Antonio Inoki Bottlecap Figure Keyholder review

For generations, one of the most common practices among toy companies is recycling figure molds. Instead of designing an entirely new figure from scratch, toy manufacturers will reuse preexisting figures and convert them into new products.

In the 90's and 2000's, Character Product shrunk down figure releases from their Super Star Figure Collection line and converted them into keychains. In 2003, Character Product would then go on to recycle figures in another format by creating the Pro-Kaku Heroes; a popular line of Mini Big Heads that lasted for five years and spanning 8 volumes in the process.

Recently, I discovered a figure that wasn't featured in the original Pro-Kaku line.


Blog #287 Antonio Inoki Bottlecap Figure Keyholder

Known in Japan as:
アントニオ猪木 ボトルキャップフィギュアキーホルダー


This figure was released in 2003.




The Inoki bottlecap figure looks nearly-identical to Character Product (back when they were known as Toukon Shop)'s Antonio Inoki figure (1970's version) that was released several years prior in 1999.



The surface of the red base reads February 20th, 2003 (Antonio Inoki's 60th birthday).



There is also a variant with a gold base. I would imagine this is the rarer version of an already rare figure.



Around the same time, Inoki international re-released the Inoki 70's figure to also commemorate the legend's birthday; bundling Inoki with a commemorative display base, NWF Heavyweight Championship belt, and collector-friendly packaging.

Inoki International licensed Antonio Inoki's image to Character Product going back to the 90's. Though, this partnership wasn't an exclusive one, as Inoki continued to have figures made in his likeness by other toy manufacturers and through brand endorsement deals themselves.

Judging by these two releases, it seems Antonio Inoki was able to legally release his own modifications of Character Product/Toukon Shop figures. Much the same as The Ultimate Warrior was able to strike up a deal with Jakks Pacific to produce exclusive figure variants of his likeness from Jakks' Classic Superstars and Ring Giants toy lines.

NITTO Hulk Hogan Model Kit from Japan

One of the absolute highlights of discovering Japanese Pro-Wrestling figures is the art of
uncovering rare gems from decades past.

Figures of recognizable foreign faces that appeared in Japanese figure lines long before the
WWF even thought about merchandising. The world's first Andre The Giant figure? Japan.
The Funks? Japan. Harley Race, Stan Hansen, Bob Backlund, Bruiser Brody and Abdullah
The Butcher? Yep. You guessed it ...all first made in Japan.

Today, we'll be adding another figure first to the list. Be prepared to say your prayers and
eat your vitamins with Blog #185 which puts the Leg Drop on the Nitto Hulk Hogan model
kit.

Hulk Hogan Nitto Model Kit

Known in Japan as "ハルク・ホーガン ニットーソフビフィギュア" (Hulk Hogan
Nitto Sofubi Figure).

Long before the dawn of Hulkamania in the west, Hulk Hogan was a prominent star
in Japan under the New Japan Pro-Wrestling promotion. As such, Japanese Toy Maker
Nitto decided to release a model kit based on the Immortal One as part of the company's
Professional Wrestling Series.

The unpainted Hogan model kit stands 33.5 cm (13 inches tall).

The front of the box features a painted picture of Hogan in his New Japan era ring attire
which consisted of black trunks inscribed with the Japanese Kanji "一番" (Ichiban
which means "Number One"). If you look closely, the kanji for Ichiban is moulded
into the Hogan model's ring trunks.

Ichiban also appears on the top right of the packaging next to Hogan's name.

The back of the box contains many great illustrations of Hulk Hogan along with a goofy
caricature at the bottom left corner.


           

Just in case you didn't know he was number one, Hogan is sculpted with an upwards
finger point.

The Nitto Hulk Hogan model kit predates Hogan's first action figure (which was made by
POPY) by one whole year in 1980.



Interestingly, the bottom portion of the side of the packaging mentions the Hogan model kit
was licensed by "TAITAN SPORTS" (they were going for Titan Sports - WWE's parent company).

The middle-right of the box strangely lists Hogan's various physical attributes such as
height, weight and muscle measurements.

The description in Japanese even refers to Hogan as "Mr. Axe Bomber" - a nod to Hogan's
Axe Bomber (Lariat) finisher in Japan.

Closing thoughts:

Despite being released one year prior to the incredibly valuable POPY Hulk Hogan Super
Pro-Wrestling Series action figure, the Nitto Hulk Hogan model kit is more common (and
less valuable) than one might think.

Compared to a whole line of blister-carded action figures, unpainted model kits are, for better
or worse, a niche market for collectors at best. The biggest testament to this statement are the
number of unpainted Hogan model kits that still pop up for sale across the web 41 years after
the Nitto Hogan model kit's initial release.

As to my knowledge, Hulk Hogan was the only Pro-Wrestler added to Nitto's Professional
Wrestling Series.

Though, at 13 inches tall, made of hard, durable plastic (whereas most Japanese figures are
made of a cheaper PVC material these days) and one of the very few examples of Hogan
crafted in his pre-WWF attire, the Hulk Hogan Nitto model kit is still a great figure to own
and an early example of how Japan was always one step ahead of the curb when it came to
marketing.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan Deluxe Figure Collection review

In our last review, we took a look at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's first action figure from the late
1990's.

Keeping the offence going, Blog #147 takes on the Deluxe Figure Collection Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan would receive his second action figure three years after the release of
his inclusion in the Super Star Figure Collection line.

The Deluxe Figure Collection (written with the typo on the packaging as "Figuer") was
Toukon Shop's attempt at producing New Japan Pro Wrestling figures complete with
removable entrance attire accessories.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan would be the sixth figure in Toukon Shop's Deluxe Figure Collection line behind

#1 Great Muta (Dragon),
#2 Power Warrior,
#3 Great Muta (Cyber),
#4 Kendo Kashin
and #5 Satoshi Kojima)

Tenzan comes dressed in his early 2000's purple entrance attire (which cannot be removed, unfortunately). Like Tenzan's last Toukon Shop action figure, Tenzan also comes with his
signature bullhorn helmet.

I wish Tenzan's Bull pendant was removable. But, alas, it is only decoration.

The back of the packaging contains Tenzan's stats and a brief summary of Tenzan's in-ring
exploits up until 2000. The figure itself was released in 2001 nearing the end of Toukon
Shop's run as a NJPW figure maker.

While Toukon Shop were known to produce figures based on Wrestler's entrance attires
in the past (such as Antonio Inoki or Osamu Nishimura's robe variant figures) the Deluxe
Figure Collection line served to recreate some of New Japan's most eye-catching and complex
entrance attires into figure form for the first time ever and in far greater scale.

As the sixth entry in the Deluxe Figure Collection line, Hiroyoshi Tenzan keeps the
tradition going strong.

Next up, we'll be taking a look at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's last action figure.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan Super Star Figure Collection 9 review

Let's storm into our next figure coverage like a raging bull. Or, better yet as New Japan veteran ....Hiroyoshi Tenzan!

Blog #146 takes a look at the Hiroyoshi Tenzan Super Star Figure Collection 9 figure by Toukon Shop.

As the ninth figure in Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure Collection, this figure would also
be the first to feature the likeness of Tenzan into action figure format.

The bottom of the packaging states the Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure was made in 1998
through Toukon Shop.

The back of the packaging contains lists Tenzan's stats and a brief description of
his in-ring accolades going up to 1997.

The stats read:

"Height: 183 cm Weight: 120kg
Special moves: Diving Headbutt
                         Mongolian Chop"


Now, let's take a look at the Tenzan figure when removed from it's packaging:

Tenzan comes with his signature Bull Horn helmet entrance accessory and is decked
out in his familiar animal stripe ring trunks.

A close-up of Tenzan's helmet brings to mind Jushin Thunder Liger.

Before we had the Brahma Bull, we had Hiroyoshi Tenzan and his cool bull decal
on the back of his trunks.

With bullhorn helmet removed. Tenzan looks ready to fight!

Perhaps Tenzan's most noticeable physical trait is his unique, side-shaved mullet with yellow highlights. A look that is still synonymous with Tenzan even to this day.

A close-up of Tenzan's bull decal.

As a big deal in New Japan Pro-Wrestling during the late 1990's, Toukon Shop (and later Character
Product) would go on to create several figures based on Tenzan's likeness.

In our next review we'll be looking at another Tenzan figure from Toukon Shop's DX line.

Character Product Great Muta & Keiji Mutoh BIG HEAD KING FIGHTERS figure review

Your source for the best Japanese Pro-Wrestling figure coverage continues

with blog #75 which features two stellar additions direct from Japanese
toymaker Character Product.

Starting in 2007, Character Product would create yet another spin-off line
based on the company's popular Pro-kaku Heroes Mini Big Head figures
which was titled the "BIG HEAD KING FIGHTERS" line.

Without further adieu, let's jump right in!

The first figure is of Keiji Mutoh in his signature "Pro-Wrestling
LOVE" pose.

From the greying of Mutoh's beard to his famous "Muta Scale" forehead
scars, the face sculpt for the Keiji Mutoh KING FIGHTER figures is
simply amazing and hyper-realistic!

Mutoh comes dressed in his mid 2000's All Japan Pro-Wrestling attire
complete with "HOLD OUT" (Mutoh's classic NJPW theme) decals
along Mutoh's ring tights.

Each BIG HEAD KING FIGHTERS figure comes with a generic
turnbuckle base and features minimal articulation at the neck.

                            

Next up is another figure favorite of mine, Keiji Mutoh's evil alter
-ego: The Great Muta!

Great Muta's design is based on mid 2000's Star Wars-inspired "Darth
Muta" attire and comes sculpted performing Muta's signature "Poison
Mist" attack in a kneeling pose!

                              

Once again, the amount of detail put into the Big Head King
Fighters Great Muta figure is outstanding. The horns and Kanji
across Muta's mask are 3-dimensional and textured.

The Poison Mist can also be tilted to the left or right while
inside Muta's mouth!

Another reason why the Great Muta Big Head King Fighters figure
is one of my absolute favorite puroresu collectibles is the ability to
remove the Poison Mist from Muta's mouth!

Speaking of realistic detail, the Muta Big Head King Fighters figure
contains green ink staining the right corner of Muta's mouth and
tongue. There's even red paint smearing down Muta's beard!

                             

The intricate decals of Muta's Darth Maul-inspired attire are on full
display from the back of the Muta King Fighters figure.

                  

                            

Each figure from the line contains a copyright on the back of the
turnbuckle base.

                           

Character Product must have been really proud of their Big Head King
Fighters line as the company's logo is prominently (and unusually)
displayed on the bottom of each base.


                            

The King Fighters figures stands roughly 4 inches in height and tower
over their Mini Big Head counterparts.



2007 would also mark the final volume of Character Product's Mini Big
Head series (Vol. 9.) before the company would fold back into New
Japan Pro-Wrestling's Toukon Shop as early as 2008.

While the Character Product namesake is no longer active, the Big Head
King Fighters figures live on as a testament to the incredible amount of
detail and passion Character Product put into their Pro-Wrestling likenesses.
Many of which remain the most realistic representations of the legends
they are based off of to date.

Toukon Shop Full Movable Action Figure review

Inspired by the success of the incredibly popular G.I. Joe brand,

Toukon Shop set out to create their own line of fully articulated
figures based on the biggest stars of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Released in 2001 as the "フル可動アクションフィギュア"
(Full Moveable action figure - a reference to the phrase "Full
Action Figure" which is used to describe G.I. Joe's in Japan)
line, Toukon Shop released a number of 3 inch figures in G.I.
Joe scale.

In blog #71, we'll be taking a look at three figures from the set.

The first figure is the Japanese Hell Demon himself, The Great
Muta.

The packaging features members of the Team 2000 and B.A.T.T.
stables.

                                

Clearly Cobra material, Great Muta comes dressed in his classic
white facepaint and black ring attire.


                                           

Muto's stats and a bio are presented on the back mentioning the
gimmick's debut, IWGP and NWA championship victories as
well as Muto's involvement with the NWO.

It's worth noting that the G.I. Joe Muta figure would be one of
the  very last created under the Toukon Shop banner. The figure
itself was released after Keiji Mutoh shaved his hair and re
-designed himself as the "Cross Wizard" in 2000; abandoning
his Great Muta gimmick until 2002 for Mutoh's debut in AJPW.


                              

Next up is the "Revolution Warrior" and master of the Sasori-ga
-tame: Riki Choshu!




                              

Move over Sgt. Slaughter, Riki's stern facial expression in G.I.
Joe form.

                              

The only real problem I have with the G.I. Joe NJPW figures
is their eye-straining designs on the backs of the packaging.

The design reminds me of the eye-straining comics found on
the inside labels of cans of Heinz Spaghetti in tomato sauce
with cheese:


                   


If you were a 90's kid growing up in North America, you prob
-ably remember Heinz's superhero mascot of the era "Strand
Man"; but I digress.

Let's look at an unboxed example:

                               

Up next is one of the very last Toukon Shop figures of Keiji
Mutoh (and one of the very first based on Mutoh's recently-
created "Cross Wizard" persona).


                           

Toukon Shop's Full Movable Action Figure line has the look
and feel of the classic G.I. Joe figures right down to the screws
in the backs of each figure!


                            

Sacrificing height for articulation, Toukon Shop's Full Movable
Action series stands 3 3/4" scale (the common scale of most G.I.
Joe's starting in 1982) and are significantly smaller than Toukon
Shop's regular action figures from the era.

In total, there are only a handful of Full Movable Figures released
by Toukon Shop for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (and the only figures
that I can think of that feature full-articulation from the company
in general).

The Full Action series would continue under Toukon's "Character
Product" banner and would include other NJPW legends and not
-able Wrestlers from the PANCRASE, RINGS and PRIDE
promotions.