Character Product The Great Sasuke figure review

The largest Japanese Pro-Wrestling collectibles database continues to expand
with our next figure review which takes a look at another popular masked
legend.

For blog #127, we'll be taking a look at Character Product's Great Sasuke
figure (purple and green variants).


TOUKON SHOP and CHARACTER PRODUCT

With the success of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Super Star Figure Collection
figures in the late 1990's, other major Wrestling, Lucha and mixed martial
arts promotions around Japan began to take notice of Toukon Shop's success.
But, there was just one small problem.

Toukon Shop (the company that made the figures)'s namesake was owned by
New Japan Pro-Wrestling - and New Japan wasn't interested in humoring
the idea of selling toys of Wrestlers from rival promotions.

So, in 1999, Toukon Shop decided to create another toy company - one
outside of New Japan's jurisdiction. A toy company that would be free
to seek out and make figures based on Wrestlers from promotions such as
FMW, RINGS, PANCRASE, OSAKA PRO, WAR, K-1 and, in this
blog's case - MICHINOKU PRO-WRESTLING.

                            

One of Character Product's earliest non-NJPW figures was that of
Japanese masked legend The Great Sasuke.

This particular Sasuke figure I personally had Autographed by the man himself!

This particular variant features a special white emblem on the side of Sasuke's mask.

The most obvious difference to look out for in this variant is the colour of the
stripes on Sasuke's mask. In this case, this variant also features green stripes.

The same emblem from the side of Sasuke's mask is also featured on Sasuke's
chest.

Another trait with Character Product's figures - each figure contains a
copyright licensing (usually licensed by each individual Wrestler that
was turned into a figure).

The back of the packaging contains a great graphic of Sasuke with his
stats and a small bio detailing Sasuke's accomplishments up to the year
1999.

The belt featured pm the back of the packaging's graphic is the NWA
World Middleweight Championship.

Let's take a look at the second variant:

                              

This variant features Sasuke first and foremost with purple stripes along
his mask.


                            

The emblem on Sasuke's chest is also different with a red outline.

The stern and determined look on Sasuke's face is well captured. This
legend is ready to fight!

                           

                                   

The face-like design on the side of Sasuke's mask is unique to the purple
stripe figure variant.

                          

                             

Even the laces and stitching on the back of Sasuke's mask are sculpted
- making this collectible the most detailed Great Sasuke figure to date!


                             

The purple stripe Great Sasuke figure contains the exact same packaging
design as the green stripe variant.