More SQUID GAME APPROPRIATED & LICENSED Collectibles
As the world continues to hype the South Korean drama series SQUID GAME both offline and online, so too have folks come thru with their TOYS inspired by the globally successful KDRAMA...
Featured here is a mixture of APPROPRIATED and LICENSED releases, which has grown much since my last feature, some still available to order, some not.
Of course this list is not exhaustive, based on what I had come across on my socials ... so without further adieu, 3..2..1..SCROLL DOWN!
From South Korea-based toy brand ANATONY comes "Bobby Game": A Squid Game inspired Custom Toy utilizing their "Bobby" platform figure, individually hand-painted as a Squid Game Soldier! Besides the images featured here (viewable from Insta @anatoy_official), you are also prompted to DM @redlife1972 to pre-order yours ("Shipment starts in 12 November").
The black box with pink 'ribbon' packaging is a nice and obvious touch.
*CLICK HERE for features of ANATOY-toynews on TOYSREVIL, which includes a QUICCS-designed GUNDAM and EVANGELION Unit 01-appropriated designs!
Featured above is a one-off blister-carded figure made by UK-based "For The Love Of Old Toys", gifted to his son - whom might not have watched it on the telly, but loves it on ROBLOX! And while THAT piece is technically Not For Sale, the following piece IS...
Not a straight-up appropriation but a mash-up with Star Wars-iconology, with this first figure release from "SQUID WARS" available to purchase for £40 plus shipping each (Additional £15 outside the UK). DM IG @fortheloveofoldtoys to order yours! Tell'em 'TOYSREVIL SENT YOU' :) ... and expect MORE to come too...!
Hong Kong-based independent toy-maker known as @kaiju_one has been introducing folks to character releases from "The Calamari Game", with the above "Number #001" - inclusive with crotch piss-stain - just barely ended it's pre-order run (10/29 to 10/30), with a micro-run of 3 pieces only custom painted by Kenneth Wan @emoshun! Price was US$200 plus shipping, FYI.
Before 001, there had been TWO versions of his interpretation of the "Red Light Green Light Robot Doll", with "GIANT ROBOT MK2", followed by "GIANT ROBOT MK3"!
Both "Number #001" and "Giant Robot MK2" utilised Kaiju One's existing sofubi figures (which were used for the "Mojo Tsubaki" Set - Inspired by the legendary cult manga comic book "The Magician and The Orphan" ("友成光正 及 少女花") in which it's animated movie was banned in Japan).
"GIANT ROBOT MK3" was a micro-run of only 3pcs made by @emoshun, utilizing @thekinkydarksiders/Kaiju One's "Fashion Goddess" as figure base (Check the IG to foind out WHO the figure was referencing heehee). Price was US$200 plus shipping, FYI.
Independent toy maker from Hong Kong, @awesome_toy had utilized his own designed and produced "Grady Twins" sofubi figure (which are in turn based on the characters seen in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining"), and hand-painted it to match the "Red Light Green Light" robot doll seen in Squid Game, and is currently offering up this 9 inch tall (with 4 points of articulations) for pre-orders online via toyunderground.com, priced at US$120 each. No specific quantity is mentioned tho.
And while all above releases are APPROPRIATED collectibles (AKA "unlicensed"), the following featured releases ARE stated as "LICENSED"!
Previously teased, we now have official product details for what is touted as the "world’s first officially licensed" 1/10 scale figure from SQUID GAME, with the now-named "Young-hee" available for pre-orders exclusively via fwenclub.com on October 31st ... AAAAAND looks like THAT's "Sold Out"!
Solicited on fwenclub.com now (as of this blogpost published) is the "BLOOD PAINT VERSION" of "YOUNG-HEE"! Same doll, but with "blood stain/splatter" on her chubby cheeks. Pre-orders start Nov 1st 11pm EDT / 2 Nov 2nd 11am HKT!
Sized 14-inches tall, "Young-hee" is priced at HK$3,580 (US$460 / SG$621), and is in an edition of 456pcs (matching then number of participants seen in the KDrama on Netflix)! Each features a unique number under the figure's feet, and each comes with a Certificated NFC Chip of Authenticity. Shipping begins from January 2022.
And if you think only brands in the East has gotten on the bandwagon, out pops POP!VINYLS from Funko! Offering up both (Main) green tracksuited Game Characters AND Soldiers, with exclusives to Walmart and Funko, do check in with your regular retailers for availability...! Of course you could also purchase via the TOYSREVIL-adffiliated Amazon-links below, cheers :)
Although I wonder how many bootlegs of these POP!s will be made ... And you cannot quibble much about the toys' quality, as the game participants are "blood-stained and battle-scarred" already...! LOL
(Thanks to @scottbarretto for the headsup on some of the toynews!)
I was asked just today; "What's the deal with SQUID GAME?"
I mean, I enjoyed my watch (currently streaming still on Netflix), but not enough to fawn over it (But enough to make this blogpost ~ hyuks ~ LOL), but I do recognise that folks around the world are caught up in, and invested in this, with a simple hashtag-search thru socials to see the costumes overwhelming Halloween cosplays thios weekend alone!
Even Lisa @lalalalisa_m of Blackpink is dressed as the "Red Light Green Light" Robot Doll...! (Jisoo @sooyaaa__ dressed up as Lisa for LALISA is too precious!)
As disconnected as we continually are with our real-life surroundings (Thanks, COVID), so too are we willing to come together (online), and share in a "communal joy", and SQUID GAME has indeed become a global phenomenon perfect for adoption, IMHO.
So maybe the "answer" is not necessarily about WHAT "Squid Game" is, but what it has become = a painless non-physical "shared experience" that could well be a "antidote" to a mental stressed caused by a physical virus that is devouring the world right now.
From physical products, to cosplay, to the outpouring of FANART, this is one project anyone could latch unto, and be apart of, in however ways, without "back history" which most recognizable pop culture is sometimes "burdened" with. With "Squid Game", most everyone can get on at the same time, which can be a rare thing these days, methinks.
Watch the series or not, appropriate the concept and characters or not, everyone has a "choice" of course. .. but also know that "Not All Appropriation Is Equal" - being able to reference an idea and adapt to your own, does not mean it could be successful nor welcomed too, nor does it mean you adapt so to be "successful", but... So don't knock it until you do it... and do it until it's far too much than anyone can tolerant the onslaught of HAHAHAHAHAHA
That's one of the joys of "appropriating pop culture" - and for sure Squid Games has entered the lexicon, thanks to the efforts of folks and fans, not of the makers, mind you, and that's what makes it "different" and fun, innit?
Cheers,
Andy TOYSREVIL
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We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Featured here is a mixture of APPROPRIATED and LICENSED releases, which has grown much since my last feature, some still available to order, some not.
Of course this list is not exhaustive, based on what I had come across on my socials ... so without further adieu, 3..2..1..SCROLL DOWN!
From South Korea-based toy brand ANATONY comes "Bobby Game": A Squid Game inspired Custom Toy utilizing their "Bobby" platform figure, individually hand-painted as a Squid Game Soldier! Besides the images featured here (viewable from Insta @anatoy_official), you are also prompted to DM @redlife1972 to pre-order yours ("Shipment starts in 12 November").
The black box with pink 'ribbon' packaging is a nice and obvious touch.
*CLICK HERE for features of ANATOY-toynews on TOYSREVIL, which includes a QUICCS-designed GUNDAM and EVANGELION Unit 01-appropriated designs!
Featured above is a one-off blister-carded figure made by UK-based "For The Love Of Old Toys", gifted to his son - whom might not have watched it on the telly, but loves it on ROBLOX! And while THAT piece is technically Not For Sale, the following piece IS...
Not a straight-up appropriation but a mash-up with Star Wars-iconology, with this first figure release from "SQUID WARS" available to purchase for £40 plus shipping each (Additional £15 outside the UK). DM IG @fortheloveofoldtoys to order yours! Tell'em 'TOYSREVIL SENT YOU' :) ... and expect MORE to come too...!
Hong Kong-based independent toy-maker known as @kaiju_one has been introducing folks to character releases from "The Calamari Game", with the above "Number #001" - inclusive with crotch piss-stain - just barely ended it's pre-order run (10/29 to 10/30), with a micro-run of 3 pieces only custom painted by Kenneth Wan @emoshun! Price was US$200 plus shipping, FYI.
Before 001, there had been TWO versions of his interpretation of the "Red Light Green Light Robot Doll", with "GIANT ROBOT MK2", followed by "GIANT ROBOT MK3"!
Both "Number #001" and "Giant Robot MK2" utilised Kaiju One's existing sofubi figures (which were used for the "Mojo Tsubaki" Set - Inspired by the legendary cult manga comic book "The Magician and The Orphan" ("友成光正 及 少女花") in which it's animated movie was banned in Japan).
"GIANT ROBOT MK3" was a micro-run of only 3pcs made by @emoshun, utilizing @thekinkydarksiders/Kaiju One's "Fashion Goddess" as figure base (Check the IG to foind out WHO the figure was referencing heehee). Price was US$200 plus shipping, FYI.
Independent toy maker from Hong Kong, @awesome_toy had utilized his own designed and produced "Grady Twins" sofubi figure (which are in turn based on the characters seen in Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining"), and hand-painted it to match the "Red Light Green Light" robot doll seen in Squid Game, and is currently offering up this 9 inch tall (with 4 points of articulations) for pre-orders online via toyunderground.com, priced at US$120 each. No specific quantity is mentioned tho.
And while all above releases are APPROPRIATED collectibles (AKA "unlicensed"), the following featured releases ARE stated as "LICENSED"!
Previously teased, we now have official product details for what is touted as the "world’s first officially licensed" 1/10 scale figure from SQUID GAME, with the now-named "Young-hee" available for pre-orders exclusively via fwenclub.com on October 31st ... AAAAAND looks like THAT's "Sold Out"!
Solicited on fwenclub.com now (as of this blogpost published) is the "BLOOD PAINT VERSION" of "YOUNG-HEE"! Same doll, but with "blood stain/splatter" on her chubby cheeks. Pre-orders start Nov 1st 11pm EDT / 2 Nov 2nd 11am HKT!
Sized 14-inches tall, "Young-hee" is priced at HK$3,580 (US$460 / SG$621), and is in an edition of 456pcs (matching then number of participants seen in the KDrama on Netflix)! Each features a unique number under the figure's feet, and each comes with a Certificated NFC Chip of Authenticity. Shipping begins from January 2022.
And if you think only brands in the East has gotten on the bandwagon, out pops POP!VINYLS from Funko! Offering up both (Main) green tracksuited Game Characters AND Soldiers, with exclusives to Walmart and Funko, do check in with your regular retailers for availability...! Of course you could also purchase via the TOYSREVIL-adffiliated Amazon-links below, cheers :)
Although I wonder how many bootlegs of these POP!s will be made ... And you cannot quibble much about the toys' quality, as the game participants are "blood-stained and battle-scarred" already...! LOL
(Thanks to @scottbarretto for the headsup on some of the toynews!)
I was asked just today; "What's the deal with SQUID GAME?"
I mean, I enjoyed my watch (currently streaming still on Netflix), but not enough to fawn over it (But enough to make this blogpost ~ hyuks ~ LOL), but I do recognise that folks around the world are caught up in, and invested in this, with a simple hashtag-search thru socials to see the costumes overwhelming Halloween cosplays thios weekend alone!
Even Lisa @lalalalisa_m of Blackpink is dressed as the "Red Light Green Light" Robot Doll...! (Jisoo @sooyaaa__ dressed up as Lisa for LALISA is too precious!)
As disconnected as we continually are with our real-life surroundings (Thanks, COVID), so too are we willing to come together (online), and share in a "communal joy", and SQUID GAME has indeed become a global phenomenon perfect for adoption, IMHO.
So maybe the "answer" is not necessarily about WHAT "Squid Game" is, but what it has become = a painless non-physical "shared experience" that could well be a "antidote" to a mental stressed caused by a physical virus that is devouring the world right now.
From physical products, to cosplay, to the outpouring of FANART, this is one project anyone could latch unto, and be apart of, in however ways, without "back history" which most recognizable pop culture is sometimes "burdened" with. With "Squid Game", most everyone can get on at the same time, which can be a rare thing these days, methinks.
Watch the series or not, appropriate the concept and characters or not, everyone has a "choice" of course. .. but also know that "Not All Appropriation Is Equal" - being able to reference an idea and adapt to your own, does not mean it could be successful nor welcomed too, nor does it mean you adapt so to be "successful", but... So don't knock it until you do it... and do it until it's far too much than anyone can tolerant the onslaught of HAHAHAHAHAHA
That's one of the joys of "appropriating pop culture" - and for sure Squid Games has entered the lexicon, thanks to the efforts of folks and fans, not of the makers, mind you, and that's what makes it "different" and fun, innit?
Cheers,
Andy TOYSREVIL
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
