Character Product Masakatsu Funaki figure review

As Toukon Shop re-branded themselves as Character Product in 1999, Character
Product set out to create figures for Wrestlers outside of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling
promotion.

One of the earliest licenses came in the form of "the golden boy" shoot fighting legend
Masakatsu Funaki.

Blog #172 gets Hybrid Conscious with Character Product's Masakatsu Funaki figure.

This particular variant features a younger Masakatsu Funaki from his early 1990's career
competing for the PANCRASE promotion.

The packaging contains the PANCRASE cross logo on the top right corner and middle
of the packaging.

As a throwback figure, Funaki is also sporting his longer hair from the era.

Funaki's stoic facial expression looks ready to start dropping palm strikes and
high kicks.

Funaki's stats and in-ring accomplishments are listed on the back of the packaging.

Though, no date is given, I suspect the figure (based on the blister card packaging
and Character Product's third logo being used) was released around 2001. The
bio section also mentions Funaki's accolades up until the year 2000.


Closing thoughts:

A great throwback to the early days of PANCRASE and a solid likeness of Funaki's
younger years. Collectors should keep an eye out for the rarer, alternate red colour
variant of this figure, too.

Technically, the rarest Funaki figures you can find are:

1) Masakatsu Funaki vs Minoru Suzuki two pack with Pancrase belt.

2) Masakatsu Funaki vs Rickson Gracie two pack with special Funaki colour variant.

3) Masakatsu Funaki Real Figure with Pancrase belt

Minoru Suzuki DX figure review (revisited)

For this blog, we'll be revisiting a popular figure from the Character
Product DX line.

(you can check out my previous coverage of the mint in box
versions HERE )

Today, we'll be taking a closer look an opened version and
provide an opportunity to purchase this figure for yourself
with a purchase link at the end of this blog.

The Minoru Suzuki deluxe figure was released in 2006
following Minoru's surprise "invasion" of All Japan Pro
-Wrestling the very same year.

The included attachable nameplate reads Minoru's ring
name in Japanese Hiragana and Katakana lettering.

The deluxe Minoru Suzuki figure comes cloaked in his iconic,
entrance towel accessory.

Taking a page from Antonio Inoki, Minoru's entrance towel
contains a decal of Minoru's signature in gold ink.

The included display base adds a classy touch to this wicked
figure.

With entrance towel removed.

Minoru's grumpy facial expression is captured perfectly;
precisely fitting a Wrestler famously nicknamed "The Man
With The Worst Personality In The World"!

                            

The DX Minoru Suzuki figure features a brand new body
and head sculpt complete with Suzuki's modern hairstyle.

The sides of Suzuki's ring trunks contain a purple scale design.

                           

Suzuki's complex hairstyle is continued on to the back of
his DX figure.

Although Character Product had close connections with All
Japan Pro-Wrestling at the time, the Minoru Suzuki DX figure
was licensed under the PANCRASE promotion.

The text on the back of Suzuki's ring trunks reads:

"(C) PANCRASE
        CHINA"

Like other Character Product figures, the Minoru Suzuki
DX figure contains articulation at the arms and waist;
leaving Suzuki's head turned to the side.

The included acrylic display base contains Suzuki's PANCRASE
MISSION stable logo, two attachable figure holders and an
attachable name plate (not pictured); all of which can be
connected to any of the visible peg slots on the base.

Character Product would also recreate the deluxe Minoru
Suzuki figure as a Mini Big Head the same year in Vol. 6.
of the Pro Kaku Heroes series (2006).