TOYSREVIL's #TopTenToysof2017
"CAVEAT #1: They have to be toys purchased/received in the entire year of 2017, and opened within the year.
CAVEAT #2: They could be toys you had for a while/some time (aka "Older toys"), BUT opened and removed from the box during 2017."
I used to make such a blog-hoo-ha about my Top Ten Toys-list, but this year, I'll decided to play along with the rest of the folks I'd featured, and share my top-10-choices in a single post! And I have since sorted out the "finalists", made my decisions and took my snaps! Welcome to TOYSREVIL's TOP TEN TOYS OF 2017!
(Above Image on Instagram / Another IG Image)
#10 - JIANGSHI: PUTREFACTION from Chungkee Studios*
One of the most intense collectible figurine currently in my humble collection, "JIANGSHI: PUTREFACTION" was a wonderful gift from Cheungkinman from Chungkee Studios (who'd sculpted the jiangshi-head), and it remains housed in the original wooden box from which it came in - because it is so eerily awesome, it freaks me out somewhat looking at it (and it back at ME!), and I LIKE THAT! LOL
Before I copped unto "vampires" being cool and all (Thank you "Lost Boys"), the only blood/soul sucking variety I was familiar with growing up, were the hopping "Jiangshi" in Chinese movies (Thanks for freaking me out "Mr Vampire"!)! Of course having a schoolboy crush on "Fennie Yuen" (seen in "Happy Ghost 2") helped the "allure" somewhat too LOL
I've had a quick look on this blog before, and you can as well purchase it online here now - at a hugely discounted price too!
(Above Image on Instagram / Another IG Image)
#9 - MARVEL BASIC Action Figures from Hasbro*
I first noticed these figures peg-hung at the neighbourhood Toys'R'Us, housed in a window box, and quite frankly priced to please my delicate wallet! Upon snagging a Black Panther figure (for review purposes), I'd gone back since to grab a "Loki" and "Vulture", and eventually a "Ant-Man", begrudgingly missing out on a Miles Morales "Spider-Man"!
#toyhunt-stories aside, I am utter adoring these figures - which boasted a severely limiting articulation range, but featuring splendid sculpting that does not need to factor into multiple articulation joints, like their action figure brethren have! Like they walked out of the comicbook pages, ya know? Well, some of them anyways (The Hulk was sadly insipid :p).
Why, if I were a resin-slinger/bootlegger myself, I'd be using THESE bodies to recast my figures(*cough*)!
I'd go into a closer look at these figures soon in a separate blogpost, but meanwhile, I'd want to give-props to my toylove for them!
(Above Image on Instagram / Another IG Image)
#8 - DINO from ZiQi x Unbox Industries*
From featuring his "QiQi" vinyl figure (from Creo Design) to holding Ziqi's DINO vinyl figure in-hand, and seeing the figure gaining it's success in the toy-world, puts a smile on my toy-loving heart. For being a small part of the evolution of the figure and ZiQi's journey (only if a little smudge in the scheme of things), and the delight it brings me ... as well "disappointment", for when first seeing this particular edition in hand (before it hit the market), I'd asked if I could have this specific colorway be an "exclusive TOYSREVIL Edition" (the colors fit perfectly to this blog, no?) ... but alas, it was not meant to be ... but thanks to ZiQi's generosity, I was gifted this back in STGCC'2017, and it reminds me of an "opportunity" that never was ... LOL
(Above Image on Instagram / Another IG Image)
#7 - LONELY LINUS from Fanny Kao*
In a "toy-battle" between LONELY LINUS and ACORN&NUTTY, Fanny's tail-hugging red panda came out a winner, for its emotive quality, besides its cuteness - which both character figures possessed, and is a hallmark of Fanny's art, IMHO. And with this darling baby blue colorway gifted to me by Fanny in STGCC'2017, it too meant a stronger sentimental connection which helped edge it up top between the two ... what can I say, I am a "sentimental" sort ... now if only there was a header card I could've asked Fanny to sign that too LOL
Head on to her online store to find further editions or hand-painted versions of the vinyl Lonely Linus!
(Above Image on Instagram / See what's in Max Boy's hand behind his back)
#6 - MAX BOY from Max Toy Co*
"MAX BOY" is the manifestation of Max Toy Co's mascot as a three-dimensional sofubi/vinyl toy, with this particular colorway being the 3rd-released.
Mark Nagata has been consistently supportive of TOYSREVIL thru the years, but beyond "loyalty" to him and his brand, I would insist his work+products stands apart from his contemporaries in the current "toy scene", focusing on creating his own designs and characters, without the need to follow any toy trends (he'll kick your ass in custom painting toys tho lol). And especially MAX BOY is dedicated to his son "Max" (whom I was also introduced in 2012, but doubt he'll remember me :p), and that is an emotional connection that is much appreciated from where I am at.
I don't say this often (as it is contrary to this blog's existence, but...) but, at the end of the toy-day, we are holding pieces of pre-painted plastic figurines in our hands or displayed on our toy-shelves - with whatever aesthetically rationale or loyalty to the brand/artiste be the reason, something as extra as "a dedication" to his son (and in this case to past mascot figures too = "history" is also great!), makes this figure even more enriching a collectible, IMHO. Appreciating his pride for his son and company thru his toy FTW!
Now all you need, Mark, is to have a snap/photograph where Max is holding a Max Boy figure, wearing a Max Toy Co character tee or sanding in front of a company logo!
(Above Image on Instagram / See in-hand video clip on IG)
#5 - RED YU by Chino Lam*
Enamored by its goofy-vacant stare when I featured it on the blog, I was more than delighted when I managed (and could afford to :p) to preorder one from Ozzo (always Ozzo in SG, thanks!) and I could not but help marvel at the paint work, and the quirky fun+ironic floatation-ring it is holding! Standing amidst his other designs (for Mame Moyashi), "Red Yu" stood out for it's top notch paint app, and character, IMHO. The aesthetics certainly has me hooked!
Will this turn out to be a "one-hit-wonder"? I certainly hope not, and am looking forward to more characters from Mr Lam's “Gang of Mountains and Seas” (山海GANG) enter the toy-world!
*Stay tuned to a proper toy-review of this piece #onTOYSREVIL!
(Above Image on Instagram / See in-hand video clip on IG)
#4 - "TOYSREVIL Edition" EDMOON by Riandi Sumadinata*
This figure was a pure delight and honour to receive from Indonesian designer Riandi Sumadinata, when I happened to bump into him at the pre-launch for local group art show "Choking Hazard" at Kult Gallery. I had gone there to cover the event before nightfall, and had not at all pre-planned to meet Riandi, and in fact did not know he was coming to Singapore at all!
Then he gifted me with this specifically sculpted figure (notice the TOYSREVIL-mascot EARS?), and it was a happenstance that was deeply appreciated, and encounter cherished. Great "toy-memories" are made of this! :)
(Above Image on Instagram / Another IG Image)
#3 - JUDGE ANDERSON in 1/6 (From "DREDD" Film)*
It has been a "rough"
Alas all (three) of them are bootlegs / non-licensed figures! The story of the two "JUDGE ANDERSONS" can be boiled down to one single reason: "Lack of Proper Toy Research" - which is pretty ironic, as I should've known "better", innit? HAH! "Toy-Excitement" always inevitably clouds my judgement, maaaaan hahahahaha
And while I'd blogged/featured a version I'd aimed to procure, I purchased the first version from "Art Figures" by "mistake" ... but managed to track down the "VTS Toys version" later, bit the financial bullet, and not looked back! But dammit I still need the main man himself tho...
Yes, having a crush on actress Olivia Thirlby (in the film) helped in this hunt, although ironically the sculpts looked much better online! hahahahahaha
(Above Image on Instagram / Another IG Image)
#2 - REIKI STARCHILD by Prodip Leung x How2Work*
Two versions were released at Toy Soul in December of 2017. I HAD to have both, even if they broke the bank! Not least because I have been collecting a Prodip Leung figure toy from every past Toy Soul, but also they looked utterly awesome! Since it's guise as a bronze incense burner, it blew my mind when they were to be unleashed as vinyl toys (from How2Work), but also the pricing blew my mind too hahahaha
The character design and genre stands alone in the sea of collectibles, as far as I am concerned.
*Stay tuned to a proper toy-review of this piece #onTOYSREVIL really soon!
(Above Image-Left on Instagram / Above Image-Right on IG)
#1 - CLASSICBOT (Classic Edition) from Playsometoys*
...is without a doubt my favourite top toy choice for this list, from the moment I held the box in my hands, to when the magnetic arms clicked-clack unto the body-chasis, giving it a well appreciated feeling of "toy-joy" much lorded after in my personal toy-collecting life ... on one hand imbued with the retro-memories of the beloved Macintosh PC, designed minimalistically and concise, to offering the practical playability, making this genre of collectible toy standing out amongst others, alone in its own niche genre. I LOVE IT!
Read more about the item here on TOYSREVIL (formerly known as "Macinbot"), and you can buy it direct from the source online here for only US$27.00!
*Stay tuned to a proper toy-review of this piece #onTOYSREVIL!
AND, to make this a total self-indulgent post, here are the honorable mentions / short listed collectibles!
Cheers for reading this far, and have yourselves a wonder toy-year in 2018!
Andy TOYSFEVIL
*GUMS Productions x Acid Rain figures reviewed: COMMANDER JIM JIM PINK / COMMANDER JIM JIM (DANCING IN THE GALAXY) Edition
*CLICK HERE to find out more about the "M2019 WATER BLASTER (Takagi Type)" (And thanks again Octavio!!!)
