RESTORE Sofubi History Catalog

Recently at NYCC, RESTORE gave out some fantastic little catalogs, showcasing sofubi figures he's already released and previewing two exciting new toys! I love catalogs like this and wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to see it, so here are some pics.

Debris Japan is one of my favorite figures of the last few years and one well deserving of such a retrospect!

 More after the jump:

New York Comic Con 2013: RESTORE's Eternal Cloud (prototype)

The final proto sculpt up close look from NYCC we have for you is Eternal Cloud by RESTORE. This too is extremely complex and is quite a looker. I'm not sure what the final articulation is going to be like, but for now, it looks like it may belong in the statuette category.

Eternal Cloud features a dragon (I had a dream about a dragon last night...) wrapped around a temple. Once again, Abe's work incorporates traditional Japanese motifes.

 More after the jump:

RESTORE DTA exclusive Debris Japan

As part of next month's Designer Toy Awards festivities, RESTORE is releasing a new version of their Debris Japan figure, which was nominated for Best Sofubi Figure. Congratulations on the nomination, Abe-san!

This extraordinary release, dubbed the "Debris Japan SFB "Sol" DTA Exclusive" is on GID base vinyl, with a scintillating "cracked paint" application. The figure is really stunning both in standard light and glow mode.

The paper inscription covering the figure's face means "reincarnation" in Japanese. Plus, all the figures, which are slotted to retail at $110 each, will have slightly different paint apps, making each one unique.

The Designer Toy Awards, which Kaiju Korner was proud to be nominated for in the Best Blog category - thanks so much to everyone who voted for us! - will be announced at a ceremony on October 13 at:

Providence NYC
311 West 57th Street (between 8th and 9th Ave)
New York City 10019

The event starts at 8:00 PM. Good luck to all the nominees! :O)

RESTORE Kingdom Mind sofubi figure debut release!

RESTORE has released an image, details, and pricing for the debut release of their new sofubi figure: Kingdom Mind. I'm a bit road weary (just arrived in Charleston), so I'm just going to post the press release image with all the info here. (Click the image for its full size).

New RESTORE sofubi figure: Kingdom Mind

RESTORE is back with their second sofubi figure: Kingdom Mind. Like Debris Japan, the figure has its roots in an earlier resin figure by RESTORE;

For Kingdom Mind, the figure itself will be sofubi, and it will have several points of articulation. It will come with many extras made of resin, including a crown, key scepter, cross, and eyeballs. The 24 cm tall figure is slated to be released sometime this spring, with no price set yet.

Going by what RESTORE has done with Debris Japan, it's safe to say we can expect incredibly detailed, unique designs with Kingdom Mind.

RESTORE Debris Japan test shot GID figure

Test shot blank made as part of the preparation for the run of Medicom GID figures:

RESTORE x Medicom double release!

In Japan, not only is December cold, but it's also a month when life tends to slow down. Companies ease off the gas pedal and projects are put to the side as the country gears up for the New Year celebrations and long holiday.

This year, somebody forgot to tell the sofubi world to downshift for the month! In addition to 2 big events: Pachisummit + the Bearbrick World Tour (KK will cover both, in addition to the Yokohama Hot Rod show), there is a growing list of fantastic sofubi releases. Three of them are from RESTORE. The other day, I posted about the spectacular RESTORE x Popsoda 9th anniversary Debris Japan COSMO release, slotted to go on sale Dec 1.

Also, on December 10, Medicom's Project 1/6 store will release two glorious versions of Debris Japan. Project 1/6 releases are typically available at the shop + online (usually for domestic orders only).

Both figures are GID, and they come with demon papers, waist cloth, resin knife + wrist rings. The price will be 8400 yen each.

RESTORE x Pop Soda exclusive Debris Japan release!

In celebration of Pop Soda's 9th anniversary (HUGE congratulations to Hossy-san!!!), RESTORE has created a stunning new version of their seminal Debris Japan figure. This version is called COSMO.

I've got to say, I've always had a sofubi spot for space themes. The figure is black base vinyl with spiraling purple and white spray and hand painted GID dots, creating a spectacular galactic design both in normal and GID mode.

Here are both the English and Japanese press releases:

Like previous versions of Debris Japan, the figure will have demon papers covering the face. Plus it will have a red waist cloth.

This version will sell for 8,400 yen and will be released by Pop Soda via its online shop on December 1 at 8 PM.

Congratulations again to Hossy-san for 9 great years, and to Abe-san for another amazing release!

RESTORE Debris Japan painting contest prize announced

RESTORE has been running a painting contest, where people bought blank white Debris Japan figures, customized them, and then sent in photos as their contest entries. The winner of the contest will be announced on November 10.

The contest's prize has just been announced - a black Debris Japan figure with a one of a kind golden shlong, which Abe-san is calling the "Golden D." That's 100% pure gold!

Click here to check out the gallery of contest entries. There are so many fantastic customs, picking a winner surely won't be easy.

Side note: For production release Debris Japan figures, there are actually two "member" variants under that loin cloth. I believe the one shown above is the rarer variant.

RESTORE Debris Japan coloring contest!

Hot on the heels of the debut release of Debris Japan, RESTORE has launched a painting contest for the figure. Basically, you buy the blank white figure (for $65 from Lulubell), customize it, and send in photos for judging.

All the contest details can be found on RESTORE's website here.

RESTORE Debris Japan debut release

Here's a first look at the packaged debut release of RESTORE'S Debris Japan.

A couple notable points. The figure comes with all the accessories attached. That saves collectors the angst of deciding whether to keep the rings, knife, charm papers, etc. separate or attach them to the figure. ;-)

I like the way the packaging preserves the figure's mystery. It leaves the unveiling up to each person! (BTW, the demon's face isn't the only surprise in store!)

Debris Japan also comes with a RESTORE catalog.

Update on RESTORE's Debris Japan debut release

A few weeks ago, Kaiju Korner brought you the first look at RESTORE's game changing Debris Japan figure. (Click here for that report.) We've just received a new press release from RESTORE on the figure's development.

Key info:

Release date: mid June.
Price: 8400 yen
Points of articulation: 7
Height: 17 cm (6.69 inches)
Accessories: resin knife, metal ring, charm papers, cloth waist covering

Abe-san also points out that the writing on the figure's demon papers is from an Indian language. I'm thinking Sanskrit?

Also, don't forget the figure's surprise reveal, only to be seen once the figures are in collectors' hands.

Finally, RESTORE has set up a page with info in English on his website:

http://restore-created.jimdo.com/catalog-1/debris-japan-sofubi-version/

Looks like we're just around the corner from this amazing new figure!

RESTORE Debris Japan Paint Sample

I included these pics of RESTORE'S upcoming Debris Japan figure as part of my Design Festa 33 coverage, but the news so big I thought it deserved its own post. Plus I've got more details to share.

The 17 cm tall figure is sofubi, and the parts and accessories are handmade by RESTORE. That includes a resin knife, metal wrist chains, sheafs of demon paper printed, hand cut, and tied together with rope, and a cloth waist covering.

Besides the amazing details you can see from every side of the figure, there a couple of final surprises RESTORE wants to keep secret until collectors have the figure in hand.

The figure will be sold in Japan through Pop Soda and RESTORE, and overseas through Lulubell.

Another piece of breaking news: RESTORE will also be selling Debris Japan unpainted blanks!

More pics after the jump:

Update on RESTORE'S first sofubi figure!

This just in from RESTORE. A great in-progress pic, specs, and release info:

Here's a translation of key release details:

Name: Debris Japan
Size: 17 cm
Material: Soft vinyl
Release month: May
Price: To be determined

Japan distribution: Pop Soda
Overseas distribution: Lulubell

Upcoming sofubi from RESTORE!

Abe from RESTORE sent us this illustration of one of his characters that he hopes to turn into a sofubi figure. If all goes as planned, the strings of paper hanging from his horn will be made of paper!