#flashbackfriday: Tokyo Tribe 2 x Michael Lau (Variant Edition)
#flashbackfriday will see a new weekly serial feature on TOYSREVIL-Fridays, focusing on showcasing art toys from times past, and sometimes with my incessant reminiscence of the good old days of toy collecting (I gave since collapsed #throwbacktoythursday features into this, while focusing on a new direction for Thursdays).
In this "debut" feature, we take a picturesque view at Michael Lau's designs for "Kai" and "Mera", from "Tokyo Tribe 2", circa 2000. The ones shown here today are the variant black-n-white editions (while my colored ones are still in storage up in my toyhoard lol). You saw a glimpse of them in a previous post, now see them in their full unboxed glory!
I liked the print-on-brown carton with cut-thru "handles" (at side of box) and the printed blue tape added that "edge" to somewhat "home treasure box" sort of vibe! Not too keen on the dodgy fonts used tho LOL. The "regular" edition vinyls also had the same box, with no difference in printing or indication (that I know of, anyways). It used to confuse me when I searched for either the standard or variant colors, and I never did do a "marking" on it LOL
This set is based on original characters created by Santa Inoue, with the comics from Jade Dynasty Publications Limited, featuring figures designed by Michael Lau and produced by phase 0.2 (who also produced Eric So's MASKS vinyl figure, which we will look at another feature).
Sticker sheets included in the box had more info printed on them. Also included is a temporary tattoo - one each figure - both of similar designs. This set I received (bought online via Ebay) does not come with the two manga digest (printed by Jade Dynasty), as did the regular edition figure sets.
One thing which I enjoy about Eastern-based released products, there are mostly additional stuff in the package, like stickers or printed items (in this instance there were 2 additional promos slips that could act as "bookmarks"?), unlike additionally slipped in stickers etc- which is nothing wrong with those, but just saying they were part of the package in the first place, IMO. Or at least the impression was such. Quite like CDs/Compact Disc releases, where the package itself had as much attention paid to them, as the album itself, with printed booklets and posters.
Found stacked underneath and within the box (originally might have been one figure per box), were two plastic trays (with plastic cover) holding the collectibles. I remember them being clear-transparent trays when I bought them in 2001, but they've since nice turned a disgusting rusty-yellow! AAAAHHHHHHH *FAINTS*
The vinyl figures itself. Possessing the stylistic designs of "urban vinyl" popular during that era - depicted in products and Eastern comics - a perfect match with Santa Inoue's urban street-gangs-fueled "Tokyo Tribe 2" Seinen manga (and anime). Coupled with the splendid character adaptation from Michael Lau, this is one of the earlier pieces from his work not many people refer to, which is a waste, if you ask me. Or perhaps it was because it was a collabo with Santa and not his own "original" concept?
Featuring basic articulation (to me one of the hallmarks of early day "art toys" too), one special aspect of the duo - in particular "Mera" - had a "removable jacket", which in turn show "stumps" where his arms were supposed to be - the arm-articulation was built-in on the coat itself! *AWESOME*
One aspect of vinyls from that long ago, was the presence of "vinyl sweat", where oily liquid can be seen on the figure's body and even the accessories, but can be simply wiped away with tissue paper, ever so gently…
Regardless, an exceptional slice of "urban vinyl" history, featuring a collaboration between the fan-proclaimed "Godfather of Hong Kong Urban Vinyl" and a manga master depicting the urban street gangs, a sig of the times at the dawn of the new millennium, when "Urban Vinyls" reached it's "height", and was never truly the same again since, IMHO.
Cheers
Andy TOYSREVIL
