TOYSREVIL'S Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6
"LISTS" - I like "lists". Straight after the TOYSREVIL "Top Ten Favouritest Must-Watch Anime Movies", I knew I wanted to do another Top Ten List, but this time featuring Anime and/or Manga Characters made into 1/6th-scaled action figures! (It is after all *1/6-Hobby Week* here on TOYSREVIL!)
DISCLAIMER: This list totally sans classic figures like Ultraman, Kaimen Riders, and as well period-Japanese figures (which mean no samurais and ronins). It is no surprise Medicom Toy figure dominate the list, as they have had a long track record of releasing anime/manga-based toys of their fellow countrymen, and they've done an exceedingly well job, IMHO. Catching up on the list is surprisingly Hot Toys - who produces quite a number of them under their OEM arm, as well their "Anime Masterpiece" line. We have a couple of inserts from Japanese-brand Takara, as well one from the good old days; Dragon Model. Here's my list of "TOP TEN ANIME/MANGA TOYS IN 1/6"!
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #10: BERSERK by Dragon Model
WHY: Released in 2003 by Hong Kong's Dragon Models - adapted from the manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura, of the same title [wiki]. Two versions were released: The Regular version and a Bloody Version (I managed to secure the regular years back from my trip to HK but have never opened the box!!!). While not exceptional in it's headsculpt (pretty darn slack actually), I was and am still amazed at the effort they had taken to produce the body-armor of "Guts"! ToyHaven has detailed reviews of the toy here + here for your viewing pleasures.
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #9: Dark Version Princess Jun by Takara
WHY: Released by Takara under their "Best of Cool Girls EX" - this Gatchaman G-3 in CG (Dark Version) features Gatchaman's Princess Jun clad in all-black instead of her "regular" pastel-pink uniform! How seriously cool is that? What's the story? Does it matter? - It's Princes Jun in shiny-BLACK!
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #8: Gatchaman by Medicom Toy
WHY: While not exactly the pinnacle of action-figure releases now or even back in the day, Medicom Toy released both Mark and Jason of Gatchaman / Battle Of the Planets (in two different window-box styles too), and basically stopped. And while fans might have been waiting for the other three in the team to be unleashed, it doesn't seem to be happening - and unfortunately with the demise of the Imagi Animation Studios along with it's CG-movie (which many stories abound but hardly substantiated either way unfortunately), the release-status-quo remains as is, it seems. Years later, it would be Takara who released Princess Jun in 1/6, with a more "realistic" look in headsculpt, while both Mark and Jason retained their classic cartoon caricature face-sculpts, which frankly appealed to cartoon-fans, and folks who possess "sentimentality" in their hearts (hence this listing here muahahahaha).
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #7: Golgo 13 by Hot Toys
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #6: Initial D by Dragon Models
WHY: While intrinsically simple in it's presentation and adaptation, the duo figure set released by Dragon Models entrance folks with their miniature accessories - like a burger with fries, and keychain (okay, fine - "I" was entranced, okay? LOL). And as well the set was released at a time where casual street clothes were not as rampant, and the tees and denim jeans worn by Takumi and Itsuki fueled that desire. Of note was the white suit, which would have made an exceptional kitbash of Miami Vice-characters! LOL
Based on the manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995 [wiki] - I have since utilized the figure for kitbashing outside of their original intent. Love them and their anime facesculpt and nifty hair!
The characters have since seen another figure release subsequently from How2Work, this time based on their Hong Kong movie appearances instead. How2Work also released duo anime versions of Initial D, but I have only seen online images of.
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #5: Cowboy Bebop by Medicom Toy
WHY: Medicom Toy released a whole slew of anime/manga inspired figures of the single window-boxed variety back in the day (I miss seeing that actually) and as well a entire catalog if anime-characters that literally LOOKED like their original intended forms, rather than just "adaptation". One of these figures was the slender-sleek Spike Spiegel (as reviewed on Ken Moo) with the figure sporting a likeness of the anime appearance and fabric-clothes to boot. One day I will have him in my collection, one day…
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #4: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Figures by Medicom Toy
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #3: Fist Of the Northstar by Medicom Toy
WHY: How Medicom Toy could release muscled-figures in their RAH line, to emulate the enhanced upper-body musculature of the manga and anime series, is nigh exciting to me - with the resultant figures looking exactly like their manga-counterparts! And as well being a huge-fan of post-apocalyptical worlds, these character-designs appeal to me greatly.
[Fist of the Northstar seen at AFA 2008 / blogged]
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #2: Fullmetal Alchemist by Medicom Toy
WHY: This series is here on the top because primarily I am a huge fan of the television animated series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. And while these figures were based on the previous season's, it matters little (with the exception of Edward Elric wearing his red jacket, of course). With differing heights and builds, this is a sweet manifestation of my own personal likes, which endear me to the releases, so there :)
[Edward & Alphonse Elric are joined by their compatriot Roy Mustang!]
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #1: Appleseed: Ex Machina by Hot Toys
WHY: Without a doubt, this trio of character releases from Hot Toys sees Briareos Hechatonchires (35 cm tall), Deunan Knute, and TEREUS manifested unto 1/6th-scale, reaches the top-sport for me. Adapted from the CG-feature film "Appleseed: Ex Machina" - this series sees facial headsculpts bearing the anime's representation (awegosh is Deunan kawaii-cute!), along with molded muscle-armor (which frankly gained a whole lot of flack from collectors out there) and assorted awesome-cool weapons! Major-credits to Masamune Shirow for his design in the original manga! One of my holy-grails of 1/6, I have yet to procure either of the figures until now though.
And there you have it! For sure there are loads of other anime-properties to be mentioned, including the Tokyo Tribe series, CROWS x Worst, and even Kaneda and Tetsuo from Akira (Kaneda is practically nonexistent without his bike tho, seriously lol) and even old skool manga like GTO (now THAT figure I have muahahaha). Perhaps another "list" is in order? So what are YOUR fav characters in YOUR list?
DISCLAIMER: This list totally sans classic figures like Ultraman, Kaimen Riders, and as well period-Japanese figures (which mean no samurais and ronins). It is no surprise Medicom Toy figure dominate the list, as they have had a long track record of releasing anime/manga-based toys of their fellow countrymen, and they've done an exceedingly well job, IMHO. Catching up on the list is surprisingly Hot Toys - who produces quite a number of them under their OEM arm, as well their "Anime Masterpiece" line. We have a couple of inserts from Japanese-brand Takara, as well one from the good old days; Dragon Model. Here's my list of "TOP TEN ANIME/MANGA TOYS IN 1/6"!
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #10: BERSERK by Dragon Model
WHY: Released in 2003 by Hong Kong's Dragon Models - adapted from the manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura, of the same title [wiki]. Two versions were released: The Regular version and a Bloody Version (I managed to secure the regular years back from my trip to HK but have never opened the box!!!). While not exceptional in it's headsculpt (pretty darn slack actually), I was and am still amazed at the effort they had taken to produce the body-armor of "Guts"! ToyHaven has detailed reviews of the toy here + here for your viewing pleasures.
WHAT: 'Berserk (ベルセルク Beruseruku?) is a manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura. Miura premiered a prototype of Berserk in 1988. The first volume of the manga was published on November 26, 1990 by Hakusensha in its Jets Comics collection. Three more volumes were published. In 1992 the production was ended, and Berserk was serialized in Young Animal. The series was adapted into a twenty-five episode anime series, Kenpū Denki Berserk (ベルセルク剣風伝奇 Beruseruku Kenpū Denki?), by Oriental Light and Magic' [Wiki]
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #9: Dark Version Princess Jun by Takara
WHY: Released by Takara under their "Best of Cool Girls EX" - this Gatchaman G-3 in CG (Dark Version) features Gatchaman's Princess Jun clad in all-black instead of her "regular" pastel-pink uniform! How seriously cool is that? What's the story? Does it matter? - It's Princes Jun in shiny-BLACK!
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #8: Gatchaman by Medicom Toy
WHY: While not exactly the pinnacle of action-figure releases now or even back in the day, Medicom Toy released both Mark and Jason of Gatchaman / Battle Of the Planets (in two different window-box styles too), and basically stopped. And while fans might have been waiting for the other three in the team to be unleashed, it doesn't seem to be happening - and unfortunately with the demise of the Imagi Animation Studios along with it's CG-movie (which many stories abound but hardly substantiated either way unfortunately), the release-status-quo remains as is, it seems. Years later, it would be Takara who released Princess Jun in 1/6, with a more "realistic" look in headsculpt, while both Mark and Jason retained their classic cartoon caricature face-sculpts, which frankly appealed to cartoon-fans, and folks who possess "sentimentality" in their hearts (hence this listing here muahahahaha).
WHAT: 'Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (科学忍者隊ガッチャマン Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman?) is a 5-member superhero team that is composed of the main characters in several Japanese anime created by Tatsuo Yoshida and originally produced in Japan by Tatsunoko Productions and later adapted into several English-language versions. It is also known by the abbreviated name Gatchaman. The original series, produced in 1972, was eponymously named Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman and is most well-known to the English-speaking world as the adaptation titled Battle of the Planets. The title is unofficially called G-Force (not to be confused with the subsequent 1980s English-language adaptation of Gatchaman, known as G-Force: Guardians of Space). Tatsunoko also uses the official translation Science Commando Gatchaman, as shown in numerous related products and media.' [Wiki
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #7: Golgo 13 by Hot Toys
WHAT: 'Golgo 13 (ゴルゴ13, Gorugo Sātīn) is a manga series written and illustrated by Takao Saito, published in Shogakukan's Big Comic magazine since 1969. The series follows Duke Togo, a professional assassin for hire. Duke's alias ("Golgo 13") is short for Golgotha, the place of Jesus Christ's crucifixion.'
WHY: Released by Hot Toys in 2008, this figure was the first under their "Anime Masterpiece" series [blogged] and featured sharp-suit and a suitcase with break-away rifle = how can that not be cool? LOL
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #6: Initial D by Dragon Models
WHY: While intrinsically simple in it's presentation and adaptation, the duo figure set released by Dragon Models entrance folks with their miniature accessories - like a burger with fries, and keychain (okay, fine - "I" was entranced, okay? LOL). And as well the set was released at a time where casual street clothes were not as rampant, and the tees and denim jeans worn by Takumi and Itsuki fueled that desire. Of note was the white suit, which would have made an exceptional kitbash of Miami Vice-characters! LOL
Based on the manga by Shuichi Shigeno which has been serialized in Kodansha's Young Magazine since 1995 [wiki] - I have since utilized the figure for kitbashing outside of their original intent. Love them and their anime facesculpt and nifty hair!
The characters have since seen another figure release subsequently from How2Work, this time based on their Hong Kong movie appearances instead. How2Work also released duo anime versions of Initial D, but I have only seen online images of.
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #5: Cowboy Bebop by Medicom Toy
WHY: Medicom Toy released a whole slew of anime/manga inspired figures of the single window-boxed variety back in the day (I miss seeing that actually) and as well a entire catalog if anime-characters that literally LOOKED like their original intended forms, rather than just "adaptation". One of these figures was the slender-sleek Spike Spiegel (as reviewed on Ken Moo) with the figure sporting a likeness of the anime appearance and fabric-clothes to boot. One day I will have him in my collection, one day…
WHAT: 'Cowboy Bebop (カウボーイビバップ Kaubōi Bibappu?) is a critically acclaimed and award-winning 1998 Japanese anime series directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, written by Keiko Nobumoto, and produced by Sunrise. Its 26 episodes ("sessions") comprise a complete storyline: set in 2071, the series follows the adventures, misadventures and tragedies of a group of bounty hunters, or "cowboys", traveling on their spaceship, the Bebop.' [Wiki]
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #4: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Figures by Medicom Toy
WHAT: 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (ジョジョの奇妙な冒険 JoJo no Kimyō na Bōken?) is a manga written and illustrated by Hirohiko Araki. Every main character's name in each part can be read as JoJo. The manga, published by Shueisha in their magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump, started in 1987 and went on to 2002. The current story arc was published by Ultra Jump in 2004' - [Wiki]
WHY: This is an absolute abnormally in this list, as I have neither seen nor held this line of figures released by Medicom Toy, except seeing them on the net. But hell, they look absolutely awesome-cool! Possessing the verve and stylings of their counterparts, even standing still they look like they are in-motion! No doubt due to the exaggerated manga-stylings of the artist, a sweet selection of the characters have been released thus far. Really looking nice, this! (And I don't even need to know the story to enjoy looking at them LOL).
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #3: Fist Of the Northstar by Medicom Toy
WHY: How Medicom Toy could release muscled-figures in their RAH line, to emulate the enhanced upper-body musculature of the manga and anime series, is nigh exciting to me - with the resultant figures looking exactly like their manga-counterparts! And as well being a huge-fan of post-apocalyptical worlds, these character-designs appeal to me greatly.
[Fist of the Northstar seen at AFA 2008 / blogged]
WHAT: 'Fist of the North Star (北斗の拳 Hokuto no Ken?, literally "Fist of the Big Dipper") is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and drawn by Tetsuo Hara that was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, spanning 245 chapters, which were initially collected in a 27-volume tankōbon edition by Shueisha.' [Wiki]
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #2: Fullmetal Alchemist by Medicom Toy
WHY: This series is here on the top because primarily I am a huge fan of the television animated series Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. And while these figures were based on the previous season's, it matters little (with the exception of Edward Elric wearing his red jacket, of course). With differing heights and builds, this is a sweet manifestation of my own personal likes, which endear me to the releases, so there :)
WHAT: 'Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師 Hagane no Renkinjutsushi?, literally "Alchemist of Steel"), is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution. Set in a fictional universe in which alchemy is one of the most advanced scientific techniques known to man, the story follows the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who want to restore their bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy' [Wiki]
[Edward & Alphonse Elric are joined by their compatriot Roy Mustang!]
Top Ten Anime/Manga Toys in 1/6 - #1: Appleseed: Ex Machina by Hot Toys
WHY: Without a doubt, this trio of character releases from Hot Toys sees Briareos Hechatonchires (35 cm tall), Deunan Knute, and TEREUS manifested unto 1/6th-scale, reaches the top-sport for me. Adapted from the CG-feature film "Appleseed: Ex Machina" - this series sees facial headsculpts bearing the anime's representation (awegosh is Deunan kawaii-cute!), along with molded muscle-armor (which frankly gained a whole lot of flack from collectors out there) and assorted awesome-cool weapons! Major-credits to Masamune Shirow for his design in the original manga! One of my holy-grails of 1/6, I have yet to procure either of the figures until now though.
WHAT: 'Appleseed Ex Machina is a 2007 Japanese animated CG film and is the sequel to the 2004 Appleseed film, similarly directed by Shinji Aramaki, and was produced by Hong Kong director and producer John Woo.[1] It was released on October 20, 2007 in Japan and made its American premiere at the Jules Verne Adventures Film Festival in Los Angeles on December 15, 2007' [Wiki]
And there you have it! For sure there are loads of other anime-properties to be mentioned, including the Tokyo Tribe series, CROWS x Worst, and even Kaneda and Tetsuo from Akira (Kaneda is practically nonexistent without his bike tho, seriously lol) and even old skool manga like GTO (now THAT figure I have muahahaha). Perhaps another "list" is in order? So what are YOUR fav characters in YOUR list?
