16d Jushin Thunder Liger figure review

In the realm of Japanese Wrestling figures, there are few Wrestlers who can match the popularity
and merchandising appeal of Jushin Thunder Liger.

The Beast God returns once again for Blog #217 which covers the 16d Jushin Thunder Liger
figure.

Announced on September 6th 2019 (for pre-order) and officially released on December
of the same year, Jushin Thunder Liger is the 9th figure in the 16d collection.

Today, we'll be looking at the standard colour variant.

The right side of the packaging reads:

"Jushin Thunder Liger

Profile
...................................................................................................................................
Date of Birth: April 24th, 1989 (the birth of the Liger character in Wrestling form)
Birthplace: Go Nagai's house (the creator of the Manga/Anime Jushin Liger character)
Debut: April 24th, 1989
Signature Moves: Vertical Drop Brainbuster, Liger Bomb, Palm Bottom"

The very bottom of the box also contains the text

"(C) Go Nagai / Dynamic Planning". Dynamic Planning being the company Go Nagai
operates in association with the Jushin Liger namesake.



           

The opposite side of the packaging displays high quality photos of Liger.

The back of the box has one close-up shot of the Beast God.


                        
The only difference in packaging between the two Liger variants is the coloured sticker at
the top of the box. In this case, the standard colour contains a gold sticker.


             

The second variant (referred to as the "limited edition color") contains a blue sticker at the
top of the packaging.

The bottom of the box contains Dynamic Planning, 16d's parent company and mention
of the Liger figure being made of soft vinyl (PVC).

Ever the character, the soft vinyl Jushin Thunder Liger figure is sculpted in a flexing pose.

Jushin Thunder Liger was sculpted by renown figure maker HAO. This would be the third
figure sculpted by HAO (the last being released in two variants back in the mid 2000's as
part of the HAO Collection).

The detailing with Liger's mask is well painted and accurate.

            

Even the grainy glitter-like effect is present in Liger's chest plate.

Liger stands 13.5cm in height (5.3 inches).

The intricacies of Liger's instantly-recognizable ring attire continues onto the back of
the Liger figure.

Go Nagai and Dynamic Planning are once again referenced on the bottom of the 16d
Liger figure.

In terms of movable pieces, Jushin Liger contains articulation at the shoulders and waist.


Closing thoughts:

Jushin Thunder Liger combines the colourful attire of a modern day superhero with the
allure of a Wrestling legend. A figure, in my humble estimation, that could even appeal to
toy collectors who aren't fans of Pro-Wrestling or Go Nagai's work.


              


While smaller in scale compared to HAO Collection's Jushin Liger figure from about 14
years ago (which are taller at 6 inches in height for comparison's sake), the detail for the
16d figure equivalents I personally feel are superior.

Collectors should keep an eye out for the limited edition 16d Liger variant which features
blue highlights on Liger's mask and ring attire. Though, as a scarce piece, the limited edition
usually sells for double the price of the standard variant from what I seen in the past.

Less than a month later, Jushin Liger would retire from being an active Pro-Wrestler on
January 5th, 2020; ultimately following Genichiro Tenryu, Riki Choshu and Abdullah
The Butcher in regards to figures made by 16d around the time of each legend's
retirement.

Strong Style Mascot Sets

Many collectors have lambasted the small scale of Character Product's Mini Big Heads
line. The 2 inch minifigures on a fixed base with head sculpts lifted directly from
Toukon Shop/Charapro's action figures.
 
Blog #158 focuses on minifigure bundles with an even smaller scale. Today, we'll be
looking at Toukon Shop's NJPW Strong Style Mascot Sets.


                            


Starting in 2000, Toukon Shop would begin releasing several sets of minifigures
with stationary items such as pencils, clips and key straps. The sets were officially
called "STRONG STYLE マスコットセット" (Strong Style Mascot Set).

The above set featured Masahiro Chono, Kendo Kashin, Jushin Thunder Liger
and Great Muta.



I always found Great Muta's depiction here to be a bit outdated; seeing as Keiji
Mutoh had already shaved his head one year prior to the start of the Mascot Sets
and had temporarily abandoned the Muta gimmick during this time (only to
resurrect the character again a year later when Mutoh jumped to AJPW in 2002).

The Liger from the set with his thumb down. Pretty "evil" if I might add!



The back of the packaging with instructions on how to attach the minifigures.

Dubbed the "STRONG STYLE Mascot Set 2", this set features Yuji Nagata,
Keiji Mutoh, Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Riki Choshu.

Also included are a black NJPW strap and a miniature NJPW ring!

The miniature ring looks like an early version of the NJPW ring featured in the
Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Head figures Strong Style sets.



One of Keiji Mutoh's earliest post-head shave figure depictions.



The back of the packaging shows great portraits of all four Wrestlers.

The next Mascot set features (clockwise) Masahiro Chono, Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi
Tenzan and Manabu Nakanishi.

A miniature NJPW ring and strap are also included.

                            

Again, a miniature ring playset is bundled with the mascot set.

                          



This particular set was released in 2002.

Closing thoughts:

Mascot figures have been a staple of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's wheelhouse since
the early 1990's. Pencil toppers, keychains, clothing, posters, and even replica
ring wear and masks.

It's worth noting that the Strong Style Mascot series contains some of the very last
figures to feature of Keiji Mutoh/Great Muta before Mutoh jumped to rival promotion
All Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2002. The Mascot Series are also some of the smallest
minifigures ever produced for Toukon Shop/Character Product as each figure stands
no bigger than 1 inch in height.

In 2003, Toukon Shop/Character Product would re-imagine their approach to
minifigures with the popular Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Head figures line. A
line, just like the Mascot series, would come bundled with a Mini NJPW-themed
ring playset to jumpstart the series.

Who wouldn't want to take Great Muta or Jushin Thunder Liger with them wherever
they go? How about rocking out in the office with the most stylish pen imaginable
that is topped off with a Masahiro Chono figure strap?

With the Strong Style Mascot sets, these dreams can become a reality.

Stay tuned for more figure reviews!

Super Star Figure Collection Deluxe Jushin Thunder Liger figure review

This next review will be focusing on another spectacular figure from the world of Puroresu.
A masked legend that has shown up many times in this blog already, without further adieu,
Blog #157 is all about Toukon Shop's Deluxe Jushin Liger figure.

Released in 2002, Jushin Thunder Liger is the ninth figure in Toukon Shop's Deluxe
Figure line.

After four years of using the same figure sculpt, seeing a brand new Liger action
figure created from scratch is a welcomed change.

While the sculpt is phenomenal, I feel the paint job here is a bit sloppy around
Liger's mask.The intricacies and complex features of Liger's mask are marred
by a paint job that bleeds into other areas.

Scuff marks aside, Jushin Liger's deluxe accessory is his chest armour and cape.

The cape and chest armour are split into two separate accessories which connect together
once attached to the Liger figure.

Maybe it was just the example that I had or the effects of almost 20 years of ware, but
I encountered considerable difficulty trying to keep Liger's cape accessory attached
connected (similar instance to some Ultimo Dragon Charapro figures).

The deluxe Liger figure comes with a new sculpt intended to replicate Liger's entrance.

Around the same time, Character Product would release a special two pack featuring the
deluxe Liger in two separate variants (regular and repainted into his Black Liger persona).

While the two-packs do contain a humorous Ebessan dressed as Liger, Liger comes bundled
without his entrance cape accessory.

In terms of production, the Deluxe Liger would be the last single-packed action figure
released of the Hyper Beast God before Toukon Shop/Character Product's closure.

All-in-all, a decent Liger figure that makes a cool display piece. If you do plan to purchase
this figure in the wild, I advise making sure the figure comes with both portions of it's cape
(and is hopefully not superglued together).