Raiding the Ark
Ark's series of six "Arklon" diecast monster toys represent everything that's right about Japanese toy-design.
Originally sold in 1978, these odd-looking playthings are the brainchild of Japanese toy industry legend Saburo Ishizuki. Although ostensibly created as licensed merchandise for live-action fare such as Ultraman and the DeLaurentis King Kong remake, Ishizuki deviously packed the toys full of bizarre gimmicks and modular bodies that let them be disassembled and re-combined like a crazy monster-themed Erector set. Clockwise from top left, you've got Baltan Seijin, Gomola, Red King, Black King, King Kong, and King Joe. That's a whole lot of kings.
Nearly every time you see these things, they're displayed in their "proper" forms as seen above. Which, don't get me wrong, are insanely great. But only very occasionally do you get a chance to see what they're capable of as a modular playset. Thank photographer Corey Edwards for creating and shooting these custom monstrosities below. You can catch more of his toy work on his site, Corey's Head.
”That's a whole lot of kings.”
Too bad Ishizuka san didn't add King Zaurus the third,Ultraman King and the most of all ELEKING to make the series complete.
Posted by: Aceface | April 18, 2008 at 12:58 AM
"That's a whole lot of kings."
Ha!
Posted by: Erik Sjoen | May 03, 2008 at 05:09 PM