Rollertron NJPW plush figures (part 3) review

Continuing our marathon of plush figures, we're stepping back into the squared circle
once again to tackle the third wave of Japanese crane prizes based on the biggest stars
from New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the early 1990's.

Blog #225 focuses on Rollertron's NJPW plush figures (part 3):

                         

The first plush figure is the master of the Sasori-Gatame: Riki Choshu!

Riki Choshu comes crafted in his signature raised fist pose and includes Choshu's
white entrance tee.

By the looks of it, the transparent tee could be removed (though, I recommend
otherwise out of fear of ruining the stitching on these older plush figures).

Like the AJPW and WAR plush figures released by Rollertron, each plush comes with
a tag that includes a glossy photo of each Wrestler on the front of their corresponding
tags; along with the Wrestler's individual profiles on the back.

The profile format reads:

Real name:
Height:
Weight:
Date of birth:
Billed from:
Blood Type:
Debut:
Titles:
Finisher:

The absolute highlight from the third wave of NJPW plush figures has to be The Great
Muta! The cartoonish charm of Rollertron's designs are on full-display here.

Strangely, I've always thought the black dots (which I'm guessing are supposed to
represent taste buds) looked more like a green strawberry.

Some might consider it sacrilege in the world of kayfabe, but Great Muta's "real name"
(Keiji Mutoh) is even included in the profile section of the Muta plush's card.

From the very beginning, The Great Muta was considered the alter ego of Keiji Mutoh
in Japan. Even in various pieces of marketing from the era.


    
                         
The second member of the Toukon Sanjuushi, "The King of Destruction" Shinya Hashimoto.

With his glitter, polyester-styled pants and crafted pose, this Shinya Hashimoto plush
reminds me of Abdullah The Butcher from Rollertron's AJPW line.
                       

This would be Shinya's second outing into plush format and first to feature the
legend without his shortly-lived beard.

The third member of the Toukon Sanjuushi. "Mr. G1" Masahiro Chono.

Chono comes decked out in his pre-NWO Japan white and green tights.

Chono is posed performing his trademark "Kenka Kick".

In New Japan Pro-Wrestling lore, Antonio Inoki, Seiji Sakaguchi, Riki Choshu and
Masa Saitoh were considered the first generation of stars in NJPW from the 1970's
to late 1980's.


Likewise, Keiji Mutoh, Masahiro Chono, Shinya Hashimoto and ....

...Hiroshi Hase were considered the second generation of superstars that would become
the face of NJPW in the 1990's.

Hase's early 1990's ring attire is accurate and even includes two blue stars along Hase's
boots.

The blue stars on Hase's attire have often been associated with Hase's Northern Lights
Suplex finisher.

Another standout that just brings a smile to my face is NJPW veteran and colour commentator
Masa "Go for broke" Saitoh.

You just can't help but love that mischievous grin on Saitoh's face!

Last but not least is Jushin Thunder Liger. A figure so elusive that it rarely goes for sale
on the secondary markets.

There aren't too many Liger figures that contain such clear details of Liger's eyes pictured
from beneath his ring mask.

          

Closing thoughts:


Rollertron were responsible for five major Pro-Wrestling figure series' in the early 1990's
that encompassed the greatest Puroresu promotions in Japan of the era including: AJPW,
NJPW, WAR, UWFI and Fujiwara Gumi.

Personally, I've considered the Rollertron figures as Japan's smaller equivalent to Tonka's
popular Wrestling buddies. A sentiment many Wrestling Buddies collectors also share.

Whether it's a teddy bear of Tetsuya Naito or an oversized stuffed animal of Hiromu
Takashi's cat Daryl, New Japan Pro-Wrestling is still releasing tons of plush figures to
this day in multiple formats.

Tune in next time for a special look at plush figures made for Japanese Hardcore
promotion FMW!