Back in the 1970s, Bullmark made several Godzilla and Ultraman kaiju for the US market that were cast and painted in brighter color schemes than the original toys. They were inspired by the Bullmark president's trip to Hawaii, and they were sold mostly in the Hawaii and California markets. They're collectively referred to as the "Hawaii version" toys. The Hawaii Hedorah is probably the most well-known of these, bright pink vinyl with blue, yellow, and red spray. It's the one on the right here: http://www.scifijapan.com/Dutch/17.jpg Nowadays, when a new kaiju toy is made, when they make a "Hawaii" version they're usually doing it in these colors. Here's an example: http://flickr.com/photos/jennifergeorge/467673030/ Clear as mud? ;p
For what it's worth, I've never understood how those colors are associated with Hawaii. Maybe the president of Bullmark saw a really nice sunset.
The S7 mini-damn has a hawaii-style colorway. thats one paint app. I can appreciate greatly I actually like a lot of hawaii style stuff, but not the green-based versions.
My understanding was that Bullmark had some toys re-painted for sale in Hawaii. Usually in small numbers and with more garish colors than the Japanese counterparts. Why they were repainted in Hawaii is beyond me.
Thaks to everyone who responded - i researched a bit and got a few answers but a BIG thanks to Roger - good info and it was what i believed myself but was looking for confirmation i really love these boards - the people here are great for everything they contribute
No prob. There's a little more discussion about it here: http://www.skullbrain.org/bb/viewtopic. ... ght=saburo Here's the original Q&A with Saburo Ishizuki: http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Go ... sage/36347
I would just assume they were sent to Hawaii because of the large population of Japanese here, and repainted to differentiate them from the Japan-market products. You think there was something more? I'm honestly curious. I've always been sort of intrigued by the Hawaii-released kaiju, after reading about this in the Megalon article in S7.
Just so you know, the pink that seems to be the key "fugly" color is the same as Guava juice. So no doubt there was a marketing ploy intended to give "friendly" versions to the local kids. Same goes with some of the Grass greens I've seen on occasion. And if they could they woulda Hawaiin Punched some as many as they could.
That is wonderful to know! I’m finally getting a Hawaii Colorway Hedorah thanks to a release at DCON but I have always wanted to know why those colors. I wish I was around when they were originally selling those Bullmarks in California Thanks so much!
Too funny! I saw this pop up this morning and genuinely thought he was back. After this year, little could surprise me anymore.
Sorry about that guys. I just did a search via google for Hawaii colorway history, and @Roger ’s explanation came up and replied to it without looking at who had started the thread. Kinda funny though that it gave some people pause.
