in the neo-kaiju scene... For me its a toss up cus i love the Real Head detail, but the simplicity put into the Gargamel sculpts is genius!
Cure without a doubt created my favorite sculpt, being the Boogie man, with his varying features, innards, etc. But Yamomark has some of the best sculpts in my opinion, in terms of skill and detail.
Well, if the question were favorite sculptor, then it would be easier for me to answer: #1. For classic neo-kaiju favorites: Kiyoka. From SB fight figures, classic Gargamel to the OG Mutant Heda and Evil. Close behind: For fantastical sc-fi creatures - The Exohead guy who sculpts Exohead and Zollmen. For pure textural sickness - Shigeru from NagNagNag (after seeing the amazing dissected nag one-off, I'm excited to see what comes up next) And I am amazed by teh home grown sculpting telant of PK and Rich.
Kiyoka (Gargamel) delivers on many levels. I didn't know that he was responsible for the Head and Evil sculpts too. Damn. Butanohana is up there for me. and I guess it depends on what you like, but as far as skillz the Shikaruna Kobou guy does some really impressive stuff from cartoon styles to very realistic stuff.
Zollmen, Butanohana, Emupaiya for new originals. Bullmark & Popy for older stuff which makes me also say M1Go and Slash for new stuff also since they use the old molds. BUT M1 does have some nice original sculpts also.
yup, its def all up to taste.... I love the risks that RxH takes.....their body of work is ALL over the place. I find that artistically exciting i guess it can be solitary sculptor or production company I left the question a lil vague for deeper, varied convo In my opinion the kaiju scene is the most artistically true...cus you no only have artists creating art of designs, but also nodding to history...whether straight up or very subtle its like a past, present, future creative feeling in the scene
Although some look simple I like Anraku Ansaku a lot, Buta no hana is right there too. I thought M1-go only had redos, which ones are his sculpts?
One thing I think is the shit about Buta is if you asked someone who didnt collect when they thought his stuff was made, they would guess way off probably. I love that old feel they have.
I dunno, honestly I'm into ceramic roosters a lot that you wear around your neck. I think that's the kind of sculpt that speaks to me, but it really has to be "Raw" and look like a failed 4th grade mothers day present.
I honestly don't know what neo-kaiju is. The word has become so bastardized. I just collect toys that are new but wish I had the funds for the vintage toys.
King Teddy Bear, you said you work in toy production right. I've always wondered what would be the opinion on kaiju and the sculpts, from a toy sculptor who worked on really detailed action figures or character statues, if they'd be like, most of these kind of suck, or if they'd enjoy the stylization. Have you ever had the discussion with non-kaiju sculptors you've worked with? What do they think.
1st - Anraku for pure size and texture of there figures 2nd - Cure for shear ingenuity on how to continually modify a classic figure (Boogie) 3rd - Zollmen/Elegab tie for creativity
