New YouTube channel!

I just set up a YouTube channel: KaijuKornerAndy

Click here to go straight to the channel:

The plan is to put up videos of events, shop visits, new toy releases, maybe some interviews?, etc. Should be fun, but please bear with me - I'm a total noob when it comes to video.

First video - a less than stellar film of the Ilanena 10th Ann. show. (Yeah, I need time to refine my non-existent skill set. ;-)

Ilanena's 10th Anniversary Custom Show Party

Some shots from tonight's party:

 

 

Plus check out my original show post for new additions to the custom lineup!

Ilanena show post updated...

I headed back to the Alternative Cafe today to snap shots of recent show arrivals. Along with a couple more custom sets, Ilanena had dropped off a ton of unpainted figures. The shop is now swimming in Dai Kaiju Card Monsters!

I updated the original post with the new shots, as well as a very crappy low-res video.

Ilanena's 10th Anniversary Dai Kaiju Card Monsters Custom Show

Today marks the opening of Ilanena's 10th anniversary show, featuring customs from many international artists plus a retrospective of Ilanena's toyography. First off, a huge *congratulations* to Ilanena on such a big achievement. 10 years as an indy designer, artist, film maker, or anything else is a massive accomplishment. My hat's off to you, sir.

The event is being held at the Alternative Cafe. I should stress this is a *working* coffee shop, so folks who stop by to look at the figures (which line both walls) should be respectful of that. The staff are very friendly and understand there will be lots of toy nerds showing up to check out the toys. But while you're there, why not order a cup of jo, have a seat, and enjoy the free wifi.

OK, let's go. 40 pics after the jump.

Irene Fu's custom entry for Ilanena's 10th Anniversary show

Kaiju Korner's Irene Fu was asked to enter Ilanena's 10th Anniversary Dai Kaiju Card Monsters show, which opens tomorrow.

Her theme features iconic elements from Chinese design. The white base lent itself nicely to a traditional porcelain color scheme. Two different dragon styles are "tattooed" on the figures:

  

The 4 Chinese characters, written to evoke an ancient calligraphy style, read: "Zhong Hua Bai Nian," meaning "100 years of the Republic of China (Taiwan)." (This year marks Taiwan's 100th birthday as a nation!)

Another angle:

See you at the show!

Coming up: Coverage of Ilanena's 10th Anniversary Dai Kaiju Card Monsters Custom Show

On 2/8, a new show, curated by Ilanena to mark his 10th anniversary - **Congratulations!!** - will open in Tokyo at the Alternative Cafe in Nakano (nice place, by the way - good beer!)

The show will feature dozens of artists' interpretations of Ilanena's classic Dai Kaiju Card Monsters set. All designs will be by international artists including Paul Kaiju, Mark Nagata, and Kaiju Korner's own Irene Fu! (designer of the KK logo among other beautiful works)

The show will also feature a display of past Dai Kaiju Card Monsters sets. We've had the pleasure of releasing 2 exclusive sets on Kaiju Korner. It will be nice to see them up there with Ilanena's many other gorgeous works! 

Kaiju Korner will be at the show to bring you full coverage of the event on opening day. Looks like it's going to be a great show!

Venue: Alternative Cafe (On Waseda Dori - just to the northeast of Nakano Broadway)
Show Dates: February 8-20
Party: February 11, 6:00 PM

Sofubi - Ilanena style

Always a pleasure hanging out with Ilanena-san. We met up at the Nakano Starbucks and checked out some Broadway shops. Also had a chance to try out the Taiwanese vegetarian restaurant on the 2nd floor. I thought it was OK, and cheap enough for the noodle soup, but if you've got a bit of time, then you're probably better off exiting the mall to check out the restaurants in the alleys to the east of the complex.

After dinner, we wandered to another place and got there in time for some happy hour beer (350 yen for a glass of draft) - nice! Then Ilanena-san brought out some of his Dai Kaiju Card Monsters.
Really nice group here - the solid pink version is an earlier release from 2007. The gorgeous clear with inserts was a Beams exclusive. The amazing clear pink version is a one-off set which graced the cover of the Encyclopedia of Kaiju book released a few months back.

Breakdancing Betarus:
A close-up of the one-off from the book cover. (Make sure to click the pic to see the full size!)
This is the first time the set has been shot and shown publicly at hi-res close-up. Ilanena-san explained the paint layering technique he used to achieve the solid/clear counterpoint affect, as well as the "black light" effect of the color scheme. Fascinating to listen to the master explaining his craft. I just wish my Japanese were better!

We also talked about the state of the sofubi scene and how some younger collectors are getting involved. Here's a pic of some artwork given to Ilanena-san by a younger fan:
Look for sofubi releases from Ilanena-san at the upcoming Pachisummit, next year's winter Wonderfestival, and I'm sure plenty of stops in between!