Jinsei Shinzaki DX Character Product figure review

Before we begin today's figure review, I'd just like to announce

that I have finally finished going through and updating this blog
from the ground up.

The previous blog entries (about 38 in total) now include new
pictures, scans, updated links, added information and even series
checklists!

Click the "older posts" button at the bottom of this page to scroll
through and check out all of the previous figure reviews in this
blog. You'll be glad you did!



Jinsei Shinzaki DX Character Product figure review:
Today's blog post is all about Character Products's deluxe Jinsei
Shinzaki (better known as "Hakushi - the white angel" to Western
Wrestling fans) figure.

                            

Released  in 2002, the clamshell packaging features a graphic of Jinsei
(left) and his alter ego Hakushi (right).

The bottom of the packaging includes a bonus, interchangeable arm
accessory.

This figure is also one of the earliest examples of Character Product
switching from blister to clamshell packaging.

                                

The back of the packaging contains Shinzaki's stats (top left corner)
as well as an uncommon split biography for both Jinsei (left) AND
Hakushi (bottom right)!

The Jinsei Shinzaki DX Character Product figure comes with two
interchangeable arms accessories; the first of which holds Shinzaki's
entrance monk staff (known as a Shakujo). 

The tip and handle grip of this particular copy of Shinzaki's monk staff
has discoloured to a dark green with age.


                         

A hard to find, non-discoloured example.

In Buddhist tradition, the Shakujo monk staff contained rings that would
jingle as the holder would walk. The purpose for the sounds were to ware
off wild animals and alert the faithful in need that a Monk was in close
proximity.

As one of the very few Shinzaki figures in existence, this particular
design features Japanese Kanji on both sides of Shinzaki's ring pants.

The left side also contains a red stamped decal beneath the Kanji.

The right side of Shinzaki's ring pants. Shinzaki is also wearing split
- toe, white Tabi shoes.

As an authorized figure, the back of the Shinzaki DX figure's pants
are stamped with "(C) JINSEI CHINA".


                              


Pictured with a Mogura House Shinya Hashimoto figure.

The second interchangeable arm accessory switches Shinzaki's left

staff -holding arm with an outstretched arm mold intended to recreate
Shinzaki's signature "Ogami Watari" (translation: "God Walk") attack!

When used by other Wrestlers, the move goes by the name "Rope Walk
Chop" or just simply "Old School".

Stan Hansen HAO soft vinyl figure review

In 2008, HAO introduced a brand new, soft vinyl series called

"Regards For Superstars".

The Regards For Superstars (or simply "RS" for short) series
consisted of four figures represented as "Volumes". The
figures featured in the RS series are:

Vol. 001 Giant Baba
Vol. 002 Stan Hansen
Vol. 003 Akira Maeda (UWF Ver. with white wristbands)
Vol. 003 Akira Maeda (RINGS Ver. with red wristbands)

Today, we'll be looking at Vol. 002 - the Badman from
Borger, Texas: Stan "The Lariat" Hansen!

                        
This collectible figure was limited to just 1500 pieces exclusively
in Japan!


                      

The back of the packaging features a dossier on Hansen as
well as his various championship victories. The bio reads:

"STAN HANSEN
 PROFILE
 Real name: John Stanley Hansen
 Date of birth: August 29th, 1949
 From/Nationality: America, Texas
 Blood type: O
 Height: 195cm
 Weight: 145kg
 Debut: January 1st, 1973
 Titles: Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship
            AWA Heavyweight Championship
            NWF Heavyweight Championship
            International Heavyweight Championship
            PWF Heavyweight Championship
            UN Heavyweight Championship
            World's Strongest Tag League Tag
            International Tag Team Championship
            PWF Tag Team Championship
            WWF US Tag Team Championship
            NWA US Heavyweight Championship
Finisher: Western Lariat"
 
The bottom of the packaging also features "(C) John
Stanley Hansen II".

The slip-case packaging also acts as a jumbo trading card!

Stan's name is written in both English and Japanese as  "スタン
・ハンセン" along with the Regards For Superstars logo in the
top left corner.

                            



The HAO Stan Hansen vinyl figure is sculpted in Hansen's
famous "Texas Longhorns" pose. You can almost hear Hansen
shouting his trademark "YOOOUUUTTTTH" battle cry!

Wrestling trivia: Hansen started shouting "Youth" during his feud
against the Funk brothers (who were considered "old") in the
late 1970's as part of All Japan Pro-Wrestling's "youth movement".

Even after the feud ended, Hansen (and the Japanese fans) continued
to keep the taunt alive; which would go on to become Hansen's
signature pre-match catchphrase for the rest of his career.

Before the Rattlesnake, there was the Lariat.

                                     

                    

The left side of Hansen's vest includes his initials "SH".

                       

Stan Hansen is one of the few HAO figures to include an accessory.
In this case, Hansen's famous bull rope which is attached to Hansen's
left hand.

As with many figures from this line, the Stan Hansen HAO figure
is just awesome to look at (and my personal favorite of the legend).



                          


Hansen's boots also include a Texas Longhorns logo complete
with bull decal.


                      

The HAO Stan Hansen figure includes a fringe pattern (sculpted
out of vinyl) along the edges of Hansen's vest and even detailing
around his black cowboy hat.

Posing wise, Hansen features articulation at the left arm waist and
neck joints only. Hansen's right arm can't be lowered from an
upwards position.

To chop or not to chop? That is the question.
Posed next to HAO's Kenta Kobashi throwback figure.

From the horns down, the Hansen HAO soft vinyl figure
is 8 inches tall; making this rarity one of the largest Hansen
figures ever created!


How many HAO figures do you own?

Yoshiaki Fujiwara Character Product figure review

When the term "legendary submission masters" comes up, chances are, most Wrestling
fans are referring to the master of the Fujiwara Armbar: Yoshiaki Fujiwara.

In this review, we'll be looking at the Yoshiaki Fujiwara action figure released by Character
Product.
                        

The front of the packaging displays Yoshiaki Fujiwara's name in both English and Japanese
Kanji to the right.

Fujiwara's own "Fujiwara Family" company logo is printed at the
top right of the packaging; signifying that this figure is an officially
endorsed product by the catch legend himself.

This Fujiwara figure is one of two variants that was released by Character Product in the
early 2000's. This variant features Fujiwara wearing his modern Wrestling boots and comes
with two accessories that are exclusive to this variant.

* Baton (Fujiwara is famously known for his strict training methods) & * Drinking flask
(for outdoor survival and post-match celebration).

Notice the missing barcode?

The back of the packaging features a great graphic of Fujiwara with a brief bio and a list
of his various accolades as a Pro-Wrestler.

With fists clenched, Fujiwara is ready for the fight to start.

                                 

Fujiwara's likeness is captured in superb detail with an accurate face sculpt.

Character Product would also use this same Fujiwara head sculpt for the Vol. 1. Yoshiaki
Fujiwara Mini Big Head.

EPOCH Jushin Thunder Liger & Great Muta Corinthian figures

In 1998, American Toy maker Corinthian (best known for
their extremely popular line of Soccer figurines) released
their first set of figures based on Japanese Pro-Wrestlers.

Through a special partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling
and Japanese figure maker EPOCH, Corinthian would create
a number of figures for their popular Headliner line; dubbing
the spin-off series "Professional Wrestlers HEADLINERS".

Let's take a look at some of the figures:

The first figure is Jushin Thunder Liger; complete with
Corinthian-style base.

                                 
This Corinthian likeness predates a lot of Jushin Liger's figures
and depicts Liger ready to perform a "Shotei" strike attack!

Unfortunately, the Corinthian figures do not feature any
articulation or head movement (like a Bobble Head figure).
          

           

Next up is The Great Muta complete with gold facepaint.



                               

From Muta's Kanji scrawled facepaint to the designs along
his ring pants, this Headliner is ready to fight!

                                   


Collectors should note that New Japan only released two Great
Muta figures with gold facepaint.

Scaled next to a Keiji Mutoh Mini Big Head and Yoshihiro Takayama Mogura House figure.

Scale wise, the Corinthian figures stand about 3.5" inches
tall.

                


"HEADLINERS" is written in both English and Japanese as ヘツド
ラナーズ on the front of the packaging along with Jushin's ring name
also in both styles.

The bottom right corner also features the EPOCH logo (who handled
creating the Japanese Soccer and Pro- wrestler licenses for Corinthian
in Japan).

                


The back of the packaging lists the eight original Headliner figures.


              

This particular Liger Corinthian figure is one of the rare alternate
color chase figures not featured on the back of the packaging!

Other chase figures from the Headliners line include two Tiger
Mask (standard & red base variants) as well as a special red paint
Muta figure!

Pro-Wrestling Keshi from Japan

Following the success of their original line of Pro-Wrestling figures released
in 1981 "スーパープロレスラ シレス" (Super Pro-Wrestler Series), Japanese
toy company Popy would follow up a year later with a special spin-off line of
"Keshi" figures.


What are Keshi?

Keshi (short for Keshigomu 消しゴム or Eraser Gum) are small, 1-1.5. inch
monochromatic eraser figures made of rubber. In Japan, the Keshi craze has
existed since the early 1970's with figures based on popular Anime, Manga,
video game and movie characters.

   

The first wave of Popy's Pro-Wrestling Keshi figures debuted in 1982. The
name of  Series 1 translates to "最強軍団 スーパープロレス" (Super Pro-
Wrestle Strongest Army) and would feature the biggest names from New
Japan and All Japan Pro-Wrestling of the era.

The slogan on both packages reads "そっくい!" (rubber! - a reference
to these figures being Keshi). The writing on the top left corner of
package #1 also mentions that these products are "Erasers".


The blue and white writing on both packages "I.K.P.  S.P.-1." is an
acronym for "Ikki Kajiwara PRO Super Pro-Wrestle Series 1"which
is the name of the creator of the Tiger Mask anime Ikki Kajiwara 
(梶原 一騎) and his licensing company  "Kajiwara PRO Approval"
(梶原プロ承認).

Starting in 1981, Ikki Kajiwara had licensed the Tiger Mask character
for merchandising through Popy and as an actual, real-life Wrestling
gimmick that debuted in New Japan Pro-Wrestling the same year.





The packaging also contains the  Japanese "Safety Toy" standards logo
(found on many Japanese figures) and the Popy logo (top right).

The Series 1 Super Pro-Wrestle Keshi series was also sold in gashapon
style blind boxes. The title on this particular packaging reads "トントコ
プロレス"(Tontoko Pro-Wrestle).

The roster on the above packaging reads:


Left column:                                                         Right column:

A. The. Giant (Andre The Giant)                        Terry Funk
A. The. Butcher (Abdullah The Butcher)           Dory Funk Jr.      
Stan Hansen                                                           Antonio Inoki
Tiger Mask                                                             Mil Mascaras
T. Jeet Singh (Tiger Jeet Singh)                            Giant Baba
Series 1 featured 10 Wrestlers to collect:

                                                                         Antonio Inoki

Giant Baba

Tiger Mask

     

Stan Hansen

Terry Funk

Dory Funk Jr.

Mil Mascaras

Andre The Giant

Tiger Jeet Singh

Abdullah The Butcher

How can you spot an official series 1 Keshi?
                          

Conveniently, the Super Pro-Wrestle series 1 figures are the only Keshi
to feature this unique production stamp on their backs.

Again, as Popy had a special licensing agreement with Tiger Mask
creator Ikki Kajiwara, every Keshi comes stamped with Kajiwara's
namesake (K/I).


Closing thoughts and purchase links:

Super Pro-Wrestle Strongest Army was the line of Keshi that started
it all. The initial 10 figure set was the world's very first line of Pro-
Wrestling minifigures ever (not to mention, the world's first Wrestling
Keshi in general).

Wrestlers such as Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Mask received their very

first figures through the Super Pro-Wrestle keshi line (with more to
follow in future installments).

The success of the Super Pro-Wrestle keshi line inspired Popy (who
had folded back into parent company Bandai by 1983) to create the
extremely popular Kinkeshi (M.U.S.C.L.E.) figures which still have
an incredible, world-wide following to this day!

An included list featuring the first 10 figures. Notice Bandai's early 1980's logo.