Antonio Inoki Air Salonpas Ex Bottlecaps

 

Blog #288 Antonio Inoki Air Salonpas Ex Bottlecaps


Air Salonpas is a spray-on pain reliever. In the early 2000's, Antonio Inoki was a spokesman for Salonpas. As such, five bottlecaps were created in Inoki's likeness.


From left to right:

Salonpas spray bottle with Inoki's 'Fighting Spirit' signature.

Inoki performing his '1.2.3...DAAaaa!' pose.

Inoki bust.

Full body Inoki.

Inoki holding a Salonpas spray bottle.




The grey shirt Inoki figures are based on Inoki's promo photo endorsing Salonpas.

Inoki can be seen in the same red tracksuit with the following commercial from 2002.






The original bottlecap package. The blindbag packaging mentions that there are five figures to collect.

So, if you're looking for a product targeted towards adult sports fans, with kid-friendly anime-styled cuteness and a pain reliever tie-in, the Inoki Air Salonpas figures are for you.

Nostalgic Showa Pro-Wrestling figure collection review

Blog #284 Nostalgic Showa Pro-Wrestling figure collection review.

While browsing for content on the Nendo Pro-Wrestling figure exhibition, I came across two listings on Amazon Japan which caught my attention.



These figures are made of clay ceramic; which was a common trend for collectibles in Japan during the 1980's. In fact, famous Japanese Wrestler Riki Choshu had a collection of them officially made under his Riki Pro banner during the era.

The first figure is the Fighting Spirit Enzuigiri figure. The figure is based off of Antonio Inoki performing his signature Enzuigiri finisher.

With attached stand, I was reminded of the fantastic Antonio Inoki Enzuigiri figure by Charapro. 




At first, I thought this next figure was a poorly sculpted Stan Hansen or Karl Gotch. Alas, it's officially listed as 'Superman Hulk Hogan'. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the worst Hulk Hogan figure ever created. Even in ceramic form, it takes an extra special level of talent to mess up the Hulkster this badly.

There is no brand behind these figures. They were listed to Amazon in 2022 and are essentially bootleg
figures. You can find the listings by typing:

Hogan:
懐かしの昭和プロレス超人ハルクホーガンフィギュア

Inoki:
懐かしの昭和プロレス鎮魂闘魂延髄斬りフィギュア 

Riki Choshu Voice Mascot set review

 

In Blog #283, Riki Choshu continues to have new merchandise made of him.

This five figure collection loosely translates to the 'Inspirational Words Voice Mascot' (迷言 ボイス マスコット) set.




Each acrylic figure comes with a bonus acrylic quote. Both of which attach to the included RikiPro base.



The quotes are:

Red mascot:        キレてないですよ                  I'm not mad.
Purple mascot:    食ってみな 飛ぶぞぉ              Try it, it'll fly!
Yellow mascot:    それがお前のやり方か?           Is that your way?
Orange mascot:   逆境? それ、チャンスだよ      Adversity? It's an opportunity.
Green mascot:     なにコラ! タココラ!             What's this?! You bloody idiot!

Each base contains a button that activates a short voice sample from Riki Choshu himself:



These mascot figures were issued this year by Peanuts Club. By the looks of their packaging, I'd say they are available as gatchapon-style figures.



Similar capsule toys exist for Internet entrepreneur, TV personality and 4chan administrator Hiroyuki Nishimura.

This particular product advertises that Hiroyuki's voice can be used to annoy friends and co-workers alike (I don't recommend this...).

For the last decade or so, these inexpensive oddities have become a trend in Japanese culture. Just about every major Japanese Wrestling promotion has them. From New Japan, All Japan, Pro-Wrestling NOAH, and even the former WRESTLE-1. And there doesn't seem to be any slowing down for the acrylic craze anytime soon. 

Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figure review

 

Continuing to share obscure Japanese Wrestling collectibles with the world, I present four more sofubi figures:


Blog #281  Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figure review.

Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation is a line of sofubi figures that were released by Japanese toymaker Utsugiyo in 2015.



Each figure stands about 4.5 - 5 inches (which is less than half the size of older Sofubi figures released in Japan). The design of the figures are meant to resemble the traditional Bullmark sofubi figures from the 60's and early 70's.



Design-wise, Utsugiyo states that the Champion Series two-pack features two protagonists: Larry Blackhole and Bear the Ted.



Personally speaking, I think Larry is based on Thunderlips. The hat and handlebar mustache, plus IGWP-inspired belt  seem reminiscent of Hulk's likeness. Additionally, I feel Bear the Ted is a tribute to Tiger Mask and Bruiser Brody (note Ted's furry boot coverings).



The Champion Series two-pack originally sold for 14,000 yen ($117 USD), which also came with a colouring book and poster. The poster's design was meant to replicate the look of classic Puroresu posters from the 1960's (specifically, the JWA).

Just like Thunderlips in Rocky III, Blackhole also features a cape of his own.

Only 27 sets were created, and anyone who didn't pre-order by May 7th had to be entered into a lottery in hopes of bagging the pair.

If you thought $117 for two miniature sofubi's was a tad much, be prepared to feast your eyes on the following:



Utsugiyo released a special variant set that was only available over the weekend.

Unlike the original Champion Series set, this special two-pack included multiple removable accessories. Teddy's vest chains and beard look reminiscent of Bruiser Brody here.

Released in 2018, this special set was sold for a jaw dropping 49,999 yen ($367 USD plus shipping!). Welcome to the expensive world soft vinyl 'designer art toys'.



The only known photo I could find of the packaged Black Friday version. I wonder if the extra accessories are tucked away inside the packaging, or were removed at the last second? We may never know.

At 1 to $400+, would you consider hunting down these designer art Wrestling figures? 

Giant Baba BABABANK figure review

 Blog #279 Giant Baba BABABANK figure review.

In previous posts, we've looked at several Giant Baba figures from the 1980's. Like the Giant Baba BABAWATCH, Upper-Upper World/EHKOH also released another Giant Baba collectible under
the similar-sounding name of the Giant Baba BABABANK. 

The BABABANK is a miniature soft vinyl coin bank of Baba.

As usual, Baba is sculpted performing his signature chop and 16mon kick techniques.

The coin slot is placed along Baba's backside.

The bottom of the bank displays the corporate information for Upper-Upper World and EHKOH.

There is no date on the figure itself, but I would ascertain that the BABABANK was created 
around 1984.

Upper-Upper World and EHKOH's partnership was a brief but colourful one in the 1980's. While collectors may feel Antonio Inoki had the lion's share of figures made in his likeness (which there are), Giant Baba had the majority of licenses made in the 1980's. 

The BABABANK is a simple, yet interesting oddity from the Japanese Wrestling scene of the 1980's.
A collectible that isn't too hard to find, nor commanding that much from a resale perspective. Most examples can be found for less than $20 from Japanese merchants.

More figure reviews on the way! 

Giant Baba Remote Control Wrestler review

 

Blog #278 The Giant Baba Remote Control Wrestler review.


By the early 80's, merchandising was in full-swing with All Japan Pro-Wrestling. Being the founder and star of the promotion, Giant Baba was the central figure in All Japan's merchandising boom of the era. 

Our next wacky figure was released by Japanese toymaker MAME CON in 1984.

Special thanks to Wrestlefigs.com for the above photo.

The Giant Baba remote control figure sold for $6 USD upon it's initial release.


The packaging reads
'Remote Control Wrestler
Giant Baba Con'

(リモートコントロールレスラー
ジャイアント馬場コン).

In case you were wondering, the word 'con' is short for controller.

                 


As expected, the controller makes Giant Baba move and perform chops simultaneously. Notice the 'MAME CON' company logo on the controller.


                          





Providing chops on the-go: the Mame Con Giant Baba operates with three wheels at the bottom of the toy.






A belt-wearing Giant Baba is pictured on the sides of the box.

Sadly, no other likeness was added to expand upon MAME CON's Remote Control Wrestler concept. Stan Hansen would have been a perfect fit swinging his bullrope or Lariat. A fork-stabbing/throat-choppin' Abdullah The Butcher could have been a cool idea, too. Though, Abdullah wouldn't return to AJPW for another 4 years.

Giant Baba BABAWATCH review

 #Blog #277 BABAWATCH review

The next bizarre 80's Japanese Wrestling item is the Giant Baba BABAWATCH
(known in Japan as ジャイアント馬場【BABAWATCH】リストウォッチ).


The top of the package reads 'wristwatch' in Japanese.

The front of the packaging includes illustrations of Baba. The first illustration on the left depicts Baba searching for something (or someone). The second illustration features Baba performing his two signature techniques: the Overhead Chop and the 16mon Kick on the right. 

The 'G Baba' text in each corner has a 60's Batman vibe to it.

The back of the packaging contains an illustration of Baba smiling. Again, the Japanese texts reads 'wristwatch'.

The bottom of the packaging contains the company info 'Upper Upper World Production Committee (EHKOH)'



The watch's strap contains the text '16 MON' (short for 16mon Kick - Giant Baba's version of the big boot), along with 'BABA WATCH'.

Giant Baba had a lot of wacky products released during the 70's and 80's, from racecars to remote-controlled chopping figures, to piggy banks, board games and bendable figures. The BABA WATCH kid's watch is just the tip of the iceberg, really.

Given the watch's age, most sell for pretty low prices, as the original batteries in these watches have all long since petered out.






Special thanks to X/Twitter user Japones-lee for posting this two-page scan of the GONG July 1984 issue's MY COLLECTION article. 6 out of 19 of the All Japan roster wore Rolex watches.

begin.jp posted an article of Giant Baba, stating the All Japan owner admired wearing a Rolex Daydate watch. The article also mentions that 'Mr. Puroresu' Genichiro Tenryu also owned the same watch after spotting Baba wearing one.

The Pro-Wrestling sculptures of Dr. Takuro Horikawa - part 1.

 Blog #266: the Pro-Wrestling sculptures of Dr. Takuro Horikawa.

As popular as Character Product/Charapro's Wrestling figures were in Japan, many collectors wish there were more gaijin's (foreign Wrestlers) added to the roster during the line's original run between the late 90's to late 2000's.

Through the fan-created statues of Dentist Takuro Horikawa, I was reminded of the Charapro figures of yesteryear. Looking at Dr. Horikawa's work, it's easy to imagine what the following legends would have looked like:



Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.



Johnson's easily-noticeable tribal chief tattoo is recreated in expert fashion.



When light glistens upon Horikawa's work, the statues appear to display skin texture.



Hollywood Hulk Hogan.



The most-realistic modern Hogan bust I've ever seen.



A savate kick. I could certainly see the original Tiger Mask sculpted in this pose.



Dr. Horikura starts his statues with a wire base.



A mold is then created.



The realism in Dr. Horikawa's custom work is simply astounding. I can't think of a more-realistic late 70's - early 1980's Antonio Inoki.



Dr. Horikawa's work has been on display in various Art exhibitions alongside his father's paintings. Horikawa says with his limited schedule these days, it takes him on-average, about a year to complete one sculpture from start to finish.

Notice that these statues are much-larger than your standard Charapro.



Another throwback Inoki. This look appears close to Inoki's appearance in the 1970's.



Hands down, the coolest Ichiban-era Hogan likeness that I've ever seen. I also think it's refreshing to see Hogan not sculpted in a raised #1 finger pose; as he is often depicted doing so from this time in his career.