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Mutant Chaos - Rainbow

angel

ToyPunkJan

1884 1893 2107

6 years ago

Has anyone here an idea of what the hell 'Sofubi' means? When you're on ebay all kinds of Nintendo figures show up!!!
MisterQuiche

185 83 831

6 years ago

my understanding is soft vinyl but i could be wrong, quick someone educate us
angel

SillyK

154 1426 1657

6 years ago

i think Mr. Quiche is correct. Sofubi stands for soft vinyl.
angel

Shankweather

427 4 822

6 years ago

Sofubi, soft vinyl, and Japanese vinyl are all the same thing. Kaiju is a subset of that. Kaiju can be sofubi, but it's specific characters. The newer stuff like RxH and Super7 and Greasebat isn't really Kaiju. Really, I'm not sure even Zagoran is Kaiju, strictly speaking.
angel

ToyPunkJan

1884 1893 2107

6 years ago

The reason I'm asking is that Gatchabert uploaded a ton of RxHs years ago and put them as 'sofubi' :
http://rotocasted.com/toy/522... />I just had the feeling that sofubi was 'punk' toys that didn't really fit into the Kaiju ie Strange Beast niche, but still were more 'twisted' than your usual Touma or whatever Japanese toy.
monsterforge

279 125 209

6 years ago

Technically RealxHead figures are not kaiju toys. Kaiju are usually monsters based on and inspired by the old tokusatsu (special effects) movies and shows like Ultraman, Godzilla, and Power Rangers, to name a few. RealXHead figures owe more to "fight figures" than they do to kaiju figures. Fight figures were first started by artist Takeshit with his Fink Shit fight figure.

http://pds.exblog.jp/pds/1/200901/13/94/e0143594_963043.jpg

Takeshit was a big fan of (and participated in) shoot fighting (kind of like the Japanese version of MMA mixed with pro wrestling) and created a stylized figure that brings to mind the look of Japanese boxers with his shorts and boxing gloves. Companies like Secret Base, Gargamel, and others started making figures that were similar to the Fink Shit figure, and there was a big boom in the fight figure style. Mori Katsura stepped into the ring with his own take on the fight figure and it has evolved past the fight figure realm. I think his characters have the most involved backstories of all the fight figure styled figures. I'd be hesitant to label all of the RealXHead figures as "fight figures"-- certainly some fit right in with their fighting trunks and fight figure stances, but they have really evolved into something that is all their own. They have a bit of the kaiju flair to them, but they aren't really kaiju in the true sense of the word. I believe the "sofubi" tag works best... it's general enough to encompass all that RealXHead stuff embodies and specific enough to not include kaiju and other types of figures.
angel

lordsketch

381 1083 1433

6 years ago

thanks monster, that was really eye opening! I had no idea there was this tradition in Japanese toys
angel

CoMus

171 468 619

6 years ago

It is a new Japanese word created from English words -

Soft Vinyl -> Sofoto Biniru -> Sofu Biniru -> Sofubi

Kaiju is just Japanese for strange/odd/not of this world beast. Yet in reference to toys Monsterforge is correct - They are old tokusatsu beasts.

The lines of what makes a Kaiju toy "kaiju" are blended, as people are creating monster toys inspired by Japanese toys inspired by old Kaiju toys.

If anything, Mutant Chaos is a Kaijin (humanoid monster)
monsterforge

279 125 209

6 years ago

Kaijin is a pretty good term for them... it doesn't take away from the fact that they are like fight figures and doesn't quite put them in the same range as kaiju. (You start going into crazy territory when you start calling things "kaiju." People will cut you over that! Not really... or maybe really... I'm scared! Maybe not.)

I know a lot of collectors of Japanese soft vinyl call ALL of it "sofubi" because it is a generic term. I wanted to err on the side of safety. (No knife attacks from crazed kaiju purists for me, good sir!)

In my opinion, people can call 'em whatever they want... I prefer to call them "AWESOME!" :D
angel

lordsketch

381 1083 1433

6 years ago

monster - I also love knowing the right terms for things as much as I can. I get slightly annoyed whenever people call anime mange or vice versa, and I'm not that big of an anime or mange fan :D
angel

lordsketch

381 1083 1433

6 years ago

is there anywhere I can read more about fighting figures?
monsterforge

279 125 209

6 years ago

I like knowing the proper terms, but I think it behooves one to not get all buttdestroyed over people who are new to things not getting it right. People learn a lot more by encouragement than they do by chastising. I agree though... sometimes hearing people call any comic book a "graphic novel" makes my spine rattle. But then I get all over it and stuff and keep on keepin' on! XD

I first found out about fight figures in an old issue of Super Seven magazine and started looking around online for more information. You can find out a LOT about Japanese toys by looking at sites like:

http://robotxmonster.blogspot.com/
http://www.collectiondx.com/
http://toyboxdx.com/
http://skullbrain.org/

Skullbrain is a forum, but you don't have to join to search for terms and read stuff there. Those guys are a big source for information about most Japanese vinyl.

Hope that helps! :D
MisterQuiche

185 83 831

6 years ago

this type of conversation & knowledge sharing is a big part of what adds so much awesomeness to this site, thanks to all involved above for both great questions and super in depth answers :)
angel

CoMus

171 468 619

6 years ago

Don't you just hate jargon!

Mark Nagata has some good posts about Kaiju works - http://toykarma.blogspot.com/
angel

CoMus

171 468 619

6 years ago

Also, check out this link - http://www.pecha-kucha.org/pr...

Don Kratzer teaches us the meaning of "Kaiju,"

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Malus Chrome Kubrick

jheff_123

10 0 3

6 years ago

I have this toy (with limited edition book), brand new unopened packaging, $60USD plus shipping (I'm in Australia). email me for details, ethics@sdmcrew.com

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Miclas

angel

SillyK

154 1426 1657

6 years ago

i love those big puffy pink lips...i bet he is good at giving head

and those horns!!! he surely can take 4 ladies at once for a "ride"

>_<
J_Walrus

51 9 368

6 years ago

Jeeeeeeez you Silly! :D
monsterforge

279 125 209

6 years ago

He certainly is a happy lookin' dude. :D

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Black Scar Mini Hades Pheyden - GID

angel

lordsketch

381 1083 1433

6 years ago

good luck! be quick on the trigger :)
they're killer piece
angel

ToyPunkJan

1884 1893 2107

6 years ago

Quote; "I know that the last Mini Sarvos release resulted in a few people missing out, which I apologize for. This drop should not leave anybody cold, as the supply has been increased to hopefully cover those that want this Mini."

It's now or never, Avri! :)

When that is said... I really don't have a sense of Japanese time!! :

EDT – Eastern Daylight Time!?!
angel

lordsketch

381 1083 1433

6 years ago

I think it's american times, Jan.
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/usa/eastern-time/eastern-daylight-time/

unfortunately I'm going to miss out on this one, because I have no cash... 35$ is not a steep price but to Israel there is also a 25$ shipping charge so it comes up pretty expansive.

but I did get the last release which I'm very very happy with!
angel

lordsketch

381 1083 1433

6 years ago

usually they drop at this link - http://www.onelldesign.com/re...
angel

lordsketch

381 1083 1433

6 years ago

Sold out

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LoneCub

326 279 155

6 years ago

Dang, I am looking for the Orange shirt one.

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Pheyaos Mini

angel

ToyPunkJan

1884 1893 2107

6 years ago

Those eyes! Stare right through me!
Killa piece! Nice rub!
monsterforge

279 125 209

6 years ago

It's a gorgeous toy... and it seems like each release gets a little more exciting than the last!

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Daywalker - NYCC '11

angel

SillyK

154 1426 1657

6 years ago

hmmm....i have the true blood version and love this piece, but this colorway does not get to me...it looks too plain in my opinion.
angel

ToyPunkJan

1884 1893 2107

6 years ago

The eyes and .. .legs are somewhat more defined here. But I get what you're saying, the True Blood is a bit more beautiful.
angel

SillyK

154 1426 1657

6 years ago

when i think about it...it might be as well the color combination... imagine this in pink instead black. blue and pink would looooook so epic together..

uuuuh..now i want to buy one and paint pink over it...

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Taoking - Unpainted Dark Blue

TheBlotSays

239 158 124

6 years ago

This is actually an unpainted Blue Taoking...it's just an unpainted version of the SDCC release: http://www.rotocasted.com/toy... />
A black Taoking has not be produced...yet.
angel

ToyPunkJan

1884 1893 2107

6 years ago

Ok, very very dark blue it is. Thanks, Blot! :)

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Plasma Elizabeth

vinylgoddess

365 108 162

6 years ago

The correct name for this is 'Plasma Elizabeth' -- platform is 'Elizabeth'. Lizzie is a slightly different sculpt.
MisterQuiche

185 83 831

6 years ago

Updated :)

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Boiler Zomb

ullar77

112 20 104

7 years ago

platform is zomb
LoneCub

326 279 155

6 years ago

Where are the rest of the Zombies??? I cant' find the Acolyte zomb...

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