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)