Haniwa Pro-Wrestling figure set review

On the subject of recognizable merchandising brands, few Japanese toymakers are regarded
as highly as TAKARA TOMY.

In this blog's seven year existence, we have covered several of TAKARA's more notable.
releases. Products ranging from wind-up racecars, to vintage, tabletop board games that
predate the commercial resurgence of video games in the mid 1980's.

Today, we'll be taking a look at one of TAKARA's more obscure pieces of Puroresu
merchandise. A line that mixes the pageantry and visual excitement of the squared circle,
along with a nod to one of Japan's ancient forms of model making.

Article #235 focuses on TAKARA TOMY's Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line:




Known in Japan as 'はにわプロレス', the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line was released by TAKARA/Panda's Ana. The line's edgy slogan "waretara makedayo" roughly translates
to "if you crack it, you lose".


"But what are haniwa"?

                                 Original haniway singer sculptures.

Haniwa are clay, terracotta figures that date back thousands of years. In Japanese culture,
haniwa were initially used as markers for borders of burial grounds. It wasn't until the 4th
century that sculptors began fashioning the haniwa into sculptures of dancers, animals and
even warriors; serving as protection totems and funerary objects that were buried with the
dead.


From historical artifacts to pop culture phenomena - haniwa in modern society:

 'Haniwa-kun', a children's picture book presenting the haniwa sculptures in a light
hearted fashion.

Despite their rather grim history, the image of haniwa figures have taken on a more
animated approach in Japanese media. Over the last twenty years in particular, the
haniwa have evolved from artifacts of historical significance to depictions of
mischievous, sentient beings. More so, these enchanted characters have made
appearances in cartoons, video games and even trading card adaptations; softening
the haniwa's image in the public's eyes over time.

Aesthetically, the antiquated design of the haniwa have also been embraced as a
popular art form; garnishing praise from aspiring model makers and art lovers alike.

Like many Japanese minifigures, the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line were originally sold in
gashapon (gumball vending machines that sell buildable model kit toys in Japan) format
for 200 yen (about $2 USD) each. Figures were distributed at random; encouraging kids
to trade with their friends to track down a full set.

There are five figures to collect in the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line; each one displaying a specific
pose and colourful Wrestling mask.

Seasoned fans of Pro-Wrestling may recognize some of the masks, as these particular designs
are copyright-friendly tributes to some of Japan's most popular real-life Pro-Wrestlers. The
figures are named (left to right):

Taihar Nitto Wan (タイハー・ニット・ワン) - His name sounds just like Tiger Jeet
Singh. He's also carrying a weapon (or is that a flute) in the same fashion as Tiger would
with a sabre sword.

                              
                                  Tiger Jeet Singh with sword between his teeth.

Wanimaru Haniguchi (ワニマル・ハニグチ) - Sounds like Animal Hamaguchi.
Wanimaru's mask seems to resemble Tiger Mask's Red Devil.

Hanidozan (ハニドウザン) -  It seems most of the characters' incorporate the word
"haniwa" into their names. The mask design and pose is obviously based on Mil Mascaras.
Though, this Wrestler's name is clearly inspired by 'the father of Puroresu' Rikidozan.

    Mil Mascaras and Rikidozan - two legends who inspired TAKARA's Haniwa line.

Hanito Muwa (ハニド・ムワ) This is another tough one. The mask depicts an octopus
with the number 8 (obviously referencing the Octopus' 8 appendages). A standard Japanese
Wrestling hold is also the "manji-gatame" (Octopus Stretch).

Hambo Wanita (ハンボ・ワニタ)- Another Tiger Mask character knockoff. There's even
a small bird resting on Wanita's left shoulder.

Closing thoughts:

TAKARA's involvement with Pro-Wrestling is a long and storied one. The majority of which
centred around officially-licensed products that were created for Japan's biggest Puroresu
promotions: New Japan and All Japan Pro-Wrestling, respectively. 

On it's own, the Haniwa Pro-Wrestling line is a unique concept in the world of Japanese
collectibles. These 2 inch gashapon kits are an interesting tribute to the Wrestling legends
of the squared circle from the 1950's to the early 1980's. Talent who, for the most part, only
receive figures created in the form of sofubi/soft vinyl.

As interesting as these collectibles are, TAKARA never released a second wave of Haniwa
Pro-Wrestling figures; making the crossover concept of haniwa and Puroresu a relatively
short one.

On a positive note, collectors interested in adding these eccentric gashapons to their figure
collections can purchase the entire set: --------->HERE<------

Popy Mil Mascaras figure review

Be prepared to go Sky High with our next figure review. Continuing our coverage of figures
from Popy's elusive Super Pro-Wrestling Series, Blog #160 is all about the Super Pro-Wrestling
Series Mil Mascaras figure.

Mil Mascaras was released in 1981 as part of Popy's 10 figure Super Pro-Wrestling
Series set.

As a Wrestler that changed his ring attire colours frequently, Mil is depicted in a green,
black and red design.


                            

A close-up of Mil's mask.

Being released in 1981, the Popy Mil Mascaras figure could arguably be the
world's first, official Mascaras figure created (though, if any reader has an
earlier example from Mexico, I would be happy to hear from you).

In typical fashion, the back of the Mascaras figure contains Mil's name written in Japanese
Katakana along with the Popy company logo.


Closing thoughts:

After 1981, Popy would begin focusing on creating Keshigomu (eraser figures) of
officially-licensed Pro-Wrestlers until the mid 1980's. A decision that ultimately led
to the arrival (and major success) of the Kinnikuman/M.U.S.C.L.E. series of minifigures.

The Super Pro-Wrestling Series would never be followed up in the 1980's leaving the
initial ten figure set as a benchmark for Japanese figure collectors for many years to follow.

Myself, I would have painted Mil in his standard white and black ring colours (or at the
very least, released an alternate colour variant to make the line even more collectible)
but that's just nitpicking.

Long before the likes of The Ultimate Warrior, Sting, or Macho Man Randy Savage
became marketable for their constantly changing attires, Mil Mascaras was setting the
standard with his limitless assortment of colourful ring attires and Lucha masks.

When it comes to unopened examples, though, this is the Rolls Royce of Mascaras
figure collecting. A likeness that wouldn't be recreated in Japan again on a majors
scale for another two decades.

Pro-Kaku Heroes - Mini Big Head Figures Volume. 5.

On November 15th, 2005, Character Product released the fifth
wave of Mini Big Head figures in Japan.

Officially sold and referred to as the "Legend Fighter" line, the
Wrestlers featured in Vol. 5. were inspired by Japan's golden age
of  Professional Wrestling from the 1950's up to the early 1980's.

The 15 figure Vol. 5. hobby box.

Vol. 5. would consist of twenty figures to collect plus one secret
"mystery" figure. The figures for Vol. 5. are:

Mil Mascaras A in entrance mask and Mariachi outfit complete
with sombrero, Mil Mascaras B in classic ring attire along with
brother and fellow legend Dos Caras.

Both Mascaras figures feature an eye-catching silver finish.

It should also be noted that all three of these figures were also
recreated as part of Character Product's full-size "BIG HEAD
SERIES" bobble head figures that were released in 2005.

No Japanese legends line would be complete without the mad
man from Sudan or the blood thirsty Tiger: Abdullah The Butcher
and Tiger Jeet Singh!

The Abdullah The Butcher Mini Big Head is based on The Butcher's
early years in Japan and features a time-accurate goatee (a feature
not included with the full-size Abdullah The Butcher figures also
released by Character Product).

Tiger Jeet Singh's Mini Big Head figure comes dressed exclusively in
Tiger's classic entrance coat (another feature not present in Character
Product's full-size Tiger figure).

Bruiser Brody would make his Mini Big Head debut in Vol. 5.
combining a mixture of both of his full-size Character Product
figures into miniature form.

The Destroyer's Mini Big Head was inspired by his legendary
televised match against "the father of puroresu" Rikidozan
and comes designed with a gold painted "Masked Man"
Championship belt.

Despite The Destroyer's massive popularity and cultural signifi
-cance in Japan, Character Product would never release a full-sized
Destroyer figure.

Another set of Wrestlers never released as full-size Character
Product figures are Vol. 5.'s The Great Kabuki and Killer Khan.

The Great Kabuki features Kabuki's entrance Kimono and is
sculpted in his pre-match ritual of swinging his Nunchaku
while Killer Khan is posed in his signature move the "
Mongolian Chop"!

Next up are two Mini reproductions of Character Product
figures and a Mini Big Head exclusive. Heel manager &
NJPW Hall of Famer Kantaro Hoshino, NJPW legend &
color commentator Masa Saitoh and a special Riki Choshu
figure!

While Hoshino and Saitoh were released by Character Product
(Saitoh under New Japan's Toukon Shop store), Riki Choshu's
second Mini Big Head appearance is a nod to Choshu's role
as a strict NJPW Dojo trainer.

The Choshu Mini Big Head includes a mini microphone and
a "you're going down" pose.

Next up are two famous rivals: Jumbo Tsuruta and Genichiro
Tenryu's first Mini Big Head figures.

Jumbo's figure is sculpted in Tsuruta's iconic, fist raised "Ooh!"
pose and entrance jacket while Tenryu's first Mini Big Head
features Tenryu's WAR Revolution.

The back of Tsuruta's entrance jacket includes the logo of the
1972 Summer Olympics (which Tsuruta participated under the
Greco-Roman Wrestling division).

While Character Product has released full-sized figures of both
Wrestlers, the Vol. 5. Mini Big Head Tenryu and Tsuruta figures
are the only figures to feature their entrance jackets.
                   

The next figure set from Vol. 5. is the Antonio Inoki and Karl
Gotch Mini Big Heads.

Both Mini Big Heads are based on Toukon Shop's "30th
Anniversary" Antonio Inoki vs Karl Gotch figure set that
was released in 2002.

The set commemorated the 30th anniversary of the duo's
famous fight on March 6th, 1972 at the Ota City Gymnas
-ium in Tokyo, Japan -  the same year Inoki left the Japanese
Pro-Wrestling Alliance (JPW) to form New Japan Pro-
Wrestling.

This iconic match is widely considered to be the birth
of the Japanese "Strong Style" of Pro-Wrestling!

The Mini Big Head version is the only Karl Gotch figure
to include Gotch's moustache.

Vol. 5. also featured two more of Gotch's students, WWE
Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami (B) and Osamu Kido.

                            
Like the Vol. 5. Antonio Inoki Mini Big Head, this Tatsumi
Fujinami Mini Big Head was modeled after a younger, early
1980's Fujinami.

"The God of Pro'Wrestling" Karl Gotch's top students - all featured in Vol. 5.!

The final 3 figures from Vol.5. are all of the legendary
"father of Puroresu" Rikidozan.

It's interesting to point out that Character Product and Toukon
Shop never released a full-sized Rikidozan figure (Mogura
House -which had a working relationship with Character
Product at the time- did).


 

The Rikidozan A and B Mini Big Heads are based on two
action figures originally produced by Japanese toy maker
Mogura House.

The secret Rikidozan figure is the only figure of the legend
to be dressed in casual clothing.

Two promotion owners, two "secret" Mini Big Heads
and two cigar lovers.

Pro-Kaku Heroes Display Ring promotion #2

Character Product would come full circle by reprising the
design of the secret Rikidozan when the third (and final)
Giant Baba Mini Big Head would be included as a secret
figure in Vol. 9.; the last official wave of Mini Big Heads.

With the launch of Vol. 5. Character Product also advertised
a special promotion where collectors who sent in 3 tickets
found in the booklets of Vol.5. Mini Big Heads could win
a Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Head Figure Display Ring!

Like the not-for-sale, promotional Mini Big Head figures them
-selves, this ring (the second ring released after the green Vol.3.
green NOAH variant) was limited to just 300 pieces and was only
available through a lottery conducted by Character Product.

Tune in next time for more Puro figure reviews!