A few blog posts ago, we touched on TOYBOX's early 1980's AJPW racer figures line (for
those interested, the full review can be read HERE<-----). Next up, we'll be looking at another
pair of figure oddities that feature All Japan's two biggest stars. Blog #227 goes for the gold
with TAKARA's AJPW Choro-Q Wrestler figures.
Known in Japan as "チョロQレスラー" (ChoroQ Wrestler), the ChoroQ Wrestler figures
were released by TAKARA in 1984. ChoroQ is the name of TAKARA's long-running rev-up
car series that dates back to 1978.
The box depicts Giant Baba on the left and Stan Hansen on the right.
You're probably wondering why Giant Baba and Stan Hansen are both breathing fire and
sweating. Short answer: these specific figures were inspired by TAKARA's other "flame
breathing" figures that actually shot sparks from their mouths!
The packaging also lists both Wrestler's signature moves. In Baba's case "16mon Kick"
(Big Boot) and, for Hansen, "Western Lariat" is written.
Inside the box. An 18 piece assortment of Giant Baba and Stan Hansen figures.
I'm guessing this was a shipping box for stores that carried TAKARA merchandise
in Japan.
Both figures contain a specific All Japan Pro-Wrestling belt. Giant Baba contains the NWA International Heavyweight Championship; while Stan Hansen is holding the PWF Heavyweight
Championship belt.
Both figures stand at 50mm (just under 2 inches tall) and contain moving arms. Giant
Baba is sculpted in a chop pose while Hansen contains his trademark Lariat.
Due to the age of both figures, collectors should pay close attention to each figure's overall
condition; as the included belts have been known to discolour over time.
Out of the pair, the Stan Hansen ChoroQ figure is harder to come by.
Both figures are stamped with "(C) TAKARA '84 JAPAN Choro Wrestler" (left) and
"All Japan Pro-Wrestling" (right) signifying that both the Stan Hansen and Giant Baba
Choro figures were officially licensed.
in motion (I really doubt the equivalent of a lighter on wheels would be marketed to
kids these days).
As the case with older figures, many collectors have stated that their figures have lost
or contain a diminished spark.
A 1983 issue of Hobby Handbook that promoted TAKARA's Wrestler racers with
Giant Baba on the cover.
Closing thoughts:
While action figures were still a few decades away, All Japan Pro-Wrestling did have
an interesting assortment of merchandise that was released throughout the 1970's
into the 1980's.
It's worth noting that TAKARA would eventually own TOYBOX (the company responsible
for the other 1980's All Japan Pro-Wrestling car series).
Really, how many Japanese Pro-Wrestling figures can you think of that shoots sparks?!
For those interested to track down these figures themselves, you can use these Japanese
keywords:
チョロQレスラー スタン・ハンセン (ChoroQ Wrestler Stan Hansen)
チョロQレスラー ジャイアント馬場 (ChoroQ Wrestler Giant Baba)
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