A Nag Pa I Root (NAGNAGNAG) and der Angora Patio

Re: A Nag Pa I Root

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To be honest, and this might surprise you I know exactly what you mean! As cool as I think I am (and my company is) I can see how you might be turned off with our name all over a toy, especially the BG. The figure stands alone by itself, and Shigeru, his art, his figure, his "genius" is way bigger than me, Mishka, Lamour, etc...

I remember the first time I saw this toy on the thread, I was like, I want that toy! I had no clue who made, what the deal was, how to get it, etc. Both Lamour and I were both instantly obsessed with it, and wanted it! Lamour (being the toy whisperer he is) was able to find out a direct connection to Shigeru. I was on my way out to Tokyo for one of my trips, and come to find out, Shigeru was a HUGE fan of the bootleg figure we put out, and he wanted to meet the guys who made it! I was speechless. It was more a less a match made in toy heaven, love at first site, etc...

Our relationship started out of a mutal love of each others work, and that is why we work together. There is no ulterior motive, and at the end of the day it is our desire to work with Shigeru, cause we are fans of what he does, he is a fan of what we do, and together I think we make something pretty special.

He has also done a TON (in BG terms) without our involvement at all! So in some ways I can totally understand the idea of having our name on the product, but that is what collaboration is. Something that two parties worked on together. I also guess its hard to pigeon hole or define exactly what "Mishka" is but when it comes to the BG its usually just Lamour and I, doing the header, giving up ideas, and doing our best to promote and distribute the figure the best way possible.

We also have a very different perception/fan base in the Japanese market. Also Shigeru has a very close relationship with the guys that work at Mishka Tokyo. If you have seen pictures there is an entire shelf of BG that is on display (sort of like BEMON was a few years ago when you would go into Bounty Hunter) so Shigeru's affiliation/collaboration with Mishka, is on another level that even I understand.

Not sure if I ever explained it like I did above, but hope that gives you guys some insight. I really wish I could have been there this weekend. It was very difficult for me. Congrats to everyone that was there, and able to score a toy, and meet Shigeru in person. It was something I think very special for us, and him.

 

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Well put, D. Although I can see where some would infer it as such, I've never concluded that Shigeru is driven by hype just because of his release style or due to collabing with Coop or the Mishka boys. He didn't dress his Boryoku Genjins in Gucci monogram loafers and push them at Barneys. He paired up with a small label that has a seemingly very similar aesthetic appeal as his artwork. One appreciates the other, and thusly fans of one are exposed to work of the other. Seems to be nothing more than networking, being open to the creative input of friends, and wanting to see those friends excel and succeed at their own individual motives.

I think if he was motivated solely by hype, he would cash in on the explosion of interest and make a killing off of these toys. But he's not. With the amount of work he puts into these, it's easy to see why the releases are so small. And yes, he could do an unpainted, made-to-order release, satisfying all fans here and there, and make a shit load of cash. Or, then again, since he is the artist, he could just do what he wants to do, and as fans, we can appreciate that and be happy with what we can get... or move on to something else. Not to say that something has to be graded crazy rare to be a great toy... but I think everyone can agree, that there is a special feeling that goes along with wanting something, and actually having to HUNT for it, go through hoops to get it, trade some other coveted shit to land it, attend events like NYCC to even be present for its release. Nobody bitched when Van Gogh only painted one Starry Night... and then again, nobody became jaded because everyone and their mothers owned one.

 

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I was lucky enough to WIN the NZOMBIE!!!! Honestly I don't know what people are complaining about it. It is hands down the most impressive toy I have. You can tell how much time SHIG put into it through out the whole process. From the sculpt to the to the pouring and the painting! Everything is insane, so much work into each one!!!!

And then meeting him and getting to partake in the event made it really special. So cool he came out to the con! I had a blast!

And like I said at the event, I'm a good loser but a bad winner, so F.U., F.U.,and F.U.!!! hahaha you all are LOSER!!!!!!

 

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hahaha!! that was you? Its funny because you said the same exact thing when they announced you won

 

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^ YUP!!!! haha

 

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Are they on SB?

What I think is funny is how they opened everything first, touched it with their pubey pizza hands and then threw it up on ebay. Dickbags.

 

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Got to hold one of these guys - just amazing!

 

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Congrats to everyone who was able to score! Seriously awesome pieces. I do hope that Shig comes down to San Diego come SDCC time, he seems like a fun guy to meet!

I just hope that the tables don't turn to the point where our coast is bitching about NYCC and being on the wrong coast all the time.

 

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So Stoked to finally win a NNN lottery, and even more killer was to win in person and meet the artist ( and have him touch you???? ) I had a blast at the event and hope Shig can make it out to SD for our Con.



Anticipation!



Going home to SD where he will never leave my grimy mitts!!!!!!

 

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Daimyo, I think it's safe to say a company like Secret Base and a company like Mishka are two establishments that hold up a completely different image of themselves. You took one thing I said, made it the focus of my entire write up, and came back with completely exaggerated counterarguments. First of all, let me start off by saying, I don't personally collect Secret Base. I have a few figures they've put out, none of which have their trademark logo plastered all over the vinyl (not that this has ever been the case with Mishka x NagNagNag). This has always been somewhat of a turn off for me, but that's just me. I've never been a fan of anything associated with Balzac, that's just not my scene, and though I can appreciate it's an interesting culture clash (toys & music), I couldn't ever display such figures in my collection knowing there's more to the figure that I just don't care to be a part of. Ironically enough, I would probably still grab a Thorn Ball Man from Cure, but I feel that this sculpt is more a part of Cure than Thorn, so I guess there are other factors at play that bring me to decide on what I do and don't appreciate about a figure.

I have never bought into the idea of collecting toys as being "punk." No offense to anyone here, but I don't think there's anything "punk" about spending the money we do on fucking toys. I don't see "punk" when I think of Mishka's clothing line, but then again, I don't think that's necessarily the image Mishka is going for either (sorry if I'm mistaken, Greg). Does this scream "punk" to you?:



If there was ever anything "punk" about the vinyl toy scene, it began and ended with companies like Secret Base and Bounty x Hunter. To me, their image is much more in line with the old punk rock scene, but even at that, I think it's more of a state of mind than a way of life for them.

I have no issue with collaborations between companies/artists, in fact, I encourage it. All I'm saying is that sometimes I like to appreciate the toys/art we collect for what it is, not what it's associated with, and that's hard to do with a figure that has so much hype built up around it.

The measurement of a company's success shouldn't draw the line when it is or isn't OK to collaborate. If Mishka's clothing line ever expands to bigger business, are you going to still carry the same view? If Mishka wants to expand his business, or "sell out" so to say, that's his choice, and that shouldn't effect the way we view his clothes or his company if we truly like and appreciate the designs.

I'm not going out of my way to dislike anything. I have said many times already, I love the figure! Yes, there are some things I don't like about it, but I should be able to critique the damn thing without people assuming that I'm just another "hater." Not once have I said something that was just plain rude, or outright insulted this toy, Shigeru, Mishka, or anyone or anything else for that matter. Everyone blows comments way out of proportion if they don't show absolute praise for things around here, and it's getting really old, really fast. For every one comment I see that is in opposition to something, I see 4-5 comments in defense against it, as if it was a personal attack on the artist or the people who appreciate it. Someone's opinion of something, more often than not, is their opinion of just that and nothing else, not of you. I feel like people make everything about themselves. I'm guilty of this from time to time, but it's not a healthy way of thinking.

BTW, Thanks for the mature response Greg, much appreciated. All I'm trying to do is have a discussion, not tear into you, Shigeru, or anyone else for that matter, so I'm sorry if it came off that way. It was nice to hear the story behind the collaboration.

Oh and Cube:

...and I quote:

...and one more thing.

I love the hunt as much as everyone else, but you say it as if it's so much easier to score everything else we strive to add to our collections. Some of us can't make it to NYCC. For some of us, our only hope is winning a lottery, and after 2 years, it gets a little old, and the "hunt" feels more like a chore than a thrill. Finally, by trading some "coveted shit" to get someone to cough up theirs, you mean spending $1200.00 on a 2-headed Bemon just for trade bait? No thank you...

I'll try my best to stop complaining about the lack of supply as I'm sure it gets annoying. I've been annoyed by it myself, so I should learn to keep my mouth shut, I just thought the suggestion to make a made to order release of unpainted models was more than reasonable.

 

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Oh, and congrats to those who won! It's nice to see the toys find a good home.

 

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Your kidding right? As far as I can tell, Lulubell, MVH, Shigeru, and Cotton Candy Factory were what made this comic con work, as far as everything else, well it was a bit drab from what I can tell....

@HBC Ruining the environment, with plastic is like the most "Punk" thing you could do... Fucking Hippy Tree Huggers...

 

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Nice Guf! pretty crazy you and Milt both scored and definitely cooler when the artist himself is there, even if he did have his way with you.

 

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That Nagball is a thing of beauty.

 

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Well I was never really jealous of NYCC until this year. I'm not saying it WILL happen, but hell its possible it could get there.

 

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There he is !!!!!

Dude on the far left if the flipper on eBay.

 

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Wow, it would have softened the blow if he didn't look so douchey, this makes it worse.

 

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Yep, I saw him too during the Nag lotto.

Thats him.

 

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what??? Harry Porter is doing this?!?!

 

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Fuck that flipper!!! At least everyone knows what he looks like now! Thank you for pointing him out Rich.

 

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I knew he would show up eventually. Buy it's not just him there is another so if you guys find any more shots I'm sure you will find the other guy with him.

There is one thing to list it for sale if you don't like what you get. And if selling on eBay is your thing by all means it's your right. But to buy knowing where it's going when your buying it's another thing. Insta flip sucks.

 

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HBCoffin -
The whole "toys as punk" thing, I personally feel is really fitting. I mean there's even the Toy Punks documentary, haha.
But the whole spirit of punk (whatever that really means) to me has always been about, is the idea of going against the mainstream, being subversive, and kind of holding onto your ideals, and not growing old and "selling out".
I mean spending money and collecting huge record collections, getting the different colors, pressings, various covers, etc of your favorite bands, how is that any different than trying to track down crazy rare toys? Being subversive/going against the mainstream I feel relates to the fact, we are all talking about a toy of a zombie corpse with maggots crawling all over him, that most people would think is completely revolting. I could only imagine a nag zombie being on the news, and them talking about how its so offensive and how warped people's minds must be to want to buy it. And the very idea of collecting toys, past childhood, is what I always felt punk is all about. Doing what you enjoy and holding onto your hobbies, beliefs, and whatnot, and not giving them up, even if mainstream society isn't into them. And I feel Mishka as a brand has always held onto alot of those punk ideals. Sure you can nit-pick, but I have always felt like they embody the idea of growing older, but still staying punk. But hey, that could just be me, and how I came to identify all of this stuff together. Not trying at all to knock your opinion. So yeah, thats my little piece.

 

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He does look really douchey. DO we know if he's here on SB?
Also, he looks more like Harry Potter's father, or a hybrid Ron/Harry.

 

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Honestly, it wasn't just your post. I also wasn't trying to justify/promote Mishka or challenge your view. I just think the people complaining about the hype are well over 50% of the hype. I don't always agree with Greg but what other people call constructive criticism often turn into a diatribe on hype we have all heard before. Like or dislike, it's a new toy to discuss but I'd rather hear about the toy than whose booth it's at. Yes, everyone is entitled to their take and the thread should be open to all opinions. It just gets a bit stale. Dissenters have valid points of view and I can agree with many of them and still be a fan of the toy. When it comes to punk, I see it more as an attitude and way of life than a clothing style or music genre. Like many "punks" I grew up with plenty of good hip hop, metal and 80's new wave on top of the punk. Mishka speaks to several of those while remaining current enough. As far as that picture, no it's not very punk but a nice short sleeve button up and hat is just what an old punk like me would be wearing on any given day. I was a SoCal punk though and I never moved to far away from the JFA days. I like Mishka for it's style and I could care less how obscure it is. I've never understood hoping a clothing company fails just so you can be the only one cool enough to be wearing it. Same goes for obscure toys, i would love a larger run so I can be a fan with the toy but I'm okay whatever happens with Shigs toys.