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KIDROBOT
PLUG-IN TOYCON REPORT DAY 2
by Gregory B
Hong
Kong, April 20, 2002
-- This morning the 09 Lamdog Soccer edition went back
in stock for the day. It appears that about 300 per variant will
be released per day of the show. Not sure if more will be released
afterward. More
crazychildren #14 (alias " the pig") on
hand as well. There are supposedly 7 designs, but the display
shows an eighth! I believe the multicolored one is for display
only. Reactions are mixed to this figure, although I dig it.
The real
news is that the bright red Fire Edition Davy was released
today. This figure was supposed to have been released in February,
but was delayed due to production quality issues. They were limited
to one per attendee for the whole show, as they stamped the admission
ticket which was presented for purchase.
As for tomorrows goes, cc15 is the favorite bet, but a new gardernergala
book is a possibility as well. The Plug In show directory
claims that there is a 0% chance of the much anticipated crazychildren
King being released at the show. There may be some licensing
issues to be worked, as the figure may have connection to copyrighted
material.
Maxx,
the new gardenergala figure to be included as a "bonus”
with a book in CD will not be released at the show, as it is being
published by viewsic, owned by Sony. Maxx bundle is due
to be released shortly, and will be available in at least three
regional variants – as typical of the Bandai-made gardenergala
(Tatto & Brian). Michael Lau himself
was seen at the show, but kept fairly well hidden from fans.
On a more
general front, clearly the rotocast vinyl figure is the big stuff,
and a whole lot of folks are trying to get into the game. Overall,
the quality is good, but some figures are far more distinctive
than others.
Sean
Ho of Freeforce Workshop released and extremely limited
version of the popular SDEU figure. This variant is outfitted
in desert camo, and looks really good. This variant also includes
a spare left hand along with miniature dog tags and full sized
dog tags which serve as certification of authenticity (each is
stamped with a serial number). This extra expense adds some coolness
value, but is clearly an response to the very accurate knock-offs
that have popped up all over HK in the last few months. This is
the fourth authentic SDEU, following the all-black variant,
and the blue and pearl white variants released at last fall’s
Plug In show.
Toy2R
revealed a fantastic new version of their 8” Devil Toyer,
to compliment the recently-released Spiderweb Magazine
exclusive. Both have striped pants, tank tops and sweat bands.
Additionally, he comes with a surfboard, laptop, and even a bonus
red translucent block figure key chain with a familiar toyer head.
Limited to 666 pieces, of course.
3 members
of Mongkok Gang were also on display. Not sure of details
- if these are Toycon exclusives.
Also,
early production samples of the upcoming Toy2R Emonstars
figure series. These look really cool, and we are expecting at
least a few different variants, possibly including a US exclusive.
Toy2R also had the HK exclusive of Mezco’s Popeye
figures as well as a slew of block figures from RnA Workshop.
Toy2R teamed up with RnA to produce the 2 Who am I block
figures offered in pairs in two variants. The Plug In exclusives
sold out within a couple hours Friday, but there are more on hand
of the clear/black and red/white variants. These are quite cool,
with removable bags over their faces and hand cuffs. There were
there were a few extremely limited 20” (1000%) Who am
I as well.
There
were a slew of Qee Be@rbrick-like block figure prototypes
in a great diorama display, but they are currently in production.
We should see them within a month or so. They were also selling
a TOY2R exclusive version of a PWF 12” figure by Koji
Takeuchi. Finally, Toy2R was selling super-cool Toyer t-shirts
in black and white.
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