Now we just need Frute Brute and the four sides of the pyramid will be complete! This version looks so great, though. And it’s interesting they chose Ivory as the name for this version. I loved that Taka - San posted a vintage Boo Berry before the Skull Kun reveal. I still think some of the best homages to the General Mills Halloween mascots are by TWIM with the Ghost Bomber(Boo Berry), Franken Bomber(Franken Berry) and Devil Bomber(Count Chocula). Spoiler
I emailed to ask about int shipping, as the message on the new website vaguely hints that some things might ship internationally. Heard back and its a no go.
They never ship outside of Japan. There was one Demeru Kun release, silver, that was an exclusive for overseas customers, and that was it. Their toy releases are sold through the shops and shipped within Japan only. Major bummer, but that’s just their steez!
Yeah, the new site offered a glimmer of hope: "Please note that not all items are available for shipping outside Japan." Implying that some things might ship outside of Japan. Alas, not to be.
They’ll ship *some* clothing, at their discretionary times, but not always, and not everything. I went back to the Harajuku store SO many times, at least three a week, for the two months I stayed in 2015. Very happy I got to visit the two remaining shops in Sendai and Nagoya, as well. Nagoya was personally my favorite of the three.
Surprised to see a photo feature of the (now empty and abandoned) Harajuku Bounty Hunter store in the latest Frontend Magazine. With Secret Base moving out a couple of years back and now BxH, only Erostika (and maybe Three Tides) are left to hold the fort! Harajuku BxH RIP.
It’s so sad to see that empty room, even if just in photos. I’m so glad I went there multiple times over the two trips to Tokyo I’ve taken. Nagoya closed its doors last year, as well. Though Sendai seems to [hopefully] be healthy and thriving. I’d love to know what the decision was from Taka and Hikaru to let go of such a Harajuku staple. I’m pretty sure Rockin’Jelly Bean is still open in Nagoya. Secret Base has their Ginza shop, and I think they still have the location mixed with Three Tides Tattoo in Harajuku, too.
Like most business decisions, it will probably be down to financial viability. If a store ain’t making enough to cover staffing, stocking and running costs, it’s not worth having. it was a cool store, but in a quiet Neighborhood and quite a step from the subway, with virtually no ‘passing trade’. But having the four all in the same location was the real coup. It was like the planets aligned on that one building. Some good times were had there over the years and great memories made.
@Anti Social Andy It was definitely tucked away in a nondescript area. The first time I went lookin’ for BxH and Secret Base in 2015 I was shocked by how far past Takeshita Alley they were. It was definitely bad ass to have accidentally found TTT and Erostika in the same building as Secret Base at the time. And for damn sure a lot of great, great memories. When I first went to BxH the dude behind the counter sort of shrugged me off as another tourist. Nice, but not very attentive. Once I showed him photos of my collection, specifically the photos I’m “known” for, he got a lot more talkative and praised the shots. Bagged me some lil’ freebies in my haul that day, too! It was kind of a cool, old school feeling where you sort of had somethin’ to prove in terms of legitimately bein’ into the brand. Hiddy, on the other hand, was a dick every time I saw him. Even after he saw the ridiculous Obake Dog collection photos and fight figures, he just had no interest in interaction. But he did agree to one photo opp, so I appreciated that.
Must have been 9 years since I had my only visit at this point. SB didn’t have any releases at the time or really any toys available. Hiddy wasn’t there, there was a girl working. I played the 500 yen gacha machine, and got a shitty Ron English Supersize keychain. It wasn’t even a toy keychain. Just a little illustration sealed in a plastic case.
I think the first time I went there was in 2007, just started collecting the previous year. It was December and Hikary was sitting outside on a camping chair, drinking a beer with his sunglasses on. And I was like..."hmmm, could it be him??"... You bet it was him! Next time I went he was not there but I picked up a pins which it is somewhere in a box... That was the good old time!
@JoeMan I picked up only a couple mixed parts fighters from SB when I visited. But seein’ the rare fighters and Dogs behind the caged displays was really awesome. And Hiddy’s personal collection of black blank toys was really cool, too. That sucks so hard about the Supersize keychain, though. @jl That’s so rad you got to meet Hikaru. Out of the handfuls of times I visited BxH Harajuku in 2015 I sadly never ran into him! I did, however, get to meet Taka - San at a hardcore show in Tokyo during the 2018 tour I took with a friend’s band. Super nice dude and very, very funny.
@bryce_r I'm currently awaiting that one to get to me. It takes after Boo Berry. Mine landed in Phoenix, sat for two weeks, and was sent all the way back to Sendai. Hopefully round two is a success.
In case the hint was too subtle . . . they are now internationally available (along with a bunch of other Secret Base stuff) via HBX!
@Anti Social Andy Oh, rad! I’m unfamiliar with HBX, would you mind droppin’ a link? Though I intentionally skipped this Skull Kun. Looks pretty ghostly, but not exactly for me!
I assume this is what's being referenced: https://hbx.com/life/brands/secret-base/skull-kun-marble-g-i-d-ver
More likely that the current HK hypebeasts don't want to collect what their parents were collecting 20 years ago.
Looks like Bounty Hunter and Neighborhood are entering two - headed territory. I’m highly, highly intrigued!!!
Full reveal! I’m pretty into it! It’s got a very vintage Frankenstein’s Monster toy feel to the body and stance!