Super Star Figure Collection Tadao Yasuda figure review

In the land of the rising sun, Japanese Pro-Wrestling and Sumo Wrestlers have gone hand-in-hand
since the dawn of Puroresu.

Once again delving deep into the product photo archive, the next submission for Blog #151 is
Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure Collection Tadao Yasuda figure.

Like other prominent Sumos before Yasuda (such as Genichiro Tenryu, Hiroshi Wajima,
Haruka Eigen, Akira Taue and even Rikidozan himself), a lot of press was made when
Tadao Yasuda retired from Sumo and joined New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1993.

Yasuda is sculpted with an emotionless, blank stare and arms at side. Not much to
write about here/ I suppose raising Yasuda's arms could recreate a pushing pose
suitable enough for a former Sumo.

Tadao Yasuda would be the 35th figure released as part of Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure
Collection in 2000. Just four years before Yasuda's retirement from New Japan.

Despite Yasuda's 11 year career with NJPW, he would only get one figure released in his
likeness.

Jushin Thunder Liger Super Star Figure Collection review

When the terms Jr. Heavyweight or Cruiserweight Champions are brought up between
Pro-Wrestling fans, one of the first names that comes to mind is Jushin Thunder Liger.

Like the original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) that came before him, Jushin Liger was
a tremendous success in Japan. A talented in-ring worker, a gimmick lifted directly from
a popular Japanese anime/manga series and a Wrestler who has become instantly recognizable
by his trademark mask.

It's no surprise then that New Japan  decided to capitalize on Liger's success with a plethora
of merchandise all based on the Hyper Beast God.

Digging through the archive of old product photos, there's no time like the present to gloss over
several different figure variants. For Blog #150, let's take a closer look at a few of the figures
released of Jushin Thunder Liger from the Super Star Figure Collection line.

Jushin Liger's original Red and white figure variant was one of the first figures from Toukon
Shop's Super Star Figure Collection line dating back to the late 1990's.

Pictured above on the left is the Black Liger variant (Super Star Figure Collection 27) which
features a darker attire in which Liger began wearing in the late 1990's. This particular figure
variant was released in 2000.

On the right is the white and silver Liger variant (Super Star Figure Collection 49) which was
produced in 2002.

A side by side comparison of the back of both packages. Notice how the graphics on the back
improved greatly by 2002?

A loose (with slight wear) example of the white and silver Liger variant.

Standard for most Toukon Shop/Character Product figures, each variant contains the
same sculpt.

A close up of Liger's mask and fighting pose. You can almost anticipate a flurry of shotei
strikes are soon to be unleashed!

As if the standard red, black, and silver Liger variants weren't enough, Toukon Shop
also released three special clear versions!

The see-through translucent figures variants were another first for Toukon Shop starting
in 1998. A figure type Character Product and sister company Mogura House would adopt
into future figure lines.

The clear Liger variants are:
Clear Red (Super Star Figure Collection 10 - 1998)
Clear White (Super Star Figure Collection 10 - 1998)
Clear Blue (Super Star Figure Collection 49 - 2002).

Photo credit: starwars.com

The clear blue Liger variant reminds me of the Frito Lays "Ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi"
Mail-away figure exclusive from 1997.

As an added bonus, I'm throwing in one last figure variant for this blog:

Released alongside the Super Star Figure Collection and Deluxe Figure Collection lines
in the late 1990's came Toukon Shop's "Official Bronze Type Figure" line in the process.

The "bronze" look was actually just Toukon Shop painting over certain figures from the
Super Star Figure Collection entirely black.

I would imagine (but don't recommend) stripping the paint off these bronze figures would
be the closest thing to owning a Prototype of each Super Star figure.

Unlike the clear figure variants, the bronze figures obscured intricate details on each
figure; making them harder to appreciate.

Sadly, this Liger bronze figure has lost portions of it's paint along the arms.

The bronze type Liger figure was released in 1999 and contains the same packaging as the
original red and white Jushin Liger (Super Star Figure Collection 10) from 1998.

Stay tuned for more Puroresu figure coverage!

Super Star Figure Collection Hidekazu Tanaka figure review

By the late 2000's, Toukon Shop began adding more Championship belts to their New Japan
Pro-Wrestling figures. Most of which were bundled in with recognizable Wrestlers such as
Antonio Inoki, Yoshihiro Takayama, Kendo Kashin and Don Frye (to name a few).

Our next figure review analyzes one rare example where a NJPW belt was packaged with
a New Japan talent who wasn't a Wrestler.


Blog #149 announces the arrival of the Toukon Shop Hidekazu Tanaka figure.


Released in 2000 as the 39th figure in Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure Collection line,
Hidekazu Tanaka is best known for being New Japan Pro-Wrestling's announcer and
colour commentator from the early 1990's to mid 2000's.

If you ever watched a classic New Japan match from the 1990's, you've probably heard
Tanaka's memorable voice.

Admittedly, this is my least favourite figure sculpt from Toukon Shop. The design
(especially around the face) looks unfinished to me.

Judging by his facial expression, Tanaka seems frightened; which doesn't translate
well into a Pro-Wrestling setting.

The one redeeming factor and sneaky sales tactic to purchase the Hidekazu Tanaka figure
is the included IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt accessory. One of the earliest (if
not, first examples of a title created by Toukon Shop).

As a side note, there are only two known figures of Hidekazu Tanaka. The first was actually
produced as a Gashapon figure one year earlier by Yujin as part of their Fight Box series.

The back of Tanaka's packaging includes a small dossier and some information in regards
to Tanaka's involvement with New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

As Pro-Wrestler Kazuyuki Fujita was included in Toukon Shop's deluxe figure line with
two IWGP championship belts just one year later,  Hidekazu Tanaka's desirability in figure
form was sadly diminished in the process.

While not one of the more sought after figures to Wrestling collectors, Hidekazu Tanaka
is still an important part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's history. A commentator and announcer
who is still active in the Japanese Pro-Wrestling circuit to this day.

Super Star Figure Collection Deluxe Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure review

Continuing the three-part trilogy of Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure coverage, we'll be taking
an in-depth look at one of my favourite Puroresu figures. Blog #148 challenges the
Super Star Figure Collection Deluxe Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure by Toukon Shop.

Released as part of Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure Collection Deluxe in 2003 (the updated
series name to Toukon Shop's Deluxe Figure Collection line), this would Hiroyoshi Tenzan's
third and final, full-sized action figure released to date.

Mecha Tenzan would be the 13th figure added to the Deluxe Line.

If you thought the entrance attires of modern New Japan talent are wild, take a look
at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's spiked, scaled and metallic attire.

                   

A homage to Mecha Godzilla!

Tenzan's boots contain armoured shin guards and kneepads along with a grill design
along Tenzan's tights.

          

The very rare Mecha and standard Mini Big Head variants of Hiroyoshi Tenzan that were
produced between 2003 and 2004.

The Mecha Tenzan action figure was also shrunken down into an extremely rare alternate
figure variant as part of Character Product's Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Head figure
line.

So rare that photographed examples were next to impossible to find for many years!

The studded design continues on the back of the Mecha Tenzan figure. I especially
like the spiked shoulder armour and tattered look of Tenzan's robe portion.








With mecha helmet removed. Tenzan retains his intense grimace as depicted in all of
Tenzan's Toukon Shop action figures.






Tenzan's facial hair and signature haircut are also spot on.







A closeup of the scale texture on the back of Tenzan's attire.

Out of the three action figures released by Toukon Shop, this is hands downs, my favourite
depiction of Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

Other than a few keychains and minfigures, the Mecha variant would be the last action figure
based on Hiroyoshi Tenzan to date. Though, what a figure to go out on.

To Toukon Shop, I tip my hat to you.

Stay tuned for more Puroresu figure coverage.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan Deluxe Figure Collection review

In our last review, we took a look at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's first action figure from the late
1990's.

Keeping the offence going, Blog #147 takes on the Deluxe Figure Collection Hiroyoshi Tenzan.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan would receive his second action figure three years after the release of
his inclusion in the Super Star Figure Collection line.

The Deluxe Figure Collection (written with the typo on the packaging as "Figuer") was
Toukon Shop's attempt at producing New Japan Pro Wrestling figures complete with
removable entrance attire accessories.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan would be the sixth figure in Toukon Shop's Deluxe Figure Collection line behind

#1 Great Muta (Dragon),
#2 Power Warrior,
#3 Great Muta (Cyber),
#4 Kendo Kashin
and #5 Satoshi Kojima)

Tenzan comes dressed in his early 2000's purple entrance attire (which cannot be removed, unfortunately). Like Tenzan's last Toukon Shop action figure, Tenzan also comes with his
signature bullhorn helmet.

I wish Tenzan's Bull pendant was removable. But, alas, it is only decoration.

The back of the packaging contains Tenzan's stats and a brief summary of Tenzan's in-ring
exploits up until 2000. The figure itself was released in 2001 nearing the end of Toukon
Shop's run as a NJPW figure maker.

While Toukon Shop were known to produce figures based on Wrestler's entrance attires
in the past (such as Antonio Inoki or Osamu Nishimura's robe variant figures) the Deluxe
Figure Collection line served to recreate some of New Japan's most eye-catching and complex
entrance attires into figure form for the first time ever and in far greater scale.

As the sixth entry in the Deluxe Figure Collection line, Hiroyoshi Tenzan keeps the
tradition going strong.

Next up, we'll be taking a look at Hiroyoshi Tenzan's last action figure.

Hiroyoshi Tenzan Super Star Figure Collection 9 review

Let's storm into our next figure coverage like a raging bull. Or, better yet as New Japan veteran ....Hiroyoshi Tenzan!

Blog #146 takes a look at the Hiroyoshi Tenzan Super Star Figure Collection 9 figure by Toukon Shop.

As the ninth figure in Toukon Shop's Super Star Figure Collection, this figure would also
be the first to feature the likeness of Tenzan into action figure format.

The bottom of the packaging states the Hiroyoshi Tenzan figure was made in 1998
through Toukon Shop.

The back of the packaging contains lists Tenzan's stats and a brief description of
his in-ring accolades going up to 1997.

The stats read:

"Height: 183 cm Weight: 120kg
Special moves: Diving Headbutt
                         Mongolian Chop"


Now, let's take a look at the Tenzan figure when removed from it's packaging:

Tenzan comes with his signature Bull Horn helmet entrance accessory and is decked
out in his familiar animal stripe ring trunks.

A close-up of Tenzan's helmet brings to mind Jushin Thunder Liger.

Before we had the Brahma Bull, we had Hiroyoshi Tenzan and his cool bull decal
on the back of his trunks.

With bullhorn helmet removed. Tenzan looks ready to fight!

Perhaps Tenzan's most noticeable physical trait is his unique, side-shaved mullet with yellow highlights. A look that is still synonymous with Tenzan even to this day.

A close-up of Tenzan's bull decal.

As a big deal in New Japan Pro-Wrestling during the late 1990's, Toukon Shop (and later Character
Product) would go on to create several figures based on Tenzan's likeness.

In our next review we'll be looking at another Tenzan figure from Toukon Shop's DX line.

NJPW Coin Banks Review

Welcome back to the largest online archive for Japanese Pro-Wrestling merchandise on the web.
In this blog, you will find thousands of product photos and information associated with the
fascinating world of Puroresu and beyond.

Today, we'll be taking a look at another obscure piece of merchandise from the mid
to late 1990's. Blog #145 is all about the New Japan Pro Wrestling Coin Banks
(Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight versions).

We'll start with the Heavyweight class:

The coin bank features four of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's top stars from the era (from left to
right): Shinya Hashimoto, Masahiro Chono, Kensuke Sasaki and Keiji Mutoh.

The left side of the packaging contains pictures of Kensuke Sasaki and Kendo Kashin.

From the top of the packaging, you can see glimpses of Jushin Thunder Liger and
Shinya Hashimoto.

The right side of the packaging contains great photos of Masahiro Chono, Satoshi Kojima and
Keiji Mutoh.

The concept of the bank itself is based on the four presidents depicted in the famous
American monument Mt. Rushmore.

I believe Toukon Shop were responsible for creating this piece as the four heads look similar
to the individual busts Toukon Shop also released around the same time of these Wrestlers.

The base reads "新日本プロレスリング" (New Japan Pro-Wrestling).

Like many figures from the late 90's and early 2000's, the coin bank was another unfortunate
casualty to a special type of gold paint that discoloured into a green hue from over the years.

Even when removed fresh from it's packaging (which also included plastic shrinkwrap).

The back of the coin bank includes a coin slot and an imprinted NJPW Lion logo.

The majority of the discoloration trickled down to the bottom of the base. Having the
bank shrinkwrapped for 20 something years probably didn't help either.

The coin bank stands no more than 5 inches tall and is very light-weight. I suspect the bank
may be made out of plastic or (more likely with Japanese figures) PVC material.

The second coin bank in the series is the Junior Heavyweight division.



Packaged examples of both weight divisions.

The Wrestlers featured in the Junior Heavyweight version are (from left to right):
Koji Kanemoto, Jushin Thunder Liger, Shinjiro Ohtani and Kendo Kashin.




The green discoloration was a common theme with the golden coin banks. As seen in the
above photo.

Both classes had two variants: silver and gold (four banks in total to collect).

Overall, a unique and interesting addition to the line of New Japan Pro-Wrestling merchandise
that was presented in the 1990's. They make great display pieces and serve a practical function:
save up your coins for more Puroresu figures!

Stay tuned for more Japanese figure reviews coming your way!