Generic Ninja
We’ll wrap-up a month of toys and merch with a look at some nameless, non-property-based ninja toys from the 80’s. Wind-up toys sold in subway stops or off swap-meet blankets, supermarket tchotchkes, vending capsule minatures, even cake-toppers – these are … Continued
ARASHI stocking stuffers
Next to Kaiketsu Lion Maru (which in a modern context some find waaaay to ‘furry’ for comfort) Henshin Ninja Arashi was easily the most outre ninja hero ever — weird silver bird-like, but scaly, with some parts that look kinda … Continued
FWAK!-tastic ninja designs!
In my non-ninja creative endeavors, I’m known for some pioneering work in bringing the Mexican masked wrestler thing to American pop culture prominence in the 90’s. Those efforts led to some great collaborations with animation studio FWAK!, and we may … Continued
Hasbro NINJA galore on eBay!
While Hasbro’s “Storm Shadow” from the GI Joe line is easily the most prolific ninja toy produced during the 80’s craze (permutations are still best-sellers today), the same company later released the non-property-based Ninja Warriors: Enemies of Evil line. Dojo … Continued
New (old?) Menkos – perfect stocking stuffer!
Dunno when the original art for these was done – either a century ago or last month to emulate a century ago – but you can still pick them up in grocery stores and gift shops in any big city’s … Continued
MANGA KAMISHIBAI is full of ninja and maskedmen!
I was already down with owning Eric Nash‘s Manga Kamishibai: The Art of Japanese Paper Theater, a great look at the all-but-extinct art of panel-art based itinerant pop-theater. Imagine an actor gathering dozens of kids around a portable wooden box … Continued
Strange little Russian ninja
More Russian stuff! I picked up this set of 2″ tall plastic shinobi a few years ago, they’re from one of several Russian manufacturers of property-derivative (but not property-based) toy soldiers. These sit somewhere between the lead miniature gaming realm … Continued
Russian nesting ninja on eBay
Another nice holiday idea on eBay right now:
N.I.N.J.A. MITES on eBay
Continuing gift-giving recs for December. Panosh made the M.U.S.C.L.E.-esque tiny ninja figurine line N.I.N.J.A. Mites in 1986, and they have since garnered a small but INSANE fan base who pay a ton for the l’il bastards. This 30-piece set is … Continued
Amazing tin-litho wind-up on eBay!
A mere $720 can buy you this INCREDIBLE tin-litho wind-up figure on eBay right now. I think the only thing cooler than this mechanical rope climber is the artwork on the box! The seller Japan Premium Shop brokers some superb … Continued