Pedro
So here we go. After my humble 2016 recap (read it here) it’s time for the all time classic top 10’s and picks. Bare in mind that this is just my personal opinion and they are in no particular order of preference. It’s hard to choose and pick. I’ve narrowed the selection to only those I’ve written about last year, please bear that in mind. So if I left anyone out please forgive me as I’m just a human with lots of flaws.
To make this easy and pleasant to read I’ve wrote this article in categories, Resin, Sofubi, Sofubi Customs, Bootlegs, Vinyl, Customs and Others.
Ready? Let’s do this
RESIN
10# CTHULHU PRIESTESS: OUR LADY OF SQUID BY JULIAN BRIONES
As a fan of the “Cthulhu Mythos” I have to make a reference to this beautiful Julian Briones aka Conqueringalien work. Read HERE.
Naomi Knaff‘s resin Kaiju’s are very peculiar. Although not for everybody her work is very solid and charismatic. Peter Garou is a take on a european legend, this caught my attention as most of the kaiju’s out there are based on oriental tales. Read HERE.
8# THREE EYED KAIJU BY CHRIS PYRATE X THIRD EYE COMICS
Chris Pyrate, first designer toy in partnership with comic books retailer Third Eye Comic. 6 inch of sweet kaiju right there! Comes with a killer package also. Read HERE.
7# BLACK BABY BRAINADE BY EMILIO GARCIA
Love the classy pieces of Emilio Garcia and sure the classic Baby Brainade look sexy AF with a black glossy finish. Read HERE.
Inner Child creator Nerviswr3k dropped the Droneclon3s back in August. We missed this kind of designs. Read HERE.
5# MUCUS MAN BY VINI CHAV TOYS
Vini Chav dropped at the end of the year a resin kaiju with western influences, great colors and killer tin package. Read HERE.
4# STRANGER – ROSECAST BY FLAWTOYS
Flawtoys is well known for his double cast figures. This one feels like a poem in the winter. Read HERE.
3# CHROME SLAUGHTERBOTS BY D$B
Dollar Slice Bootlegs, vintage inspired bots, GOLD, METALLIC BLUE! Read HERE.
2# 3RD KARMA SERIES LADY.D BY LO-FI
As always, Eun Byeol Choi AKA LO-FI of the TOWOOZ collective impressed everyone. This piece is something special. Read HERE.
Maybe my favourite resin release from 2016. A true designer toy. Artist Elena Kazi managed to incorporate the 4 elements of hip hop in one figure. Read HERE.
SOFUBI
10# SUNNY ORANGE MANDRAKE ROOT FROM DOKTOR A X TAG
Toy Art Gallery presented the first sofubi project with the amazing UK based artist Doktor A back in February. Impossible no to mention. Read HERE.
9# PAUL KAIJU X TAG BUBBLEGUM SLUGBEARD
Toy Art Gallery‘s Bubblegum pink casts look incredible. Even more on a massive 10? x 10? piece, Paul Kaiju’s Slugbeard. Read HERE.
This one has a conceptual historical value. The remake of a 70s classic from HK. Awesome Toy keeps the tradition alive! Read HERE.
7# AWESOME TOY’S TWINS SHADOW BLACK EDITION
From the classic Stanley Kubrick’s movie Shining Awesome Toy created the all original TWINS. A fresh take on sofubi. Read HERE.
Preented by Planet 3 Toys comes B?zu the first sofubi release by Dave Dick. Beautiful black glossy vinyl. Read HERE.
Keeping things fresh. Sofubi made in Mexico by Jorge Fortiz Mendieta aka rottenstudio. Read HERE.
4# ZUG + SLUDGE DEMON BY MVH X LULUBELL
Lulubell Toys and Mutant Vinyl Hardcore presented a new version of Zug and the Sludge Demons in a new marbled flesh and red cast. Impressive. Read HERE.
3# MAX TOY X JAY222 CHUBZ THE CAT
This one is for my brother Andy. See? I like cute things as well. Ok maybe some… Read HERE.
2# GID GIANT PEANUT BY BLACK SEED
Black Seed‘s Giant Peanut cast in glow in the dark. 26cm of goodness. Read HERE.
Chubby, awesome, massive, pink! I felt the need to hug this piece. Read HERE.
SOFUBI CUSTOMS
10# JIMENKEN 13 ONE-OFF RELEASE BY AWESOME TOY X VIOLENCE TOY
No doubt that the duo Jinmenken Awesome Toy one of the most used platforms last year. This release from Violence Toy was just epic. Read HERE.
9# CANDIE BOLTON’S BAKE-KUJIRA ETHEREAL APPARITION
Simply stunning. Candie Bolton does magic. The Bake-Kujira with a very feminine touch. Beautiful. Read HERE.
Fake Baron by Awesome Toy, another format well used this year. This Astro Boy rendition made the fans happy! Read HERE.
7# TRU:TEK’S OOZE-FACED JINMENKEN
Tru:Tek cleverly mashed up the Jinmenken sofubi with the Oozeballs. Killer color combo as well. Read HERE.
6# FUMETSU ‘SUMMERS END’ AND “DARK ARTS’ BY C.A.S.T.
I was always a fan of the vintage inspired Fumetsu by Cop A Squat Toys. This drop was maybe one of the most impressive the past year. Read HERE.
5# KAIJU TAN’S FREDDY MIMIMONSTER
Kaiju Tan‘s infamous squishy sofubi Mimimonster customized by the man himself depicting a very familiar character. What’s not to love? Read HERE.
4# JUBI X UNBOX THE GIGANTIC CRAB
Original concept by Jubiyang produced by Unbox Industries. Massive detail on this 8?x 10?x 5? piece. Read HERE.
3# TRU:TEK’S PIGUMIMI & KILLED KANE
Again Kaiju Tan‘ squishy sofubi Mimimonster (I love it). This time customised by Tru:Tek and a co.oc29‘s Gamarah based on the Alien series. Shall i say more? Read HERE.
2# Zukaty custom Lolgolth Gnazgoroth By Skinner/Unbox Industries
As usual Zukaty made a massive release, the massive work on the massive Lolgolth Gnazgoroth is dreamlike. Read HERE.
1# OP CUSTOMS “NEBULA” SEMI KOROSIYA MICRO RUN
When I think in nebula paint schemes the first name that comes to mind is Michael Devera aka Obsessed Panda. Back on August he took on Cop A Squat Toys SEMI KOROSIYA figure. The result is maybe my favourite run of the year. I was broke AF so I couldn’t get any. I envy those who did. This will become a classic!
BOOTLEGS
#10 SHARK BRAIN BY TOY AISLE CUSTOMS
Toy Aisle Customs HERErelease the first character from the “Gladiators of the Deep” back in March. Read HERE.
9# JAWA DURDEN BY FREE KARATE CHOPS
Rick Williams, the man behind Free Karate Chop HEREjoined Star Wars and fight club. YES! Read HERE.
Just chill, Mythlab, Transformers and The Big Lebowski, what? Read HERE.
7# DEAD GREEDY RE-RELEASES THE NEXTLORDSITH
Can’t stop laughing with this one! Perfect! From the mind of Dead Greedy! Read HERE.
6# ‘THE DONALD TRUMP SHOW’ – TIMEBANDITS X TODDACTION
2016 was a strange time to say the least. TIMEBANDITS joint collab project with ToddAction predicted the future. Read HERE.
5# PENNYWISE THE DANCING CLOWN BY JAI BAN TOYS
Had to be done. Jai Ban Toys HEREwas responsible. Even comes with a balloon. Read HERE.
4# RAOUL DUKE BY KILLER BOOTLEGS
Killer Bootlegs went loathing in Las Vegas back in May. Read HERE.
3# EROCKS AND WOOKIES FROM IBREAKTOYS
They are furry, beautiful, perfect! They rock. IbreakToys rocks! Read HERE.
2# HE-FINN THE HUMAN BY ROBOTIC INDUSTRIES
Adventure time and Masters of the Universe. Nuff said! Robotic Industries knows what’s up! Read HERE.
1# MORRISSEY X SUPREME ACTION FIGURE BY DOLLAR SLICE BOOTLEGS
Back in February fashion giant Supreme launched a Morrissey Tee. Immediately sold out and resellers went crazy with prices. Dollar Slice Bootlegs answered with Morrisey himself wearing a tee. Genius! Read HERE.
VINYL
10# SCOTT TOLLESON’S THE ODD ONES DUNNY SERIES
In 2016 I found myself collecting Dunnys again. Amazing work by Scott Tolleson and Kidrobot. Read HERE.
9# LUKE CHUEH X MUNKY KING’S HEADSPACE
The comeback of Luke Chueh x Munky king’s HEADSPACE awesome vinyl figures with interchangeable heads! Read HERE.
8# COSMIC SUPERNOVA GALAXXOR/GORGAX
After many year producing in resin this was the first vinyl release of Galaxxor. Read HERE.
7# KEIKOJOKER AT COIN RIDES GAME #4
Famous Coin Rides Game by Fools Paradise third instalment. Why so serious? Read HERE.
6# FREENY X BIGSHOT GNOMEBOYS ANATOMY
Put this on your garden. Badass gnomes properly dissected Jason Freeny and Bigshot Toyworks. Read HERE.
5# GERM S006 [PEACE FUCKER] BY PLAYGE
Playge’s SquadT got reenforced in November with this Peace Fucker. Read HERE.
4# BONECRUSHER DELUXE VINYL FIGURE
A vinyl release that maybe flew under the radar. Beautiful creatures! Read HERE.
Majestic 11.5 inches tall, GLOW IN THE DARK vinyl figure based on a character Rob Jones created for one of his past gig posters. Read HERE.
2# FRANK FRAZETTA X FRANK KOZIK: LABBIT THE BARBARIAN
Yes, it could be more detailed and all other things. But I love this piece. It’s just great, every Conan fan should rejoice! Read HERE. Review HERE.
1# JPX X COARSE KWAII: SPARK 3.5? (G.I.D) TTE 2016
JP TOYS just announced a new Coarse 3.5? Kwaii to be released exclusively on TTE. This little guy managed to stir the waters. From coarse collectors, flippers, newcomers and blogs. Everyone went nuts. Read HERE.
CUSTOMS
10# TEQUILA MAZINGER Z BY FER MG
Starting off with one of the most hardworking artists this year! Spanish artist Fer MG became very proficient on the Tequila Customs. I love Mazinger Z. Read HERE.
9# VOLTO A ROMBI NERI BY JUMP JUMPER ANT
Maybe because I lived in Italy for a long time and for sure because Jump Jumper Ant is an unbelievable artist. Read HERE.
8# HIDE IN THE FOREST BY LAURA COLORS
Storytelling in one single 8? Kidrobot Dunny. From Laura Colors. Read HERE.
Custom vinyl noobz marine figure. NervisWr3k created a stunning Samus Aran in a battle worn suit. Read HERE.
6# SEN´S VOLTRON CUSTOM 8′ DUNNY
Ok, I’m a sucker for Voltron. But Sen really did a great job there. Read HERE.
5# INITIUM NOVUM CUSTOM DUNNY SERIES BY RXSEVEN
RXSEVEN has something special, we all know that. But maybe there’s really a spell on these pieces. Read HERE.
4# GODHAY´S BLACK SPRING DUNNYS
The beauty of these Godhay customs is on care he puts on them. All is freehand art, made in art nouveau style. Read HERE.
3# THE GILDED KNIGHT BY FIONA NG
I can’t think of another artist that takes on the medieval/fantasy theme like Fiona Ng. Read HERE.
It’s impossible to go on about 2016 customs without mention WuzOne. Steady impressive work. This Gogo Osoku series is serious business. Read HERE.
I love this piece. I love the original one but this take is beyond impressive. JPK remarkable style in all its glory! Read HERE.
OTHERS
10# HUNZTER : WOOD // FOOLS PARADISE X JPX X IPH TEAM
Wood. Fools Paradise, JPX and IPH Team released a wooden version of the character HUNZTER. Read HERE.
9# JASON FREENY´S LITTLE MONSTER
Jason Freeny is not all about dissection, Little Monster is a hand sculpted epoxy clay figure. Read HERE.
8# DARTHTERRA LED LIGHT BY FLAB SLAB
Back in March Flab Slab gave us light from the dark side. Read HERE.
7# BAPE 23RD ANNIVERSARY METALLIC GOLD BE@RBRICK
A very special Be@rbrick to celebrate BAPE’S anniversary. Golden! Read HERE.
6# PEPE HILLER´S KING POKKA & THE PAKKA’S
A tribe of deluxe wood toys by Pepe Hiller. Read HERE.
5# MISTER MELTY CANDLE BY BUFF MONSTER
Buff Monster‘s iconic Mister Melty melts for real. Read HERE.
4# FURRY FELINE CREATIVES CAT PURRIDGE ON LITTERBOX
Too cute not to! Read HERE.
3# LEO THE OTTER IN COSPLAY AS RESCUE WAMPA BY FLAT BONNIE
A limited edition Flat Bonnie x Giant Robot collab plush. Cosplay FTW. Read HERE.
2# NINJA KOKESHI DOLLS BY KOKESHI CLAN
Craig Galentine aka kokeshi_clan presented in September clean looking dolls made of wood. NINJA! Read HERE.
1# STAINLESS STEEL CAST ASTROBOY LIMITED EDITION BY UNBOXING INDUSTRIES
More than a statue, this is a trophy. Check it for yourself HERE.
If you made it this far, thank you! I tried to made a selection that was no obvious and dull. With all the great releases in 2016 this was a task that proved to be harder than I expected. I’m sure that 2017 will be a great year in the scene.
Please share your own opinions. Hit me anytime at [email protected] or at my social links below.
Your boy Pedro ‘Always’ from the TTC, OUT!
