Banpresto Keiji Mutoh figure review

Let's keep the Japanese figure reviews moving forward with another obscure figure
many collectors may not be aware of.

Blog #161 laces up with the Banpresto Real Figure in Battledome Keiji Mutoh.


Real Figure In Battledome

In 1996, Japanese toy maker Banpresto created a special line of 3 inch gashapon
(Japanese capsule toys that come in vending machines) model kit figures.
The line was called "Real Figure In Battledome".

I believe "Battledome" is a reference to Japan's famous Tokyo Dome arena.


                       

Included with every figure is a small pamphlet showcasing the entire five figure set. From
left to right:

Keji Mutoh,
Masakatsu Funaki,
Yoji Anjo,
Koji Kitao and
Jushin Thunder Liger.

Breaking away from the cute and cartoony chibi-fied merchandise New Japan had been
releasing for years, the "Real Figure" line was Banpresto's attempt at providing Wrestling
collectors with figures that featured realistic body proportions. A feat that was rarely done
with Japanese Wrestling figures by this point.

Keiji Mutoh is pictured in his mid 1990's ring attire. Most likely inspired by the highly-
publicized fight against UWF star Nobuhiko Takada who had "invaded" the New Japan
Pro-Wrestling promotion.

Mutoh is sculpted in his pre-Pro Wrest LOVE pose. Instead, Mutoh is posed
scanning the crowd.

There are very few figure examples of Keiji Mutoh wearing ring trunks.






The back of the Mutoh figure reads "(C) NJPW" and "96 CHINA" since the Real Figure
line was produced in 1996.

The Battledome figures offered limited articulation and removable pieces that acted
as the very first (and, for some Wrestlers, the only) model kits.

The only downside (beyond their simple design) is the overall size of these figures.
Standing no taller than 3 inches at most.

Closing thoughts:

The Real Figure line was one of the earliest examples of a Japanese toy manufacturer
attempting to create realistic-looking figures of Pro-Wrestlers.

In one year's time, New Japan Pro-Wrestling would begin working with Toukon Shop to
create the long-running Super Star Figure Collection (Japan's first major action figure line
based on real-life Pro-Wrestlers since 1981).

Shortly after, gashapon maker Yujin would begin making their own model kit figures of
the NJPW, AJPW and later Pro-Wrestling NOAH promotions in the years to follow.

In our next figure instalment, we'll be taking a look at another icon from the Real Figure
set. Stay tuned!