INSPIRE 1/6 Scale 12" Great Muta figure review

In the early 2000's, Japanese toy maker INSPIRE would release a series of large-
scale, super-deluxe figures based on famous Japanese Pro-Wrestlers and shoot
fighters exclusively in Japan.

These figures stood just under 12 inches (30+cm)  in height, included various
accessories, and in many cases, featured removable fabric clothing!



Today, we'll be looking at one of the most famous and sought after figures
from the 12" INSPIRE line; the ideologist of darkness: Great Muta!

Released in 2003, the INSPIRE Great Muta figure features Muta dressed
in his early 2000's All Japan Pro-Wrestling era attire.

                           

This particular Jason X-inspired design was worn by Muta for his match
against Bob Sapp on November 17th, 2002 in Yokohama, Japan.

Notice Muta's poison-mist coloured lips?          

The Japanese Kanji on Muta's mask is textured and raised up in red colouring.

                             

Muta's spider-web, "FANTASY OF MUTA" decals have been faithfully
recreated in great detail. The Katakana on Muta's ring pants (above)
read "GREAT MUTA".


                           

Articulation-wise: the INSPIRE Great Muta figure features articulation at
the head, upper arms, forearms and waist.


Originally, the Great Muta INSPIRE figure was sold and endorsed by
Keiji Mutoh himself through Mutoh's own LEG LOCK company
website. You can check out remnants of the now-defunct LEG LOCK
website HERE

When compared to the 6 inch HAO Collection Great Muta figure.

Incredible scale! When placed next to Mattel and NJPW figures.

Closing thoughts:    

The INSPIRE 1/6 scale Great Muta figure is without question, one of the
largest (if not, THE largest) Great Muta figure ever released to date. It's also
one of the most hardest to find Great Muta figures in general.  

          

Great Muta Dragon Muta Figure

In 1999, New Japan Pro Wrestling released their first wave of deluxe action
figures titled "Superstarz Figuer Collection Deluxe.

The first two figures in the deluxe line were:

* Superstarz Figuer Collection Deluxe 1: Great Muta (Dragon


and

* Superstarz Figuer Collection Deluxe 2: Power Warrior



The Deluxe Collection featured removable entrance attires, larger packaging
and an enclosed trading card of each respective Wrestler.


Since Mike's Toy Blog already covered the Power Warrior figure in a very
well written review, I thought I would take this opportunity to focus on Great
Muta.




The Dragon Muta figure is based off of Muta's April 29th, 1996 match against
Jinsei Shinzaki ("NJPW Battle Formation in Tokyo Dome"). It was during this
match that Muta began to update his traditional ninja veil entrance attire for more
elaborate and creative designs.



A closeup of the Dragon Muta figure complete with fire design kimono and a
cool silver chinese dragon perched on Muta's shoulders.



Without question, the coolest part of the Dragon Muta figure has to be Muta's
devil skull hood accessory.



The backside of the packaging contains an intense photo of Great Muta in his
Dragon Muta attire with a printed autograph as well as two additional photos
of the Deluxe 1 and 2 figures.

The Great Muta figure shot at the bottom of the packaging is the back half of
the enclosed Dragon Muta trading card; complete with a brief Muta profile.

Collectors should also watch out for the "green" version of this particular
figure; which features dark green facepaint (instead of gold) and a darker

flame design on Muta's ring gear.

Unfortunately, the alternate colouring was not intentional as many figures

from this era with gold paint would discolor into a greenish hue.

With the initial success of the first two Deluxe figures, Toukon Shop would
continue to create an additional 15 figures for their Deluxe line; inspiring All
-Japan Pro-Wrestling and Character Product to release their own highly detailed
 deluxe figures.



Stay tuned for more hard-to-find Puroresu figure reviews...coming soon!