So, after losing the auction for the only one I'd ever seen before something like 4 years ago, in a surprising twist of fate, 2 were listed on Mandarake at the same time, from different stores of course. Having bad luck with things being sold out from them, and not wanting to miss out, I ordered both expecting 1 or all to be unavailable. Nope, got both thanks Toy Gods! Surprisingly, the subtle differences I expected to be due to Mandarake's no frills pictures, are actually similar but different paint applications. The one on the right appears to be the same paint ap as the left, but with gold spray over the yellow, and the addition of metallic blue sprays, which are really only obvious on the body in the pic (photographing bagged figures without glare is difficult, apologies). Also, it is obvious that one comes with a typical header, while the other just tied with gold ribbon/tape. I have seen M1 package certain event figures this way, but personally never seen Bear Model do it. Has anyone else? I am thinking this is a lucky bag item or something along those lines. I think it is legit, it doesn't seem "customized". Also, the header on the left has handwritten info on it. I can read kana, but besides "goods" this kanji is beyond me, can anyone translate? Any info would be appreciated!
Haha, nice, we were just talking about those guys not too long ago (i.e. when they popped up on Mandarake). I can't read what is written there, but here is what I know about them, to see if it helps you with the IDs. The first release in this paint version was from October 2006. I think he was an exclusive from the Ichibanboshi store, although was made available later online, and I believe that the bagged/header one you have is this one. He was from an edition of 50, which I believe is what is indicated there in the parentheses. Bearmodel then re-released the same figure, in the same paint job (I am not sure why, high demand maybe or someone at BM just really liked it) in December 2011. I am guessing this is the second version you have. There are definite subtle paint differences, but it is often difficult how much is due to random paint variation or purposeful design of the artist. The one thing I seemed to note is the eye on the later version was much clearer, with a distinct yellow/gold halo, though on the one from Mandarake, this seemed to be there too so I don't know. Here is a pic, if someone can translate, showing the details of the releases: 1st version 2nd version This was a hard one for me to pass up on too, and I might still be interested in whichever version you decide to part with.
All the info ultrakaiju provided is correct. The one with the header is a Ichibanboshi exclusive. Even says it in the first line. The second one was part of a set.
I would also add, that I think the writing was probably just added by the original buyer (or even a store later on when it passed hands) as simply a way of identifying the figure for future references/other buyers. Not something that adds a 'special' note to it or anything.
Wow! Thanks a lot for the concise and expedient information. Looking at the pictures ultrakaiju provided, those are definitely the two versions I have, though the yellow spray around the eye is present on the Ichiban version figure I have, but not in the linked pic. The most obvious difference, is that there is no metallic blue spray at all on the Ichiban version, and in person the blue is a lot more obvious and heavy on the 2011 version than in the linked pic where it is barely noticeable. I am in fact only going to keep 1, and have already gotten several PMs asking if that would be the case. I will respond to everyone, but I hate handling things like this because I don't want to seem like I am "trade flipping" or trying to gouge people via PMs, so I will say here I am offering it first to someone I am currently working out a deal with, and if he isn't interested I was going to put it up as bait, hoping for a simple 1-1 trade for a different GID Bear Model or maybe M1.
