HAO Great Muta (Spider Ver.) Figure Review

Following the success of their first wave of Pro-Wrestling figures,
Japanese toymaker HAO would release a second wave of figures
in 2006.

The theme for this set of figures was based around the biggest stars
of All Japan Pro-Wrestling during the mid 2000's.

Continuing from my previous blog post that featured the classic, red
facepaint Great Muta HAO figure, today we'll be looking at the two
"Spider" variant Great Muta figures:

This time around, HAO discarded their classy tile design in exchange
for large, full-colour imagery on the front of each figure's packaging.

If you look closely, you can see two small Great Muta icons  (classic
red and Spider design)next to the large image of Great Muta towards
the top of the packaging.


                 

The alternate black and silver Spider Muta figure comes with a special,
gold, foil sticker on the front of the package indicating that the figure
was an online exclusive that was only available at the (now defunct)
battleroyal.jp website back in 2006.

Since the second wave of HAO figures featured All Japan Wrestlers,
this would be the first Great Muta figure exclusive not sold at New
Japan's Toukon Shop.

Other than the battleroyal.jp sticker on the front of the Silver variant's
clamshell, both Spider Muta figures have the same packaging; complete
with a collage of Great Muta images as well as a small bio and list of
Muta's Pro-Wrestling accolades.

I also find Spider Muta's entrance hood (with blood dripping down the
design's lips) extra creepy.

These particular designs were based on The Great Muta's debut for
All Japan Pro-Wrestling back in 2002 and 2003 where Keiji Mutoh
 resurrected the Muta character after leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Following Character Product's Great Muta figures, the HAO Spider
versions are posed in an intimidating pre-Poison Mist sculpt and
feature an amazing amount of detail.

The red Spider version has a special splatter design along Muta's pants
with the text "MUTA" scrawled across the front while the alternate Spider
version has red and silver spider web decals with the text "FANTASY OF
MUTA".

The Spider designs are also the first of many bizarre ring masks Keiji
Mutoh would wear as The Great Muta after he shaved his hair.

The Japanese Kanji "Fire" (火) is written twice on the left side of both
version's mask.

The silver Spider version also has a red tongue and mist stains over
Muta's beard when compared.

Even Muta's famous arm scar is recreated.

The regular red Spider version contains black and red wristbands with
Japanese Kanji scrawled across them. The alternate silver version
contains black wristbands with "MUTA" written in red.

Pictured with Character Product's Spider Muta figure.

"Poison Mist" about to drop some insane Puroresu rhymes.

The Spider Great Muta figures have articulation in their waists,
wrists, neck and arms.           



Closing thoughts:When it comes to highly detailed Puroresu toys, it's hard to top HAO's
assortment of 6" soft vinyl, sofubi-styled figures. Their level of detail,
size and variety of Wrestler likenesses is worth checking out.

Next to Takara's 12" Keiji Mutoh and INSPIRE's fully articulated Keiji
Mutoh/Great Muta figures, the HAO versions are some of largest
Puroresu figures available (at a more attractive cost, too)