Antonio Inoki Bottlecap Figure Keyholder review

For generations, one of the most common practices among toy companies is recycling figure molds. Instead of designing an entirely new figure from scratch, toy manufacturers will reuse preexisting figures and convert them into new products.

In the 90's and 2000's, Character Product shrunk down figure releases from their Super Star Figure Collection line and converted them into keychains. In 2003, Character Product would then go on to recycle figures in another format by creating the Pro-Kaku Heroes; a popular line of Mini Big Heads that lasted for five years and spanning 8 volumes in the process.

Recently, I discovered a figure that wasn't featured in the original Pro-Kaku line.


Blog #287 Antonio Inoki Bottlecap Figure Keyholder

Known in Japan as:
アントニオ猪木 ボトルキャップフィギュアキーホルダー


This figure was released in 2003.




The Inoki bottlecap figure looks nearly-identical to Character Product (back when they were known as Toukon Shop)'s Antonio Inoki figure (1970's version) that was released several years prior in 1999.



The surface of the red base reads February 20th, 2003 (Antonio Inoki's 60th birthday).



There is also a variant with a gold base. I would imagine this is the rarer version of an already rare figure.



Around the same time, Inoki international re-released the Inoki 70's figure to also commemorate the legend's birthday; bundling Inoki with a commemorative display base, NWF Heavyweight Championship belt, and collector-friendly packaging.

Inoki International licensed Antonio Inoki's image to Character Product going back to the 90's. Though, this partnership wasn't an exclusive one, as Inoki continued to have figures made in his likeness by other toy manufacturers and through brand endorsement deals themselves.

Judging by these two releases, it seems Antonio Inoki was able to legally release his own modifications of Character Product/Toukon Shop figures. Much the same as The Ultimate Warrior was able to strike up a deal with Jakks Pacific to produce exclusive figure variants of his likeness from Jakks' Classic Superstars and Ring Giants toy lines.

Antonio Inoki Omikuji Figure Straps review

 Blog #286 Antonio Inoki Omikuji Figure Straps review

Known in Japan as:
アントニオ猪木のおみくじ フィギュアストラップ

These 4cm figure straps were sold exclusively at Japanese convenience store LAWSON
around 2010. Omikuji are the equivalent of good luck/Pay Day cat figures in Japan.
Who better to grant the people of Japan good luck other than Inoki himself?






This version features Inoki with a red base and Inoki's iconic "1...2...3....DAAAAaaa!"
battle cry pose.

Each figure stands about 4cm tall.


The back of the omikuji figure contains a tag with the text "山害 人間なんでもできる", which
 loosely translates to "man can do anything". This may have been a famous quote of Inoki's as well.




The second version features Inoki with a blue base and double raised arms pose. I'm actually
relieved the creators didn't get lazy and simply repaint Inoki's fight towel to blue (as they've
done with other Inoki figures in the past).






Both figures are licensed by IGF; Inoki's licensing brand.



Packaging for both variants.



The packaging contains a pamphlet for related products and promotions. 

Blog #285 Riki Choshu RIKI PRO, Mutoh Collab & CHOSHU BOY merchandise review.

Riki Choshu's company RIKIPRO (connected to Ingram, which handles many of today's Wrestling-related licenses in Japan) has released three plush keychains based on the legend.

The keychain comes in three versions. Raised fist, RIKI PRO T-shirt variant & ring attire versions.

Each keychain features a specific soundbite from Choshu himself. The three clips are catchphrases Choshu has become famous during his post-Wrestling career in conjunction with Choshu's appearances on Tiktok, Twitter and various Japanese variety shows.




My trip down the Riki Choshu rabbit hole continued as I discovered yet another recently-released Riki Choshu plush figure:




No, Riki Choshu isn't ready to go golfing. Presented here is a recent Riki Choshu plush modeled after Choshu's appearance in the 2022 animated comedy show Good Luck, Choshu-kun! (がんばれ！長州くん).

A write-up of the show from animax-co-jp:








Two size variants of the Good Luck, Choshu-kun! plush figure were released.



As one might expect, Choshu's animated cartoon features tons of merchandise. From keychains, tote bags, and even buttons. All of which were released by CSBOY/C.



The company 'CSBOY/C' is a shortened version of 'Choshu Boy'.

I still find it odd thinking of a retired 72 year old Japanese Wrestling legend as a boy again; but I guess that's part of Good luck, Choshu-kun!'s charm.



Riki Choshu isn't the only famous Japanese Wrestler getting in on the cartoon shenanigans. Keiji Mutoh's official store MUTO OFFICE is currently selling t-shirts of Keiji Mutoh and Riki Choshu. Both of whom have appeared as a pairing in Japanese comedy skits alongside the likes of Genichiro Tenryu and Masahiro Chono.




An example of Choshu and Mutoh promoting KFC & Pepsi in Japan:




Who knows what Riki Choshu and Keiji Mutoh will appear in next. The adoration Japanese
Wrestling fans display towards the legends of yesteryear is something else entirely. 

Nostalgic Showa Pro-Wrestling figure collection review

Blog #284 Nostalgic Showa Pro-Wrestling figure collection review.

While browsing for content on the Nendo Pro-Wrestling figure exhibition, I came across two listings on Amazon Japan which caught my attention.



These figures are made of clay ceramic; which was a common trend for collectibles in Japan during the 1980's. In fact, famous Japanese Wrestler Riki Choshu had a collection of them officially made under his Riki Pro banner during the era.

The first figure is the Fighting Spirit Enzuigiri figure. The figure is based off of Antonio Inoki performing his signature Enzuigiri finisher.

With attached stand, I was reminded of the fantastic Antonio Inoki Enzuigiri figure by Charapro. 




At first, I thought this next figure was a poorly sculpted Stan Hansen or Karl Gotch. Alas, it's officially listed as 'Superman Hulk Hogan'. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst Hulk Hogan figure ever created. Even in ceramic form, it takes an extra special level of talent to mess up the Hulkster this badly.

There is no brand behind these figures. They were listed to Amazon in 2022 and are essentially bootleg
figures. You can find the listings by typing:

Hogan:
懐かしの昭和プロレス超人ハルクホーガンフィギュア

Inoki:
懐かしの昭和プロレス鎮魂闘魂延髄斬りフィギュア 

Riki Choshu Voice Mascot set review

 

In Blog #283, Riki Choshu continues to have new merchandise made of him.

This five figure collection loosely translates to the 'Inspirational Words Voice Mascot' (迷言 ボイス マスコット) set.




Each acrylic figure comes with a bonus acrylic quote. Both of which attach to the included RikiPro base.



The quotes are:

Red mascot:        キレてないですよ                  I'm not mad.
Purple mascot:    食ってみな 飛ぶぞぉ              Try it, it'll fly!
Yellow mascot:    それがお前のやり方か?           Is that your way?
Orange mascot:   逆境? それ、チャンスだよ      Adversity? It's an opportunity.
Green mascot:     なにコラ! タココラ!             What's this?! You bloody idiot!

Each base contains a button that activates a short voice sample from Riki Choshu himself:



These mascot figures were issued this year by Peanuts Club. By the looks of their packaging, I'd say they are available as gatchapon-style figures.



Similar capsule toys exist for Internet entrepreneur, TV personality and 4chan administrator Hiroyuki Nishimura.

This particular product advertises that Hiroyuki's voice can be used to annoy friends and co-workers alike (I don't recommend this...).

For the last decade or so, these inexpensive oddities have become a trend in Japanese culture. Just about every major Japanese Wrestling promotion has them. From New Japan, All Japan, Pro-Wrestling NOAH, and even the former WRESTLE-1. And there doesn't seem to be any slowing down for the acrylic craze anytime soon. 

A BATHING APE X All Japan Pro-Wrestling figure review

Blog #282 A BATHING APE x All Japan Pro-Wrestling figure set review: 

Figures from Japan with little-to-no coverage have always been my niche.  Such is the case with the A BATHING APE X AJPW figure set.

The four figure lineup. 


Each figure comes in a plastic drawstring bag that looks better-suited for some oranges at a grocery store. Despite being an officially-licensed product line, nicknames are included for each Wrestler on their respective bags. The figures are:

'KAZ' (Kaz Hayashi)

'Mr. 610' (Keiji Mutoh. The '610' in Japanese numbering translates to 'Mutoh', which has been a nickname of Mutoh's over the years; even naming his restaurant 'Dining 610' after it).

'KOJI' (Satoshi Kojima).

And the most obscure figure of them all 'THE APE MAN' (Apeman - a masked gimmick played by WWE's Jimmy Wang Yang)



The figures themselves are modeled after the minimalist approach of modern designer art figures.
Specifically, figures made by Bearbrick.


 

Bathing Ape, Apeman and the All Japan Pro-Wrestling roster in 2002 when both parties began collaborating.




Additional photos.

Keiji Mutoh owns his Bathing Ape figure; which can be seen at the back end to the right.

Scale-wise, these figures look to stand about 7 to 9 inches tall; when compared standing next to the HAO Collection Mech and Spider Muta figures.



Outside of All Japan Pro-Wrestling, Bathing Ape also joined forces with Kinnikuman years before New Japan could ever strike a licensing deal.

Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figure review

 

Continuing to share obscure Japanese Wrestling collectibles with the world, I present four more sofubi figures:


Blog #281  Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figure review.

Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation is a line of sofubi figures that were released by Japanese toymaker Utsugiyo in 2015.



Each figure stands about 4.5 - 5 inches (which is less than half the size of older Sofubi figures released in Japan). The design of the figures are meant to resemble the traditional Bullmark sofubi figures from the 60's and early 70's.



Design-wise, Utsugiyo states that the Champion Series two-pack features two protagonists: Larry Blackhole and Bear the Ted.



Personally speaking, I think Larry is based on Thunderlips. The hat and handlebar mustache, plus IGWP-inspired belt  seem reminiscent of Hulk's likeness. Additionally, I feel Bear the Ted is a tribute to Tiger Mask and Bruiser Brody (note Ted's furry boot coverings).



The Champion Series two-pack originally sold for 14,000 yen ($117 USD), which also came with a colouring book and poster. The poster's design was meant to replicate the look of classic Puroresu posters from the 1960's (specifically, the JWA).

Just like Thunderlips in Rocky III, Blackhole also features a cape of his own.

Only 27 sets were created, and anyone who didn't pre-order by May 7th had to be entered into a lottery in hopes of bagging the pair.

If you thought $117 for two miniature sofubi's was a tad much, be prepared to feast your eyes on the following:



Utsugiyo released a special variant set that was only available over the weekend.

Unlike the original Champion Series set, this special two-pack included multiple removable accessories. Teddy's vest chains and beard look reminiscent of Bruiser Brody here.

Released in 2018, this special set was sold for a jaw dropping 49,999 yen ($367 USD plus shipping!). Welcome to the expensive world soft vinyl 'designer art toys'.



The only known photo I could find of the packaged Black Friday version. I wonder if the extra accessories are tucked away inside the packaging, or were removed at the last second? We may never know.

At 1 to $400+, would you consider hunting down these designer art Wrestling figures?