Kensuke Sasaki HAO Collection figure review

2007 was quite the year for HAO Arts Office. Adding to a stellar lineup of

Wrestling legends such as Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Mitsuharu Misawa,

Minoru Suzuki and Jushin Thunder Liger, HAO Arts Office would also

release two soft vinyl figures to the year's roster: Japanese powerhouse

Kensuke Sasaki!



                       

The first and standard vfigure ariant features Kensuke decked out in white
trunks and boots.



                       

The left side of Kensuke's shorts display the "Kensuke Office" (Kensuke
and wife Akira Hokuto's own Wrestling promotion) logo.


                           

The right side of Kensuke's trunks display his name in bold letters.

The green, blue and yellow colour scheme is reminiscent of Kensuke's
early New Japan Pro-Wrestling attires.


                            

The colours continue to stretch across the back of Kensuke's ring
attire and matching ring boots.

                                

The second variant is a limited edition with a total number of 500
pieces created; making this the rarest Kensuke Sasaki figure ever
created!
                                

With clenched fists, Kensuke is ready to dish out lariats and
hammering forearms to any opponent!


                              

Dressed in orange trunks with gold accents, the 20th Anniversary logo is
displayed within the Kensuke Office logo with " 健介" (Kensuke) written
in Japanese Kanji.

Unfortunately, having acquired this figure without it's original packaging, this
particular variant loses points with me as the paint used for the 20th Anniversary
decal is very fragile and chips away quite easily.

The right side of Kensuke's trunks once again include his name in gold,
orange and silver finishes.

                      
Kensuke's ring boots contain silver, gold and red colouring with tan
soles. The Kensuke Office logo is also visible on the back of
Kensuke's trunks.

The Anniversary continues...

To celebrate Kensuke Sasaki's 20th Anniversary, Japanese toy company
Character Product (also known simply as "Charapro") released four
special figure variants of Kensuke Sasaki to celebrate the occasion.


                           

The first Anniversary exclusive Kensuke Sasaki Mini Big Head (pictured
with Akira Hokuto) as a special cellphone strap figure.


                          

The "20th Anniversary" decal is once again visible with Kensuke's
name written in silver finish.

                     

The standard Vol. 4. Kensuke Sasaki Mini Big Head and special
Power Warrior repaint cellphone strap (which was sold exclusively
through the Kensuke Office promotion!).