Carded wrongness of NONE CHUCK
One of our first toy posts back in 2009 was of an artifact from my own craze-era collection, and a reader just sent me pics of one still on its card, so here’s an update for those of you who … Continued
Ninja-ize the head!
Here’s some prime examples of 80s ninja craze merch lingering into the 1990s. Extreme sports were on the rise, the X-Games were on the horizon, but 80s-style ninja crap still sold in discount stores and blanket vendors outside subway terminals, so … Continued
A LION MARU clue
Stumbled across this image on another site and recognized it right away! Devotees of the Toys & Statues category of VN might remember the below post from a few years ago. I’ve had this piece for decades now but this … Continued
More KOSUGI KICKS…
Last year we put out an open call for images knocked-off from the iconic “Kosugi Kick” dual sword jump kick pose. Read the original post here. We got some nice entries, from comics to cheap merch to costume catalog photos. … Continued
Swordgirl promo cards from THREE TIDES
Birthday gift to myself at the beginning of the month — this astounding 8″ sofubi statue done in the style of wooden Netsuke charms, called “Sushi Dokuro.” I know… right!?!?!? “Sushi Dokuro” was designed/sculpted by Osaka tattoo artist Mitomo Horihiro. … Continued
Some crazy rare vinyl on eBay right now!
You people are lucky as hell that I’m kinda broke right now, cuz for once I’m actually sharing some gems I stumbled across on Evil-Bay… Check out this sofubi of what the seller describes as a “monster ninja” (I read … Continued
Can anyone ID these figures?
Scored these tiny (they’re less than an inch tall) figures some time ago, still unable to ID them so we’re putting this out there, asking for help. No markings whatsoever, so they might be out of a capsule machine? Or … Continued
Enter the Tricycle
Maker unknown. Sellers, long forgotten. Year — probably sometime in the 1980s. Logic… a mystery. Another fantastic, crap-tastic, relic from the days of blanket vendors outside subway stops, swapmeet junk toy booth and Chinatown gift shops. This head is actually … Continued
VN REVISITED – 80s Porcelain Statues
Originally published August, 2011 This line of rather poorly sculpted and often more poorly painted porcelain statues was EVERYWHERE during the 80s craze – Chinatown video shops, flea market vendors, martial arts supply stores, the Smithsonian’s souvenir stand, ball park … Continued
In LION MARU news…
Medicom has released two new sofubi of Kaiketsu Lion Maru and Tiger Joe, designed by Bear Model. Not in love with these myself, as they are a bit too detailed and modern in their sculpts. Sofubi are supposed to look like … Continued