For one reason or another, there are certain figure lines that simply never make it out of
production. Lack of funding, a dropped license, or even bankruptcy.
Blog #209 covers one of the absolute rarest Pro-Wrestling figure series' in all of Japan. The
EPOCH Headliners Prototype figures.
The first figure is Super Delfin. The superior sculpt and detail makes me believe this line was
created after the original NJPW Headliners wave from 1998.
Jinsei Shinzaki/Hakushi.
To me, Shinzaki's likeness is quite off here. I'd even go as far as saying EPOCH's sculpt
looks closer to shoot fighter Kazuo Yamazaki.
TAKA Michinoku. Another likeness that definitely needs work.
PANCRASE legend Masakatsu Funaki with the PANCRASE Heavyweight Championship.
Funaki's thin facial features are definitely intact in this depiction.
This prototype stumped me in the past, but it's Minoru Suzuki. Late 90's hair style,
white ring attire, and what looks like another PANCRASE championship belt.
Plus, Minoru's late 90's ring attire looks close enough.
Closing thoughts:
As to my knowledge, these are the only known photos of these particular figures made
by EPOCH.
Judging by the added detail in contrast to EPOCH's NJPW Headliners figures (which were
released in 1998), I believe these figures were intended to be the second wave in EPOCH's
Headliner series. And, since only 5 figure prototypes were produced, I would imagine
either funding or lack of additional licensees brought a halt to production entirely.
Truthfully, the NJPW Headliner figures were never my favourite figure depictions. The same
can be said for most of the above prototypes as well. The likenesses just weren't there.
Though, it was nice to see EPOCH branching out in an attempt to create Wrestling figures
from other promotions such as Michinoku Pro-Wrestling and PANCRASE.
Truth be told, I've heard there are collectors out there who are ready to snap these prototypes
up if they ever decide to surface on the secondary market.
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