Happy Holidays from the Lost Kaiju! Christmas is right around the corner and there is still a lot of booty to be had. Rotofugi has upped the ante with their kaiju selection. With the likes of Toygraph, Charactics and Dream Rocket. Our super talented friend Alex Wald has some great pieces on ebay right now too, included in these auctions are the brilliant Tura Satana prints and very limited in numbers. Here's wishing everyone a happy holiday! We will be returning to an ethernet near you in 2009.
Happy Halloween My friend and talented artist Martin Harris treated Jess and I with his amazing Halloween Tarot Cards. The package came with candy and random Tarot/Zodiac paintings, Very cool! Wished I lived in Melbourne Australia, another missed Halloween party. Look for Martin and his brilliant works at the upcoming Kaiju Monster Invasion Show this December.
Classic Drunk Boy by AnrakuAnsaku. Measures around 10 1/2 inches and comes with extra garb. A different direction from what we've seen in the past, the paint as always is immaculate. I would like to believe Anraku has some mythology behind the creature. It reminds me of Japan's Yokai Monsters.
Toygraph's hot line of figures simply called Space Troopers has been on everyone's wish list lately. Just released not too long ago was Space Troopers Platoon 1. This time the troopers come in a set of five and have a Captain, and his comrades. Bagged and no can this time around. All five inches tall, the captain comes with his trusty laser gun and head glows in the dark. The others are equipped with big guns, spear or sword, and chainsaw... my favorite. Troopers also have remove-able helmets and oxygen tanks. These figures are great in that they channel the old Sci-Fi films of yesteryear. Planet of the Vampires comes to my mind.
Yesterday I had a received a very cool wedding gift from Mark Nagata (Max Toy) A custom painted Alien Xam puppet figure. Me being a big fan of Marks custom painting and the Alien Xam figures I was overjoyed. I remember when I first started getting into collecting Japanese toys Mark was happy to answer my infinite questions on kaiju toys. Thanks Mark! Also keep a look-out for the upcoming shows of Mark Nagata (Max Toy) as posted earlier in my blog, Kaiju Monster Invasion and Toy Karma 2 coming to Rotofugi in 2009, we'll keep you posted when we receive more news. You can visit MaxToy here I've got my eye on the new Nagata/Bob Conge (Nightgamer) Eyezon check it out
Acclaimed Melbourne artist Martin Harris has granted The Lost Kaiju with a first look at one of his paintings for the upcoming Gallery show simply called The Kaiju Monster Invasion. The show will be taking place at the Harold Golen Gallery in Florida opening December 3, 2008. A handful of talented artists will be showing their recent creations of Kaiju mayhem with the likes of Mark Nagata, Jim Woodring, Dream Rocket and of course Martin Harris! Martin's painting shown here is titled Kaiju Carnival Ride. Depicted are his famous creatures riding along Kaiju-inspired festival rides. What comes to my mind is Roald Dahl meets Eiji Tsuburaya. You can also check out his other works at http://www.martinharrisart.com/ Please come out and support these outstanding artists and toymakers. There won't be a better place to be this December!
US Toys Giant Eleking. Limited to 50 pieces and stands just over fifteen inches tall. This is one amazing piece of work. The paint job is immaculate. The figure had come with an oversized backing card and wrapped up nicely with colored strings. Eleking's tail is super long and has ton of articulation which may make him a shelf hog but he's well worth it! The eyelits even rotate. The two other Jumbo sized US Toys figures are the Kanegon's. One standard colored and the other glow. I may be able to score the glow version soon, with a little luck. US Toys a Japanese based company has really become one of most sought after pieces with most toy collectors. Customers who placed orders in the past we'll have your figures shipped out this week, plus we have some extra Marmit and Yamanaya's figures still available. Please email if your interested.
Looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend? Look no further then the gallery show of SUPERDOG underdog featuring comic heavyweights Alex Wald and Gene Ha. The show is in the heart of Lincoln Park in Chicago, at the Diane Tanios Gallery. I'm ready to head out to Minneapolis and had to see this show before the doors closed. The highlights for me were of course Alex Wald and his science fiction madness plus Ultra Monsters, but don't forget the giant kaiju on the wall, your even invited to write around the artwork.(My kind of show) Another favorite of mine is Gene Ha sketches of DC's Batman and Marvel's X-Men. Tony Atkins is also shown with his amazing panels from Star Wars and Aliens pieces. I also picked up a fun zine/comic from Jeff Zwirek about a family and their ADD son. Next time I'll be sure to come opening night. One of my favorite shows of the year. Come out and support these fine hometown artists!
The Lost Kaiju is returning to the ether. We will be focusing more on artists and their work within the Chicago and toy community. We will also spotlight new toys coming out, also a favorite of mine will return (collection photos). Stay tuned for more info
The Lost Kaiju presents MG5 in collaboration with Zollmen. The Glow version of MG5. Only 30 pieces made and happily distributed this time for a US release. The header card has MG5 releasing torpedoes from his nipples, their is also a fake lever on his back for the action but does not actually work. I really like the Frankenberry color on this one. It's the tits!
Yutari Gaimos from the 2002 UltraSeven series. Yutari Japan Most of the figures are limited in quanity and the quality of the Gaimos is exceptional. Brilliant paint job. Gaimos head and waist are move-able, which the giant vein or tail? seems to move with the two joints.
I just scored the CCP Sadora Monster from the Ultra Series Return of Ultraman also known as Ultraman Jack. It came from the vault of the great Alex Wald.The Monster is similar to a garage kit due to the amazing accuracy of the costume. It has several holes around the neck so as the actor portraying Sadora was able to breath in the outfit. It also has what looks to be a zipper on the back of the creature. Beautiful piece comes from the company CCP the Satake Collection.
A BiG Thank You to Eric of Pachi Universe on helping me locate the volume switch on my Ultraman Pachinko machine. The game is incredibly fun, now I can play it without going deaf (: You can visit Eric's site at www.pachiuniverse.com for Japanese related goods and pachinko fun!
Today is May 1st and it is May Day. There are many people who celebrate May Day in all types of fashions, whether it be practicing Wicca, planting flowers or howling at the moon and dancing around fires. Jess and I usually celebrate yearly by sitting down at watching one of my favorite films. The original Wicker Man with Christopher Lee... not the bastardized version with Nick Cage. I won't spoil it for you but the ending is a shocker, plus the soundtrack is pretty groovy, it also has a cult following with it's mix of folk and acid fusion. Anchor Bay had come out with a great collectors edition, I know.. I know.. they seem to have several collectors editions. This version comes with the uncut and the US version of the film. If that's not all it comes it a great wooden box that has an etched design of the Wicker Man. Very Cool! Happy May Day to all..
Here's some info from Wikipedia on the film and the history of the Wicker Man
"The Wicker Man is a classic cult 1973 British film filmed in Scotland, combining thriller, existential horror and musical genres, directed by Robin Hardy and written by Anthony Shaffer. The film stars Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Ingrid Pitt and Britt Ekland. Paul Giovanni composed the soundtrack. The Wicker Man is generally very highly regarded by critics. Film magazine Cinefantastique described it as "The Citizen Kane of Horror Movies", and in 2004 the magazine Total Film named The Wicker Man the sixth greatest British film of all time. It also won the 1978 Saturn Award for Best Horror Film. A scene from this film was #45 on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments"
"Sergeant Neil Howie is sent an anonymous letter recommending that he investigate the disappearance of a young girl, Rowan Morrison, on the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle.[1] He flies to the island and during his investigations discovers that the entire population follows a neo-pagan cult under the island's owner Lord Summerisle, believing in re-incarnation, worshipping the sun and engaging in fertility rituals and sexual magic in order to appease immanent natural forces."
"Howie, a devout Christian, is increasingly shocked by the islanders' behaviour; yet he is attracted and repelled by the alluring and sexual Willow, the daughter of the landlord of the inn where he is staying. He receives no assistance in his search from the islanders, who initially deny Morrison exists and then say that she recently died. At her grave, however, he finds only a hare interred. Howie persists and uncovers evidence suggesting the girl was a victim, or perhaps is soon to be a victim, of human sacrifice."
I just received the Yamanaya Ultraman Noa figure holding a glow in the dark orb. I believe it was from the episode where the Science Patrol team come across Antlar and the statue of the Ultra God Noa. The figure came from ChibiGoji toys, a fantastic website filled with kaiju of all kinds with the likes of Godzilla, Ultraman, Mirroman etc. The toys that are featured are M1-Go, Marusan and Bear Model figures. With the Ultraman came a extra bonus that was a Super 7 Magazine. Thank you GojiGirl! If your looking for a kaiju fix please visit her at www.chibigojitoys.com
Red,orange vinyl of the Burning Godzilla 95. The figure was created by CCP/Plex and stands roughly around nine inches tall. It lights up when touched or shaken giving the look that Godzilla is ready to proceed to meltdown. An added bonus was given with each CCP order was a mini red Hedorah figure. Burning Godzilla is from the Toho film Godzilla vs Destroyah (Destroyer)
We are pleased to announce that hometown hero Alex Wald (friend of The Lost Kaiju) has been nominated for the 2008 Will Eisner Award, considered the Oscars of the comic book industry. The nomination was to his brilliant work on the book Shaolin Cowboy #7. Alex Wald is an artist, writer and avid Japanese toy collector. He has art directed many people including the likes of Frank Miller, Bruce Timm etc. You can read more about the artists nomination here http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/2008/04/14/2008-eisner-award-nominations/ Alex's latest work has been seen in the Dark Horse comics Star Wars Dark Times. Congratulations Alex!
Marmit Godzilla 73 from the Wonderfest of Japan 2008. This is the black/green vinyl with looks to be like glitter inside? Standard size. Godzilla 73 is the version I had known and loved as a kid from Saturday afternoon TV and Svengoolie here in Chicago. Marmit has done another amazing sculpt and variation with this piece!
Toygraph has been releasing some impressive Godzilla figures lately. The pieces are being sold via the Japanese store Mandarake. I was able to score a few of the fun, original looking toys. The figure was released last week and is dubbed the Osaka version. The mold seems to be the same as the earlier figures that came with the diver with destroyer bomb. These new figures of course have the damsel in distress, which takes me back to the old Universal movies like Creature from the Black Lagoon and King Kong. In the month of April Toygraph will be releasing the Godzilla crunching down on the train, which has become popular with the American version of 54 Godzilla.
Coming soon is the New Anraku figure called G Mamaregon with a bonus head. A giant kaiju, the size will be eighteen inches in length. The color is red vinyl that's painted. If you wish to reserve one... please email at jm@postclarinet.com or through blogger. The price will be $170.00 shipped.
Happy New Year everyone! As some of you may now are site is down and has been down since New Years Eve. My web host thought it was a good idea to cancel my subscription while I was away for the holidays. The server seemed to be down frequently over the past year. I will be looking for a new web host. If you have any ideas please feel free to send me your ideas. I will be selling figures here, skullbrain, and ebay.
Godzilla. Ultraman. Actors in wacky rubber suits. Childhood memories from late night tv shows.
We started The Lost Kaiju to bring new and vintage Japanese toys and collectibles to all those out there who actually remember movies like Matango (Attack of the Mushroom People) or Spectreman tv shows--and to those who are just starting their collection.
By the way, "kaiju" translated to English is "monster". . . but we're sure you already knew that.
