Rickson Gracie Character Product Figure review

Our next figure for sale from the Japanese Character Product line

is of mixed martial arts legend and 9th degree Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

black belt: Rickson Gracie!

                       

Released in 2000, the first version of the Japanese Rickson Gracie
figure's packaging contains the "コロシアム 2000" (COLOSS
-EUM 2000) logo.

Colosseum 2000 was a martial arts event held at the Tokyo,
Dome on May 26th, 2000 which saw Rickson Gracie take on
PANCRASE legend Masakatsu Funaki.


                                 

The back of the Colosseum version's packaging contains Rickson's
stats and a brief bio leading up to his match against Funaki.

Rickson's stats reads:

"From: BRAZIL
D.O.B.: 1959.11.21. (November 21st,1959)
Height: 178cm (5ft. 9in.)
Weight: 84kg (185 lbs)"As an early Character Product figure, the packaging of the
Rickson Gracie figure features Character Product's original
logo.

                         

A limited-edition, two-figure set was also released to commemorate
the Colosseum 2000 match-up. What makes this set extra special
is the exclusive Masakatsu Funaki figure with silver trunks.


                            

In an attempt not to seem outdated after the conclusion of
Colosseum 2000, Character Product decided to repackage
their Rickson Gracie figure.

This time around, the packaging contains the words "Bushido
Spirit" in English and simply "武士道" (Bushido) in Japanese.

The Bushido reference goes back to Rickson's infamous dojo
fight against UWFI star Yoji Anjo (who boasted that he was
"200% sure" he could defeat Rickson).

            

After a quick (and brutal) beat-down, Rickson emerged the
victor while Anjo laid in a bloody mess; leading the latter
to present Rickson with a Samurai helmet as a gift for the
fight.

As news broke out of Anjo's defeat in Japan, Rickson's
next major challenge came in the form of Masakatsu Funaki
who (seeking to avenge Anjo's loss) wore a Samurai kimono
and carried a Katana to the ring for their Colosseum 2000 fight.

                                          

The back of the re-released Bushido Spirits version is a massive
improvement with two images, a black backdrop and Character
Product's modern logo.


                                

Character Product would also release an alternate variant of
the Rickson Gracie Bushido Spirit figure that features exclusive
white kneepads.

Let's take a closer look at a loose example:

                                  

Rickson comes dressed in white trunks, kneepads, and foot &
wrist tape with black MMA gloves.

A decal of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu logo is printed on the right side
of  Rickson's trunks.


                               

Rickson would be the only member of the Gracie family to
receive his own Japanese figure to date. The Colosseum 2000
Character Product figure would also be the very first figure made
of the legend in any country.

When it comes to rarity, the variants packaged with the "Colosseum
2000" logo are considered the most collectible since Character
Product discontinued (and repackaged) them after Rickson's
Colosseum fight against Funaki.

K-1 Ernesto Hoost DX figure review

Today we'll be looking at another DX figure from Japan. Multi-time K-1
Grand Prix champion, widely considered the greatest K-1 fighter of
all time: Ernesto "Mr. Perfect" Hoost!

                          

Released by Character Product in 2003, this deluxe figure set pays
tribute to Ernesto's K-1 World Grand Prix 2002 Final championship
victory over Jerome LaBanner.

The Ernesto Hoost deluxe figure is the only figure from Character
Product's K-1 line (a 3 figure set with 2 variants each) to include a
golden, K-1 Grand Prix Laurel accessory.

The writing on the top left corner reads:

"K-1 FIGHTER
FIGUER

*RECORDS
107 Fights 90 Wins 16 Loses
1 Draw 60 KOs
Wrestling 1 Fight 1 Win"

A pair of red boxing gloves and a special K-1 acrylic display base
(with attachable foot holders and namplate which reads ERNESTO
HOOST) are also added as accessories.

Released in two similar variants, this dx figure features Ernesto's
blue, black and white trunks with warrior graphic.

The cardboard backing also contains the bold lettering "FOUR
TIMES CHAMPION".

The bottom of the packaging includes the official Character Product
logo on the right as well a sticker with the official "K-1 Corporation
" logo on the left.

The K-1 sticker also includes the product number "020" which is
displayed on all three figures from the set.

The back of the packaging contains Ernesto's stats, title victories
and a brief bio in Japanese. Ernesto's stats read:

"From: HOLLAND
Born: 1965.7.11. (July 11th, 1965)
Height: 189cm (6ft 2in)
Weight: 108kg (238 lbs)
Theme song: GRON TAPU
                      DOUBLE KAWINA

Titles
* K-2 GRAND PRIX '93
* I.K.B.F. Light Heavyweight Champion
* I.S.K.A. Light Heavyweight Champion
* K-1 GRAND PRIX '97 99 Champion
* K-1 WORLD GP 2000 runner up in Nagoya
* K-1 WORLD GP 2000 Champion
* K-1 WORLD GP 2001 in Melbourne
* K-1 WORLD GP 2002 Champion

"The included Japanese bio elaborates on Ernesto's title victories
and mentions the accuracy of Ernesto's nickname "Mr. PERFECT".                                    

As an added bonus, I'll be including the Ernesto Hoost key strap in this review.E!


                                         

The 1 inch figure strap was also released in 2003 by Japanese
company MDK (who are best known for creating the K-1
Polystone statues).

The strap once again celebrates Ernesto's 2002 K-1 Grand
Prix victory and contains a gold strap with a graphic of
Ernesto's name in black lettering.

                                         


                            

Character Product would also shrink down both DX variants
and add them to the company's 2nd volume of Mini Big Heads:
Volume 2 - K-1 Fighters.




More Japanese figure reviews to come!

Bob Sapp HAO Collection figure review

Continuing our coverage of the popular HAO Collection line, our next feature figure
is of the beast himself: Bob Sapp!

Even Sapp's packaging is intimidating!

Right from the get go, the packaging of the Bob Sapp HAO figure immediately
jumps out at you with large, intimidating graphics of Sapp shouting.

                  

"Bob Sapp Figure Limited model"

                            
The front and back of the packaging state that this figure is a limited edition.
It is also worth noting that this figure was only released in Japan.

                                

As a exclusive from the first wave of HAO figures, this rarity was licensed by
the K-1 mixed martial arts promotion (which Bob competed for at the time).

                                 

Jumbo Bob Sapp trading card, anyone?

As with other HAO figures, the cardboard backing can be slipped off easily
(without damaging the packaging) revealing a large, full colour graphic of
Sapp that can be displayed on it's own.
                          

"What did you say about the Longest Yard?!"

The Bob Sapp HAO Collection figure is made of soft vinyl and features
Sapp sculpted with his signature (and terrifying) stare!  
                      
                          

All in the (nick)name.

                           
The back of Sapp's ring trunks prominently display Sapp's nickname in black font.
The same font is also used on the front of the packaging.

Ready for a stompin'

The Bob Sapp HAO figure also features MMA styled foot taping.

A master on the dance floor, too!

                               
The Bob Sapp HAO Collection figure includes articulation at the neck, arms, wrists
and waist.

When placed next to the Bob Sapp action figure (by Character Product).

Closing thoughts:            

Just like the man himself, the HAO Collection Bob Sapp figure is larger than life.
Standing just under 8 inches (20cm) tall; this figure literally towers over most
Wrestling (especially Japanese) and mixed martial arts collectibles!

In their original six year run, HAO would only release one Bob Sapp soft vinyl
figure as part of their HAO Collection line; making this limited edition, Japanese
exclusive a considerable collector's item. "GAHHHH!"