Beautiful acquisition, Rei. One of my very favourite revivals of a vintage toy. A sculpt I can never get enough of.
@rattanicus @ultrakaiju Tiny bit of a technicality to mention: This specific pretty bird was a TE production. @chimply.kaiju can chime in with the exact release info if he chooses to be so kind.
Can someone confirm that my Uchuu Genjin is a version in collaboration with Medicom ? I also have a Saidon : View this post on Instagram and both fit this description perfectly: It's quite complicated to follow what Hukkokuo has achieved. What is the link with Target Earth?
If that flier says they were Medicom versions I believe it! Not a whole lot that can speak otherwise! As far as the connection between Target Earth and Hukkokudo, I’ve been told and led to understand that Sato - San is responsible for both. That he garnished permission for reuse of the original vintage molds, and painted the runs of reproductions.
@Fedhai Did either figure come with the original packaging? As far as I can tell, that is the only way that you can tell the original Hukkokudo repro versions apart from the later 2013 Medicom reissues. In theory, the paint on the original repros should be slightly 'better' since the Medicom versions would likely have been produced and painted in their factory.
Sorry D, I think you are splitting hairs here, 'cause as much as the brands are essentially one, and all these sculpts were transitioned to the 'Target Earth' label after a while, I am pretty sure - unless you have other evidence, that this release was still under the Hukkokudo name. I have seen them all called both intermittently on several occasions, and I don't think there is really any difference, but since you do want to get technical about it, then I am sticking with my technical interpretation of it. Case example: Original blog from 2011 with Hukkokudo release names, showing the figures from this 'batch' of toys, but actually even then using the TE email, because it all fell under the same umbrella. http://jme7315.blogspot.com/2011/04/target-earth-new-release.html So honestly, I think it is a matter of them being produced by TE, but released under the banner of Huk', which is essentially a sub-brand for these Yonezawa/Daikyo repro toys. And which was later then just folded back into the main label. EDIT: Kadomium blog post on the original release, connecting it to the other Hukkukudo series toys
Pretty sure the Saidon is a medicom collab because I've bought it on mandarake and from memory medicom was mentioned, for the Uchuu Genjin I bought it unbaged on YJA and I lost the bidding track so no idea. Thanks guys for the info, it's clearer now, all these cryptid details are one of the reason that I love this hobby, you can't find all infos just using google, you have to talk to others people.
Thank you, Rei! I’d seen a handful of great photos with the trio online, I figured I could attempt at joining the ranks! I don’t think I’ll ever have the cash flow for the original IKB’s, but these Hukkokudo repros are just perfect for what they are, and for me!
I kinda wish I still had my set...Pic from 2014: View this post on Instagram Edit: Hmm. Idk why that code isn't working. Oh well.
Paints are different but only if you have both in front of you, could the average human eye see and compare. For a long time I passed on the 1st release as I figured they reissued old stock. A friend sent me an original version still in package and when I compare them it was a pleasant surprise. Now if we are to discuss nuances of paints, the Hedoran I always thought were the same, are also all slightly different from each time they were made. It's a bit more than most fans would look for but it's neat if you can put a dozen in front of you and really appreciate the difference. The one thing that's odd is the third variation of vintage IKB Hedoran 2 was never produced. Yet. Phantom Gift sets had packaging that includes a giant sticker (a sort of mini poster) of a few Monsters. Still would love to see the other Yonezawa Kaiju pictured on the sticker art, to get some new treatments via Hukko. That and more of the Space Kaiju! @Fedhai Your doll is definitely the Phantom release. I have no way to post photos, nor edit- so I can not add any additional references to compare.
I am really liking that Beralgon group shot. Just what I needed! Another thing to obsessively search for