Cliff Uchida's #TopTenToysof2021
WHAT-IS: What are YOUR #TopTenToysof2021? I’ve invited some collectors to share their favs and you can check if they share the same designer toys as you, in this serial feature on TOYSREVIL heralding in the new year of toys in 2022!
CLIFF UCHIDA (Insta @clifftron1986) helps us usher in the penultimate #TopTenToysof2021 list, as we close out the Month of January 2022! Scroll thru for a a Q&A-catchup, as well feel free to check out his previous year's lists!
TOP TEN TOYS OF 2020
#TOPTENTOYSOF2019
#TOPTENTOYSOF2018
TOYSREVIL: What has been the most memorable toy-hunt you've experienced in 2021? And what happened? Where you successful?
CLIFF UCHIDA: This year has been rather sparse for me. I didn't have much of an opportunity to do a ton of toy hunting. Much like 2020, I had to make several tough choices and had to be extra selective as to what I wanted to get.
The most memorable toy hunt I had taken part of was for one of the releases from @aragon_49s and @222kyawaii. I had to wake up really early to get ready to order one of her figures, but unfortunately, they had sold out within seconds.
TOYSREVIL: Has anything changed in your toy-hunting/collection focus in 2021, than the years before? And what is it/are they?
CLIFF UCHIDA: My methods for buying toys have more or less stayed the same as last year. I still need to be extra picky about what to buy due to my budget.
TOYSREVIL: Any plans for 2022? How you approach collecting / hunting for toys? Or even making them?
CLIFF UCHIDA: Hopefully, DesignerCon 2022 in Anaheim is still happening this year. I hope I can visit that convention again. I had to skip out last year due to time constraints and budget reasons.
#10 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Cat Rider Figure from Shonside (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: I've always liked this cat figure but I never did find the right one to buy until I saw the preview pics for this specific one. I love the Kamen Rider theme for this figure. It really suits it well. The fabric scarf wrapped around its neck is a really nice touch.
#9 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Zoe Universe Tiffani figure from yoyocloud (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: I instantly fell in love with this figure when I saw the preview pics on Rotofugi's website. She's absolutely adorable. I don't know too much about the artist, but I hope to see more releases from her in the future.
#8 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Cosmo Cold Tim figure from Kosrobot (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: This figure basically updates a lot of the designs/aesthetics from the older Cosmo Cold figure. More accessories, better detailing and articulation. If you're a fan of Kosrobot's previous releases, you will want to track on of these guys down for your own collection.
#7 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: This is Fine Dumpster Fire figure from 100soft (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: This collaboration between 100soft and artist KC Green combines the infamous "This is fine" Dog and 100soft's Dumpster Fire character. It's a perfect pairing.
#6 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Cen-5 from Toy Pizza (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: The guys from Toy Pizza deliver yet another new figure that expands on the Knights of the Slice line of action figures. It's a totally brand new character that has multiple head parts and accessories. They always deliver in making cool, unique characters. I always got to give a shout out to them. They always up their game every year.
#5 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Ice Hob the Frog from Toy Pizza (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: This beloved little frog guy from Toy Pizza's Jesse Destasio and Nicholas Fung was originally part of a Patreon exclusive set. While the base of this Hob figure is not different compared to previous Hob releases, he does come with an accessory: a clear orange gauntlet.
#4 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Goobi the Kid Fox: Foxford Movie Studio series from OKLuna and Popmart (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: Another adorable series of figures from OKLuna and Popmart. It's movie themed characters. I ended up getting a Western themed Goobi and a Silent Movie themed Goobi. Fans of Goobi the Kid Fox will want to get their hands on this set.
#3 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Metal Slug model kit from XinShi Company (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: While this Metal Slug model kit may not be as intricate, highly detailed and has as many moving parts as the Wave version of the Metal Slug, this is a much cheaper alternative that is fairly easy to get your hands on. However, do keep in mind that while it looks ok if you do a straight build, I highly suggest you paint it up and put in some extra work to make it look really good.
#2 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Rika Saeki from Kotobukiya's Sousai Shojo Teien (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: The first two girls in the series were pretty good, but the Rika model kit had made a lot of improvements upon its release compared to the previous girls. She's cute, she's stylish and the detailing on her outfit is fantastic. While it's a bit on the pricey side, if you want something completely different from your typical Gundam kit or Frame Arms Girl kit, definitely look into getting one of these model kits in this line.
##1 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Mandalorian Model Kit from Bandai (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: It's a great looking model kit, although you do need to put in some work to make it look really nice (some smaller parts may require painting to be more screen accurate, although you could use the included stickers, but I personally would suggest not using those and paint those small details instead), If you don't want to try and hunt down the S.H. Figurearts Mando or the Star Wars Black Series Mando, this one is a good choice. Do keep in mind it's not going to be something you will be picking up and playing with constantly due to its stiff joints in the arms and legs.
CLIFF UCHIDA (Insta @clifftron1986) helps us usher in the penultimate #TopTenToysof2021 list, as we close out the Month of January 2022! Scroll thru for a a Q&A-catchup, as well feel free to check out his previous year's lists!
#TOPTENTOYSOF2019
#TOPTENTOYSOF2018
TOYSREVIL: What has been the most memorable toy-hunt you've experienced in 2021? And what happened? Where you successful?
CLIFF UCHIDA: This year has been rather sparse for me. I didn't have much of an opportunity to do a ton of toy hunting. Much like 2020, I had to make several tough choices and had to be extra selective as to what I wanted to get.
The most memorable toy hunt I had taken part of was for one of the releases from @aragon_49s and @222kyawaii. I had to wake up really early to get ready to order one of her figures, but unfortunately, they had sold out within seconds.
TOYSREVIL: Has anything changed in your toy-hunting/collection focus in 2021, than the years before? And what is it/are they?
CLIFF UCHIDA: My methods for buying toys have more or less stayed the same as last year. I still need to be extra picky about what to buy due to my budget.
TOYSREVIL: Any plans for 2022? How you approach collecting / hunting for toys? Or even making them?
CLIFF UCHIDA: Hopefully, DesignerCon 2022 in Anaheim is still happening this year. I hope I can visit that convention again. I had to skip out last year due to time constraints and budget reasons.
#10 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Cat Rider Figure from Shonside (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: I've always liked this cat figure but I never did find the right one to buy until I saw the preview pics for this specific one. I love the Kamen Rider theme for this figure. It really suits it well. The fabric scarf wrapped around its neck is a really nice touch.
#9 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Zoe Universe Tiffani figure from yoyocloud (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: I instantly fell in love with this figure when I saw the preview pics on Rotofugi's website. She's absolutely adorable. I don't know too much about the artist, but I hope to see more releases from her in the future.
#8 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Cosmo Cold Tim figure from Kosrobot (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: This figure basically updates a lot of the designs/aesthetics from the older Cosmo Cold figure. More accessories, better detailing and articulation. If you're a fan of Kosrobot's previous releases, you will want to track on of these guys down for your own collection.
#7 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: This is Fine Dumpster Fire figure from 100soft (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: This collaboration between 100soft and artist KC Green combines the infamous "This is fine" Dog and 100soft's Dumpster Fire character. It's a perfect pairing.
#6 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Cen-5 from Toy Pizza (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: The guys from Toy Pizza deliver yet another new figure that expands on the Knights of the Slice line of action figures. It's a totally brand new character that has multiple head parts and accessories. They always deliver in making cool, unique characters. I always got to give a shout out to them. They always up their game every year.
#5 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Ice Hob the Frog from Toy Pizza (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: This beloved little frog guy from Toy Pizza's Jesse Destasio and Nicholas Fung was originally part of a Patreon exclusive set. While the base of this Hob figure is not different compared to previous Hob releases, he does come with an accessory: a clear orange gauntlet.
#4 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Goobi the Kid Fox: Foxford Movie Studio series from OKLuna and Popmart (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: Another adorable series of figures from OKLuna and Popmart. It's movie themed characters. I ended up getting a Western themed Goobi and a Silent Movie themed Goobi. Fans of Goobi the Kid Fox will want to get their hands on this set.
#3 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Metal Slug model kit from XinShi Company (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: While this Metal Slug model kit may not be as intricate, highly detailed and has as many moving parts as the Wave version of the Metal Slug, this is a much cheaper alternative that is fairly easy to get your hands on. However, do keep in mind that while it looks ok if you do a straight build, I highly suggest you paint it up and put in some extra work to make it look really good.
#2 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Rika Saeki from Kotobukiya's Sousai Shojo Teien (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: The first two girls in the series were pretty good, but the Rika model kit had made a lot of improvements upon its release compared to the previous girls. She's cute, she's stylish and the detailing on her outfit is fantastic. While it's a bit on the pricey side, if you want something completely different from your typical Gundam kit or Frame Arms Girl kit, definitely look into getting one of these model kits in this line.
##1 ~ TOP TEN TOYS OF 2021: Mandalorian Model Kit from Bandai (Pix on Insta)
CLIFF UCHIDA: It's a great looking model kit, although you do need to put in some work to make it look really nice (some smaller parts may require painting to be more screen accurate, although you could use the included stickers, but I personally would suggest not using those and paint those small details instead), If you don't want to try and hunt down the S.H. Figurearts Mando or the Star Wars Black Series Mando, this one is a good choice. Do keep in mind it's not going to be something you will be picking up and playing with constantly due to its stiff joints in the arms and legs.
