!

To navigate: IMAGI main page > Our films/Astro Boy > introduction > Colin Brady Q & A.

Toy OTD: Cominica Japan Metropolis Maquette: Tima

I'm not a big fan of the film version of Tezuka's Metropolis manga - I thought technically it was amazing, but the story was weak. Still, director Ritnaro kept the essence of the Tezuka character designs, so the merchandise is still very cool!

Here's a resin staute of the main character Tima, the robot around which much of the story revolves. It's an appealing design, and the sculpt and paint work is quite nice. I do remember some fragility issues - originally I had wanted to buy a statue of Kenichi, but the figure came off the base too easily, or there was some damage to it that I hadn't noticed in the display case. If you can, be sure to check an item in this line carefully before purchasing!

The figure is 18 cm tall, and is from an edition of 1500 pieces. You can get one from kibidango.ch (for 49.90 CHF Switzerland Francs or 41.88 USD) if you can read German. I bought mine from Things From Another World, but I don't see it listed on their website.

Trailer For New (Sort-Of) Ghibli Film

From ghibliworld.com:

Kitaro Kosaka’s director debut from 2003, Nasu: Andalusia no Natsu (or Nasu: Summer in Andalusia as it's called in English) will receive a sequel this year called Nasu 2. For those haven’t heard of Nasu: Andalusia no Natsu, it was the first Japanese animation film ever to be selected for the Cannes Film Festival. All though it's a Madhouse anime, it's still sort of a Studio Ghibli film as director Kitaro Kosaka is one of the main animators of Studio Ghibli. He worked on Studio Ghibli films like Howl's Moving Castle (animation director), Mononoke Hime (animation supervisor), Spirited Away (animator supervisor), Laputa: Castle in the Sky (key animator), Grave of the Fireflies (key animator) and many more.

Continuing its story in Japan, this year its sequel Nasu 2 will be released. Kitaro Kosaka will team up again with Madhouse. More importantly Yoshida Kenichi joined the team as animation director, who is a famous Studio Ghibli artist as well. In the past he worked as key animator on Ghibli films like Princess Mononoke, Whisper of the Heart, Porco Rosso, Only Yesterday and many more. Anyway, there now is a trailer of Nasu 2 available, so check it out!

Anime Simpsons Style, Vice Versa

Here's a cute Totoro drawing in the Simpsons style by spacecoyote. She's also done drawings of Groening TV shows in an anime style!