KFGU: Buff Monster

I do not have any problem with this toy; yeah, I wouldn't label it as Kaiju, but other than that, its pretty cool.

You guys are a bunch of haters.

 

Available for pre-order at Kusovinyl, Tokyocube & Pink Ghost.

 

What's in a name? Like him or hate him it's true to Buff's style.

I like this one.....a lot.

 

I don't think it's all that bad as a vinyl toy (there are many, many worse looking toys out there, even some that are, for some reason, widely praised on this board), but as 'kaiju' it pretty much sucks. That being said, I wouldn't spend money on it.

 

garbage. not a fan of buff monster in general. really weak designs

 

This is the first Buff piece I've liked in a while...I found his other stuff hugely repetitive.

The KFGU thing is weak...it's not that, it's western (mainly) designers having their designs made in Japan. The Vinyl Pulse description is bad almost like a copied press release.

 

I think my biggest problem is that it looks like they just took one of the western Buff toys, made it "drippy" with a vaguely Goji inspired tail and called it macaroni. It could have at least been sucky but inspired.

I still like Usagi and Tankizaado, but KFGU hasn't thrown a bone in some time.

 

I think it's important to remember--as others have mentioned in the past--that Buff is a painter first, and whatever else second. This iteration of his character has been appearing in a really high percentage of his 2008 output. The boobie monsters or whatever you want to call them took a really distinctive and marked departure from the cartoon-happy-fun-land thing and became these drippy, gross, antler-having, slug versions of themselves. With tails. And X's for eyes.



I guess my point is that (I don't think, anyway) he didn't just decide to slap some random fan-favorite kaiju features together to jack sales...this is a version of his art that he's invested time and energy into, and decided to take the opportunity to make the jump to 3D. Love it or hate it, the Buff's-eye-view might be: I love my art. I love toys. I love kaiju. I would love a kaiju toy of my art.

 

I don't think this is all that bad. People just seem to have a hard time swallowing the position of a western artist releasing jp vinyl. I know I definitely have voiced my fair share of that in the past.

If this was a new Touma or piece by Kaijin, maybe the negative comments would be a little less abrasive and forthright. Who knows...maybe I'm talking outta my ass.

 

It's like rap-metal. Apart, both parties are what they are and are OK. Together.....ugh.

 

i love this...

 

Doesn't KFGU clear vinyl have a propensity for yellowing? I have a clear Ika Gilas that looks like John McCain's teeth.

Perhaps I'll wait for another colorway...

 

Nah, you're not. Several good points in defense of the toy and Buff have been made including yours and jhateball's.

The criticism isn't "hate," it's a combination of discerning tastes and negative reaction to the misuse and dilution of the word "kaiju." What's in a name? A whole host of connotations connected to a tradition that has a revered lineage. Collectors have strong feelings about that and rightly so IMHO.

In fairness, the company's name wasn't Buff's choice. It's not like he called his toy "Oldskool Hedoragon" or something like that. (Little fire, Scarecrow?)

As western toy design goes, this thing isn't bad. When Buff posted some customs here, both they and his participation were generally well-received. He came across as a cool cat with love for J-vinyl. So I'm not sure that the negative reaction is due to local allergy to Buff Monster per se ... I really do think that it's a combination of things that don't add up positively in the context of this board's milieu, that's all.

 

Its like when actors try to be singers and singers try to be actors....they face lots of hate until they can prove themselves.

 

It looks like Gachapin and Boo had a love child

 

Buff is a art design student first. He started out wheat pasteing the streets of L.A. He should of stuck with that. I liked seeing his paste-ups Then he started painting flat spray paint cans and nailing them up around town. That stuff was cool to me also. He then went on to do paintings and silkscreens for gallery shows. Now he makes designs for his toys. I liked the first series of 3'' figures from mindstyle. He has some cool designs but the repetative work is boreing to me. His new series of 3'' figures are "kaiju" inspired. I really hate these figures he is just trying to cash in in my opinion. I wish he would just stick to his roots and bomb with wheat paste.

 

This thread is fun to read. I hope you guys keep it going.

 

Dean says it best. He always does.

 

It's not easy making a living in arts and design, especially doing your own thing, Buff's managed to do it, If people dig it and you can pay the bills designing your own characters and toys, I say congrats.

 

The question is whether this toy would even be posted to this board if it wasn't from a series that has "Kaiju" in the name. As a line that enables western designers to get pieces done in Japanese vinyl (at Japanese prices!) it is an interesting concept. Just wish Wonderwall had come up with a better name for the project.

anyone have any suggestions?

I like "Soft Vinyl for Consenting Adults"

 

Soft Vinyl for Consenting Adults is actually a great name hahaha. Buff has made awesome customs with his style and has earned the right to have his work shown on here. Why is it okay for some american artists to be influenced by kaiju and not others? I rather see this than a lot of those resin pieces people love.

 

Sucks [expletive deleted]!

 

I would display this proudly in my bin

 

Not nearly as good as those kozik sky devilers huh?

Almost all the pre-orders are gone too and its been a day. Not surprising.

 

I like buff's art, his customs, and this toy! But i know, this is a tough crowd!