Lookin’ at these paints, and comparin’ ‘em to one offs on Manda’ and even my own Lowbrow Golem, these look to still be painted by Sato - San! So maybe Marmit’s only acting as a proprietor? Either way it’s exciting to see newly painted Target Earth get a release outside of Mandarake listings!
Yeah! Kazu said he's helping Mr. Sato resurrect Target Earth. I guess Mr. Sato worked as a sculptor for Marmit years ago, before starting Target Earth. So, they are old buddies! I recently grabbed one of the re-released Horror of Party Beach monsters! Really excited to see what other Target Earth weirdos become parts of the SkullHeadButt army!
Sofvi Life as well! I wish there were some comprehensive list as to what Sato - San worked on, exactly. I know he’s also responsible for the reproductions of vintage toys with Hukkokudo.
Absolutely! Some sort of comprehensive database, or "Sofub-ography" for big maker's credits. Kazu has done a huge amount of work too. I keep forgetting to correct a post somewhere in the forum that was crediting the sculpt of the SkyDeviler to a different artist.
@hellopike Took me almost two years to get my refund, and it didn’t come from Sato - San or his translator. I doubt we’ll ever see it. Even if it did get produced I feel so burned that I’d just wait for it on the aftermarket.
Yeah at this point it would be a bitter pill if it finally came out, but damn it was a cool looking toy.
In the olden days, my understanding was that Target Earth, Sofvi Life, Hukkokudo, Skull Head Butt and Globsters were effectively subsidiaries of Marmit.
@hellopike I’d still want one, make no mistake, but I am to the point of bitter that I’d rather spend monies on Mandarake than directly support TE anymore. The Parabola Ace, in my opinion, looks miles better and more awesome than Hirota’s prior rendition, so it’s definitely cool as shit enough that I’d want one! @akum6n I’ve been under the same idea, as well. More specifically that Sato - San was solely responsible for Sofvi Life, Hukkokudo and Target Earth, but worked alongside/for everyone else as a sculptor and painter.
It seems to me that Marmit have used Mandas price fixing on the last 2 years of T.E. stock as a guide for new sales . I reckon if Parabola ace ever got sold it would be about 500 bucks.
Prices still seemed quite reasonable at retail compared to Mandarake, but yeah, definitely a lot higher. And you're probably right about Parabola Ace. The design stands tall on its own, but many will just see a more affordable Brutal-A, and be willing to pay a good bit for it.
I honestly see a full on better design in the Parabola Ace in comparison to the Brutal A. Parabola looks like much more of a mechanical villain I’d see in an 80’s anime, and I can’t get over my fawning for those big ass, cat paw lookin’ robo hands. I also love the spider web lookin’ patter in the head’s satellite.
It's been confirmed that original color/style TE Machine Gorilla (pictured above) is still being produced, and will be delivered via TE after the (black) Marmit version release. I think this doll is quite cool, that it tributes an antique Chogokin, yet also tributes Amapro; in relationship to the claw hand design of Mecha-Gonira. Thankful. So thankful, the Universal realignment kept Sato-san from giving up. One's health should always be considered, above all other matters. Looking forward to seeing new sculpts and character development, etc. As for remaking old TE, I know some discussion has begun, or continued anew, is perhaps a better way to look at it. I guess, that's about it... "Behind this door Now buried in deep grass A different generation will celebrate A Festival of Dolls."
Anyone have the proper kanji for Target Earth? I tried a couple of translations and searches but no luck.
Not often enough.The TE blog says that he has set up a factory so hopefully some older sculpts will be pulled.The blog also mentions making a mold for Parabola Ace...
This is incredibly exciting to hear. To my understanding it sounds like his factory should be set up by this year too! He says January but no idea if he's actually started pulling his own stuff or not yet. Still super hyped for this and cannot wait to see if he will pull pollution monster trios (the pachi card ones)