Edward Low's TOP TOYS OF 2023
I am Edward Low, also known as Drawdelow (Follow me on social medias: linktr.ee/Drawdelow). Started off as a toy collector and co-founded MY Toy Hoard, a Malaysia based Designer Toys Group to promote designer toys to the locals. But somehow I got to connect with many toy designers and collectors from around the world because of this. Eventually I decided to become a toy designer myself as well.
<1>Year 2023, I hardly buy any toys but thanks to the friendship I have through toys, I receive some amazing gifts from toy designers when attending conventions. There are some that didn't make the list, but I am forever grateful for the generosity from these toy friends I get to know. This is also the very first time I did not include my own creations despite making many in 2023. Here are my Top 10 Toys in 2023.
Edward Low's TOP TOYS OF 2023 BEGINS
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #10: Fighting Koi-Man gacha (IG @koiman0501)
They appear on my feed many times and they are definitely a crowd pleaser. What are the odds for someone to get the same design on different occasions through gacha machine? I got 6 of the same Koiman from 2 different gacha machines in the span of 3 days during my trip to Taipei. Only got the baby on my last spin before heading to airport. I could have just get the complete set with the money I've spent. But this is definitely more fun and meaningful.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #9: Bruce Lee Sam Sam set by Kennyswork (IG @kennyswork2006)
When I see Bruce Lee inspired toys, I like. So what more when seeing Kennyworks officially collaborate with Bruce Lee to release this Sam Sam Bruce Lee series. Hardly buy any toy in 2023 and this just expanded my Bruce Lee inspired toy collection.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #8: Dazzle Violet Ballball O by BigclawX x 78Jo (Its @78jo_ooo X @bigclawx)
A cool collaboration by 2 toy designers from Hong Kong. Get to e-know Sunny of 78Jo for a few years because of toys. Finally got to meet him in 2023 at several toy conventions. Super friendly and kind as always. Thank him for this beautiful Dazzle Violet Ballball O. This colourway is as magical as how we became friends.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #7: Tsuchinotami by HARIKEN (IG @harikenjp)
It is not a toy convention if HARIKEN is not there. After meeting him at multiple toy conventions, finally get to see him in Kuala Lumpur. He is always full with positive energy and glad that everyone who attended Asia Creators Fest get to experience that. This is also his first time visiting Malaysia. I got this Tsuchinotami in return after giving Hariken a mini Dudu.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #6: Beefy Boi by Merthewiz (IG @merthewiz)
We connected online prior to meeting in person at Pop Toy Show, Singapore. Merick is young & full of enthusiasm in his toy journey. We chatted a little during the event and he gave me a Beefy Boi blindbox. Only unbox it when I am home and turn out I got the rare one!
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #5: Catnip by Wetworks (IG @the.wetworks.studios)
Carlo is someone that I look up to & get to know in person when I first get into the art toy scene. We met again at the Pop Toy Show and he said to me "welcome back". That is a special moment as I started as a collector in Singapore & a few years later I am back to Singapore as a toy designer. He jokingly calls this a paper weight but this Catnip is special to me.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #4: Acrylic Jopus by Jopus (IG @jopus.88)
Giang is the first toy designer from Vietnam that I got to know a few years back. We first met in person during TTE 2019 & meet again in TTE 2023. He grew from producing resin toy to having sofubi toys made in Japan. Still going strong as the leading toy designer in his region! Thanks Giang for this acrylic Jopus I had a hard time assembling but eventually got it right.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #3: Goji by Boyish Doll (IG @boyish_doll)
First met Dusadee of Boyish Doll back in 2019 Thailand Toy Expo. He is among the first Thai artists that I got to know who do ball joint dolls. We kept in touch online down the years. Finally get to meet him again at TTE 2023 and receive this BJD Goji from him as a gift. The amount of work creating this just amazed me!
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #2: Siumai Boy by Chill Made (IG @siumai_b0y)
I first met Billy at Elefun Pop Art & Toy Show, Hong Kong and only briefly talked to him on the last day of the show. I decided to stay back to explore Hong Kong for a few more days after the event and he brought me around to visit almost all the toy shops in Mongkok area. Of course we ate siumai as well. Thank you Billy for the awesome hospitality, friendship and this Siumai Boy.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOY OF 2023 - #1: OEO by Teera (IG @1eera)
This piece is special because back in 2018, I bought Teera's BETA & it turns out I am his first buyer outside Thailand. Many years later and seeing his creations going to collectors around the world, finally we get to meet in person at Thailand Toy Expo 2023. Got a big hug from him and he decided to trade his toy with mine. Despite the language barrier, but toys brought us together.
Attending toy events as a toy designer is not just about selling, of course it is important to sell and earn money since attending these overseas events is not cheap. But for me it is also about the connection we build during these events. Despite we keep in touch online and through social medias, able to spend few days with a group of like minded people and have conversation about our passion is what make the experience attending these events better.
So looking forward to what year 2024 will bring!
Edward Low's TOP TOYS OF 2023 BEGINS
Edward has shared with us his Top Tens from 2017, and you can track them via the links listed below, and stay connected to instagram.com/edwardlow25 & instagram.com/drawdelow to see his life, toy collection and self-produced art toys! Thanks For Sharing!
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
<1>Year 2023, I hardly buy any toys but thanks to the friendship I have through toys, I receive some amazing gifts from toy designers when attending conventions. There are some that didn't make the list, but I am forever grateful for the generosity from these toy friends I get to know. This is also the very first time I did not include my own creations despite making many in 2023. Here are my Top 10 Toys in 2023.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #10: Fighting Koi-Man gacha (IG @koiman0501)
They appear on my feed many times and they are definitely a crowd pleaser. What are the odds for someone to get the same design on different occasions through gacha machine? I got 6 of the same Koiman from 2 different gacha machines in the span of 3 days during my trip to Taipei. Only got the baby on my last spin before heading to airport. I could have just get the complete set with the money I've spent. But this is definitely more fun and meaningful.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #9: Bruce Lee Sam Sam set by Kennyswork (IG @kennyswork2006)
When I see Bruce Lee inspired toys, I like. So what more when seeing Kennyworks officially collaborate with Bruce Lee to release this Sam Sam Bruce Lee series. Hardly buy any toy in 2023 and this just expanded my Bruce Lee inspired toy collection.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #8: Dazzle Violet Ballball O by BigclawX x 78Jo (Its @78jo_ooo X @bigclawx)
A cool collaboration by 2 toy designers from Hong Kong. Get to e-know Sunny of 78Jo for a few years because of toys. Finally got to meet him in 2023 at several toy conventions. Super friendly and kind as always. Thank him for this beautiful Dazzle Violet Ballball O. This colourway is as magical as how we became friends.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #7: Tsuchinotami by HARIKEN (IG @harikenjp)
It is not a toy convention if HARIKEN is not there. After meeting him at multiple toy conventions, finally get to see him in Kuala Lumpur. He is always full with positive energy and glad that everyone who attended Asia Creators Fest get to experience that. This is also his first time visiting Malaysia. I got this Tsuchinotami in return after giving Hariken a mini Dudu.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #6: Beefy Boi by Merthewiz (IG @merthewiz)
We connected online prior to meeting in person at Pop Toy Show, Singapore. Merick is young & full of enthusiasm in his toy journey. We chatted a little during the event and he gave me a Beefy Boi blindbox. Only unbox it when I am home and turn out I got the rare one!
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #5: Catnip by Wetworks (IG @the.wetworks.studios)
Carlo is someone that I look up to & get to know in person when I first get into the art toy scene. We met again at the Pop Toy Show and he said to me "welcome back". That is a special moment as I started as a collector in Singapore & a few years later I am back to Singapore as a toy designer. He jokingly calls this a paper weight but this Catnip is special to me.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #4: Acrylic Jopus by Jopus (IG @jopus.88)
Giang is the first toy designer from Vietnam that I got to know a few years back. We first met in person during TTE 2019 & meet again in TTE 2023. He grew from producing resin toy to having sofubi toys made in Japan. Still going strong as the leading toy designer in his region! Thanks Giang for this acrylic Jopus I had a hard time assembling but eventually got it right.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #3: Goji by Boyish Doll (IG @boyish_doll)
First met Dusadee of Boyish Doll back in 2019 Thailand Toy Expo. He is among the first Thai artists that I got to know who do ball joint dolls. We kept in touch online down the years. Finally get to meet him again at TTE 2023 and receive this BJD Goji from him as a gift. The amount of work creating this just amazed me!
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOYS OF 2023 - #2: Siumai Boy by Chill Made (IG @siumai_b0y)
I first met Billy at Elefun Pop Art & Toy Show, Hong Kong and only briefly talked to him on the last day of the show. I decided to stay back to explore Hong Kong for a few more days after the event and he brought me around to visit almost all the toy shops in Mongkok area. Of course we ate siumai as well. Thank you Billy for the awesome hospitality, friendship and this Siumai Boy.
EDWARD LOW'S TOP TOY OF 2023 - #1: OEO by Teera (IG @1eera)
This piece is special because back in 2018, I bought Teera's BETA & it turns out I am his first buyer outside Thailand. Many years later and seeing his creations going to collectors around the world, finally we get to meet in person at Thailand Toy Expo 2023. Got a big hug from him and he decided to trade his toy with mine. Despite the language barrier, but toys brought us together.
Attending toy events as a toy designer is not just about selling, of course it is important to sell and earn money since attending these overseas events is not cheap. But for me it is also about the connection we build during these events. Despite we keep in touch online and through social medias, able to spend few days with a group of like minded people and have conversation about our passion is what make the experience attending these events better.
So looking forward to what year 2024 will bring!
Edward has shared with us his Top Tens from 2017, and you can track them via the links listed below, and stay connected to instagram.com/edwardlow25 & instagram.com/drawdelow to see his life, toy collection and self-produced art toys! Thanks For Sharing!
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
