Friend and toy freak Erik Sjoen tipped me off about this amazing Japanese-language blog full of custom Chogokin you always wanted but never actually existed. Scroll down to the second big chunk of text (labeled 改造合金) for links to crazy stuff like Getta Robo G's Texas Mac, obscure tokusatsu hero Big One, The Kagestar's Bellstar, the nude lower torso of Sukekiyo from Kon Ichikawa's 1976 film Inugamike no Ichizoku (okay, perhaps you never did want that one), Densenman, the complete casts of the shows Guyslugger and Rainbowman, Star Wars' K-3P0...
Tamashii Nation 2008 kicked off last night at Akiba Square UDX with a gala reception for media and Bandai employees. It's open to the public through Sunday, but I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview. (Alas, I missed Go Nagai's opening remarks by minutes.)
Photos abound on the web (robot toy maniacs should try here, here, and here for starters), but the really fascinating thing about the show wasn't the announcement of new releases but rather Bandai's attempt to position their Saint Seiya, S.I.C., and Chogokin collector lines as "lifestyle goods" rather than toys. In addition to three showrooms housing new products, the main floor featured a series of faux rooms designed to show toy-freaks how they can best display their treasures.
Meet your new overlords: the mascot characters of the newly-founded Bandai Collectors Division.
The Gundam-equipped office. Note the wine rack.
An Evangelion-festooned study room. Is that a copy of Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged" on the desk...?
Bandai executives explained that this diorama portrays the moment Patrick Macias was born.
Even Jasper Morrison agrees: there isn't a living room that doesn't benefit from a $1000, two-foot high illuminated statue of a Kamen Rider.
If your child's room doesn't look like this, you have failed as a parent.
I couldn't agree more.
Recent Comments