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. 

Pro-Wrestling Ring capsule figure set review

 
Blog #265 - Pro-Wrestling Ring capsule figure set

If gashapons/capsule toys are your thing, you may get a kick out of the Pro-Wrestling Ring set.



The Pro-Wrestling Ring set was released by Marubu in 2022. There are five ring sets to collect.


Argentine Backbreaker.

Lariat.



Giant Swing.




Sasori-gatame.



Like other gashapons, each figure comes with a mini booklet showcasing all five ring sets to collect.



Each ring comes with a grasp at the bottom; allowing collectors to wear the ring like a ringpop.

Present a matching ring to your beau and this set could make ideal wedding rings (or not...).

Banpresto Masakatsu Funaki figure review

As the second instalment in a set of reviews covering Banpresto's Real Figure In
Battledome line, Blog #162 focuses on another figure from the Battledome set:
Masakatsu Funaki.

The late 80's and early 90's brought upon a major shift in combat sports. The burgeoning
MMA scene was reshaping the very definition of toughness in Japan. RINGS, UWFI,
K-1 and PANCRASE were the top shoot fighting promotions throughout Japan during
the era.

Banpresto took note of shoot fighting's popularity in Japan and added three fighters
to the Real Figure roster: Koji Kitao (who was competing for NJPW at the time),
UWFI's Yoji Anjo and PANCRASE's Masakatsu Funaki.

Masakatsu's very first figure adaptation.

Funaki is pictured in his early 1990's look; complete with long hair and Japanese flag
on his ring trunks.

Even with the limited detail given to a Japanese capsule toy, Masakatsu Funaki's likeness
is recognizable.

As a model kit, the Funaki figure contains removable arms and an upper torso.

Funaki stands about 3 inches tall and is noticeably smaller in scale when compared
to other Japanese action figures which regularly stand at 5 inches in height.

The copyright stamp on the back of Funaki's thighs reads:

"(C) PANCRASE

BP CHINA 96"

"BP" standing for Banpresto and the year (1996) in which the figure was made.



Closing thoughts:

For PANCRASE fans, you can't go wrong with the earliest known Masakatsu Funaki
figure.

Though, the rarest figure from Banpresto's Real Figure In Battledome line has to be Jushin
Thunder Liger. In my experience, the Liger from this set rarely comes up for auction.

The complete five figure set. Left to right: Yoji Anjo, Keiji Mutoh, Koji Kitao, Masakatsu Funaki
and Jushin Thunder Liger.

Also pictured are the original pamphlet and gashapon capsule that came with each figure.

The only known figures of Yoji Anjo and Koji Kitao. Koji Kitao is pictured in his mid 90's
Karate Gi. Yoji Anjo contains his nickname "Mr. 200%" along his ring tights.

I especially like the sea monster design on the back of Kitao's Karate Gi.

Banpresto Keiji Mutoh figure review

Let's keep the Japanese figure reviews moving forward with another obscure figure
many collectors may not be aware of.

Blog #161 laces up with the Banpresto Real Figure in Battledome Keiji Mutoh.


Real Figure In Battledome

In 1996, Japanese toy maker Banpresto created a special line of 3 inch gashapon
(Japanese capsule toys that come in vending machines) model kit figures.
The line was called "Real Figure In Battledome".

I believe "Battledome" is a reference to Japan's famous Tokyo Dome arena.


                       

Included with every figure is a small pamphlet showcasing the entire five figure set. From
left to right:

Keji Mutoh,
Masakatsu Funaki,
Yoji Anjo,
Koji Kitao and
Jushin Thunder Liger.

Breaking away from the cute and cartoony chibi-fied merchandise New Japan had been
releasing for years, the "Real Figure" line was Banpresto's attempt at providing Wrestling
collectors with figures that featured realistic body proportions. A feat that was rarely done
with Japanese Wrestling figures by this point.

Keiji Mutoh is pictured in his mid 1990's ring attire. Most likely inspired by the highly-
publicized fight against UWF star Nobuhiko Takada who had "invaded" the New Japan
Pro-Wrestling promotion.

Mutoh is sculpted in his pre-Pro Wrest LOVE pose. Instead, Mutoh is posed
scanning the crowd.

There are very few figure examples of Keiji Mutoh wearing ring trunks.






The back of the Mutoh figure reads "(C) NJPW" and "96 CHINA" since the Real Figure
line was produced in 1996.

The Battledome figures offered limited articulation and removable pieces that acted
as the very first (and, for some Wrestlers, the only) model kits.

The only downside (beyond their simple design) is the overall size of these figures.
Standing no taller than 3 inches at most.

Closing thoughts:

The Real Figure line was one of the earliest examples of a Japanese toy manufacturer
attempting to create realistic-looking figures of Pro-Wrestlers.

In one year's time, New Japan Pro-Wrestling would begin working with Toukon Shop to
create the long-running Super Star Figure Collection (Japan's first major action figure line
based on real-life Pro-Wrestlers since 1981).

Shortly after, gashapon maker Yujin would begin making their own model kit figures of
the NJPW, AJPW and later Pro-Wrestling NOAH promotions in the years to follow.

In our next figure instalment, we'll be taking a look at another icon from the Real Figure
set. Stay tuned!