Jushin Thunder Liger Super Star Figure Collection review

When the terms Jr. Heavyweight or Cruiserweight Champions are brought up between
Pro-Wrestling fans, one of the first names that comes to mind is Jushin Thunder Liger.

Like the original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) that came before him, Jushin Liger was
a tremendous success in Japan. A talented in-ring worker, a gimmick lifted directly from
a popular Japanese anime/manga series and a Wrestler who has become instantly recognizable
by his trademark mask.

It's no surprise then that New Japan  decided to capitalize on Liger's success with a plethora
of merchandise all based on the Hyper Beast God.

Digging through the archive of old product photos, there's no time like the present to gloss over
several different figure variants. For Blog #150, let's take a closer look at a few of the figures
released of Jushin Thunder Liger from the Super Star Figure Collection line.

Jushin Liger's original Red and white figure variant was one of the first figures from Toukon
Shop's Super Star Figure Collection line dating back to the late 1990's.

Pictured above on the left is the Black Liger variant (Super Star Figure Collection 27) which
features a darker attire in which Liger began wearing in the late 1990's. This particular figure
variant was released in 2000.

On the right is the white and silver Liger variant (Super Star Figure Collection 49) which was
produced in 2002.

A side by side comparison of the back of both packages. Notice how the graphics on the back
improved greatly by 2002?

A loose (with slight wear) example of the white and silver Liger variant.

Standard for most Toukon Shop/Character Product figures, each variant contains the
same sculpt.

A close up of Liger's mask and fighting pose. You can almost anticipate a flurry of shotei
strikes are soon to be unleashed!

As if the standard red, black, and silver Liger variants weren't enough, Toukon Shop
also released three special clear versions!

The see-through translucent figures variants were another first for Toukon Shop starting
in 1998. A figure type Character Product and sister company Mogura House would adopt
into future figure lines.

The clear Liger variants are:
Clear Red (Super Star Figure Collection 10 - 1998)
Clear White (Super Star Figure Collection 10 - 1998)
Clear Blue (Super Star Figure Collection 49 - 2002).

Photo credit: starwars.com

The clear blue Liger variant reminds me of the Frito Lays "Ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi"
Mail-away figure exclusive from 1997.

As an added bonus, I'm throwing in one last figure variant for this blog:

Released alongside the Super Star Figure Collection and Deluxe Figure Collection lines
in the late 1990's came Toukon Shop's "Official Bronze Type Figure" line in the process.

The "bronze" look was actually just Toukon Shop painting over certain figures from the
Super Star Figure Collection entirely black.

I would imagine (but don't recommend) stripping the paint off these bronze figures would
be the closest thing to owning a Prototype of each Super Star figure.

Unlike the clear figure variants, the bronze figures obscured intricate details on each
figure; making them harder to appreciate.

Sadly, this Liger bronze figure has lost portions of it's paint along the arms.

The bronze type Liger figure was released in 1999 and contains the same packaging as the
original red and white Jushin Liger (Super Star Figure Collection 10) from 1998.

Stay tuned for more Puroresu figure coverage!

NJPW Coin Banks Review

Welcome back to the largest online archive for Japanese Pro-Wrestling merchandise on the web.
In this blog, you will find thousands of product photos and information associated with the
fascinating world of Puroresu and beyond.

Today, we'll be taking a look at another obscure piece of merchandise from the mid
to late 1990's. Blog #145 is all about the New Japan Pro Wrestling Coin Banks
(Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight versions).

We'll start with the Heavyweight class:

The coin bank features four of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's top stars from the era (from left to
right): Shinya Hashimoto, Masahiro Chono, Kensuke Sasaki and Keiji Mutoh.

The left side of the packaging contains pictures of Kensuke Sasaki and Kendo Kashin.

From the top of the packaging, you can see glimpses of Jushin Thunder Liger and
Shinya Hashimoto.

The right side of the packaging contains great photos of Masahiro Chono, Satoshi Kojima and
Keiji Mutoh.

The concept of the bank itself is based on the four presidents depicted in the famous
American monument Mt. Rushmore.

I believe Toukon Shop were responsible for creating this piece as the four heads look similar
to the individual busts Toukon Shop also released around the same time of these Wrestlers.

The base reads "新日本プロレスリング" (New Japan Pro-Wrestling).

Like many figures from the late 90's and early 2000's, the coin bank was another unfortunate
casualty to a special type of gold paint that discoloured into a green hue from over the years.

Even when removed fresh from it's packaging (which also included plastic shrinkwrap).

The back of the coin bank includes a coin slot and an imprinted NJPW Lion logo.

The majority of the discoloration trickled down to the bottom of the base. Having the
bank shrinkwrapped for 20 something years probably didn't help either.

The coin bank stands no more than 5 inches tall and is very light-weight. I suspect the bank
may be made out of plastic or (more likely with Japanese figures) PVC material.

The second coin bank in the series is the Junior Heavyweight division.



Packaged examples of both weight divisions.

The Wrestlers featured in the Junior Heavyweight version are (from left to right):
Koji Kanemoto, Jushin Thunder Liger, Shinjiro Ohtani and Kendo Kashin.




The green discoloration was a common theme with the golden coin banks. As seen in the
above photo.

Both classes had two variants: silver and gold (four banks in total to collect).

Overall, a unique and interesting addition to the line of New Japan Pro-Wrestling merchandise
that was presented in the 1990's. They make great display pieces and serve a practical function:
save up your coins for more Puroresu figures!

Stay tuned for more Japanese figure reviews coming your way!

HAO Collection Jushin Thunder Liger figure review

In 2007, HAO Arts Office would release two highly anticipated figures
as part of their HAO Collection lineup; the legendary Beast God himself:
Jushin Thunder Liger!

The standard version depicts Liger in his regular red, white and black
attire.

The slipcase backing reveals large graphics of both variants of Liger,
New Japan's "Toukon Shop", the New Japan Pro-Wrestling and
RingSide.jp's logos.

                                

The back of the packaging contains a full bio and an image of
Liger's black and gold alternate attire.

The bright colours along Liger's attire and the contours of Liger's
ring mask are immediate standouts.

A silver-painted finish is featured along the edges of Liger's mask; while
the jewel near the tip of Liger's mask is also painted in emerald green.

I especially like the textured appearance of mesh covering the eye
portions of Liger's mask.

Quite possibly the only HAO figure to feature this addition: Liger's
chest plate contains a noticeable glitter finish.

The smaller jewels and belt along Liger's body also contain a lighter
shade of emerald green.

The unique patterns of Liger's attire continue on the back of the
this soft vinyl figure.

The alternate black and gold variant contains the exact same packaging.

                             

The limited edition, alternate variant Jushin Thunder Liger figure is based
on Liger's alternate persona, the heel-based "Evil Liger".



                                

The silver accents from the standard variant have been repainted gold while
the emerald green crest has been changed to a contrasting silver finish.

                             

The crests along Liger's body also contain a gold finish with a striking
red colouring on the inside.

The same glitter finish is applied to Liger's chest plate.

                          

The intricate lines in Liger's attire are more visible with a new gold
finish.


                                

The only downside to the HAO Collection Jushin Thunder Liger figures
is their lack of articulation. Both variants are only articulated at the arms
and waist.

                            

Thanks to the unique shape of his ring mask, the HAO Collection Jushin
Thunder Liger towers over most Japanese Wrestling figures standing at
over 6 inches in height.

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!