Touma Signing

Touma had a signing at ZacPac on 1/24 to launch the ZacPac exclusive Beak Falcon. Also available was the new Orange GID DIY Beak Falcon, both are 4725円. ZacPac is one of the more prominent designer toy retailers in Japan and as you can probably see from the pics.

We talked a bit about the change of style and the appearance of a return to the older, more aggressive style with the Beak Falcons release. Touma said that it was really just a matter of different design lines and that the more aggressive one is timed for yearly releases. The softer cuter designs you see in the meantime is really an answer to the market as Japanese companies are asking him for the cute stuff as it sells the best. Touma said he really wants to expand his design boundaries even further, applying the Touma style to all kinds of goods. It looks like he has been successful so far, with the Monster Hunter crossover work and the recent Star Wars work.

Erostika

Just wanted to make sure everyone knows about Japan based Rockin' Jelly Bean and his collective: 'Erostika'. He's got a few figures, and, while he was down in Osaka at the time, the guy I talked to who was running the store in his absence said that there were some Super-Heroine's on the way. I love this guys' sticky 70's movie poster style.

Jesse Hernandez

If you havent seen Jesse Hernandez's work check it out.

His lines are tight, and he's also working on a flic whre he interviews all kinds of designer toy artists that should be good, not to mention a little more real that what's out there now.

He's getting his, this March with a 8" Dunny, the Jaguar Warrior.

Japan 09, One Up, Ashikawa & Juki

It's going to take me a long time to sort through all the material while catching up on everything else now that I'm home, but here's the first of many:


I droped by Nakano and said hi to Mr. Ashikawa who runs OneUp. When I asked what was hot, he grabbed two things; the Musyubel (by Kaijin x OneUp) & the new T-boy (by Shin Tanaka x OneUp) figures. T-boy is the second version of a toy first produced by Singapore based PI. Notable is the new sculpt, the separately cast T-shirt, and the fact that they are now made in Japan by OneUp. Another one of OneUp's featured designers; "Juki" just happened to be in the shop and showed me a few of his current releases the Kamakozo & Umikozo. Also hard to miss were the OneUp limited editions of Hariken's Mad Panda with custom paint by TTToy. Speaking of Hariken, his original Mad Panda Colorway previoulsy sold out, has just been restocked with the same sculpt and color but with a harder vinyl. On display was the color schedule for the limited 'one color a month' run of Itokin's Mikazukin. Not satisfied to let the fun stop there Mr. Ashikawa pulled us aside and tore open a huge box and gave us a glimpse of the very green Itokin future.

Mr. Ashikawa, Musyubel, and OneUp

Aside from the overall rework of T-boy, it's T-shirt is a seperate cast.

Juki and his toys, Hariken's Mad Panda Customs by TTToy.

Itokin Mikazukin & the March wave of green.

Cackle Factory

Brandt Peters' Cackle Factory show is tonight in LA, full preview is also on line for those of us who cant make it in person.

Warpzone

If you're lucky enough to be at NYCC Matt will be selling his new buildman there with a bunch of other exclusive awesomeness if the past CC are any indicator.

The Warpzone is open again,


along with an awesome puzzle with megaman-like renditions of his characters, which links to some normal and secret stores.



Stop taking my money Matt!