The mid 90's formed a cornerstone in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's sense of marketing.
A direction inspired heavily by the World Wrestling Federation's longstanding
approach of creating merchandise aimed towards an adolescent demographic.
Setting themselves apart from rival promotions, New Japan Pro-Wrestling began
adopting cartoon caricatures of their biggest stars. Illustrations that were used to
promote upcoming shows and were adorned on countless pieces of merchandise
produced by the promotion.
Blog #169 showcases one of the more obscurer pieces from this particular art
direction. Enter the Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection Kensuke Sasaki figure.
The Kensuke Sasaki keychain stands about 2 inches tall in height and is modelled after
Sasaki's late 1990's simple black trunks and wrestling boots attire.
The Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection was produced by Character Product in 2000.
One of the earliest examples of the toy manufacturer switching from their older "Charapro"
logo to "Character Product".
The three copyrights attached to each figure's card represents New Japan Pro-Wrestling,
Inoki International (since Antonio Inoki is included in the figure line) and "EVILWAYS"
the merchandise holder for Atsushi Onita (who, likewise, is also present in this line).
Despite having a recognizable likeness, this keychain figure is not one of Sasaki's
finer moments in figure form.
Sasaki's era-accurate mullet and goatee are well represented, though. With particular
attention paid to the strands in Sasaki's hair.
Top row: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Shinya Hashimoto, Masahiro Chono, Satoshi Kojima
Middle row: Atsushi Onita, Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu
Bottom row: Great Muta (red), Great Muta (black), Kensuke Sasaki and Power Warrior.
On closer inspection, the included logo for "Character Product" is still an early example
that would soon be changed for a third and final time.
ima corporation (who we just reviewed in the K-1 Ernesto Hoost keychain figure review)
are more commonly known for producing merchandise for the K-1 promotion. ima were
also responsible for teaming with HAO to create the polystone Antonio Inoki statue.
Character Product, Toukon Shop, Mogura House, ima corporation, HAO Arts Office and
16d have all worked hand in hand with one another over the years to produce figures for
Japanese Pro-Wrestling promotions. Odd.
Overall thoughts:
Not Kensuke's finest moment in figure form, yet still a faithful recreation of New Japan's
cartoonish source material from the era.
The rarest figures from the set are the Great Muta variants and Kensuke Sasaki's alter ego
Power Warrior. Atsushi Onita has also become quite collectible in recent years with the
western Deathmatch fare.
Character Product would continue releasing other lines of keychain figures, but the
Pro-Wrestling Key Holder collection would never reach another volume.
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