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: '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!

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!

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: 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!

Toy OTD: FUNimation Dragonball Z Figure Set: Boss Rabbit & Goku (2002)

These are the best Dragonball toys that I've seen to date - really terrific sculpts and paintwork! They capture the flavor of the original artwork very well. If I remember correctly, three two-figure sets were released - I bought two of the line at Toys 'R' Us originally.

As you might imagine, Boss Rabbit doesn't have a lot of articulation, but Goku has a good amount of poseable joints. I could imagine that some fans might want more, since Goku is such an active character, but I think it's a good compromise between poseability and preserving the sculpt.

You can still get this set for a very good price - thecardkid.com has it for $9.99 + shipping.

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.

Tezuka Exhibit Coming To The U.S. In June

Tezuka: The Marvel Of Manga will be displayed at the Asian Art Museum from June 2nd through September 9th. It's a collection of over two hundred "drawings, paintings and more" by Osamu Tesuka. Apparently, this is the first exhibition is the first of its kind outside of Japan. I can't wait! Mark your calendars, and keep checking here for more info.