TTC Beard
As I hurtle back in time to the start of 2021 again, I’ve cast my mind back over all the releases that we have covered on The Toy Chronicle this past twelve months. It is fair to say there have been some absolute bangers every single month during yet another chaotic COVID year!
I’ve whittled down to NINE of my favourite releases in 2021. Whether they were customisations, production pieces, hand-made or collaborations, I think I have picked some cracking releases that captured my imagination. Let me know what you think in the comments!
The Rise & Rise of Christopher Luke
The rise & rise of Christopher Luke in 2021 has been great to see. Taking multiple platforms during the year and giving them a uniformed black/white/red look that has definitely caught the attention of those in the UK and further afield. A wide variety of custom releases, as well as the production Puck with Strange Cat Toys & Dokebi. Big things are coming for Christopher in 2022.
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/news/poison-spray-custom-kranky-by-christopher-luke/
Self Loathing Cats by Thumbs
To bring your artwork to life in a production piece ain’t easy. To take your designs and work with factories half way around the world to produce a 10inch mash-up of characters, in the way that Thumbs has achieved with his first vinyl release, is quite something! The Self Loathing Cats is one of our most favourite releases of the last year. If you missed out, you can still grab our last one HERE!
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/news/self-loathing-cats-by-thumbs/
Dead Beat City creates Havoc in London
The hype for Dead Beat City was already cooking along nicely, but that hype went into overdrive when DBC teamed up with us at TTC to open up UNIT 5 in the heart of Shoreditch this past December. This wasn’t for the faint-hearted, with sold out releases each week and queues starting at the crack of dawn. Dead Beat City raised the hype bar in 2021, just imagine what DBC plans in 2022!
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/news/dead-bead-city-big-pile-of-pooh-1st-celebrity-edition-kuma/
Signalnoise raises the NFT + Physical stakes!
The rise of NFT releases in 2021 was pretty astronomical. Countless artists getting in on this new trend to smash the door down of 2021. Definitely a lot of NFT releases caught my eye but none more so than the release of the NUKES Chrome Reaper. Not just an NFT release, but a physical one-off release to accompany the NFT release.
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/news/nukes-chrome-reaper-nft-physical-by-signalnoise-sells-for-18-8/
The Bad Apples Trilogy by Mr Gauky
Following his love of M.U.S.C.L.E and Monster in your Pockets, Mr Gauky created his own miniature figures in the form of his Bad Apples Trilogy. Pippin, Corey & Cidr won our hearts with their lime green features. Badass & skullacious! You missed the boat if you missed out on these! SOLD OUT!
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/resin-2/mr-gaukys-corey-the-bad-apples-series-one/
coarse Reaps their Harvest with False Friends
coarse have been at the top of their game for so many, many years now, you tend to forget just how good they actually are. Never forget. They are just that good. Their False Friends Harvest release in 2021 captured many hearts, new & old with the combo of possibilities that befitted this release.
RYCA takes us to SPACE!
Another artist in 2021 taking the self-production game levels up a notch is RYCA, who took us to space with his Space Cadet releases. Bringing his love of blister pack toys, RYCA injected his smiley face design into these 10inch vinyl figures and we were hooked. So was you by the number that have sold this year. Now also available in 3.5inch versions too.
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/news/two-new-colourways-of-space-cadet-by-ryca/
Want some KIKKOSKET with that, Sir?
Whilst the back end of 2021 has been heavily focused on his NFT Shoeuziverse project, Shoeuzi still doesn’t disappoint when it comes to physical releases and one that defo caught our eye was the collaboration with Sket One, which if we are being honest was always gonna be a banger. We wasn’t wrong. In the form of the Kikkosket Uzi, Shoeuzi steps away from the Shoe aspect of his name to bring this Soy Sauce Uzi to life. *chef’s kiss*
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/news/kikkosket-release-by-shoeuzi-x-sket-one/
Enter the MADL Citizens!
There are a few iconic Designer Toy platforms that stand the test of time, the Labbit, the Dunny etc. The MADL is right up there, and it got a 2021 makeover with UVD Toys in the form of the new MADL Citizens. Taking the MADL back to the streets with new look, the MADL Citizens are here to kick ass & take names and they are all outta names! We had two colourways of the MADL Citizen, which you can pick up HERE.
Read HERE: https://www.thetoychronicle.com/news/madl-citizens-by-mad-toy-design-x-uvd-toys/
Christopher Luke Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christopherluke/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisLukeArt
Thumbs Social Media
Facebook: https://facebook.com/artbythumbs
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thumbs1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/artbythumbs
Dead Beat City Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/535719794053218
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dead_beat_city/
Signalnoise Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/signalnoise/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/signalnoise
Mr Gauky Social Media
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrgauky/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MrGauky
coarse toys Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coarsebook/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coarselife/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coarselife
RYCA Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RYCA.art/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryca_artist/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ry_ca
Shoeuzi Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoeuzi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoeuzi/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shoeuziofficial
Discord: https://discord.com/invite/S2DkJx7CMv
Mad Toy Design Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MADToyDesign/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madtoydesign/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/madtoydesign
If you want to support The Toy Chronicle, we have a number of options available to you. We have started to stock a wide range of releases that we think you will enjoy. Ranging from production pieces from Superplastic, Unbox Industries & POP MART, to original pieces from our favourite artists like Sank Toys, Quiccs & Czee13. Purchasing one of our pins also really help. A quick, cheap way to also support the TTC is by making a small donation. These can all be completed below through our online shop. We appreciate all the support! Thanks!
