in 1981 "スーパープロレスラ シレス" (Super Pro-Wrestler Series), Japanese
toy company Popy would follow up a year later with a special spin-off line of
"Keshi" figures.
What are Keshi?
Keshi (short for Keshigomu 消しゴム or Eraser Gum) are small, 1-1.5. inch
monochromatic eraser figures made of rubber. In Japan, the Keshi craze has
existed since the early 1970's with figures based on popular Anime, Manga,
video game and movie characters.
The first wave of Popy's Pro-Wrestling Keshi figures debuted in 1982. The
name of Series 1 translates to "最強軍団 スーパープロレス" (Super Pro-
Wrestle Strongest Army) and would feature the biggest names from New
Japan and All Japan Pro-Wrestling of the era.
The slogan on both packages reads "そっくい!" (rubber! - a reference
to these figures being Keshi). The writing on the top left corner of
package #1 also mentions that these products are "Erasers".
The blue and white writing on both packages "I.K.P. S.P.-1." is an
acronym for "Ikki Kajiwara PRO Super Pro-Wrestle Series 1"which
is the name of the creator of the Tiger Mask anime Ikki Kajiwara
(梶原 一騎) and his licensing company "Kajiwara PRO Approval"
(梶原プロ承認).
Starting in 1981, Ikki Kajiwara had licensed the Tiger Mask character
for merchandising through Popy and as an actual, real-life Wrestling
gimmick that debuted in New Japan Pro-Wrestling the same year.
The packaging also contains the Japanese "Safety Toy" standards logo
(found on many Japanese figures) and the Popy logo (top right).
style blind boxes. The title on this particular packaging reads "トントコ
プロレス"(Tontoko Pro-Wrestle).
The roster on the above packaging reads:
Left column: Right column:
A. The. Giant (Andre The Giant) Terry Funk
A. The. Butcher (Abdullah The Butcher) Dory Funk Jr.
Stan Hansen Antonio Inoki
Tiger Mask Mil Mascaras
T. Jeet Singh (Tiger Jeet Singh) Giant Baba
Series 1 featured 10 Wrestlers to collect:
Giant Baba
Tiger Mask
Stan Hansen
Terry Funk
Dory Funk Jr.
Mil Mascaras
Andre The Giant
Tiger Jeet Singh
Abdullah The Butcher
How can you spot an official series 1 Keshi?
Conveniently, the Super Pro-Wrestle series 1 figures are the only Keshi
to feature this unique production stamp on their backs.
Again, as Popy had a special licensing agreement with Tiger Mask
creator Ikki Kajiwara, every Keshi comes stamped with Kajiwara's
namesake (K/I).
Closing thoughts and purchase links:
Super Pro-Wrestle Strongest Army was the line of Keshi that started
it all. The initial 10 figure set was the world's very first line of Pro-
Wrestling minifigures ever (not to mention, the world's first Wrestling
Keshi in general).
to feature this unique production stamp on their backs.
Again, as Popy had a special licensing agreement with Tiger Mask
creator Ikki Kajiwara, every Keshi comes stamped with Kajiwara's
namesake (K/I).
Closing thoughts and purchase links:
Super Pro-Wrestle Strongest Army was the line of Keshi that started
it all. The initial 10 figure set was the world's very first line of Pro-
Wrestling minifigures ever (not to mention, the world's first Wrestling
Keshi in general).
Wrestlers such as Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Mask received their very
first figures through the Super Pro-Wrestle keshi line (with more to
follow in future installments).
The success of the Super Pro-Wrestle keshi line inspired Popy (who
had folded back into parent company Bandai by 1983) to create the
extremely popular Kinkeshi (M.U.S.C.L.E.) figures which still have
an incredible, world-wide following to this day!
follow in future installments).
The success of the Super Pro-Wrestle keshi line inspired Popy (who
had folded back into parent company Bandai by 1983) to create the
extremely popular Kinkeshi (M.U.S.C.L.E.) figures which still have
an incredible, world-wide following to this day!
 |
| An included list featuring the first 10 figures. Notice Bandai's early 1980's logo. |
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