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

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

For such a boring piece, I much prefer the painted...

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Agree with this. I can appreciate the work that went into this one but It's the least attractive version so far In my opinion.

Well said.. As long as I still have a chance I'm happy.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Shit I'm happy for him. I assume photos aren't doing it justice. His discription implied he put a lot of work into make it look like various metals

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann



Kind of hope Hirota sticks with the beefier chain. The story behind the smaller one was cool but I think this one works better with the rest of the figure.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

I found that very fascinating to read despite the garbled translation.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Eh, I really dislike it when these toys head toward the realm of super-expensive customs or direct auction sales. It sucks the fun out of collecting and turns it into a game of deeper pockets. Maybe it's good for the artist financially, but it seems to send the message that 'normal' collectors don't really matter in their world.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

^I disagree. Hirota-san still does releases with runs of 30+- on a regular basis via lottery.

And he didn't put a price tag on this one-off.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Yeah, that's always the argument for auctions, I suppose. But who didn't think this would go pretty high?

It is true that HS has been pretty fair about making his toys available to collectors- minus the secret lotteries. Just doesn't sit well with me when a company auctions off their own figures, or prices them super high. Feels like a disservice to their fans and a money grab. But then you have people praising them like they're a saint for giving us the chance to spend hundreds or thousands on their toy... so what do I know?

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

I just hope for better chances at one, but dont we all?


That was a serious amount of money for that toy.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

I agree completely! and I make and sell toys and clothes.. I am gonna keep my stuff at prices I would want to pay

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

This can be an argument when you manage to win lotteries from time to time. But, believe me, it is utterly frustrating after you enter for the tenth time and still loose.

It's great Hirota can make loads of cash with his direct auctions, some time went in this metal paint, but I can't see why it would do any good to the toy fan who can't afford one on the secondary market (with a further rise in price) and can't seem to win a lottery in a clean way.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

^I understand your frustration. But I really don't see any conspiracy on the lotteries by HS as well as Zollmen and some others. For me I just happened to win a few.... and lose a lot!

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

I don't and can't know how lotteries are managed, the makers do as they want, and I can't blame you for winning, I'm actually glad you did, I know they are in good hands.
It's just strange that people manage to win multiple time out of hundreds of people entering.
My guess is that some people are trustful to the makers and get a preference from time to time.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

^Thanks and I'm with you on that. If somehow gaining the trust helps I certainly wouldn't mind to be on that side of the coin.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Wow! That's some auction ending.
Well although he tried to humbly but impossibly control what buyers did with his figures and show disdain towards flipping them,
It had to have had an influence on HS going this auction route. More power to him if he can get that type of cash for one-offs but what does it mean for the everyday collector is the big question.

I for one would like to see bigger runs because I've never won any of the lotteries.
Maybe even pre-orders like Zollmen did with the green Maza. I mean look at how accesible that version is now compared to other short-run Mazas. This seems to be a surefire way to deter flippers, garner more money in volume and make them more accesible to collectors. He is a one-man show from what I understand so that may not be possible but who knows, maybe he can collaborate with a factory/painter. I'd enjoy seeing more creations from him given he'd have more time.

Imo, Gargamel has had a slow and steady model that seems to work for everyone, with runs enough to suffice the everyday collector and one-offs priced reasonably for those that want a more unique figure and deeper pockets.

And I realize he didn't set the price on that Super-Alloy Mecha-Ju which I imagine is just beautiful in hand btw,
but it'd be interesting to see if he does this more often.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

The same debate happens every HxS auction and to date nuthin' has changed.

I wouldn't anticipate much changing this time around either . . . seems he's comfortable with the current run size and maintaining the quality doing exactly what he's doing.

Blank runs, pre orders, bigger runs, getting other painters involved etc. all have potential to screw up a good solid business model.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

I'm out of the loop. I didn't realize HS had done these auctions before.
I imagine they all ended pretty high just not as high as this one?

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

The previous auctions were around $3,000 or $4,000. Still very high but this recent one is the highest I've seen for any new figure. Maybe it was a higher because it was a one-off and not a run of 2-3.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Should also be noted 2 of those auctions by HS were for a set of 2 figures. So it was like paying $1,500 for each figure.

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

It's all a game of deep pockets and who you know

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Much like real life!

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

This isn't real life..it's fantasy..right??!!

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

Love the Pink Ju!!!!! The colours are crazy.

just got my Blue mecha Ju...super nice

 

Re: Hirota Saigansho: Gorilla-ju, Mecha Gorilla-ju, & Tyrann

That's a really nice image, Simon!