INSPIRE 1/6 Scale 12" Great Muta figure review

In the early 2000's, Japanese toy maker INSPIRE would release a series of large-
scale, super-deluxe figures based on famous Japanese Pro-Wrestlers and shoot
fighters exclusively in Japan.

These figures stood just under 12 inches (30+cm)  in height, included various
accessories, and in many cases, featured removable fabric clothing!



Today, we'll be looking at one of the most famous and sought after figures
from the 12" INSPIRE line; the ideologist of darkness: Great Muta!

Released in 2003, the INSPIRE Great Muta figure features Muta dressed
in his early 2000's All Japan Pro-Wrestling era attire.

                           

This particular Jason X-inspired design was worn by Muta for his match
against Bob Sapp on November 17th, 2002 in Yokohama, Japan.

Notice Muta's poison-mist coloured lips?          

The Japanese Kanji on Muta's mask is textured and raised up in red colouring.

                             

Muta's spider-web, "FANTASY OF MUTA" decals have been faithfully
recreated in great detail. The Katakana on Muta's ring pants (above)
read "GREAT MUTA".


                           

Articulation-wise: the INSPIRE Great Muta figure features articulation at
the head, upper arms, forearms and waist.


Originally, the Great Muta INSPIRE figure was sold and endorsed by
Keiji Mutoh himself through Mutoh's own LEG LOCK company
website. You can check out remnants of the now-defunct LEG LOCK
website HERE

When compared to the 6 inch HAO Collection Great Muta figure.

Incredible scale! When placed next to Mattel and NJPW figures.

Closing thoughts:    

The INSPIRE 1/6 scale Great Muta figure is without question, one of the
largest (if not, THE largest) Great Muta figure ever released to date. It's also
one of the most hardest to find Great Muta figures in general.  

          

Keiji Mutoh INSPIRE Figure Review

When most collectors think of the Japanese toy company INSPIRE,
they think of the company's line of 12 inch 1:16 scale, large-size
figures that were released in the early 2000's.

Alongside the large scale figures, INSPIRE would also release
a lesser known line of super-deformed chibi styled figures that
were officially dubbed the "Dコレ" (DCore - Decore) series.

The Decore figures come boxed in a similar window styled
packaging as their full-sized INSPIRE counterparts.

 The writing on the box translates to:

"All Japan Pro Wrestle                        DCore
                         Mutoh Keiji
INSPIRE           (C) All Japan Pro-Wrestling"
                      

                          
The back of the packaging contains INSPIRE's company address and
product related materials description.

Just above the barcode contains "Mutoh Keiji" written in bold Japanese
Kanji along with the original sale price of 1,575 yen.

Keiji Mutoh stands about 3 inches tall and is sculpted in
his early 2000's "Cross Wizard" era attire and "Pro-
Wrestling LOVE" pose.

Notice the heart design on Mutoh's right kneepad?

Sadly, there are no decals on the back of Mutoh's ring tights.

It's also worth noting that the DCore series does not feature
any articulation.

The bottom of Mutoh's right shoe contains the INSPIRE logo
engraved into the sole.

Like INSPIRE's larger figures, the inner packaging of the DCore
series includes removable cardboard and old-fashioned ribbon
held packaging.


Closing thoughts:INSPIRE would only release a handful of Wrestlers in their
DCore series: Keiji Mutoh, Toshiaki Kawada, Kaz Hayashi
and Satoshi Kojima - all of which were active under the
All Japan Pro-Wrestling banner at the time.

Arguably, not many Wrestling collectors know about the
DCore series. The Keiji Mutoh figure, in particular, is
the rarest of the set and commands higher prices at
auction.

Keiji Mutoh HAO Figure Review

In 2004, Japanese Toy maker HAO partnered with a number of
Wrestlers to create a series of soft-vinyl figures.

Sold exclusively in Japan, the series was called the "HAO Collection"
(HAO コレクション) and featured Wrestlers from Japan's biggest
promotions such as All Japan, New Japan, RINGS, PRIDE and
ZERO1.

In past posts, we have looked at the various Great Muta HAO
Collection variants. Today, we're going to look at the man
behind the Great Muta character: Keiji Mutoh.

                          
The Keiji Mutoh HAO figure is based on Keiji Mutoh's early 2000's
All Japan Pro-Wrestling debut and is the only HAO figure to be
sculpted in a kneeling pose.

In an alternate universe, Character Product's Great Muta DX Darth
Muta variant is the only Character Product action figure to be
sculpted in a kneeling pose.

Keiji Mutoh's infamous "Muta scale"gig scars are recreated in terrifying

detail across Mutoh's forehead.

Mutoh's right knee pad features the "PROM" logo with Keiji Mutoh's
mid 2000's nickname "Sir Promenade". I think Mutoh's creative team
was going for the word "prominence" instead:

prom·i·nence

ˈprämənəns/

noun

noun: prominence

1. the state of being important or famous.

Mutoh's left kneepad includes a decal of a King of Hearts playing

card with the caption "Pro-W. LOVE".

                           

Unfortunately, the kneepad of my version was scuffed up a bit
as the figure leans most of it's weight on it.

The Keiji Mutoh HAO contains articulation in Mutoh's arms, wrists and
neck which can be posed to perform both version's of Mutoh's signature
"Pro-Wrest. LOVE" pose.


The Keiji Mutoh HAO contains articulation in Mutoh's arms, wrists and
neck.

                                                             HAO's Muta Scale.

HAO would also release a limited edition (and highly sought-after)
Keiji Mutoh "Genius"statue in the late 2000s. The statue uses a
similar head sculpt as the standard HAO figure.



Closing thoughts:
Over the years, there have been many Keiji Mutoh figures released
in a variety of different formats and styles. From Toukon Shop's
New Japan action figures to Playset Product's Mutoh Bear brand
as well as the much coveted INSPIRE 1:16 scale figures.

The HAO Collection Keiji Mutoh figure has to be my favorite
interpretation of Mutoh. From Mutoh's extremely accurate
face sculpt to the designs along Mutoh's ring tights and his
wickedly cool body sculpt, this figure is pretty hard to top.

For fans of Puroresu or Keiji Mutoh in general, the HAO
Collection variant is a must buy. Especially if you can
find the figure for sale under $100.

HAO Great Muta (Spider Ver.) Figure Review

Following the success of their first wave of Pro-Wrestling figures,
Japanese toymaker HAO would release a second wave of figures
in 2006.

The theme for this set of figures was based around the biggest stars
of All Japan Pro-Wrestling during the mid 2000's.

Continuing from my previous blog post that featured the classic, red
facepaint Great Muta HAO figure, today we'll be looking at the two
"Spider" variant Great Muta figures:

This time around, HAO discarded their classy tile design in exchange
for large, full-colour imagery on the front of each figure's packaging.

If you look closely, you can see two small Great Muta icons  (classic
red and Spider design)next to the large image of Great Muta towards
the top of the packaging.


                 

The alternate black and silver Spider Muta figure comes with a special,
gold, foil sticker on the front of the package indicating that the figure
was an online exclusive that was only available at the (now defunct)
battleroyal.jp website back in 2006.

Since the second wave of HAO figures featured All Japan Wrestlers,
this would be the first Great Muta figure exclusive not sold at New
Japan's Toukon Shop.

Other than the battleroyal.jp sticker on the front of the Silver variant's
clamshell, both Spider Muta figures have the same packaging; complete
with a collage of Great Muta images as well as a small bio and list of
Muta's Pro-Wrestling accolades.

I also find Spider Muta's entrance hood (with blood dripping down the
design's lips) extra creepy.

These particular designs were based on The Great Muta's debut for
All Japan Pro-Wrestling back in 2002 and 2003 where Keiji Mutoh
 resurrected the Muta character after leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Following Character Product's Great Muta figures, the HAO Spider
versions are posed in an intimidating pre-Poison Mist sculpt and
feature an amazing amount of detail.

The red Spider version has a special splatter design along Muta's pants
with the text "MUTA" scrawled across the front while the alternate Spider
version has red and silver spider web decals with the text "FANTASY OF
MUTA".

The Spider designs are also the first of many bizarre ring masks Keiji
Mutoh would wear as The Great Muta after he shaved his hair.

The Japanese Kanji "Fire" (火) is written twice on the left side of both
version's mask.

The silver Spider version also has a red tongue and mist stains over
Muta's beard when compared.

Even Muta's famous arm scar is recreated.

The regular red Spider version contains black and red wristbands with
Japanese Kanji scrawled across them. The alternate silver version
contains black wristbands with "MUTA" written in red.

Pictured with Character Product's Spider Muta figure.

"Poison Mist" about to drop some insane Puroresu rhymes.

The Spider Great Muta figures have articulation in their waists,
wrists, neck and arms.           



Closing thoughts:When it comes to highly detailed Puroresu toys, it's hard to top HAO's
assortment of 6" soft vinyl, sofubi-styled figures. Their level of detail,
size and variety of Wrestler likenesses is worth checking out.

Next to Takara's 12" Keiji Mutoh and INSPIRE's fully articulated Keiji
Mutoh/Great Muta figures, the HAO versions are some of largest
Puroresu figures available (at a more attractive cost, too)

HAO Great Muta (Facepaint Ver.) figure review

Starting in 2003, Japanese toy maker HAO ARTS OFFICE (named

after founder & sculptor Kenichi Hao) started to release a series of
5 to 7"inch soft-vinyl figures.

The HAO collection would feature recognizable faces from NJPW,
AJPW, PRIDE, UFC, NOAH, ZERO1 Baseball and even the world
of Sumo!

Today, we'll be looking at one of the most sought after figures from
first few waves of the HAO collection in the form of HAO's Great
Muta (Facepaint Ver.) soft vinyl figure:
                              

Notice the NJPW Lion Mark logo in the top left corner?

With collectors in mind, all HAO figures come in a special clamshell
packaging that can be slid off like a picture frame without damaging
the cardboard backing of the package. This is great for collector's who
'd like to display their HAO figures freely and then store them away
in their original packaging when not on display.

The front and backside of the cardboard packaging for the Great Muta
HAO figure has a very sophisticated stone tile design. The packaging
also contains a small bit of writing in English.

The writing on both sides of the packaging reads:

"HAO COLLECTION #SP-002 グレート・ムタ [GREAT MUTA]
                  FIGHTERS FIGURE LIMITED MODEL
This figure is the selected superstar from world sports entertainment.
Learn the spirit behind a figure shows you a new perspective on your
passion for the fight."

The first Great Muta design featured in this series is based on The
Great Muta's classic facepaint design from his early NWA/WCW
and New Japan Pro-Wrestling days.

                               

Following Japan's long-standing tradition of molding their figures
in statue-like poses, the HAO Great Muta figure is sculpted to
resemble Great Muta's pre-match thumb across throat taunt.

                               

With articulation in Muta's wrists, waist and arms, it is also possible
to rotate Muta's right hand into a thumb down taunt pose!

From the 3-dimensional Japanese Kanji written on Muta's facepaint
"Shinobi" (忍 right side) and "fire" ( 火 on left side) to Muta's classic
wristbands with Ninja Deathstar decals and green lips ready to spray
poison mist,  the level of detail in this Great Muta HAO figure is
amazing!

While my Kanji is a little rusty, I believe the Kanji pictured above
on Muta's pants roughly translates to "Great Muta".

Each of the "SP" (special edition) HAO figures comes with a mini
booklet providing a short bio of each Wrestler along with a serial
number. The Great Muta Facepaint edition was numbered to 3,500
total figures; all being individually numbered within each booklet.

The inside of the book mentions many of The Great Muta's highlights
such as defeating Sting for the NWA World Television Title on September
3rd, 1989, Muta's IWGP championship victory against Riki Choshu on
August 16th, 1992, winning the NWA World Heavyweight title against
Masahiro Chono on January 4th, 1993, winning the IWGP Tag Team titles
with Chono on October 19th, 1997 (as members of NWO Japan), Muta's
iconic fight against The Great Nita (Atsushi Onita) on August 28th, 1999.
Competing in WCW once again in 2000 and an IWGP match against rival
Power Warrior (Kensuke Sasaki).
                           

HAO Muta Scale - various Great Muta and Keiji Mutoh HAO figures.

Overall, the Great Muta classic facepaint figure is a sight to
behold. HAO did an excellent job capturing Muta's likeness
for his first HAO figure and the detail of this variant is easily
noticeable.

As the HAO series would progress, HAO would increase the
scale of each Keiji Mutoh/Great Muta figure in the years to
follow.