Sunday, October 30, 2011

Kinnikuman Microman Halloween Havoc!

 New from The Warsman's Customs Cave!

Images Compliments of WC

I think you guys are really going to like this stuff.  I give major props for this kind of talent and Kinniku passion.  The level of detail pumped into this battle is epic for sure!  Hopefully we will see more matches from this super Yudekkii in the near future!  Check out this quick sneak peek:



Read all five action packed pages of Kinnikuman Microman wrestling  HERE!

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Kinnikuman Tokyo Shopping Guide

Heading to Japan anytime soon?  Check out my top picks for the best spots in Tokyo to score Kinnikuman goods! 

1. Nakano Broadway


Top Kinnikuman Broadway spots: 
  • Mandarake Micro (4F) - Kinkeshi, Gachapon, Microman, Romando, Sofvi, CCP, Pansonworks, Daishi, Play Sets, other rare Niku stuff etc.
  • Ganking (1 + 2F) - Kinkeshi, Gachapon, CCP, Sofvi, Medicos, Pansonworks
  • Gaocchi (3F) - Vintage Kinkeshi
  • (Too many other small shops with various Kinnikuman Gachapon to list)
  • Location Map
  • Floor Map

2. Figure Hobby-kan (Akihabara Liberty 8)


The Kinnikuman Goods:
  • F1 - Glass Case w/rare Microman, Romando, CCP, Medicos, vintage Kinnikuman goods.
  • Action Character floor - Gachapon galore (top stock!), Kubrick, re-release Kinkeshi.
  • Location Map

3. Hobby Figure (Akihabara Liberty 7)


The Kinnikuman Goods:
  • Tons of re-release Kinkeshi and Gachapon from almost every Kinniku release series.
  • Location Map

4. Mandarake (Akihabara Complex)


The Kinnikuman Goods:
  • CCP, Sofvi, Medicos, Microman, packaged Kinkeshi 28 packs, Play Sets, Romando.
  • Location Map

5. Radio Kaikan (Akihabara)

 

The Kinnikuman Goods:
  • Multiple shops carrying new and used Medicos, Gachapon (tons), CCP.
  • Right on Chuo Dori (can't miss it).
  • I have to admit that I like the original location much better.  This temporary one is not too shabby though, and worth a visit for sure.

6. Yodobashi (Akihabara)


The Kinnikuman Goods:
  • Two large areas with all new toys.  Depending on product releases, this is a great place to find new Kinniku Medicos, boxed Gachapon etc.
  • Location Map

7. Golden Age Toys (Akihabara)


The Kinnikuman Goods:
  • Vintage Kinkeshi
  • Location (right next to the Figure Hobby-kan)

7. Kaikodo (Okegawa, Greater Tokyo area)


The Kinnikuman Goods:
  • Exclusive location of the Kaikodo x Romando series, tons of Romandos, Gachapon, Kinkeshi.
  • A bit out of the way, but worth the trip!  A five min walk from the Okegawa station.
  • Location Map

While there are other shops worth mentioning, I am sticking with places where I have consistently found good things over the years.  Always be sure to check store days and hours before heading out.  Also keep in mind that stock changes daily at these places, so go back often...

Last but not least, check out my previous post on KIN29SHOP.  This one cannot be missed!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Kinnikuman ~ Inside Studio Yudetamago

10/18/11 will go down as the single greatest day in Nama Niku History.  I cannot thank Yudetamago enough for allowing me to visit their Studio and share this once in a lifetime experience and pictures with all of you.  本当にありがとうございました!!!

The Entrance to Planet Kinniku

An inside look into Studio Egg is extremely rare, and the entire experience was surreal to say the least.  I was lucky to be accompanied by two super Japanese Yudekkii, Duke and Kinoshita-san.  These guys both worked extensively on the last Kinnikuman Day Muscle Museum, and were responsible for the event's amazing Kinnikuman Day posters and Kinnikuman Kimono.  It was an honor to be able to share this visit with fellow fans who have been actively engaged in promoting Kinnikuman.

Now for the juicy stuff!

We were greeted at the door by Nakai-sensei, and a giant painting of Mick Jagger.  He is a huge Rolling Stones fan, and I knew right off the bat that I scored with the Stones 1981 American tour t-shirt I got him.


I was taken back at how neat and organized everything was, and overcome with a sense of Kinnikuman history.  I was also awestruck at the sheer volume of meticulously displayed Kinnikuman collectibles.

 


Nakai-sensei is an avid Kinnikuman toy collector and has been known to peruse the halls of many toy shops selling Kinnikuman goods in Akihabara.  Apparently they do not always get product samples for their merchandise, so he goes out himself to buy figures missing from his collection.  How crazy is that!?








 

We chatted about the launch of Ultimate Muscle and their visit to the New York Toy Fair.  Our discussion turned from toys to the English version of the Nisei anime and manga and we laughed about the difference in names, character voices, and censorship that took place.  We also discussed the phenomenon of characters popular with overseas fans that are not necessarily big in Japan.  They now know probably more than they ever wanted to about the mania surrounding the Sunigator claw and Satan Cross.   



They were very interested in the discussions that place on boards like Little Rubber Guys, and were hungry for information on the various overseas Kinnikuman scenes.  The Kinnikuman series is still going strong and I can say with confidence that there is plenty more in-store for all of us!

They also expressed appreciation and surprise with my knowledge of the original series and were amazed to hear about the dedication of many of their biggest fans.  While there are no definitive plans at this point, there is talk of making a US appearance and doing a signing event with fans.

Around this time, I was given the green light to tour the studio and take pictures of anything I wanted.  My head was swimming with excitement, and I was super glad my wife was there to step in and take over the camera!

It was also around this time, that I was presented with what is now the single greatest item in my Kinnikuman collection.


Words cannot express the joy and excitement I felt upon viewing this original piece of art.  Nakai-sensei indicated that it has been well over 25 years since he had drawn King the 100 Ton.  To get a piece of art with my five favorite choujin was beyond anything I could have ever imagined.  I cannot thank Yudetamago enough for their kindness towards me, and their support of Nama Niku!

Adding the finishing touches


Absolutely Incredible!!!

I was almost on the brink of tears receiving this gift, but was suddenly saved by the giddiness of my fellow Yudekkii as they broke out their childhood copies of Kinnikuman to be signed by Yudetamago.


 


Watching their faces and sheer excitement was something I will never forget.  Grown men starry eyed and overjoyed by this interaction with their true living heroes was something I could completely relate with.  It was very special to say the least.


Our energy and jubilation reached new heights as we were then invited to Nakai-sensei's personal workspace.  On display were the current scripts and rough art storyboards for the new Kinnikuman series.  That's right folks, it is not over yet...



Handling Shimada-sensei's hand written scripts, and flipping through the unpublished art work was almost too much to process.  We were also allowed to tour the back room where a staff of six full time apprentices complete background work and other necessary tasks to make Kinnikuman come to life.

Nakai-sensei explaining what we were looking at ~ wow!

Nakai-sensei says it takes about an entire week of eight people working long hours to complete approximately 20 pages of Kinnikuman...

View of the back office

Individual artists' desks



My favorite artifact in the studio

Our visit went on to last late into the evening covering topics from old school wrestling, MMA, Kurosawa films, Bruce Lee, and Kinnikuman topics galore.  I asked them a few burning questions like what Kinnikuman's mask was made of, and they said that they had never even thought about the answer before.  It seems like a lot of the questions that fans come up with actually have no answers.  They did say however, that they will get around to answering the great Kinnikuman mysteries someday...


After my visit, I can say that with out a doubt that Shimada-sensei and Nakai-sensei are truly invested in their fans, and care a great deal about your support.  I will honor and cherish the memories of this day for the rest of my life.  I still have goosebumps and chills just thinking about it.   

 

Long live Kinnikuman ~ 肉

Monday, October 17, 2011

Five Star Toy x TOYFUL

Five Star Toy x TOYFUL Alexandria Meat Collaboration

 Image Compliments of TOYFUL

Details:
  • Run of 29 figures
  • Exclusive TOYFUL Pink ver.
  • Pre-sales start 10/24 (price etc to be revealed that day)
  • 10/29 release date

Kinnikuman x Lotte

Yudetamago has teamed up with Lotte and Circle K/Sunkus to launch a new Kinnikuman clear file giveaway campaign.


 Details:
  • Starts 10/19 
  • Purchase one of seven select Lotte gum packs and receive one folder (shown above)
  • Available only at Circle K and Sunkus locations in Japan 
Yudetamago is also running a free online drawing in conjunction with this campaign where five lucky fans can win a complete Kinnikuman manga boxed set.  While these clear files may be hard for overseas fans to get their hands on, I am sure they will be making their way onto the secondary Yahoo Japan Auctions market very soon...

Full Kinnikuman x Lotte campaign details HERE!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

KIN29SHOP ~ Part III ~ Da Flow Collaboration

One of the highlights of hitting the KIN29SHOP was getting to see the new Kinnikuman x BamBam88 x Da Flow Team Collaboration T's on display... 





Da Flow has been dropping insane designs for quite some time now, and I have to say that this Japanese x Mexican Kinniku collab represents the best of international 友情パワー!

I have been chatting with Lil' Mister P of Da Flow about these T's, and hope to share more from them on Nama Niku in the near future.

See all the designs here ~ 肉

KIN29SHOP ~ Part II ~ The Haul

A few of the items I picked up from the KIN29SHOP...

 Cell Phone Decals

 Robinmask Polo

 Designed by Ikegami-san!!!!!

 Niku Key chain

 Yude Five Star Toy Sofvi

 Yudetamago-chan signed in person by... Yudetamago

Complete set of KIN29SHOP x CCP figures!