Super Star Figure Collection Deluxe Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure review

Continuing the three-part trilogy of Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure coverage, we'll be taking
an in-depth look at one of my favourite Puroresu figures. Blog #148 challenges the
Super Star Figure Collection Deluxe Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure by Toukon Shop.

Released as part of Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure Collection Deluxe in 2003 (the updated
series name to Toukon Shop's Deluxe Figure Collection line), this would Hiroyoshi Tenzan's
third and final, full-sized action figure released to date.

Mecha Tenzan would be the 13th figure added to the Deluxe Line.

If you thought the entrance attires of modern New Japan talent are wild, take a look
at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's spiked, scaled and metallic attire.

                   

A homage to Mecha Godzilla!

Tenzan's boots contain armoured shin guards and kneepads along with a grill design
along Tenzan's tights.

          

The very rare Mecha and standard Mini Big Head variants of Hiroyoshi Tenzan that were
produced between 2003 and 2004.

The Mecha Tenzan action figure was also shrunken down into an extremely rare alternate
figure variant as part of Character Product's Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Head figure
line.

So rare that photographed examples were next to impossible to find for many years!

The studded design continues on the back of the Mecha Tenzan figure. I especially
like the spiked shoulder armour and tattered look of Tenzan's robe portion.








With mecha helmet removed. Tenzan retains his intense grimace as depicted in all of
Tenzan's Toukon Shop action figures.






Tenzan's facial hair and signature haircut are also spot on.







A closeup of the scale texture on the back of Tenzan's attire.

Out of the three action figures released by Toukon Shop, this is hands downs, my favourite
depiction of Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

Other than a few keychains and minfigures, the Mecha variant would be the last action figure
based on Hiroyoshi Tenzan to date. Though, what a figure to go out on.

To Toukon Shop, I tip my hat to you.

Stay tuned for more Puroresu figure coverage.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan Deluxe Figure Collection review

In our last review, we took a look at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's first action figure from the late
1990's.

Keeping the offence going, Blog #147 takes on the Deluxe Figure Collection Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan would receive his second action figure three years after the release of
his inclusion in the Super Star Figure Collection line.

The Deluxe Figure Collection (written with the typo on the packaging as "Figuer") was
Toukon Shop's attempt at producing New Japan Pro Wrestling figures complete with
removable entrance attire accessories.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan would be the sixth figure in Toukon Shop's Deluxe Figure Collection line behind

#1 Great Muta (Dragon),
#2 Power Warrior,
#3 Great Muta (Cyber),
#4 Kendo Kashin
and #5 Satoshi Kojima)

Tenzan comes dressed in his early 2000's purple entrance attire (which cannot be removed, unfortunately). Like Tenzan's last Toukon Shop action figure, Tenzan also comes with his
signature bullhorn helmet.

I wish Tenzan's Bull pendant was removable. But, alas, it is only decoration.

The back of the packaging contains Tenzan's stats and a brief summary of Tenzan's in-ring
exploits up until 2000. The figure itself was released in 2001 nearing the end of Toukon
Shop's run as a NJPW figure maker.

While Toukon Shop were known to produce figures based on Wrestler's entrance attires
in the past (such as Antonio Inoki or Osamu Nishimura's robe variant figures) the Deluxe
Figure Collection line served to recreate some of New Japan's most eye-catching and complex
entrance attires into figure form for the first time ever and in far greater scale.

As the sixth entry in the Deluxe Figure Collection line, Hiroyoshi Tenzan keeps the
tradition going strong.

Next up, we'll be taking a look at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's last action figure.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan Super Star Figure Collection 9 review

Let's storm into our next figure coverage like a raging bull. Or, better yet as New Japan veteran ....Hiroyoshi Tenzan!

Blog #146 takes a look at the Hiroyoshi Tenzan Super Star Figure Collection 9 figure by Toukon Shop.

As the ninth figure in Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure Collection, this figure would also
be the first to feature the likeness of Tenzan into action figure format.

The bottom of the packaging states the Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure was made in 1998
through Toukon Shop.

The back of the packaging contains lists Tenzan's stats and a brief description of
his in-ring accolades going up to 1997.

The stats read:

"Height: 183 cm Weight: 120kg
Special moves: Diving Headbutt
                         Mongolian Chop"


Now, let's take a look at the Tenzan figure when removed from it's packaging:

Tenzan comes with his signature Bull Horn helmet entrance accessory and is decked
out in his familiar animal stripe ring trunks.

A close-up of Tenzan's helmet brings to mind Jushin Thunder Liger.

Before we had the Brahma Bull, we had Hiroyoshi Tenzan and his cool bull decal
on the back of his trunks.

With bullhorn helmet removed. Tenzan looks ready to fight!

Perhaps Tenzan's most noticeable physical trait is his unique, side-shaved mullet with yellow highlights. A look that is still synonymous with Tenzan even to this day.

A close-up of Tenzan's bull decal.

As a big deal in New Japan Pro-Wrestling during the late 1990's, Toukon Shop (and later Character
Product) would go on to create several figures based on Tenzan's likeness.

In our next review we'll be looking at another Tenzan figure from Toukon Shop's DX line.

Pro-Kaku Heroes - Pre-Release set (alternate color variants) review

Rewind: before the launch of the first wave of Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini
Big Head Figures back in 2004, Character Product released a special
four figure and ring set in 2003.

The set which was called the "Strong Style Pro-Wrest "Ring" & New
Japan Pro-Wrest Superstars" contained four of New Japan's most
popular Wrestlers of the era (since Keiji Mutoh and Satoshi Kojima's
departure to rival company All Japan Pro-Wrestling just a few year
prior).

     

 The set was only available at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's official

"Toukon" (Fighting Spirit) Shop for a limited time.

Now that we're all caught up on the original set. It's time for our
next figure review:


Pro-Kaku Heroes - Pre-Release set (alternate color variants)
                       
                   
Before the release of the first four waves of Pro-Kaku Heroes
in 2004, Character Product (in true New Japan figure fashion)
would once again re-release the four figure and ring set as extra
special alternate color variants.

Like the original ring set, the alternate color variants were only
available as New Japan's Toukon Shop exclusives.

For comparison purposes, I'll be placing the regular Vol. 1.5
"repaint" versions alongside each figure.

The rarest of the set is the Jushin Thunder Liger Mini Big Head

which features silver-foil paint for armor and blue stripes along
his ring tights.

Another minor difference is the small silver circle located in the
middle of Liger's top (on the back) which was painted black and
gold in the Vol. 1.5. version.

Toukon Shop would use the same design a few years earlier
for their common and full-sized Jushin Liger figure.

All five collectable variants of this Mini Big Head!

 

                    

The Yuji Nagata Mini Big Head is based on Nagata's early,
pre- "Blue Justice" attire.

                        

The only real difference between the two versions is that
the pre-release set features Nagata with a mustache while
the 1.5. version does not contain facial hair.                               

Justice is served! All four Yuji Nagata variants.

                                 

Next up is Masahiro Chono in his out-of-character gold hair
color.                                          

                                              
The most noticeable difference is the greenish hue used for the
alternate ring set version (most likely due to discoloration from
light exposure over time). Another nod to this design being released
before the debut of Vol. 1.

Thankfully, the same side effect isn't a problem with later gold-
haired figures from Mini Big Heads line.

Synchronized coolness: All four Chono [A] variants.

        

               
Another highlight from the alternate four figure ring set
is the super cool Hiroyoshi Tenzan Mini Big Head.

                                               

This armored look is based on a full-sized, deluxe Hiroyoshi
Tenzan figure released by Toukon Shop.
                                                                        

The alternate ring set version is the only Tenzan Mini Big
Head to be dressed in ring tights with a unique, silver-spider
web design and matching silver knee pads.  
                              

Rush!: All four Hiroyoshi Tenzan variants.

                      
Besides their subtle differences in coloring, the easiest way
to see if you own one of the ring set variants is to look on the
bottom of each figure's base.                                                               

The first ring set features a copyright stamp from 2003.

The second ring set features a copyright stamp from 2004.

Also, Jushin Thunder Liger's copyright stamp on both versions
also includes "Dynamic Planning" (which is the company owned
by the creator of the Jushin Liger character - Go Nagai).


Closing thoughts:
You have to hand it to New Japan Pro-Wretling for being so
involved with the promotion of Character Product's Pro-Kaku
line.

Not only are these alternate color variants extremely rare,
but their subtle differences make them interesting additions
to any New Japan collection; my absolute favorites being the
Silver/Blue Jushin Thunder Liger and the Silver/Black Hiro-
Yoshi Tenzan figures.


More rarities to come!