Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection Vol. 1. Kensuke Sasaki figure review

The mid 90's formed a cornerstone in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's sense of marketing.  
A direction inspired heavily by the World Wrestling Federation's longstanding
approach of creating merchandise aimed towards an adolescent demographic.

Setting themselves apart from rival promotions, New Japan Pro-Wrestling began
adopting cartoon caricatures of their biggest stars. Illustrations that were used to
promote upcoming shows and were adorned on countless pieces of merchandise
produced by the promotion.

Blog #169 showcases one of the more obscurer pieces from this particular art
direction. Enter the Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection Kensuke Sasaki figure.

The Kensuke Sasaki keychain stands about 2 inches tall in height and is modelled after
Sasaki's late 1990's simple black trunks and wrestling boots attire.

The Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Collection was produced by Character Product in 2000.
One of the earliest examples of the toy manufacturer switching from their older "Charapro"
logo to "Character Product".

The three copyrights attached to each figure's card represents New Japan Pro-Wrestling,
Inoki International (since Antonio Inoki is included in the figure line) and "EVILWAYS"
the merchandise holder for Atsushi Onita (who, likewise, is also present in this line).

Despite having a recognizable likeness, this keychain figure is not one of Sasaki's
finer moments in figure form.

Sasaki's era-accurate mullet and goatee are well represented, though. With particular
attention paid to the strands in Sasaki's hair.

The 12 figures to collect in the Pro-Wrestling Key Holder Vol. 1. collection are:

Top row: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Shinya Hashimoto, Masahiro Chono, Satoshi Kojima

Middle row: Atsushi Onita, Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Riki Choshu

Bottom row: Great Muta (red), Great Muta (black), Kensuke Sasaki and Power Warrior.


On closer inspection, the included logo for "Character Product" is still an early example
that would soon be changed for a third and final time.

ima corporation (who we just reviewed in the K-1 Ernesto Hoost keychain figure review)
are more commonly known for producing merchandise for the K-1 promotion. ima were
also responsible for teaming with HAO to create the polystone Antonio Inoki statue.

Character Product, Toukon Shop, Mogura House, ima corporation, HAO Arts Office and
16d have all worked hand in hand with one another over the years to produce figures for
Japanese Pro-Wrestling promotions. Odd.


Overall thoughts:

Not Kensuke's finest moment in figure form, yet still a faithful recreation of New Japan's
cartoonish source material from the era.

The rarest figures from the set are the Great Muta variants and Kensuke Sasaki's alter ego
Power Warrior. Atsushi Onita has also become quite collectible in recent years with the
western Deathmatch fare.

Character Product would continue releasing other lines of keychain figures, but the
Pro-Wrestling Key Holder collection would never reach another volume.

Character Product Kensuke Sasaki & Akira Hokuto DX figures review

Continuing our in-depth look at Character Product's DX figure line,

blog #63 focuses on a special two-pack of Pro-Wrestling couple
Kensuke Sasaki and Akira Hokuto!

Both figures come with two attachable foot holders, a super-sized
acrylic base and attachable name plate.

                            


The four foot holders and name plate can be attached to any part
of the base. The base itself is roughly three times the size of
Character Product's standard DX bases.


                           

The name plate reads "Kensuke Sasaki & Akira Hokuto" in Japanese.



                           

Kensuke comes with a slip-on mask accessory, which Kensuke
would wear under the "Volcano Mask" gimmick.


                       

Like New Japan's Toukon Shop figures, the included mask
accessory is made of rubber.

Just be careful with the thin chinstrap portion of the mask when
placing it over the Kensuke Sasaki figure's head.

                    

The Kensuke Sasaki DX figure comes dressed in his early 2000's
"Volcano" attire where Sasaki operated as Freelance Wrestler
shifting between MMA, NJPW and eventually AJPW.

                              

Kensuke's NJPW-era mullet has also been cut in Kensuke's
new head sculpt.


                            

The Kensuke DX figure features plenty of eye catching visuals
painted across Kensuke's ring trunks.



                      

The left side of Kensuke's trunks contains an awesome graphic of a
volcano erupting. If you look closely, you'll notice that the lava spells
out "KENSUKE" in black letters!

The decal also includes the text "VOLCANO ERUPTION".

Truly, one of my favorite parts of this figure.

                   


The right side of Kensuke's ring trunks contains a intricate stripe
design with a silver finish that continues downwards  to Kensuke's
boots.


                      

As Kensuke was a freelance Wrestler at the time, there is no copyright
stamped on the back of the Kensuke DX figure.

                        

The second figure in the set is Kensuke's real-life wife and Joshi
legend Akira Hokuto.

This figure depicts Akira in her post-retirement role as Kensuke's
manager. Dressed in training attire, Akira also comes with her
signature Kendo stick accessory.


                                 

What makes this figure extra special is Akira's wedding ring. This is the
only Puroresu figure to feature one!



                                  

The decal on the left side of Akira's ring pants reads "Kensuke
FREELANCE PRO-WRESTLER".

                       

The front of Akira's shirt reads "I AM" in English and "鬼妻"
(Devil Woman) on the back in Japanese Kanji.



                    

Both figures feature articulation at the waist and arms.

Character Product would release two other variants of the Kensuke
Sasaki and Akira Hokuto DX figure set (red and a limited edition
white attire version).

Unfortunately, this would be Akira's only full-sized action figure
(and, coincidentally, the only Character Product figure of ANY
Joshi Wrestler to date).

More figure reviews to come!

Kensuke Sasaki HAO Collection figure review

2007 was quite the year for HAO Arts Office. Adding to a stellar lineup of

Wrestling legends such as Kenta Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Mitsuharu Misawa,

Minoru Suzuki and Jushin Thunder Liger, HAO Arts Office would also

release two soft vinyl figures to the year's roster: Japanese powerhouse

Kensuke Sasaki!



                       

The first and standard vfigure ariant features Kensuke decked out in white
trunks and boots.



                       

The left side of Kensuke's shorts display the "Kensuke Office" (Kensuke
and wife Akira Hokuto's own Wrestling promotion) logo.


                           

The right side of Kensuke's trunks display his name in bold letters.

The green, blue and yellow colour scheme is reminiscent of Kensuke's
early New Japan Pro-Wrestling attires.


                            

The colours continue to stretch across the back of Kensuke's ring
attire and matching ring boots.

                                

The second variant is a limited edition with a total number of 500
pieces created; making this the rarest Kensuke Sasaki figure ever
created!
                                

With clenched fists, Kensuke is ready to dish out lariats and
hammering forearms to any opponent!


                              

Dressed in orange trunks with gold accents, the 20th Anniversary logo is
displayed within the Kensuke Office logo with " 健介" (Kensuke) written
in Japanese Kanji.

Unfortunately, having acquired this figure without it's original packaging, this
particular variant loses points with me as the paint used for the 20th Anniversary
decal is very fragile and chips away quite easily.

The right side of Kensuke's trunks once again include his name in gold,
orange and silver finishes.

                      
Kensuke's ring boots contain silver, gold and red colouring with tan
soles. The Kensuke Office logo is also visible on the back of
Kensuke's trunks.

The Anniversary continues...

To celebrate Kensuke Sasaki's 20th Anniversary, Japanese toy company
Character Product (also known simply as "Charapro") released four
special figure variants of Kensuke Sasaki to celebrate the occasion.


                           

The first Anniversary exclusive Kensuke Sasaki Mini Big Head (pictured
with Akira Hokuto) as a special cellphone strap figure.


                          

The "20th Anniversary" decal is once again visible with Kensuke's
name written in silver finish.

                     

The standard Vol. 4. Kensuke Sasaki Mini Big Head and special
Power Warrior repaint cellphone strap (which was sold exclusively
through the Kensuke Office promotion!).

Pro-Kaku Heroes Strap Figures Review

In the mid 2000's, Character Product would release special versions of
select figures from their Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Head figures line.

Marketed as "Figure Straps", these figures were meant to be attached
to cell phones for the mobile minded Puro fan.

While we have already covered the special Antonio Inoki Jungle Fight
figure strap (you can read the write up HERE), today we'll be focusing
on three additional figures:

The first figure is of Joshi legend Akira Hokuto.

The packaging consists of the "Kensuke Office" promotion logo in the top
left along "Devil Woman" (鬼妻) in Japanese Kanji along with the word
"strap" at the bottom.

                       
Strangely, there is no mention of Character Product anywhere on the
packaging. The Akira Hokuto Strap is an update of the Pro-Kaku
Heroes Vol. 4. Akira Hokuto Mini Big Head.

The repainted strap version features a lighter skin tone, purple
lip paint, black kendo stick and ""Devil Woman" (鬼妻) written
across Hokuto's shirt.

Both designs are based on Character Product's full sized Kensuke
Sasaki and wife/manager Akira Hokuto two figure set.

Also under the Kensuke Office banner is none other than Kensuke
Sasaki as his Road Warriors inspired alter ego "Power Warrior"!

The yellow font on the packaging reads "Power-. Warrior".


                          

           

The front and back of Power Warrior's packaging. Character Product is listed as the
manufacturer; while the material of the strap is listed as PVC.

                        
The Power Warrior strap is a repaint of the Vol. 4. Kensuke
Sasaki Mini Big Head.

In the mid 2000's, Kensuke Sasaki would resurrect his Power
Warrior gimmick when teaming with Road Warrior Animal.
The duo was billed as the "Hell Warriors".

From the grey and green streaks in Warrior's hair to his intricate

warpaint and tights decals, the Power Warrior strap figure contains
an impressive amount of detail!

                         

Just in case you were wondering, yes, the figure straps' heads are
also removable. It's just a shame that the Power Warrior figure is
incredibly difficult to stand on it's own without a display base.

The last of today's figure straps is the Mastodon himself: Big Van
Vader!

The packaging for the Vader strap reads:
 
"20th Anniversary Coming to Japan
Cell Phone Strap
Emperor Warrior Vader"

The Vader figure strap variant is a repaint of the Vol. 9. Big Van
 Vader Mini Big Head.

The strap variant's colouring is based on Vader's early 2000's

Pro-Wrestling NOAH attire.

Like the Inoki Jungle Fight strap, the Vader strap also includes a leather
attachment with Vader's iconic catchphrase "IT'S VADER TIME"!


Closing thoughts:

When I first discovered pictures of the figure straps online, I thought
the straps were unofficial, fan-created customs. It turns out, however,
that Character Product licensed quite a few figure strap repaints that
were sold through New Japan's Toukon Shop.

The best part is, Toukon Shop is still releasing Mini Big Head style
figure straps to this day - with current stars such as Hirooki Goto,
Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yuji Nagata (to name a few)!

Just how many straps exist at the moment is anyone's guess.
To be continued...