Them being at monsterpalooza is one of the main reasons I go, I don't really buy there stuff any other time because the secondary market prices on their stuff is way too crazy
what does m1 usually sell at monsterpalooza, i may end up attending this year as i live right down the street
was able to score a tricycle godzilla and a mecha godzilla today its crazy to me that out of all the toy fests in the west m1 chooses to go to monsterpalooza which is actually kind of cool
i love checking out m1 at MP every year. picked up a handful of minis, a flesh blank frankenstein and an ultraman trike! any one of the kaiju has wreaked more havoc than half the other monsters at the con LOL
Sounds great guys, wish I could attend too. I think it is amazing that M1 shows up to these guys of events, and what's more, continues to bring such treasured stock with them all across the globe and still offers them at base retails years later. Massive (and high fives, if I am allowed) to Yuji and co. for their ever-continuous efforts to share monster love with the fans.
An informal poll. What three figures would you say are the most popular among American collectors? My guess would be Hedorah, Matango, and Woo. What do you think?
The Harou Nakajima in Godzilla suit was very popular and sought after at one point. Many fans liked to have Nakajima-san sign it at events. But since his passing it's cooled down. Definitely the Matango is popular and any tricycle made.
Interesting question. Might I ask what this is for? Not that I am one to speak for the 'American' market, but I definitely have to agree that my impression has always been the main focus has been on Toho-licensed characters (which I am sure stems from the accessibility of these films in the American market, versus other 'franchises). That being said, it is hard to pin down three only. There have certainly been certain M1 releases which have been very sought after, usually due to smaller numbers being available or them being exclusive releases. But, if we are only talking characters versus actual toys, I would definitely say my opinion is Godzilla, Hedorah, and Matango - for sheer numbers and mass appeal. This is balanced by the large number of sculpts, paint/vinyl variants of those sculpts, and generally being easiest to access, combined with marketing at the 'monster' cons, which are focused on the Toho films more than the other stuff. I would generally nominate Gary as an 'also ran' but again, I think then you are talking very niche folks, versus the fraction of general American public who might by a monster toy. Of course, as an outsider, I might have a completely different opinion of which are the three tops.
Based on the past few years, I would say the Bullmark Hedorah repro and Matango sculpts are probably the steadiest sellers. Don't know if Woo would be the third... it's been quite a while since we've had a new one. Maybe Mechagodzilla? (But if Nishimura-san is listening, more Baltan 2s, please!) Now that Bullmark has started into the Toho kaiju, I wonder how this will work with M1. Will we get both Bullmark and M1 repro Hedorahs going forward?
M1's take on Chibull, Matango & Gomess are the best to me. Personally I much prefer Marmit's Woo over M1's.
Just personal curiosity that came out of a conversation I had with someone here (Japan) about what high-end kaiju sofubi figures tend to be popular with American collectors. I mentioned that the Sunguts Shin Godzilla figures and the recent large Marmit Godzillas always seem to be a hit, and from M1, I saw a lot of people with Matangos, Hedorahs, and Woos in their collections. Maybe I overstated the presence of Woo but every time I see him go up for sale there's a high price tag, and he goes fast. I thought Skullbrain would have some good insight, please keep it coming, folks.
As someone who is not personally invested in Godzilla as a franchise or anything, I really think the M1 Matango is a sublime sofubi creation. It is just a perfect little toy. So that would be my personal vote here.
Interesting you mention this, as Bullmark recently released a set of 3 mini mechagodzillas. I'm interested in comparing them with the M1, if I can even see any difference between them.
I have to concur with both Matango and Hedorah being my #1 and #2. Although there aren't a lot of Matango colorways I'm interested in. Not sure what I'd consider my #3. I don't actually own any other M1 figures aside from Matango/Hedorah. But I like '69 Godzilla, '74 Godzilla, MechaG, and all the trikes (particularly '69 G) are great.
I believe they are using the M1GO molds for the new Bullmark reissues. If not, the sizes are identical.
That might be the case. I know Yuji is involved with them as a consultant at least; not sure how much of a crossover there is between the two companies.
To expand on what I was asking about earlier, I think that there is a certain "mascot" quality to some of M1GO's original sculpts that theoretically gives them a universal appeal to vinyl collectors in general, people who may never have seen Ultraman or can't name every kaiju on Monster Island. Here are the list of sculpts that I think fit into that category: Chibull-seijin Manda Matango Baltan-seijin 2 Pestar Woo Dogora As far as reissues go, I think the standard Hedorah and Gezora are up there, as well as the mid-size sculpts of those two, plus the mid-sized Dogora. What does everyone else think?
I love the matango sculpt, I think I have all of them but one, and I think I need two trikes to finish my collection. Chibull was my first M1 figure so I've got a soft spot for him. I feel like the Harou Nakajima in Godzilla suit figures are still some of the first to sell out at each show. the Semi-Ningen Baltans and the others in that series were pretty iconic M1 figures as well. as for Woo, the Inspire one with the glow in the dark hair will always be my Woo
