Audio download #2 - Human Super F2 (1992)

With the release of Fire Pro Wrestling's earliest titles, soundtrack compilations weren't 
far behind.

In our last blog entry, we talked about the official soundtrack of 2nd Bout, the highly-
anticipated sequel to the Fire Pro-Wrestling series on PC Engine software. Continuing
the subject with Blog #258, we're going to delve even further by taking a look at another
album released less than a year later.


HUMAN SUPER F2

Human Super F2 is a split compilation featuring game tracks lifted from two of HUMAN's
popular sports titles: Super Formation Soccer (known outside of Japan simply
as 'Super Soccer'), and Super Fire Pro-Wrestling. Both titles were released on Nintendo's
16-bit Super Famicom system in 1991.

To promote the release of both titles, HUMAN organized competitions throughout Japan
to avid fanfare. The tournaments were broken down into two specific cups: the 'Amano
Cup' (named after Super Formation Soccer's programmer Ryuji Amano), and the 'Masuda
Cup' (which respectively gets it's name from Fire Pro-Wrestling's creator Masato Masuda).

From a speculation standpoint, HUMAN's competitions were most-likely inspired by
the Nintendo World Championships, which were taking place around the same time
in the west.

The cover of Human Super F2, which features the cover artwork of both respective
games.

Name-wise, Human Super F2 is simply meant to represent a combination of Super
Fire Pro-Wrestling and Super Formation Soccer into one convenient title, without
taking up too much text space. And ...just in case you were wondering, 'Human
Super F1' or 'F3' does not exist.


The back cover.

Speaking of music, wrestling theme collectors and series purists will want to check
out the first several songs, as tracks 1 to 6 are exclusive arranged versions. What
drives the value of these older soundtracks up is the fact the arranged compositions
were entirely re-recorded, and not available in any other commercial release
endorsed by HUMAN or otherwise to date.

 
The first three arrange tracks are dedicated to Super Fire Pro-Wrestling, while the latter
three are composed for Super Formation Soccer. The same pattern follows suit with
tracks 7 to 12, which are rips of both title's respective in-game music.

 

 

Pages 0 - 1. Tracklisting for all 12 songs. Page 0 lists the "re-arranged version" tracks,
while page 1 lists the "original version" tracks.

Pages  2 - 3 contain liner notes, and a message from co-producer Chachamaru.

Chachamaru states that both Super Fire Pro-Wrestling and Super Formation Soccer have sold
well enough that a compilation CD was made. Chacha adds that the acronym H.E.LP. is meant
to represent the Human Entertainment Loud Project (later renamed to the Human Sound Team).

Direction-wise, Chacha wanted Super Fire Pro-Wrestling's soundtrack to have the element of
rock music to it, with the intention of inspiring players during matches. Chacha suggests that
the best way to listen to the tracks on the Human Super F2 is while playing the associated
games themselves.

As an added bonus, Chacha mentions a special trick in Super Fire Pro-Wrestling:

1. Insert CHACHAMARU in the game's built in PASSWORD mode (which will unlock
    Chachamaru as a hidden referee).

2. In the OPTIONS mode, set the COM LEVEL to 4.

3. Start a new tournament in OPEN LEAGUE (fourth option on the mode select screen).

4. Choose the strongest Wrestlers as opponents.

5. Chacha claims that defeating all of the opponents in the tournament will deem the player
    as a very 'influential person'.

The verdict is still out whether the above 'trick' actually unlocks extra-hard difficulty or not.
Respectfully, Chacha was always known for his humorous side.

Pages 4 - 5 staff credits and sound system information.




The back of the booklet.

The CD design.


For some reason, all of the in-game music themes from track 7 onward are bunched
together. For example, track 7 features all of the game mode themes, while track 8
includes most of the Wrestler themes bundled into a nearly nine minute track.
As such, I have tabbed out the corresponding game themes for Super Fire Pro
-Wrestling.


HUMAN SUPER F2
Known in Japan as: 'ヒューマンスーパーF2'
Released by: Roland Sound Space
Year: 1992
Tracks: 12
Discs: 1

Arranged versions:
1. Fire Crazy (SFPW1 opening theme)
2. Wrestling School (SFPW tutorial mode theme)
3. Shooting Star (SFPW theme of Super Kaizer & Phantom Guy)
4. Shoot Chance (SFS theme)
5. Germany (SFS Germany stage theme)
6. Escape to Victory (SFS theme)

Original game music:
7. Opening theme Progress (SFPW)
    -0:00 Opening theme
    -1:07 Wrestler select theme
    -1:27 Password input theme
   - 1:56 Continue theme
   - 2:42 Match result theme
   - 3:12 Tutorial mode theme

8. Player's Theme (SFPW)
    - 0:00 Victory Musashi & Great Shiba's theme
    - 1:02 Ax Duggan & Thunder Ryu's theme
    -  2:09 Mad Tiger & Bloody Allen's theme
    - 2:52 Knight Blaster & Iron Blaster's theme
    - 3: 35 Hurricane Rikimaru & Shinya Hatamoto's theme
    - 4:27 Star Bison & B.G. Bull's theme
    - 5. 05 Makoto Higaki & Jo Kajiwara's theme
    - 5: 42 Akira Saeba's theme
    - 6: 24 Hitman Saber's theme
    - 7:01 Blade Musha & Astro Blaster's theme
    - 7: 31 Tommy Bomber & Mitsuhide Hikawa's theme
    - 8:09 Super Kaizer & Phantom Guy's theme

9. Trophy Burning Progress (SFPW)
     - 0:00 Trophy Burning (Official League mode ending - first playthrough)
     - 1:16 Rikiozan's theme
     - 1:51 Ending (Official League mode ending - second playthrough).

10. Opening Game Progress (SFS)
11. Participating Country Theme (SFS)
12. Mysterious Team Ending (SFS)

DOWNLOAD LINK:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/s18f0880llxlqne/Human+Super+F2.zip/file

Audio download - Fire Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout Game Music (1991)

Over the last few months, I have been working closely with the Critical Club forums to
archive as many game guides as possible. In the process, I have begun acquiring original
gaming soundtracks along with my regular imports.

For Blog #237, we're going to take a look at one of the earliest soundtracks released for
Japan's popular Fire Pro-Wrestling series.


Fire Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout - Game Music

The year was 1991, and Human Entertainment had just released the sequel to their
popular grappling simulator Fire Pro-Wrestling Combination Tag. In a nutshell, Fire
Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout introduced ten new players, additional game modes, and
a refined Wrestling engine, bringing fans closer to the antics of the squared circle.

To celebrate 2nd Bout's release, Japanese music label Try Trendy Technology 
was tasked with issuing the official soundtrack of the game. The album simply
titled: Fire Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout - Game Music, was also released in 1991.

At first glance, one might confuse the soundtrack's cover art with a stock image of 2nd
Bout's title screen.

The back of the album. The album uses the same cover model for 2nd Bout's game
release.

In case you were wondering, the cover model was a young Riki Fuji. At the time,
FMW had a working relationship with HUMAN Entertainment, and allowed Fuji
to be photographed for all of 2nd Bout's merchandising and promotional material.

       

Other than the front cover, there are no pages inside the booklet, other than this credit
page.



Most of the Fire Pro soundtracks included extra items that were bundled with the CD's.
The first title (Combination Tag) included stickers of certain Wrestlers. For 2nd Bout's
release, the bonus item was a two-sided foldout poster.

The design is simply the mode select screen.



Poster back: which contains the 2nd Bout roster (minus the four hidden boss characters),
a gameplay secret and liner notes.

The trick simply states that pressing Button 1 and II with the direction buttons will perform
an "unknown trick".

What the above text is referring to are the codes to unlock the hidden boss characters using
Button I, II and the directional buttons on the Wrestler select screen in exhibition matches.

Along with the liner notes is a special message from Fire Pro staff member Chachamaru
Sasazawa, who writes:

"Fire Pro Wrestling Second Bout Now the clever gong rings again. Two years and two months
after "Fire Pro Wrestling Combination Tag", the second release is finally here in response to
everyone's hot requests. 10 new wrestlers have been replaced and, of course, their techniques
have been upgraded. What's more, in "Fire Pro 2" you can freely form a tag team, so the
variety of battles has expanded dramatically. If you've never played it before, please give it a
try."

Chachamaru started out as a cover art illustration for the First Fire Pro title (Combination Tag),
as well as a pixel artist, before going on to head Fire Pro's fan clubs, public events (such as Fire
Pro tournaments) and hotlines.

CD design.


Arranged Versions
1. Fire Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout (opening theme)
2. Troubled Times (Wrestler select theme)
3. Genocider (Excite mode theme)
4. Metal Spark (World Championship mode theme)
5. Splendid Fighter (Elimination Match theme)
6. Congratulations (Ending theme)

Original Game Music
7. Fire Pro-Wrestling 2nd Bout (opening theme)
8. Troubled Times (Wrestler Select theme)
9. Genocider  (Excite mode theme)
10. Metal Spark (World Championship mode theme)
11. Power Cyclone (Super Tournament theme)
12. Splendid Fighter (Elimination Match theme)
13. Counter Attack (2nd World Championship mode playthrough theme)
14. Fighter Entrance (Fighter's entrance theme)
15. Toast (Result - winner theme)
16. Dirge of Fight (Result - loser theme)
17. Congratulations (Ending theme)

The below link contains all 17 tracks in WAV format, along with entire booklet scans.

DOWNLOAD LINK:

www.mediafire.com/file/j1927hw80slpjzw/Fire+Pro-Wrestling+2nd+Bout+Official+Soundtrack.zip/file

Grape Brain X Great Muta sofubi figures review

In the realm of Japanese Wrestling merchandise, few competitors have received as many
figures as The Great Muta. With striking facepaint, intricately-detailed ring masks,
an endless variety of phantasmagorical entrance attires, along with a penchant for
influencing countless Wrestlers with his innovative in-ring techniques, it's no wonder
that the 'Pearl of The Orient' continues to remains an indelible icon in the world of
professional Wrestling.

Our next batch of figures pay homage to Muta's early years, with a crossover project
sure to turn heads. Blog #236 summons Grape Brain's Great Muta sofubi figures.

Enter the Grape Brain Genius
Grape Brain is a Japanese artist who is best known for his characters Origiri and Norikun.
Known as the "2 mouth genius boy doctor", Norikun casts a sinister presence with
bangs obscuring one of Nori's eyes. Norikun also includes a second face - a monstrous,
alter-ego that is located at the back of Nori's head.

By turning Norikun's head, collectors can display either one of Nori's personalities.

Visually, Norikun's appearance reminds me of the mid 90's early 2000's cartoon animation
found on Nickelodeon or Cartoon Network. Cartoons like Dexter's Lab and, later, Teen
Titans comes to mind.

Enter the Grape Brain Great Muta crossover

Capitalizing on The Great Muta's 2023 retirement run, Grape Brain, in conjunction with
Pro-Wrestling NOAH, created a series of soft vinyl figures inspired by the Wrestling legend.

Following the trend of other designer toy brands such as BearBrick, KAWS, Kidrobot
and, in extension, even Funko POPS!, Grape Brain has redesigned Norikun to resemble
The Great Muta, as he appeared in the late 80's to early 90's.

Each Norikun figure stands 14cm or 5.5 inches tall and is made of soft vinyl. 



In the traditional style of sofubi figure packaging from the 1960's and 1970's, the Grape
Brain Great Muta figures come in simple shrinkwrap packaging with attached cardboard
backings.

In terms of articulation, only the arms and head can be rotated.

I love how the Norikun figures ever have green lips, a nod to Muta's poison mist attack.



From Pro-Wrestling NOAH's official shop, the following text reads
"Great Muta X Norikun Sofubi NEW colour ver."

The text also mentions the website price of 11,000 yen (roughly $80 USD) per figure.
With five colour variants available (Black, Blue, Green, White and Red), acquiring
each variant would cost collector's over five hundred dollars.

Since the Norikun Great Muta figures were made in very limited numbers, each edition
sold out rather quickly. The few examples of Grape Brain's work that have made it to
the secondary market now fetch upwards of five hundred dollars per figure!

                                 

My theory is that the monstrous head at the back of Norikun's skull is a reference
to the Japanese yokai legend of Futakuchi Onna; an early example of a split
personality imbued with supernatural powers.




The Japanese Kanji on the front of Norikun's shirt reads '伊賀流', which translates
to Iga-Ryu. One of two historically significant ninja clans in Japan.The text alludes
to the Great Muta's early entrance attires, which were based on classical Ninja hoods.

The writing on the back of the Norikun figure's shirt reads '忍' (Ninja).

When displayed next to 16d Collection's Great Muta (white paint ver.) sofubi figure.


Closing thoughts:

Only the most hardcore of Great Muta fans will consider purchasing the Grape
Brain Norikun Great Muta figures. As renown as Grape Brain's work may be
in the art community, their merchandise isn't as recognizable as designer art toys
made by more recognizable brands. The rather steep base price of 11,000 yen per
figure is also a hard bargain to reason with as well.

Should the Grape Brain Muta variants ever made it to the secondhand market,
collectors can expect paying at least double to triple the original retail price;
making these soft vinyl oddities even more costly in the long run.

Haniwa Pro-Wrestling figure set review

On the subject of recognizable merchandising brands, few Japanese toymakers are regarded
as highly as TAKARA TOMY.

In this blog's seven year existence, we have covered several of TAKARA's more notable.
releases. Products ranging from wind-up racecars, to vintage, tabletop board games that
predate the commercial resurgence of video games in the mid 1980's.

Today, we'll be taking a look at one of TAKARA's more obscure pieces of Puroresu
merchandise. A line that mixes the pageantry and visual excitement of the squared circle,
along with a nod to one of Japan's ancient forms of model making.

Article #235 focuses on TAKARA TOMY's Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line:




Known in Japan as 'はにわプロレス', the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line was released by TAKARA/Panda's Ana. The line's edgy slogan "waretara makedayo" roughly translates
to "if you crack it, you lose".


"But what are haniwa"?

                                 Original haniway singer sculptures.

Haniwa are clay, terracotta figures that date back thousands of years. In Japanese culture,
haniwa were initially used as markers for borders of burial grounds. It wasn't until the 4th
century that sculptors began fashioning the haniwa into sculptures of dancers, animals and
even warriors; serving as protection totems and funerary objects that were buried with the
dead.


From historical artifacts to pop culture phenomena - haniwa in modern society:

 'Haniwa-kun', a children's picture book presenting the haniwa sculptures in a light
hearted fashion.

Despite their rather grim history, the image of haniwa figures have taken on a more
animated approach in Japanese media. Over the last twenty years in particular, the
haniwa have evolved from artifacts of historical significance to depictions of
mischievous, sentient beings. More so, these enchanted characters have made
appearances in cartoons, video games and even trading card adaptations; softening
the haniwa's image in the public's eyes over time.

Aesthetically, the antiquated design of the haniwa have also been embraced as a
popular art form; garnishing praise from aspiring model makers and art lovers alike.

Like many Japanese minifigures, the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line were originally sold in
gashapon (gumball vending machines that sell buildable model kit toys in Japan) format
for 200 yen (about $2 USD) each. Figures were distributed at random; encouraging kids
to trade with their friends to track down a full set.

There are five figures to collect in the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line; each one displaying a specific
pose and colourful Wrestling mask.

Seasoned fans of Pro-Wrestling may recognize some of the masks, as these particular designs
are copyright-friendly tributes to some of Japan's most popular real-life Pro-Wrestlers. The
figures are named (left to right):

Taihar Nitto Wan (タイハー・ニット・ワン) - His name sounds just like Tiger Jeet
Singh. He's also carrying a weapon (or is that a flute) in the same fashion as Tiger would
with a sabre sword.

                              
                                  Tiger Jeet Singh with sword between his teeth.

Wanimaru Haniguchi (ワニマル・ハニグチ) - Sounds like Animal Hamaguchi.
Wanimaru's mask seems to resemble Tiger Mask's Red Devil.

Hanidozan (ハニドウザン) -  It seems most of the characters' incorporate the word
"haniwa" into their names. The mask design and pose is obviously based on Mil Mascaras.
Though, this Wrestler's name is clearly inspired by 'the father of Puroresu' Rikidozan.

    Mil Mascaras and Rikidozan - two legends who inspired TAKARA's Haniwa line.

Hanito Muwa (ハニド・ムワ) This is another tough one. The mask depicts an octopus
with the number 8 (obviously referencing the Octopus' 8 appendages). A standard Japanese
Wrestling hold is also the "manji-gatame" (Octopus Stretch).

Hambo Wanita (ハンボ・ワニタ)- Another Tiger Mask character knockoff. There's even
a small bird resting on Wanita's left shoulder.

Closing thoughts:

TAKARA's involvement with Pro-Wrestling is a long and storied one. The majority of which
centred around officially-licensed products that were created for Japan's biggest Puroresu
promotions: New Japan and All Japan Pro-Wrestling, respectively. 

On it's own, the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line is a unique concept in the world of Japanese
collectibles. These 2 inch gashapon kits are an interesting tribute to the Wrestling legends
of the squared circle from the 1950's to the early 1980's. Talent who, for the most part, only
receive figures created in the form of sofubi/soft vinyl.

As interesting as these collectibles are, TAKARA never released a second wave of Haniwa
Pro-Wrestling figures; making the crossover concept of haniwa and Puroresu a relatively
short one.

On a positive note, collectors interested in adding these eccentric gashapons to their figure
collections can purchase the entire set: --------->HERE<------