Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Others

I think we should all put into practice the sentiments uttered here. So we can being by selling me your HxS at retail prices so I don't become a disillusioned fan. On a side note, super happy to get the unknown maker Ape offerings at a halfway reasonable price. Also with the current state of the yen to products, what we're seeing isn't that weird. S&D being what it is and all of that. It stings with vintage prices going up, but also remember there are older collectors out there who are supplementing retirement by selling their toys. It feels like we're seeing a passing of the torch from older generations.

 

I love the HxS post with the photos of all the gifts he got. The flowers I kind of understand, but shoes and whatever’s in that LV bag? Straight up bribery

 

WIth great age comes great wisdom.

Buy low. Sell high. Worship Satan. Fuck the 1%.

 

I find the blind bid fashion in general simply abhorrent and shady. Even if I were willing to spend crazy money on a HxS piece, I’d feel very uncomfortable taking part in such a scheme. I dislike this kind of comparisons regarding artistic production, but within the 5k or 6k usd range you can get an original work by an emerging artist (or in some cases by an “established” one) from the so called high brow art market. Investment wise, I’d first and foremost go for a painting, drawing, or sculpture that will surely outlive and perhaps transcend the value of a vinyl toy, considering one-offs too. The fear of the thing melting down before 30 years is always present. This being said by someone who risked divorce because of his uncontrollable toy collecting habits, as probably many of the participants in this forum.

 

...just one Brutal A, then I'm done I swear this time!

In all seriousness I anticipate a day when it stops making any kind of sense to hold onto the few pieces I do have; if we ever get into downpayment territory for a couple of toys I will have some hard (not really very hard) decisions to make. Till then I will enjoy my monkey dolls.

I know some collectors on the forum made it out to this year's show, I think more US-based collectors than ever before. Cool to see. I hope everyone had a great trip and show!

Side-note: I'm seeing photos on IG of a box full of blank parts which Hirota had out at the show, even a couple of simple test paints. Anyone know what that was about? Maybe attendees on the last day could take something home?

 

Do you think he'd give away the spare parts as free samples?

 

I chuckled a lot at the recent posts. I guess it's all about perspective. I'm certainly diametrically opposed to sentiment in this board being on the opposite end of the HxS collector spectrum. Some comments are so off-base, worth reconsidering (or not). The vibe, camaraderie and pure enjoyment is indescribable and immaculate at the Exhibitions. The collector base is incredibly passionate and each one I've met in person is wonderful. The simple fact HxS Exhibitions celebrate in person gathering and truly compel relationships is powerful and unique. I witnessed more collectors receive their first HxS toy at STRONGER THAN ALL versus past Exhibitions. Hirota goes out of his way to produce as much as possible (licensed and original - Godzulla, Iron Robo, Black Giant, mini Garbages, Obaketaro, mini MG2 all originals at this show). He cares a lot. And he makes toys like no other maker can.

 

Rationalize it however you want. My way of thinking is I could get *one* of his toys… or pay my mortgage for a year. That’s how stupid expensive his toys (TOYS) are. The sycophantic, hype-chasing fan base of Hirota is either dumb, or too rich to be collecting toys.

He may care a lot, but he charges A LOT.

 

Saying you're priced out is fine and makes sense. Disdain toward the current collector base because they can afford it is bizarre (who cares). HxS charges less than Ilu Ilu, Uzumark, Utsugiyo etc. He doesn't dictate secondary market, which seem to be the prices to which you refer (you could get a toy for under $300 at this Exhibition). At this point, it's not hype. He's an established brand.

 

I agree with one thing for sure. They are Toys, not Art. The man himself said so on his most recent post.

 

Gotta agree Hirtoa’s toys just hit different. The man has the magic touch, I wish he’d expand his access a little more but it is what it is lol. I’ll manage to get a toy of his someday!

 

Getting out a bowl of popcorn....

 

It’s 100% hype and he set the precedent for those other hype-beast brands. My disdain is for a collector base so far up the “artist” rear end they send flowers and gift bags in the hopes of getting a better spot in line. My disdain is for shitty practices like blind auctions. My disdain is for charging thousands for plastic toys whose original purpose and major draw was that they were cheap to produce. My disdain is the way Hirota and his brand is warping this Hobby. My disdain is that this hobby seemingly grew from a punk mindset, and DIY; and now it’s fucking gallery shows full of folks dressed head to toe in Supreme branded clothes- or worse yet they’re dressed like they’re Punks, but they’re the furthest thing from them. All trying to buy their way into being able to spend even more money, and thanking Hirota for the privilege. And the precedence this all sets. That this sort of business is normal. That’s where my disdain comes from.

But then again a collector friend said it best: let the Hirota and iluilu and whichever collectors do their thing. That means they’re not paying attention to the stuff I’m after. So buy up I guess. I’ve said my piece.

 

You've got a lot of disdain for which I'm sorry. I hope you enjoy the hobby the way you want. As for me, it just makes me happy. The toys, the memories and the relationships. I've got nothing but love to give.

 

Who doesn't enjoy popcorn

 

And disposable income, amirite?

 

Sure. Anyone buying toys does. There are always levels.
Many seem so focused on price in this thread. I could care less what others pay or how they spend their money. Homes, watches, cars, sports cards, toys, crypto, stocks, bonds, food, vacations, strippers. Whatever. More power to you.

 

I got these..

I got these cheeseburgers… I’ll S your D. I said I’ll S your D maaaann

 

Or you could get one of his toys, and sell it on YJA and pay your mortgage for 2 years…

 

If a man knows he’s insane he’s not crazy.

 

The Q-Taro ghost, dude! I can't ask more from a 1-part toy. It's up there with the Bemon Sea Monster for me, which imo is one of the finest one-part toys ever sculpted. But I think it's a pass from me at current prices, which is fine.

 

I love HxS work. I agree with giving someone their flowers before they die. I think padding a toy maker with Louie V is dumb, but if it happened to me I wouldn’t complain. I really like hellopikes paintwork. I wish I had a cheeseburger. Never take food out of another man’s mouth.