Utsugiyo Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures review

Continuing to share obscure Japanese Wrestling collectibles with the world, I present blog
#260 which squares off against Utsugiyo's Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures.

The Imperial Pro-Wrestling Federation figures are a line of soft vinyl 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?

16d Jushin Thunder Liger figure review

In the realm of Japanese Wrestling figures, there are few Wrestlers who can match the popularity
and merchandising appeal of Jushin Thunder Liger.

The Beast God returns once again for Blog #217 which covers the 16d Jushin Thunder Liger
figure.

Announced on September 6th 2019 (for pre-order) and officially released on December
of the same year, Jushin Thunder Liger is the 9th figure in the 16d collection.

Today, we'll be looking at the standard colour variant.

The right side of the packaging reads:

"Jushin Thunder Liger

Profile
...................................................................................................................................
Date of Birth: April 24th, 1989 (the birth of the Liger character in Wrestling form)
Birthplace: Go Nagai's house (the creator of the Manga/Anime Jushin Liger character)
Debut: April 24th, 1989
Signature Moves: Vertical Drop Brainbuster, Liger Bomb, Palm Bottom"

The very bottom of the box also contains the text

"(C) Go Nagai / Dynamic Planning". Dynamic Planning being the company Go Nagai
operates in association with the Jushin Liger namesake.



           

The opposite side of the packaging displays high quality photos of Liger.

The back of the box has one close-up shot of the Beast God.


                        
The only difference in packaging between the two Liger variants is the coloured sticker at
the top of the box. In this case, the standard colour contains a gold sticker.


             

The second variant (referred to as the "limited edition color") contains a blue sticker at the
top of the packaging.

The bottom of the box contains Dynamic Planning, 16d's parent company and mention
of the Liger figure being made of soft vinyl (PVC).

Ever the character, the soft vinyl Jushin Thunder Liger figure is sculpted in a flexing pose.

Jushin Thunder Liger was sculpted by renown figure maker HAO. This would be the third
figure sculpted by HAO (the last being released in two variants back in the mid 2000's as
part of the HAO Collection).

The detailing with Liger's mask is well painted and accurate.

            

Even the grainy glitter-like effect is present in Liger's chest plate.

Liger stands 13.5cm in height (5.3 inches).

The intricacies of Liger's instantly-recognizable ring attire continues onto the back of
the Liger figure.

Go Nagai and Dynamic Planning are once again referenced on the bottom of the 16d
Liger figure.

In terms of movable pieces, Jushin Liger contains articulation at the shoulders and waist.


Closing thoughts:

Jushin Thunder Liger combines the colourful attire of a modern day superhero with the
allure of a Wrestling legend. A figure, in my humble estimation, that could even appeal to
toy collectors who aren't fans of Pro-Wrestling or Go Nagai's work.


              


While smaller in scale compared to HAO Collection's Jushin Liger figure from about 14
years ago (which are taller at 6 inches in height for comparison's sake), the detail for the
16d figure equivalents I personally feel are superior.

Collectors should keep an eye out for the limited edition 16d Liger variant which features
blue highlights on Liger's mask and ring attire. Though, as a scarce piece, the limited edition
usually sells for double the price of the standard variant from what I seen in the past.

Less than a month later, Jushin Liger would retire from being an active Pro-Wrestler on
January 5th, 2020; ultimately following Genichiro Tenryu, Riki Choshu and Abdullah
The Butcher in regards to figures made by 16d around the time of each legend's
retirement.

HAO Collection Yoshihiro Takayama figure review

The largest source of information for Japanese Pro-Wrestling collectibles

continues with another soft vinyl figure from the popular HAO Collection
line.

Let's take a giant leap over the ropes for Blog #134 for another soft vinyl
figure: the HAO Collection Yoshihiro Takayama figure review.

Released in 2004 as part of HAO Collection's earliest Wrestling figures,
Takayama comes in HAO's standard slip-case packaging.

                                

When the cardboard backing of the package is slipped off, the packaging
becomes a jumbo trading card.

Like other early HAO figures, the packaging mentions that the Takayama
HAO figure is a limited edition and displays a large graphic of Takayama
performing his well known "NO FEAR" (Takayama's All Japan and Pro
-Wrestling NOAH tag team with Takao Omori) pointing pose .

The right side of the packaging displays the "@mbition" logo along with
Takayama's name in Japanese Kanji.

The bottom left portion of the packaging contains a hanko stamp (it is
more common in Japan to sign items with an individual's custom-made
stamp than to sign with a signature) with the attached (now-defunct)
website link takayama.do.com.

The back of the packaging contains an even more impressive graphic
of Takayama along with the standard production credits.

While I'm not familiar with the "@mbition" company, I presume the
company is behind the licensing of Takayama's image and may have
been run by Takayama himself (kind of like Keiji Mutoh's LEG LOCK,
Giant Baba's "Giant Services" or Atsushi Onita's  EVIL WAYS companies).

                           

The Takayama HAO figure comes dressed in black trunks with UWF
style ring boots and white wristbands.

                                

Takayama's face sculpt features a shifted glance (a trait common with a few
HAO figures) as Takayama anticipates his next match.

Even in soft vinyl format, HAO made sure to include the mole on Takayama's
chin.


                              

                                       

Takayama's bleached yellow hair is patterned with patches of white for texture.




                                    

The sides of Takayama's ring boots contain gold text which read "Takayama".

Fellow UWF legend Akira Maeda would also receive similar a similar
treatment with his two HAO figure variants.

Takayama performing his best The Rock taunt.

The HAO Collection Yoshihiro Takayama figure features articulation at the
neck, arms and waist.



                             

The bottom of Takayama's right boot reads "(C) HAO 2004" indicating that
the Takayama HAO figure was made around the same time as other mixed
martial artists fighters from the HAO line such as Bob Sapp, Don Frye,
Takada Nobuhiko and Fedor Emelianenko.


                            

When compared next to Mattel's Kamala and Toukon Shop's Yuji Nagata figures.

Scale-wise, Yoshihiro Takayama stands an impressive 7 and a half inches (20
cm) tall - making Takayama one of the biggest figures ever in the HAO
Collection line!

HAO Collection Mitsuharu Misawa (Green ver.) figure review

Welcome back to the largest source of Japanese Pro-Wrestling collectibles information
anywhere on the web. A constantly growing archive and online store that provides
thousands of high quality photos, in-depth figure coverage and the extensive history
behind many of the collectibles featured in this blog!

From the common to the incredibly obscure, Tiger Driver Collectibles is your go-to
source  covering the incredible world of Puroresu merchandise!


For blog #126, we'll be taking a look at another incredibly rare and highly sought
-after piece. HAO Collection's Mitsuharu Misawa green variant soft vinyl figure!

                               

After a long wait, Mitsuharu "Mr. Triple Crown" Misawa was finally added to
the HAO Collection lineup in 2007.

Misawa would be released alongside other legends the same year as Kensuke
Sasaki, Jushin Thunder Liger, Minoru Suzuki, Yoshihiro Takayama and fellow
rival Kenta Kobashi.

Let's take a closer look at the Mitsuharu Misawa figure itself!

Misawa is sculpted in his signature elbow strike pose.

This standard variant features Misawa in his classic green and silver ring tights.

As one of the largest and most detailed Mitsuharu Misawa figures ever released,

 Misawa stands about 6 inches tall and is made of soft vinyl.

Without question, Misawa's late 2000's Pro-Wrestling NOAH era likeness is very
well captured and almost lifelike.

The Misawa HAO Collection figure even features Misawa's era-accurate facial
hair along Misawa's jawline.

Mitsuharu Misawa was released in two variants. The standard green variant and
a limited edition alternate red variant that was only limited to 500 pieces.

Both variants feature articulation at the arms, right forearm, neck and waist.