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Monday, December 14, 2009

Japanese Model Kit

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This odd little item is a Japanese model kit, featuring a mini-Aquaman that you snap together. It was sent to me by F.O.A.M.er Jon Knutson. Thanks Jon!

While the model being all in red plastic doesn't help make it instantly recognizable as Aquaman, if you look close you can see all the details are there: fins, A on the belt, scales on the shirt. Not a bad little toy, all in all.

What's really cool about is the box, which features very snazzy graphics and bold colors, typical of a lot of Japanese merchandise. I love the rays of excitement emanating from behind Superman on the front.

In lieu of using stock art shots, the hero poses are pulled from DC comics, another nice touch. Specifically, the Aquaman shot is from a Dick Dillin-drawn issue of Justice League of America, which was also used for the late, great Super Dictionary.

10 comments:

Jon K said...

You're quite welcome, Rob! Wish I could take credit for the box art, too... where did you find it?

John said...

When is this nifty little thing from?

Joe Huber said...

I've been seeing that up on Ebay quite a bit lately.

chunky B said...

That is pretty cool, those Japanese always have some cool toys.

mistral1 said...

The Robin shot is from the great Jim Aparo.

Russell said...

Man, if I had seen this when I lived in Japan I would have bought every single one I saw!!!

I went to the Meiji homepage and it is not a current item. So my guess is that it is from the last ten years or so...(I left Japan in 2001).

The lightning bolt on the left reads, "They're great, They're great, There are 10 different Action Models!"
The lightning bolt on the right (which is the front, by the way) says, Super Series includes Action Model"

Earth 2 Chris said...

I just noticed, the art poses are the character profile poses from "The Super Hero Dictionary"! They were pulled from other comics of course, but they it's the same art for each character from that infamous book!

Chris

Michael Jones said...

I've been in Japan for the last decade and have been searching the toystores & flea markets for Aquaman goodies to no avail. At least now I have something to go on.
Cheers

Michael Jones said...

I just typed スーパーシリーズアクションモデル into my search engine and got this from my favourite Tokyo Toy Store, Mandarake. No picture of any DC heroes but next time I'm there, I'll search more thoroughly...

rob! said...

MJ-

Keep looking, I'd love to see what you find!