New Gargamel pics from Thrashout

Here are some snaps I took yesterday:

Mishka Zagorans

There were a ton of awesome blanks in the case. None of them are for sale, as they're slotted to be used for upcoming customs. I took a bunch of pics, since we've rarely seen such a large group of unpainted/unreleased large-sized Gargamel figs displayed like this.

 More after the jump:

Big news about Thrashout's future

For a while, we've known that much of the Gargamel crew was planning to move out of Tokyo. But Thrashout's future remained uncertain, and there was a possibility that someone might step in and take over the shop.

I just got word today - directly from Gargamel - that this unfortunately isn't happening, and Thrashout will be closing permanently in January, 2012.

I also asked about plans for future shows once the crew has left Tokyo. That's of course down the line, but it sounded like there is a possibility that shows could be held in Tokyo. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will be at the venerable shop which has been a mainstay of the sofubi world for the past 7 years.

Thanks for all the good times, guys. We'll sure miss the old shop with the wood floors, gorgeous toys, and great atmosphere. ありがとうございました!

Store visit: Pop Space

Located in the heart of Tokyo near Shinjuku station, Pop Space carries an eclectic mix of artist-centered products. During my visit, I spotted Uglydoll figures, Dehara toys, Gloomy Bear merchandise, Bearbricks, blind box toys, stationery products, and a lot more, all efficiently tucked into a small space.

Pop Space (which is affiliated with Few Many), is located on the first floor of the Marui One building (the same building where Kaiju Blue used to be). It's pretty easy to find. First, the details:


Store address: Shinzan Bldg 1F, 3-17-21, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo  160-0022
〒１６０－００２２  東京都新宿区新宿３－１７－２１  新三ビル１Ｆ
Phone number + Fax: ０３ー３３５３ー２５３２
Hours: 12 PM - 8 PM (open every day)
Website: http://www.fewmany.com/index2.htm

I haven't had a chance to add it to the Kaiju Korner Tokyo Toy shops map yet. For now, click here for a map to the exact location.

More store pics:

 More after the jump:

Fuei Shokai Erlkonig Boxed

Here are pics I snapped of Fuei Shokai's new figure: Erlkonig, which I first reported about here.

The figure comes in a very nice wooden box.

It's available at TACO Che, in Nakano Broadway, for 7,000 yen.

Uamou Christmas Tree

Next up in our parade of Tokyo Christmas trees is this one in the Uamou Studio. Beautiful decorations!

Speaking of Medicom....more sofubi exclusives

Recently I wrote about the upcoming RESTORE x Medicom exclusives. On the same day (Dec 10), Project 1/6 will release a slew of other sofubi exclusives (presumably online and at the shop):

Ichibanboshi

Yamomark

Max Toy

New sofubi and other toys spotted at Medicom Project 1/6 shop

We stopped by Project 1/6 (Medicom's flagship shop in Shibuya) the other day and snapped some pics of what's in stock.

Sofubi:

 More after the jump:

Plaseebo x Todd Robertson Mecha Brain Crawler

Bob Congee (Plaseebo) writes in to tell us about a new collaboration with Todd Robertson, whose mecha virus creations have been seen at many a locale, including Pachisummit, the Blobpus x Masayoshi Hanawa exhibition, and of course the Lot F gallery. Bob we also know well from his many sofubi creations and customs which have been shown at countless shows worldwide.

The two have joined forces to create a stunning short run of figures, called the Mecha Brain Crawler. Here's a description of the collab, in Bob's words:

"We are pleased to offer the second collaboration with one of our favorite customizers. For this offering Todd has infected the Plaseebo Night Gamer vinyl brain and Bobs hand cast resin Octocrawler base with his "Mecha Virus" to create the "MECHA BRAIN CRAWLER ".

Using Styrene, aves sculpt, found electronics, vintage vacuum tubes, resin, vinyl, and glass marbles, Todd has created a masterfully crafted  original figure lusciously painted with MonsterKolor, Montana sprays, acrylics and One shot. This unique character is based on Todds original backstory."

More pics of the figures, followed by Todd's backstory of the figure + ordering info:

 More after the jump:

Grody Shogun sofubi assembling (Monster Kara update #3)

Here's a video of the sofubi assembling process. Luke is assembling blank GID Monster Kara parts.

A bit more on the release's progress: Irene and I have finished designing the headers, and we got them + the prints printed at a really nice place in Tokyo. I think you guys are going to love how they turned out. So that's all done, and we're still right on track to get everything shipped as scheduled. :)

Sunguts exhibition at One up Akiba

The latest solo show at One up Akiba features the sofubi figures and customs of Sunguts. The showcase is chock full of figures at great prices. As always, write to Ken-san (One up's owner) to ask about ordering. (And tell him KK sent you. ;-) Here's his e-mail: oneup.webinfo@gmail.com

Show pics:

1,000 yen each.

 More after the jump:

New from Uamou

New images from Studio Uamou:

 More after the jump:

Yoyogi Park Flea Market

Well, this was a new experience - in Japan anyway. It brought back memories of cruising flea markets as a kid. This is the real deal, with people sitting on the ground with tarps covered with stuff they don't want. Well, there was a twist. Most people get around Tokyo via subway, not private car, so a lot of vendors brought their stuff in suitcases, plopped them down, opened them, and voila, there's your shelving. ^_^

It was mostly clothes, but you've also got your odd knickknacks, Radiohead CDs, Twin Peaks VHS sets, toys, trash, and tawdry magazines. Ah, the deals they were a flying! I didn't buy anything, but Irene found a few things.

Pics from the gathering of the merchants of pennies:

 More after the jump:

New from Grody Shogun

New images from the Fort:

Irene bonked her head on this ornery critter.

\

New Fuei Shokai character: Erlkonig

Hot on the heels of the release of their first character, Slender Man, Fuei Shokai is back in the saddle with a new one, called Erlkonig, The figure looks to have the body of Slender Man, but with new paint work and other noticeable differences.

Erlkonig has a cape, as well as a crown of sorts...a crown of nightmares, that is. The headpiece is composed of three real bones, this time from a badger. (Incidentally, Slender Man's teeth were human, but Fuei Shokai has emphasized that they were found, not purchased.) The crown looks to be tied together with a wire.

Erlkonig was just released in Japan - this weekend, in fact. It's being sold at Tacoche, a store on the 3rd floor of Nakano Broadway. The price is 7,000 yen. I asked Fuei Shokai if the figure will be available elsewhere, and they said international distribution of their line is being handled through Lulubell (as with Slender Man). No word yet when Erlkonig will be made available overseas.

Erlkonig is an old Danish folktale, which later became a poem by Goethe, a Schubert composition, and so on. Erlkonig (Elf King, from the original Danish) is an evil mystical being that stalks the forest and carries children away. Creepy stuff.

Fuei Shokai's new toy version of the legend certainly carries a sinister connotation!

Monster Kara Update #2: Sofubi parts prep

The Grody Shogun x KK debut Monster Kara order is coming along very nicely. Here's a video of me sounding very tired + Luke using a new tool (new to the Fort anyway) to drill holes into the Karakuri bodies. (Like with many other sofubi figures, when toy bodies are cast, the only hole is at the neck, so either someone at the factory or the maker has to create arm holes.)

So, there's an inside look at the parts prep stage of toy production. We're moving right along with the Monster Karas and are right on track.