Atom A Armwrestler Atom Trooper unpainted test shot

AAA Atom Trooper unpainted GID test shot:

US Toys Super Festival 58 exclusives

To be released at Super Festival 58 on January 9:

sold as a set. limited to 15 sets. price is 8800 yen/set

 Here's a shot I took of the set the other day:

Real Head Not Dead Show Day 2 surprise releases

Surprise releases from Atom A Armwrestler on Day 2 of the show:

Limited to 3

Extraordinary detail and paint work.

 More after the jump:

RFM Factory (Refreshment Toys Shop and Studio) Store Visit

EDIT: This shop has moved. Click here for new location info and write up.

In mid-2011, Refreshment Toys, which has rapidly expanded its line of original sofubi figures, opened a retail shop in Osaka. The store has many Refreshment figures for sale and display, as well apparel, stationery, and other goods. Aya's a very friendly person, and her shop is well worth visiting if you're in Osaka.

Contact e-mail:  info@rfm082.com
Webshop: http://rfm082shop.shop-pro.jp/ (They will ship overseas!)

Store pics (from previous location in America Mura):

Display only

 More after the jump:

Real Head Not Dead show

Joint show featuring the work of Real Head, Atom A Armwrestler, Skulltoys, and Cord Viper.

Show pics:

Chaos Carrion debut

 More after the jump:

New Rockin' Jelly Bean sofubi figure: Mr. Drag

Rockin' Jelly Bean is best known for his poster art, apparel, and Erostika - his Tokyo and Nagoya outlet stores. But he's also done a good bit of figure design, including his very well received take on the Fantastic Four's Invisible Woman.

Recently, RJB released a new original sofubi figure: Mr. Drag. Two versions have been released so far. The figure captures RJB's blend of 1950s rockabilly and surf scenes. It's also very nicely painted. Plus, given the angle of the joints and limbs, the balance is a real feat of design!

The sofubi figure is based on RJB's art.

 More angles and up-close shots:

 More after the jump:

RESTORE Debris Japan test shot GID figure

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

US Toys store visit (video)

Video I shot at US Toys (best viewed in full screen mode):



Click here for my first report on the store. It has directions, hours, etc.

Thrashout store visit (video)

1/16/2012 edit: The store is now permanently closed.

Before Thrashout closes, I wanted to shoot a video of the shop. To date, it's the longest store video that I've shot at HD.  Though it's far from perfect, I hope it helps preserve the memory of such an iconic, one-of-a-kind store:

More from the Fort (Grody Shogun, Paul Kaiju)

Some more images I shot yesterday:

This was the MMMM proto. In the final release version, the body parts were the same, but some joint positioning and other adjustments were made.

Paul Kaiju Seagool (released yesterday on lulubelltoys.com

More after the jump:

News on Gargamel lucky bags

Yesterday I stopped by Thrashout, and I asked about lucky bags. They confirmed that, despite the big move and upcoming closing of Thrashout. there will be lucky bags released in January 2012. (However, the release date isn't set yet.) Good news for Gargamel fans!

New Grody Shogun En Man mashup - more angles

Here are more angles of the new Grody Shogun En Man mashup. It's also a different example of the figure shown in the previous post.

New from Grody Shogun 12.22.2011

New Grody Shogun figures:

Karakuri GID base vinyl

Oji-san counterpart. Also GID

Not sure if this is GID. Maybe.

Another GIDer. Insane new figure, combining parts from En Man, Karakuri, and Monster.

In development

New from US Toys/ Kyoto Ultra Q Returns Exhibition

The Ultra Q Returns train moves on to Kyoto. The show, featuring Ultraman related artwork, toys, etc. is being held from Dec 26-Jan 16 at the Kyoto Loft. Click here for all the show info.

US Toys is releasing three more super limited toys for the event:

Pegira  size: 80 mm   cost: 2100 yen   limited: 20 pieces

Garamon  size: 80 mm   cost: 2100 yen   limited: 20 pieces

DX Garamon set.  cost: 8800 yen  limited to: 5 sets

Garamaniacal Show

Coming up in February 2012 at FOE Gallery (in Northampton, MA) is a star-studded show paying tribute to Garamon. The show will feature the work of dozens of artists, including GUUMON, folks from the Gargamel crew, Ralph Cosentino, Mark Nagata, Plaseebo, and dozens more. Really sounds epic. Here's the show poster:

The show is being curated by Mike Nordstrom, who runs Garamania. Speaking of Mike, as further testimony to his unwavering devotion to all things Garamon, he's running a Kickstarter to raise funds to have a full-sized Garamon suit made! Click here to check that out.

Secret Base Christmas Tree