MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL BATMAN COLLECTION IN JAPAN

WEIRD RETRO KOREAN & JAPANESE STUFF I HAVE LAYING AROUND.

Why do I own these things? 🤣

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VINTAGE 80's ARALE & DR. SLUMP COLLECTION

Hoyoyoyooo!!!

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After publishing the video above a couple of days ago, I happened to find this original Popy TV commercial advertising several of the painted mini figures and keshi that I showcased!

Check it out below :)

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VINTAGE "FULL ACTION POSE" DBZ FIGURES (BANDAI 1992)

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Find more info about vintage DBZ figures @ DBZ Vintage Collectors

BASEBALL ROBOT vs KITTEN

In 1975, Takara released a fun little 'gyro-sphere' vehicle to go with their new line of Microman action figures called the Mecha-Cosmo Escargot. It featured a battery powered motor, a first for the toy line, which allowed it to roll along on the ground. It also included 5mm ports in it's design to enable various attachments like machine guns and 'arms'. When the arms were attached , the overall appearance of the toy looked very much like a snail of sorts, which I assume is why the toy is called 'Escargot' - French for snail.

(Photo by Microforever.com)

Later the following year, Takara decided to retool the Escargot into a completely different toy. Thus was born Spy-Boy, a completely bastardized version of what once used to be a very cool action figure vehicle. The original design remained in tact, but the 5mm ports had now been used to transform the simple gyro-sphere into a rolling abomination of ball slinging robot baseball players...

Not only do these Baseball Machine Spy-Boys have absolutely nothing to do with the world of Microman, they are also extremely horrifying.

Just take a look at the morbid TV advertisement for these freaks...

SERIOUSLY?! 

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HUGO : MAN OF A THOUSAND FACES

As Halloween comes to an end and the Christmas season begins, the jack-o-lanterns, spider webs, ghosts and monsters will inevitably disappear into our attics and quickly be replaced with glistening snow, x-mas trees, eggnog and mall Santas...

...screaming children on the laps of costumed strangers is one of the hallmarks of the Christmas season after all... and Halloween too I suppose.  Too bad we can't just scare children for fun all year round.

But if you were a one of the unfortunate children of 1975 who had parents that didn't love them or were on some fucked up drugs, you could have continued the age old tradition of being terrorized during the holidays in your very own home, with... 

...HUGO : Man Of A Thousand Faces. 

"...yes Billy, the police will never find out who really murdered your family."

Released by Kenner in the 1970's before their success with the Star Wars action figure franchise, HUGO was a bald plastisol puppet with the cold stare of a serial killer. It's main feature was the ability to change into different disguises utilizing various face attachments such as facial hair, scars, warts, eye patches, fangs... you know, all the stuff normal people have on their faces.

The disguise attachments were applied using some kind of glue, which I'm sure was tons of fun to clean off after multiple uses. What child wouldn't want a soulless puppet with white goo on his face to play with alone in their bedrooms? Try not to make a mess kids!

HUGO hasn't glared at little children from toy store shelves for over forty years, but if you are a good little bastard, Satan... I mean Santa, just might track one down on eBay and drop it off at your miserable house so that you too can experience the terror for yourself.

Speaking of puppets and sticky white goo - did you know that HUGO helped Pee-wee Herman hypnotize women to take their clothes off on his live stand-up comedy show back in the 80's? No wonder Pee-wee's Playhouse was so fucking insane. Don't let the silly humor fool you. Under the guise of 'Dr. Mondo', HUGO has gained complete control over Pee-wee's child-like mind...

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TOY CATS SHOWCASE IS THE PLACE

One of my favorite places to visit in Tokyo is a little hidden gem of a toy shop called TOY CATS SHOWCASE.  Located conveniently near Kichijoji Station right behind Yodobashi Camera, TOY CATS is easily the 'holy grail' of toy shops for collectors of Henshin Cyborg and Microman. They also specialize in Star Wars toys, 'gashapon' (vending machine toys) and various dealer showcases.

A collector himself, Yuichi Ishii the shop's owner, is one of the most genuinely friendly toy shop owners you will find in Tokyo.  His passion for his own toy collection is extremely evident, beaming from his smiling face into your very soul.  It was this passion that converted me from a strictly 'sofubi' and Star Wars collector, into a Microman and Henshin Cyborg fanatic.

Thanks Ishii-san ;D

Recently I visited TOY CATS and interviewed Ishii-san about his shop.  I also asked him to show off some of his prized possessions.  Many of the toys that he presents in the video are most likely unknown to the layman... but you can bet your ass that they are not easy to find ...or cheap.

For more info visit the OFFICIAL TOY CATS FACEBOOK PAGE.

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THE FORCE IS STRONG WITH STAR CASE (UPDATED)

Just a few minutes walking distance from where I used to work in Tokyo, stands a Star Wars collector's wet dream...  STAR CASE.  

( Chillin' in front of STAR CASE on my lunch break )

I could spend a couple of hours writing about how awesome it is, show off the rarest vintage Japanese Star Wars toys and such - but instead I found an excellent video by a guy named Jason Ho, who did an excellent job filming the shop and interviewing it's owner, Yuu Katagiri, a few years ago. Check it out!

Initially I had planned to interview Katagiri-san after the Episode 7 came out to get his thoughts on Disney taking over Star Wars and how it's effected the amount of customers that come into Star Case. But once again another fellow beat me to it. Oh well, saves me a lot of time and effort ;)

Also check out STAR CASE's line of bootleg 

"sofubi" Star Wars toys, 'SPACE CONVOY':

...may the force be with you...

WELCOME & STAY TUNED...

Hello.  My name is Jeremy... and this is my blog.

Some things to look forward to on TOKYO TOY BASTARD:

- Lots of wicked photos of toys and life in Tokyo.
- Coverage of special toy related events in Japan.

- Exclusive interviews with Japanese toy shop owners.

- In-depth articles about various international toy lines.
- 70's & 80's sci-fi awesomeness.
- Sexy Japanese women.

- Toy reviews.
- Beer.

- Weird sh*t.

- and more!

In the meantime, say hello to a few of my drinking buddies :D