Assorted NJPW figures

In today's blog, we'll be looking at a handful of Pro-Wrestling figures
that were officially licensed by New Japan Pro-Wrestling:

Pro-Kaku Heroes R - Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Shinsuke Nakamura
In 2012, Character Product would resurrect their Pro-Kaku Heroes
Mini Big Heads line for a special, two-figure set.

The Type 2, two figure set depicts two of New Japan's top stars Hiroshi

Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura.

                                 

The top of the packaging includes a "40th Anniversary" logo, celebrating
New Japan Pro-Wrestling's inception back in 1972.

The back of the packaging reads:

"Pro-Kaku Heroes R Mini Big Head Figure
Hiroshi Tanahashi - New Japan Pro-Wrestling - Shinsuke Nakamura"

The added "R" in Pro-Kaku Heroes stands for "Realism". Here's the
official product description for the set:

"That Pro-rated Heroes is coming back !?
A total of 9 series of cumulative series. A cumulative total of 1,500,
000 pieces or more pro wrestling · fighting sports trading miniature
figure series pro series Heroes new series appeared.

Representative's skill and name line by effect. Please enjoy together
with realistic face molding. We are looking forward to the new line
-up in 2012!"

Hiroshi Tanahashi is sculpted in a shouting pose complete with mic

and a comic book style representation of his signature catchphrase"愛
してい ます!" - Aishiteimasu - which translates to "I love you!")

Shinsuke Nakamura is also sculpted in his "Bomaye" finisher
along with an animated hit effect of his own!

Tanahashi also comes with a tiny IWGP Championship belt slung
over his left shoulder as a decoration.
                            

Like other Mini Big Heads, both figures feature removable heads.
Tanahashi's shout effect is also removable from Tanahashi's ring
base.

Neither figure can be removed from their respective bases.

The Hiroshi Tanahashi 2012 and 2004 Vol. 1. Mini Big Head.
                             

The Nakamura 2012 and 2004 Vol. 1. Mini Big Heads showcases

a drastic change in Nakamura's image as well as the improvement
in quality of facial detail.

In true Character Product fashion, New Japan Pro-Wrestling would also
release a limited edition pre-release "Type 1" version with alternate
colouring.

The Type 1 version was only available as a gift to customers who
pre-ordered advanced tickets to New Japan's Wrestle Kingdom VI
event and is limited to 500 pieces worldwide.

Hirooki Goto Figure Strap

Our coverage of Character Product and New Japan Pro-Wrestling figure
straps continues with another current New Japan star, the Fierce Warrior
of Chaos: Hirooki Goto!

                   

Released in 2009, this would be Hirooki Goto's first ever (and only)
figure to date.

                           

The back of the packaging contains the standard material information
along with Hirooki Goto's name in Japanese along with "New Japan
Pro-Wrestling LTD." at the bottom.

The Hirooki Goto figure (with strap removed) stands roughly 1 inch
in height.

When compared to the scale of Character Product's Kaz Hayashi
(Vol. 1./1.5.) Mini Big Head.

Unlike Character Product's figure straps, the New Japan versions are
not repaints of pre-existing Pro-Kaku Heroes, but entirely brand new
figures in their own rights.

Other NJPW figure straps include:Masahiro Chono,
Super Strong Machine,
Yuji Nagata,
Hiroshi Tanahashi,
Togi Makabe,
Tiger Mask IV
& Jushin Thunder Liger.



Not for sale Pro-Kaku Heroes Kazuchika Okada Mini Big Head.


Dubbed the "rarest figure of 2013", the Pro-Kaku Heroes line would
release an exclusive Mini Big Head:

The Rainmaker himself: Kazuchika Okada - finally makes his Mini Big
Head debut!

Okada is posed in his signature "Rainmaker" taunt and comes on a

unusual black coloured Mini Big Head style display base.

The Kazuchika Okada Pro-Kaku Heroes figure was only available when
ordering New Japan's "King of Pro-Wrestling" (also known as "King
Box") trading card hobby box.

As a mystery gift, the Okada figure came in a white box which reads:

"Pro-Kaku Heroes
Hiroshi Tanahashi * Kazuchika Okada (in this case, Okada's name
is circled)
Not for sale (in Japanese)
NOT FOR SALE
(C) 2013 NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING CO. LTD."

Scale-wise, the Okada Pro-Kaku figure is slightly taller and bulkier
than Character Product's original Mini Big Head series. The choice
of skin tone for the Okada figure is also noticeably different.

Pro-Kaku Heroes Masahiro Chono 25th Anniversary figure

In 2009, following the release of the final series of Pro-Kaku Heroes
Mini Big Heads (Vol. 9 back in 2007) ) Character Product would
release a special Mini Big Head of Masahiro Chono.

Like the "Jungle Fight" Antonio Inoki strap figure, the exclusive
Masahiro Chono figure was only available as a promotional item
that was included with the Masahiro Chono 25th Anniversary
DVD set.

                    

Like other Mini Big Heads, the Masahiro Choni figure comes
packaged in the standard cellophane wrapper.

                           
The Masahiro Chono exclusive is the fourth and final translucent,
see-through Mini Big Head exclusive.

The four see-through Mini Big Head exclusives.

                        

                       
The back of the Chono Mini Big Head contains the writing
"25th"and Chono's Aristrist clothing line logo in silver ink

The DVD and Mini Big Head set are a reference to Chono's
debut as Pro-Wrestler back in 1984 (the same year Jushin
Thunder Liger, Keiji Mutoh and Shinya Hashimoto also
debuted as Pro-Wrestlers).
       .

While the Jushin Thunder Liger figure was labelled as a "clear
black" variant, in true Chono fashion, there is no Mini Big
Head more darker than that of "Mr. Blackjack" himself!


Closing thoughts:

The Masahiro Chono exclusive 25th Anniversary figure is one
the most rarest and expensive Mini Big Heads to find in the
wild. A figure that is next to impossible to find at auction.

Character Product would continue to release a decent number
of 20th anniversary Mini Big Heads as not-for-sale exclusives
and as "Strap" figure variants. Many of which are truly elusive
to find.

Kenta Kobashi HAO Figure Review

Following their New Japan and All Japan Pro-Wrestling licenses,
HAO Arts Office would add a series of figures based on Wrestlers
from the Pro-Wrestling NOAH promotion.

This blog is about the Kenta Kobashi HAO figure that was

released in 2007.

The Kenta Kobashi HAO figure features Kobashi in his modern

Pro-Wrestling NOAH attire.

                         
Kobashi is depicted in his signature Knife Edge Chop pose
(the first and only Kobashi figure to do so).

Kobashi's black trunks include a purple and white flame design.

                    
The Kobashi HAO figure includes articulation at the arms, waist
and head.

Kobashi stands about 2 inches taller than the Mogura House Kenta
Kobashi figure.

HAO would also release a limited edition, orange variant based
on Kobashi's classic AJPW attire.



Closing thoughts:If realistic head sculpts are your thing, there's nothing better
than the HAO Kenta Kobashi figure.

At roughly 6 inches (15cm) in height, the HAO version is quite
easily the tallest Kobashi figure released to date (the only figure
that comes close is Mogura House's line of Sofubi-styled figures)!

Keiji Mutoh INSPIRE Figure Review

When most collectors think of the Japanese toy company INSPIRE,
they think of the company's line of 12 inch 1:16 scale, large-size
figures that were released in the early 2000's.

Alongside the large scale figures, INSPIRE would also release
a lesser known line of super-deformed chibi styled figures that
were officially dubbed the "Dコレ" (DCore - Decore) series.

The Decore figures come boxed in a similar window styled
packaging as their full-sized INSPIRE counterparts.

 The writing on the box translates to:

"All Japan Pro Wrestle                        DCore
                         Mutoh Keiji
INSPIRE           (C) All Japan Pro-Wrestling"
                      

                          
The back of the packaging contains INSPIRE's company address and
product related materials description.

Just above the barcode contains "Mutoh Keiji" written in bold Japanese
Kanji along with the original sale price of 1,575 yen.

Keiji Mutoh stands about 3 inches tall and is sculpted in
his early 2000's "Cross Wizard" era attire and "Pro-
Wrestling LOVE" pose.

Notice the heart design on Mutoh's right kneepad?

Sadly, there are no decals on the back of Mutoh's ring tights.

It's also worth noting that the DCore series does not feature
any articulation.

The bottom of Mutoh's right shoe contains the INSPIRE logo
engraved into the sole.

Like INSPIRE's larger figures, the inner packaging of the DCore
series includes removable cardboard and old-fashioned ribbon
held packaging.


Closing thoughts:INSPIRE would only release a handful of Wrestlers in their
DCore series: Keiji Mutoh, Toshiaki Kawada, Kaz Hayashi
and Satoshi Kojima - all of which were active under the
All Japan Pro-Wrestling banner at the time.

Arguably, not many Wrestling collectors know about the
DCore series. The Keiji Mutoh figure, in particular, is
the rarest of the set and commands higher prices at
auction.

Keiji Mutoh HAO Figure Review

In 2004, Japanese Toy maker HAO partnered with a number of
Wrestlers to create a series of soft-vinyl figures.

Sold exclusively in Japan, the series was called the "HAO Collection"
(HAO コレクション) and featured Wrestlers from Japan's biggest
promotions such as All Japan, New Japan, RINGS, PRIDE and
ZERO1.

In past posts, we have looked at the various Great Muta HAO
Collection variants. Today, we're going to look at the man
behind the Great Muta character: Keiji Mutoh.

                          
The Keiji Mutoh HAO figure is based on Keiji Mutoh's early 2000's
All Japan Pro-Wrestling debut and is the only HAO figure to be
sculpted in a kneeling pose.

In an alternate universe, Character Product's Great Muta DX Darth
Muta variant is the only Character Product action figure to be
sculpted in a kneeling pose.

Keiji Mutoh's infamous "Muta scale"gig scars are recreated in terrifying

detail across Mutoh's forehead.

Mutoh's right knee pad features the "PROM" logo with Keiji Mutoh's
mid 2000's nickname "Sir Promenade". I think Mutoh's creative team
was going for the word "prominence" instead:

prom·i·nence

ˈprämənəns/

noun

noun: prominence

1. the state of being important or famous.

Mutoh's left kneepad includes a decal of a King of Hearts playing

card with the caption "Pro-W. LOVE".

                           

Unfortunately, the kneepad of my version was scuffed up a bit
as the figure leans most of it's weight on it.

The Keiji Mutoh HAO contains articulation in Mutoh's arms, wrists and
neck which can be posed to perform both version's of Mutoh's signature
"Pro-Wrest. LOVE" pose.


The Keiji Mutoh HAO contains articulation in Mutoh's arms, wrists and
neck.

                                                             HAO's Muta Scale.

HAO would also release a limited edition (and highly sought-after)
Keiji Mutoh "Genius"statue in the late 2000s. The statue uses a
similar head sculpt as the standard HAO figure.



Closing thoughts:
Over the years, there have been many Keiji Mutoh figures released
in a variety of different formats and styles. From Toukon Shop's
New Japan action figures to Playset Product's Mutoh Bear brand
as well as the much coveted INSPIRE 1:16 scale figures.

The HAO Collection Keiji Mutoh figure has to be my favorite
interpretation of Mutoh. From Mutoh's extremely accurate
face sculpt to the designs along Mutoh's ring tights and his
wickedly cool body sculpt, this figure is pretty hard to top.

For fans of Puroresu or Keiji Mutoh in general, the HAO
Collection variant is a must buy. Especially if you can
find the figure for sale under $100.