Character Product Bruiser Brody DX figures review

As we've discussed in the past, when it comes to Japanese Wrestling figures, some of the
most sought-after pieces come from Character Product's early 2000's legends line. A time
when Gaijin Wrestler figures were still fairly uncommon on the Japanese Pro-Wrestling
scene - let alone an entire line dedicated to the greatest stars from the last 70 years.

Today, we'll be taking a look at two figures that tops the sought-after list for many collectors.
Blog #174 goes out swinging with Character Product's Bruiser Brody DX figures review.

Released in 2004 as part of Character Product's legends line, these are the world's first
action figures of the legend. The WWE Classic Superstars Bruiser Brody figure wouldn't
be released until 2005.

This particular Brody variant features Brody with his hair down. Brody's facial sculpt depicts
Brody shouting his signature "HUSS! HUSS! HUSS!" battle cry after just entering the ring.

Lastly, this variant features Brody swinging a chain with his right arm - a recreation of Brody's
wild ring entrances in All Japan Pro-Wrestling where fans literally ran for cover as Brody made
his way to the ring.

As a deluxe figure, the Bruiser Brody shout variant includes the following accessories:

1) Removable entrance vest.
1) Bonus right arm (without chain).
1) Acrylic display base with special cross chains decal.
1) Acrylic wrestler name plate that reads "BRUISER BRODY"

The back of the packaging contains a great photo of Bruiser holding the NWA International
Heavyweight Championship. The same belt held by Rikidozan and Lou Thesz that would
go on to become one of the three Triple Crown Championships.

Beyond Brody's stats and bio, the bottom of the packaging states that Bruiser's widow
Barbara Goodish licensed this figure.

Interestingly, Barbara has gone on record claiming she has never been paid for the Bruiser
Brody figures made by Character Product. Other legends like Dory Funk Jr., Mil Mascaras
and Scott Norton had no idea their Charapro legends figures were even created until fans
brought them in to get signed years after the fact.



The second variant is known as the "real chain" variant. This version of Bruiser Brody
contains a closed-mouth, tied back hair design, bonus arm accessory and....



a real, die-cast metal chain!



In terms of Brody's fearsome entrance, the real chain version depicts Brody pacing his
way to the ring.


Closing thoughts:

Bruiser Brody's passing is one of the great tragedies in all of Pro-Wrestling. Brody was a true
legend of the sport, a pioneer of the hardcore style and a physically intimidating competitor that
struck fear into the hearts of audiences wherever he went.

As such, Bruiser's Character Product figures continue to sell for top dollar wherever they
are listed. One big reason being that the Charapro Brody legend figures were the first action
figures made of the legend - 16 years after Brody's murder in Puerto Rico.

No figure since has captured the insanity and fervour of Brody's pre-match entrance as much
as Character Product's renditions here. Neither has a Brody figure been packaged with so many
accessories making their incredibly high prices a little more understandable.

Character Product Stan Hansen DX figure (entrance attire ver.) review

The next figure spotlight is yet another very rare and highly sought-after addition from
Character Product's famous "legends" line. For Blog #65, we'll be taking a look at the
Stan Hansen DX figure (entrance attire ver.).

Released in 2003, the DX Stan Hansen legends figure is modelled after Stan's classic

cowboy entrance attire.

As every figure from Character Product's legends line had two different variants, the beige,
yellow and brown coloured attire would be the alternate figure variant for Stan Hansen DX
figure.

The Stan Hansen DX figure comes sculpted in Stan's signature
"Texas Longhorns" taunt with entrance vest floating in the
wind.

Brown and silver decals are painted on the sides of Hansen's vest
with brown fringe lining the outline.

The brown fringe and vest designs continue down to Hansen's chaps
which feature a brown skull at the bottom and a series of belts
hanging from the sides.

Even Stan's cowboy hat contains plenty of decal with a brown
and beige pattern circling the base.

The included cowboy hat accessory can be removed; uncovering
Hansen's matted down hair.

Stan's second accessory (the bullrope) is also removable.

The amount of detail that went into the Stan Hansen DX figure
is truly staggering. Easily one of the best representations of
Hansen ever created.

                     

Character Product would also release both legends variants as part
of the company's Mini Big Heads line in both Vol. 1. and Vol. 1.5.
in 2004.

1986 The Pro Wrestler Keshi figure review

In 1986, Bandai added a new wave of Pro-Wrestling Keshi figure erasers
to their popular "The Pro-Wrestler" (ザ。プロレスラ) series.



The left side of this booklet displays the 10 figures available in the set
(which are shown painted - a popular hobby for both kids and adult
collectors in Japan). The five gaijin Wrestlers appear as silhouettes
in the background.

The right side of the booklet contains a matchup between legendary
shoot fighter Akira Maeda and Yokozuna turned Wrestler Hiroshi
Wajima.

The 10 figures in this lineup are:

"The Immortal" Hulk Hogan! The Kanji written on the right side of
Hogan's trunks says "一番" ("Ichiban" which means "Number One"
in Japanese).

There's no doubt in my mind that Bandai used the POPY 1981 Hulk
Hogan figure mold to create this Keshi.

                                       

The Ichiban emblem is a reference to Hogan's pre-Hulkamania years
as a star in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair with classic "RF" initials on his trunks.
Perhaps the only (or very, very few) Ric Flair figure from Japan.


                              
Whether you call them the Legion of Doom or The Road Warriors:
Road Warrior Hawk

...and tag partner Road Warrior Animal.

If you loo closely, you'll see the intricate lines used to create Animal's
facepaint.

As to my knowledge, these are the only known Keshi of the Road
Warriors.

                               

My absolute favorite Keshi from The Wrestler series is "King Kong"
Bruiser Brody.

From Brody's stern facial expression to his gnarly gig mark scars,
this is easily the most realistic (sorry, Character Product) likeness

of Brody ever created.

It's just a shame Brody's tag partner Stan Hansen is nowhere to
be found.

Let's take a look at the five Japanese Wrestlers:

All Japan legend: Jumbo Tsuruta (sorry for the cropping).

Jumbo also comes sculpted with his signature elbow pad.

New Japan legend: "The Dragon" Tatsumi Fujinami!

                             
Another figure first: fellow NJPW legend: the innovator of the Sasori-
Gatame (Sharp Shooter to Western audiences) ...Riki Choshu!




                           

One of the most sought after figures from the Japanese Wrestlers
portion of this set, the first ever figure of UWF legend and Fighting
Network RINGS founder: Akira Maeda.


                            

The last figure of the set is Yokozuna turned Pro-Wrestler: Hiroshi
Wajima.

Sadly, Wajima had just passed away on October 10th, 2018; making
this Keshi Wajima's first and only figure ever created.

Scale-wise: The Pro-Wrestler series are also in scale with Bandai's
popular M.U.S.C.L.E./Kinnikuman Keshi; standing about 1.5.".

Closing thoughts:By 1987, Bandai had finished releasing the original series of Kinniku
-man/M.U.S.C.L.E. figures in Japan. 1987 would also mark the end of
officially licensed Pro-Wrestling Keshi in Japan as the popularity for
Keshi in general was becoming increasingly unpopular.

Bandai would attempt to resurrect the Kinnikuman series four years later
in 1991, but the "Keshi revival" wouldn't take off again until 1998 (and in
the early 2000's from outside of Japan).

Bandai's 1986 wave of "The Pro-Wrestler" figures are, in my opinion, the
most detailed, officially licensed Pro-Wrestling keshi ever released by the
company (they were also the largest Keshi based on real-life Pro-Wrestlers
at the time).

With an appealing lineup of top Japanese and American talent (not to
mention, many likenesses being made into figures for the very first time)
and due to the fact that this 10 figure set came out at the end of the 1980's
Keshi craze in limited numbers, it's easy to see why these figures are also
some of the rarest and most expensive to find.

A single figure from the set in good condition can fetch upwards of $70.
A complete 10 figure set with original booklets and packaging can be
worth just as much as an unreleased M.U.S.C.L.E. rarity (hundreds
and hundreds of dollars)!

More figure reviews coming soon!

Pro-Kaku Heroes - Vol. 7. review

The Vol. 7. 15 figure Hobby Box

                           

August 8th, 2006 saw the release of Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Heads Vol. 7.

Based on the success of Vol. 5's "Legend Fighter" theme from 2005, Vol. 7.
was officially  marketed as "Legend Fighter Part II" which, once again,
featured some of the biggest Pro-Wrestling stars of the golden age of
Japanese Puroresu from the 1970's to early 1990's.

                                         The Vol. 7. individual blind box packaging.

Like other recent Volumes, Vol. 7. consisted of 18 regular figures
to collect plus, for the first time ever, 3 "secret" figures.

The Vol. 7. lineup is:

                            

Japanese Lucha Pioneer Gran Hamada, Seiji Sakaguchi [B] (ring attire)
and Kengo Kimura.

This would be Seiji Sakaguchi's second Mini Big Head since Vol. 1.
from 2004 and was inspired by Sakaguchi's successful tag team
partnership with Antonio Inoki back in the 1970's.

                         
Famous NJPW Dojo trainer Kotetsu Yamamoto (with Kendo training stick),
Jumbo Tsuruta [B] (in ring attire with "Jumping High Knee" pose) and
Genichiro Tenryu [B] (in ring attire with "Knife Edge Chop" pose).

This would be Tsuruta and Tenryu's second figures since Vol. 5.'s Legend
Fighter 1 back in 2005.

The inclusion of Tenryu and Tsuruta are based off of their lengthy
feud in All Japan Pro-Wrestling into the early 1990's.

Next up is the Original Sheik Ed Farhat (complete with dagger and
entrance attire), Umanosuke Ueda (with Kendo Stick) and Japanese
masked man The Cobra (George Takano).

                             
Ueda features a gold foil paint design for his slicked back hair while
the varied colors and pattern of The Cobra's ring mask are quite eye
catching.


Collectors should note that these are the only figures made of these
legends by Character Product.

The next pairing of Mini Big Heads were inspired by an early New Japan

Pro-Wrestling feud between the original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) and
Kuniaki Kobayashi (left).

During the build up to the duo's feud, Kobayashi started referring to
himself as the "Tiger Hunter" with an intent to defeat Tiger Mask at
any cost.

Then, on November 4th, 1982, during a taped New Japan event,
Kobayashi (much to the shock of the audience) attempted to rip
Tiger's ring mask off mid-fight!

This heel tactic led to Tiger Mask becoming infuriated as he began
to lash out violently against Kobayashi; turning the match into a
ringside brawl as NJPW staff pooled into the ring to stop the match.

Vol. 7. pays homage to this New Japan classic with the Tiger Mask [E]

and Kuniaki Kobayashi Mini Big Heads, the later of which features a
piece of Tiger's Mask clutched in his hand!

There is no shortage of legendary Gaijin talent in Vol. 7. with "The

Texas Bronco" Terry Funk,  charismatic champion Nick Bockwinkle
and "Captain Redneck" himself: Dick Murdoch!

The Terry Funk Mini Big Head (which used the same mold as his full

-sized Character Product Legends figure) is based on Terry's pre-
hardcore look as a popular babyface.

Nick Bockwinkle's Mini Big Head (another legend that never received a
full-sized Charapro figure) is one of the few Mini Big Heads to feature
a mini Championship belt - in this case, the classic AWA Heavyweight
belt.

Like the Umanosuke Ueda Mini Big Head, Nick Bockwinkle features

shiny, gold-foil paint design as his hair color that helps Nick's Mini Big
Head stand out quite easily.

Easily the two most popular inclusions in Vol. 7. are the legendary

tag team of Bruiser Brody [B] and Stan Hansen [B]. 

This time around, Bruiser Brody is featured in his ring attire with

his wild, curly hair untied and sculpted in an exclusive pose based
on Brody's patented "King Kong Knee Drop" move.

Stan Hansen's Mini Big Head (also featured in ring attire) includes
Hansen's iconic "The Western Lariat" finisher.

Again, both the Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen Mini Big Heads are
based on two, full-sized figures released by Character Product as part
of their famous legends line.

                       

Continuing Vol. 7's inclusion of throwback designs, next up is Keiji
Mutoh [C] and Masahiro Chono [C].


                     

Both designs are based on the duo's late 1980's, very early 1990's
attires.Specifically, before Masahiro Chono reinvented himself as
a heel character and Keiji Mutoh as his pre-NWO Japan/Natural
Born Master looks.

Masahiro Chono's Mini Big Head includes Chono's famous "Kenka

Kick" attack and is the only Chono Mini Big Head to release Chono
without his iconic sunglasses.

When paired with Vol. 4.'s Shinya Hashimoto [A] the Pro-Kaku
Heroes line once again recreates the famous Toukon Sanjushi trio
for the second and last time.

The Superkick pose was a very popular sculpt!

For the first time ever, Vol. 7. breaks the unspoken rule of the Pro-
Kaku Heroes line by including three "secret" (two more than usual)
figures:

Based on the original (not to be confused with the WWF's short-lived

American adaptation) Japanese "The Machines" stable:

Super Strong Machine (Junji Hirata)  --- Silver

Strong Machine #3 (Yasu Fuji)   --- Black
& Strong Machine #2 --- Red  (Yang Seung-hi - also known as Riki Bassan)

                      

Old school Wrestling fans  may also recognize the trio from their
unofficial inclusion in the very early Wrasslin' title: Tag Team Pro-
Wrestling as part of the "Ricky Fighters". 

Random trivia: to avoid lawsuits, the in-game heel duo of El Canek
and Road Warrior Animal are known as the"Strongbads", an obvious
reference to the Strong Machines.

And let's not forget the final boss of World Championship Wrestling
"WCW Master" ( a nod to Andre The Giant's portrayal of "Giant
Machine")!

All three secret variants contain their own minor differences. Super
Strong Machine is the only variant that includes a Leotard, Strong
Machine #3 stands out wearing ring tights and different layers of black
coloring in his ring mask while Strong Machine #2 is the only variant in
a red singlet with gold accents on the mouth portion of his ring mask.

The Strong Machines would be the first secret Mini Big Head figures
NOT to be sculpted in suits, dress attire or based on promotion
Presidents.

Closing thoughts:
From a collection standpoint, Vol. 7. picks up exactly where the
previous wave of Legend Fighters left off. With more familiar
faces and a total of three secret figures to find, Vol. 7. delivers
with a high level of collectability.

It's worth noting that many of the legends featured in Vol. 7.
were never made into full-sized action figures by Character
Product!

If Character Product ever decides to officially resurrect the blind
box minifigure portion of their Pro-Kaku Heroes series, my
personal wishlist for a "Legend Fighter Part III" would be:

Tune in next time for a very special collection of repaint exclusives!