Deluxe Figure Collection Satoshi Koji figure review

The one thing that has surprised me with starting up this blog again is the large number of figure
reviews that still need to be published.

Going back to deluxe figures, Blog #153 is all about the Deluxe Figure Collection Satoshi
Kojima figure.

Satoshi Kojima would be the 5th figure added to Toukon Shop's Deluxe Figure Collection
line in 2001.

As Kojima's second action figure released by that point, Kojima features an updated
hairstyle. ring attire and what I believe is the Team2000 hand symbol.

As a deluxe figure, Toukon Shop went all out with providing Kojima with accessories.

Pictured are Kojima's shades and entrance vest accessories.

Toukon Shop were extra crafty when it came to assembling an entire NJPW-styled ring;
requiring fans to purchase multiple figures and playsets (such as Great Nita playset with
barbed wire ring ropes, Hidekazu Tanaka with IWGP belt, Tiger Hattori with NJPW ring,
etc.)

Also included are the ring bell and mallet for use with the Strong Style NJPW ring playset.

The back of the packaging contains two great shots of Kojima along with his bio and
dossier in Japanese.

And now a brief look at a loose version:

Satoshi Kojima with wearing his entrance vest accessory.

Unfortunately, Kojima's shades, mallet and ring bell accessories were missing from
this example.

The back of Kojima's vest accessory reads "COZYSPACE" ("Cozy" being Satoshi's nickname)
- Becoz I'm never satisfied."

Funny enough, Cozyspace has nothing to do with Myspace; as the deluxe Kojima figure was
released 4 years before Myspace became the dominating force in social media.

With entrance vest removed and a better look at Kojima's ring attire, it's clear to see by
2001 Kojima would begin looking like the Buffet Club leader we've all come to enjoy
today.

Toukon Shop Satoshi Kojima Super Star Figure Collection 18 review

Delving back into New Japan licenses for blog #64, the newest figure

for sale focuses on the very first action figure of NJPW star Satoshi

Kojima!

Satoshi would get his first action figure treatment in New Japan's
"Super Star Figuer Collection 18" which was released by Toukon
Shop in 1999.

With mullet intact and recognizable smirk on face, this depiction of
Kojima is based on his original run with New Japan Pro-Wrestling
during the 1990's.

                                 

Reminiscent of Power Warrior, the sides and back of Satoshi figure's
haircut contains grey streaks.

The Satoshi Kojima Toukon Shop figure stands out with silver and orange
thunderbolts on the front of Kojima's trunks. Two yellow circles are also

prominently placed on the front of Kojima's black kneepads.


                                

The silver design of Kojima's ring trunks continues to Kojima's boots.

The left side of Kojima's trunks adds plenty of red.

The decal "RUSH" is a nod to Kojima's NJPW theme song "RUSH!!".

                         

                          

Kojima's time-accurate mullet stretches down his shoulders.


                               

The back of Kojima's trunks contains the text "GO II BLAZES" which
was a slogan that was featured on Kojima's merchandise at the time.

I think the phrase is a rough translation of "go to hell", the precursor
to Kojima's famous catchphrase "Icchauzo Bakayaro" (translation:
"I'm coming for you, bastard!".

Satoshi Kojima HAO Collection Figure Review

Rounding up today's HAO Collection coverage are three figures
based on the leader of the Bread Club, a Wrestler that needs no
introduction: Satoshi Kojima.

The first figure of Satoshi Kojima comes from HAO Collection's
2003 lineup.

Kojima's ring trunks, kneepads and boots are covered with various
graphics and slogans such as "OOH!!" and "VOW!".

The right side of Kojima's trunks contain a graphic of Kojima's
"Great Cozuke" (a portmanteau of Kojima's nickname "Cozy"
and "Sasuke" which is a reference to legendary masked Wrestler
- The Great Sasuke) entrance mask.

Kojima's left boot also contains an illustration of Kojima's alter
ego, the Great Muta-inspired "Great Koji".

Known for his reckless attitude and memorable in-ring catch
-phrases, the word "EXPRESSION" is written in bold lettering
on the left side of Kojima's trunks.

This particular variant features a striking silver finish high
-lighting parts of Kojima's hair.

                                     

This same approach would be incorporated years later to 16d's
(also sculpted by HAO) Kenny Omega soft vinyl figure.

Kojima's nose tape is also present in his HAO Collection
figure complete with Kojima's nickname "COZY" written
out in various colours.

This particular variant was an online alternate exclusive that was
sold through (the now-defunct) battleroyal.jp website along with
the Great Muta Spider (alternate black colour) and Great Muta
Mechanical version (alternate white colour) figures.

                               

The regular variant features Kojima with darker boots, hair
and nose tape.

                                

Both variants came packaged with All Japan Pro-Wrestling's
prestigious Triple Crown Championship belts; making Kojima
one of only three figures in the entire HAO line (the others
being Wanderlei Silva and Fedor Emelianenko with included

PRIDE Heavyweight Championships) to feature a title.

Due to Satoshi Kojima's immense popularity, the master of
the Cozy Lariat would get a second figure in the HAO
Collection line with an entirely brand new mold!

This mold uses similar decals as the previous Satoshi Kojima
HAO Collection figure.

It should also be noted that this is the only HAO figure
sculpted in a Lariat pose.

Needless to say, I can only imagine how a Stan Hansen
Lariat figure would have looked in this line.

The word "COZY" is more legible in this variant of Kojima's
nose tape.

This HAO Collection mold also uses brown hair and a
questionably darker skin tone.

One of the most notable differences with the Lariat version
are the decals featured on Kojima's kneepads.

Scale wise, the first version stands about 6" in height while
the Lariat version at a smaller 5 and a half inches.

Like other HAO figures, both versions include articulation
at the waist, arms and necks.

                 Kensuke Sasaki tasting the Cozy Lariat!

More figure reviews to come!