Banpresto Masakatsu Funaki figure review

As the second instalment in a set of reviews covering Banpresto's Real Figure In
Battledome line, Blog #162 focuses on another figure from the Battledome set:
Masakatsu Funaki.

The late 80's and early 90's brought upon a major shift in combat sports. The burgeoning
MMA scene was reshaping the very definition of toughness in Japan. RINGS, UWFI,
K-1 and PANCRASE were the top shoot fighting promotions throughout Japan during
the era.

Banpresto took note of shoot fighting's popularity in Japan and added three fighters
to the Real Figure roster: Koji Kitao (who was competing for NJPW at the time),
UWFI's Yoji Anjo and PANCRASE's Masakatsu Funaki.

Masakatsu's very first figure adaptation.

Funaki is pictured in his early 1990's look; complete with long hair and Japanese flag
on his ring trunks.

Even with the limited detail given to a Japanese capsule toy, Masakatsu Funaki's likeness
is recognizable.

As a model kit, the Funaki figure contains removable arms and an upper torso.

Funaki stands about 3 inches tall and is noticeably smaller in scale when compared
to other Japanese action figures which regularly stand at 5 inches in height.

The copyright stamp on the back of Funaki's thighs reads:

"(C) PANCRASE

BP CHINA 96"

"BP" standing for Banpresto and the year (1996) in which the figure was made.



Closing thoughts:

For PANCRASE fans, you can't go wrong with the earliest known Masakatsu Funaki
figure.

Though, the rarest figure from Banpresto's Real Figure In Battledome line has to be Jushin
Thunder Liger. In my experience, the Liger from this set rarely comes up for auction.

The complete five figure set. Left to right: Yoji Anjo, Keiji Mutoh, Koji Kitao, Masakatsu Funaki
and Jushin Thunder Liger.

Also pictured are the original pamphlet and gashapon capsule that came with each figure.

The only known figures of Yoji Anjo and Koji Kitao. Koji Kitao is pictured in his mid 90's
Karate Gi. Yoji Anjo contains his nickname "Mr. 200%" along his ring tights.

I especially like the sea monster design on the back of Kitao's Karate Gi.