I hope Ricky doesn't mind, but here's a recent article Metropolis put out about vinyl toys in Japan. http://metropolis.co.jp/arts/pop-life/designer-vinyl/ Metropolis is an English magazine published in Japan. I'm not sure if this article is also in their print version.
Interesting article, but already posted there : http://www.skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=33558 I think he doesn't mind