Pro-Kaku Heroes Vol. 2. - K 1 Fighters Edition figure review

On January 18th, 2005, Character Product would release their second volume
of Pro-Kaku Heroes entitled "Vol. 2. K-1 Fighters Edition".

The individual Vol. 2. Blind Box & 15 pack Hobby Box.

Just like Vol. 1.5.'s repaint series, Vol. 2. would consist of 18 standard

figures plus 1 secret figure and, like Vol. 1. were released in a limited

edition of 180,000 Blind Boxes total. The figures in Vol. 2. are:

"The biggest KO of this thousand years", Mr. "golden left" himself,
Jerome Le Banner [B] entrance attire and [A] ring attire.

Banner's cape is very well designed with gold paint and animal print
designs along the front of the cape. Overall, I've always liked the
overall sculpt of this Mini Big Head.

Banner's left arm is intentionally exposed to pay homage to his famous
fight over Francisco Filho where Banner knocked Filho out in the first
round with a single left punch.

"Mr. Perfect" (all apologies to Curt Henning) K-1 Champion Ernesto
Hoost is next up in the form of two Mini Big Head variants.

Ernesto Hoost [B] variant features Ernesto with blue and white trunks
in his famous low spin-kick pose and a gold painted K-1 Grand Prix
Champion Laurel.

The Ernesto Hoost [A] Mini Big Head (ring attire version) depicts
Hoost in his patented Axe Kick pose along with black and blue trunks.

 K-1's prominent multi-promotional Muay Thai Kickboxer: Masato
 "Silverwolf" Kobayashi.

Both Masato variants sport the rarely-used gold foil paint design on
Masato's hair. The [A] (ring attire) variant includes Masato's Team
Silverwolf logo written on the back of his trunks as well as including
traditional Muay Thai arm straps on Masato's biceps.

Don't forget about the detail on Masato's left ankle design.

 Easily the most recognizable face on this list is cross-promotional star
Bob "The Beast" Sapp.

The Bob Sapp [A] (ring attire) Mini Big Head features an exclusive
sculpt of Sapp ready to perform a Three Point Tackle - a nod to Sapp's
Pre-Wrestling caeer as a Pro-Football player for the Chicago Bears and
Minnesota Vikings.

Bob Sapp [B] includes Sapp's entrance cape painted in a silver and
white design.

The back of the Bob Sapp [B] Mini Big Head includes pegs on the
backs of Sapp's arms which can connect or remove Sapp's entrance
cape.
                       


Another difference between both variants are the designs used on the
backs of both variant's trunks. The ring attire version includes a generic
cross while the entrance version includes Sapp's nickname "THE BEAST".

The only other Mini Big Head to feature a removable cape accessory
is Mimi Hagiwara from Pro-Kaku Heroes Vol. 8.

In total, there were only 5 figures in the entire Mini Big Head series
to include removable accessories making this Bob Sapp Mini Big

Head extra special  and a clear indication of Sapp's impact on the
Puroresu scene at the time.

Continuing the Gaijin portion of the Vol. 2. roster are Cyril "Marseille

Bad Boy" Abidi and the late Mike Bernardo.

Both are painted in blue corner boxing gloves with white and blue
coloring along their ring trunks.

Cyril Abidi earned his fame in the K-1 fight scene from his multiple
fights against Peter Aerts - the last of which is considered one of the
greatest fights in K-1 history.

Japanese fight fans will recognize this next Mini Big Head as none
other than 4 time K-1 tournament Champion Musashi.

Musashi's [B] variant features a standard Karate Gi with black belt
and traditional strong stance Karate pose.



                         

The [A] Musashi variant references Musashi's K-1 ring attire with
black trunks with a white stripe design on the sides and red corner
boxing gloves.

Some of the hardest figures in the Vol. 2. set comes in the form of

Belorussian "The Red Scorpion" Alexey Ignashov, "The Flying
Gentleman" Remy Bonjansky and "The Dutch Lumberjack"
Peter Aerts.

Pro-Wrestling fans might recognize Alexey from his famous 14
second MMA victory over (then) 45 year old legend "Dr. Death"
Steve Williams.

Both Alexey and Remy are sculpted in rising knee attacks (which is

how Remy earned his nickname "The Flying Gentleman") while
Peter is sculpted in the standard Pro-Kaku kick pose.

If you look closely, you'll see a small red peg supporting the Remy
Bonjansky Mini Big Head; making Remy's pose the most complicated
to create ( and hardest to stand up  properly) to date.

Again, the likenesses of each figure is truly spot-on.

The last of the regular roster: Nobuaku Kakuda [A] and [B] along

with 8-time K-1 Grand Prix champ, Samoan Kickboxer Ray Sefo.

While Nobuaku Kakuda is primarily known for his in-ring work,
the Kakuda [A] Mini Big Head references Kakuda's role as a K-1
referee (making Kakuda one of only two referees available in the
entire Pro-Kaku line along Vol. 8.'s "Secret" Shiro Abe Mini Big
Head).

The Nobuaku Kakuda [B] Mini Big Head presents Kakuda in his

Karate ring attire in a fist thrust pose.

Ray Sefo comes in his early 2000's K-1 ring attire and is another
very hard figure to come across.

The secret figure of Vol. 2. is former K-1 President and producer
Sadaharu Tanikawa complete with Microphone in hand - ready
 to announce the match.

Pro-Kaku enthusiasts should note that Tanikawa is one of only two
"Secret" Mini Big Heads (along Vol. 8's Shiro Abe) not to be based
on an actual Wrestler.

Closing thoughts:

Character Product did a fine job of capturing K-1's top talent of the
era with the company's first full-fledged foray into the world of
Mixed  Martial Arts.

To reiterate a post comment made on Vol. 6's Pancrase fighters Yuki
Kondo and Sanae Kikuta, I truly feel there's a lot of potential to
follow up with a legendary shoot fighters volume (as the legend
volumes have proven the most successful overall).

More rarities to come!

Pro-Kaku Heroes - Pre-Release set (alternate color variants) review

Rewind: before the launch of the first wave of Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini
Big Head Figures back in 2004, Character Product released a special
four figure and ring set in 2003.

The set which was called the "Strong Style Pro-Wrest "Ring" & New
Japan Pro-Wrest Superstars" contained four of New Japan's most
popular Wrestlers of the era (since Keiji Mutoh and Satoshi Kojima's
departure to rival company All Japan Pro-Wrestling just a few year
prior).

     

 The set was only available at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's official

"Toukon" (Fighting Spirit) Shop for a limited time.

Now that we're all caught up on the original set. It's time for our
next figure review:


Pro-Kaku Heroes - Pre-Release set (alternate color variants)
                       
                   
Before the release of the first four waves of Pro-Kaku Heroes
in 2004, Character Product (in true New Japan figure fashion)
would once again re-release the four figure and ring set as extra
special alternate color variants.

Like the original ring set, the alternate color variants were only
available as New Japan's Toukon Shop exclusives.

For comparison purposes, I'll be placing the regular Vol. 1.5
"repaint" versions alongside each figure.

The rarest of the set is the Jushin Thunder Liger Mini Big Head

which features silver-foil paint for armor and blue stripes along
his ring tights.

Another minor difference is the small silver circle located in the
middle of Liger's top (on the back) which was painted black and
gold in the Vol. 1.5. version.

Toukon Shop would use the same design a few years earlier
for their common and full-sized Jushin Liger figure.

All five collectable variants of this Mini Big Head!

 

                    

The Yuji Nagata Mini Big Head is based on Nagata's early,
pre- "Blue Justice" attire.

                        

The only real difference between the two versions is that
the pre-release set features Nagata with a mustache while
the 1.5. version does not contain facial hair.                               

Justice is served! All four Yuji Nagata variants.

                                 

Next up is Masahiro Chono in his out-of-character gold hair
color.                                          

                                              
The most noticeable difference is the greenish hue used for the
alternate ring set version (most likely due to discoloration from
light exposure over time). Another nod to this design being released
before the debut of Vol. 1.

Thankfully, the same side effect isn't a problem with later gold-
haired figures from Mini Big Heads line.

Synchronized coolness: All four Chono [A] variants.

        

               
Another highlight from the alternate four figure ring set
is the super cool Hiroyoshi Tenzan Mini Big Head.

                                               

This armored look is based on a full-sized, deluxe Hiroyoshi
Tenzan figure released by Toukon Shop.
                                                                        

The alternate ring set version is the only Tenzan Mini Big
Head to be dressed in ring tights with a unique, silver-spider
web design and matching silver knee pads.  
                              

Rush!: All four Hiroyoshi Tenzan variants.

                      
Besides their subtle differences in coloring, the easiest way
to see if you own one of the ring set variants is to look on the
bottom of each figure's base.                                                               

The first ring set features a copyright stamp from 2003.

The second ring set features a copyright stamp from 2004.

Also, Jushin Thunder Liger's copyright stamp on both versions
also includes "Dynamic Planning" (which is the company owned
by the creator of the Jushin Liger character - Go Nagai).


Closing thoughts:
You have to hand it to New Japan Pro-Wretling for being so
involved with the promotion of Character Product's Pro-Kaku
line.

Not only are these alternate color variants extremely rare,
but their subtle differences make them interesting additions
to any New Japan collection; my absolute favorites being the
Silver/Blue Jushin Thunder Liger and the Silver/Black Hiro-
Yoshi Tenzan figures.


More rarities to come!

Pro-Kaku Heroes - Vol. 7. review

The Vol. 7. 15 figure Hobby Box

                           

August 8th, 2006 saw the release of Pro-Kaku Heroes Mini Big Heads Vol. 7.

Based on the success of Vol. 5's "Legend Fighter" theme from 2005, Vol. 7.
was officially  marketed as "Legend Fighter Part II" which, once again,
featured some of the biggest Pro-Wrestling stars of the golden age of
Japanese Puroresu from the 1970's to early 1990's.

                                         The Vol. 7. individual blind box packaging.

Like other recent Volumes, Vol. 7. consisted of 18 regular figures
to collect plus, for the first time ever, 3 "secret" figures.

The Vol. 7. lineup is:

                            

Japanese Lucha Pioneer Gran Hamada, Seiji Sakaguchi [B] (ring attire)
and Kengo Kimura.

This would be Seiji Sakaguchi's second Mini Big Head since Vol. 1.
from 2004 and was inspired by Sakaguchi's successful tag team
partnership with Antonio Inoki back in the 1970's.

                         
Famous NJPW Dojo trainer Kotetsu Yamamoto (with Kendo training stick),
Jumbo Tsuruta [B] (in ring attire with "Jumping High Knee" pose) and
Genichiro Tenryu [B] (in ring attire with "Knife Edge Chop" pose).

This would be Tsuruta and Tenryu's second figures since Vol. 5.'s Legend
Fighter 1 back in 2005.

The inclusion of Tenryu and Tsuruta are based off of their lengthy
feud in All Japan Pro-Wrestling into the early 1990's.

Next up is the Original Sheik Ed Farhat (complete with dagger and
entrance attire), Umanosuke Ueda (with Kendo Stick) and Japanese
masked man The Cobra (George Takano).

                             
Ueda features a gold foil paint design for his slicked back hair while
the varied colors and pattern of The Cobra's ring mask are quite eye
catching.


Collectors should note that these are the only figures made of these
legends by Character Product.

The next pairing of Mini Big Heads were inspired by an early New Japan

Pro-Wrestling feud between the original Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) and
Kuniaki Kobayashi (left).

During the build up to the duo's feud, Kobayashi started referring to
himself as the "Tiger Hunter" with an intent to defeat Tiger Mask at
any cost.

Then, on November 4th, 1982, during a taped New Japan event,
Kobayashi (much to the shock of the audience) attempted to rip
Tiger's ring mask off mid-fight!

This heel tactic led to Tiger Mask becoming infuriated as he began
to lash out violently against Kobayashi; turning the match into a
ringside brawl as NJPW staff pooled into the ring to stop the match.

Vol. 7. pays homage to this New Japan classic with the Tiger Mask [E]

and Kuniaki Kobayashi Mini Big Heads, the later of which features a
piece of Tiger's Mask clutched in his hand!

There is no shortage of legendary Gaijin talent in Vol. 7. with "The

Texas Bronco" Terry Funk,  charismatic champion Nick Bockwinkle
and "Captain Redneck" himself: Dick Murdoch!

The Terry Funk Mini Big Head (which used the same mold as his full

-sized Character Product Legends figure) is based on Terry's pre-
hardcore look as a popular babyface.

Nick Bockwinkle's Mini Big Head (another legend that never received a
full-sized Charapro figure) is one of the few Mini Big Heads to feature
a mini Championship belt - in this case, the classic AWA Heavyweight
belt.

Like the Umanosuke Ueda Mini Big Head, Nick Bockwinkle features

shiny, gold-foil paint design as his hair color that helps Nick's Mini Big
Head stand out quite easily.

Easily the two most popular inclusions in Vol. 7. are the legendary

tag team of Bruiser Brody [B] and Stan Hansen [B]. 

This time around, Bruiser Brody is featured in his ring attire with

his wild, curly hair untied and sculpted in an exclusive pose based
on Brody's patented "King Kong Knee Drop" move.

Stan Hansen's Mini Big Head (also featured in ring attire) includes
Hansen's iconic "The Western Lariat" finisher.

Again, both the Bruiser Brody and Stan Hansen Mini Big Heads are
based on two, full-sized figures released by Character Product as part
of their famous legends line.

                       

Continuing Vol. 7's inclusion of throwback designs, next up is Keiji
Mutoh [C] and Masahiro Chono [C].


                     

Both designs are based on the duo's late 1980's, very early 1990's
attires.Specifically, before Masahiro Chono reinvented himself as
a heel character and Keiji Mutoh as his pre-NWO Japan/Natural
Born Master looks.

Masahiro Chono's Mini Big Head includes Chono's famous "Kenka

Kick" attack and is the only Chono Mini Big Head to release Chono
without his iconic sunglasses.

When paired with Vol. 4.'s Shinya Hashimoto [A] the Pro-Kaku
Heroes line once again recreates the famous Toukon Sanjushi trio
for the second and last time.

The Superkick pose was a very popular sculpt!

For the first time ever, Vol. 7. breaks the unspoken rule of the Pro-
Kaku Heroes line by including three "secret" (two more than usual)
figures:

Based on the original (not to be confused with the WWF's short-lived

American adaptation) Japanese "The Machines" stable:

Super Strong Machine (Junji Hirata)  --- Silver

Strong Machine #3 (Yasu Fuji)   --- Black
& Strong Machine #2 --- Red  (Yang Seung-hi - also known as Riki Bassan)

                      

Old school Wrestling fans  may also recognize the trio from their
unofficial inclusion in the very early Wrasslin' title: Tag Team Pro-
Wrestling as part of the "Ricky Fighters". 

Random trivia: to avoid lawsuits, the in-game heel duo of El Canek
and Road Warrior Animal are known as the"Strongbads", an obvious
reference to the Strong Machines.

And let's not forget the final boss of World Championship Wrestling
"WCW Master" ( a nod to Andre The Giant's portrayal of "Giant
Machine")!

All three secret variants contain their own minor differences. Super
Strong Machine is the only variant that includes a Leotard, Strong
Machine #3 stands out wearing ring tights and different layers of black
coloring in his ring mask while Strong Machine #2 is the only variant in
a red singlet with gold accents on the mouth portion of his ring mask.

The Strong Machines would be the first secret Mini Big Head figures
NOT to be sculpted in suits, dress attire or based on promotion
Presidents.

Closing thoughts:
From a collection standpoint, Vol. 7. picks up exactly where the
previous wave of Legend Fighters left off. With more familiar
faces and a total of three secret figures to find, Vol. 7. delivers
with a high level of collectability.

It's worth noting that many of the legends featured in Vol. 7.
were never made into full-sized action figures by Character
Product!

If Character Product ever decides to officially resurrect the blind
box minifigure portion of their Pro-Kaku Heroes series, my
personal wishlist for a "Legend Fighter Part III" would be:

Tune in next time for a very special collection of repaint exclusives!