Hunt for Kaiju Sofubi Figures in Japan 日本の怪獣ソフビ探し

-
For all the kaiju sofubi figure collectors out there, here's a little guide for finding them in Japan. Begin this journey if you dare. Let's start with...

Akihabara

There are several shops in Akihabara selling kaiju figures.

Mandarake Complex 

The banner says "World's Largest Collectors' Shop" 
Apparently the largest collectors' shop in the world, it's full black facade is unmistakable and not difficult to find. Kaiju figures are sold at the 7th floor. 


Some Tokusatsu books are on other levels

Because it's an official collectors' store, things are sold at high prices, or at the very least, at accurate prices for their value. If you are thrifty like me, the cheapest they have is dumped in a basket for digging. The older Bullmarkish figures sell for over 10000 yen so the most I could get were photos of them... I did manage to clinch a miraculous cheap vintage Jumborg Ace figure though. 

Location
Japan, 〒101-0021 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Sotokanda, ３丁目12−11
Operating Hours
1200 ~ 2000
Website: http://mandarake.co.jp/shop/cmp/ 

Monsters LABO

Kanegon greets you, asking for some food. This is a haven for Godzilla figures. Since I am not really a Gojiologist so I didn't pick up anything here. Recognisable by a Godzilla banner flapping above the underground shop. 

Location
Japan, 〒101-0021 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Sotokanda, 3 Chome−10−5 T&Kアキバビル  T&K Akiba Building B1F
Operating Hours
11:00 ~ 19:00 
Closed on Thursday

Jungle Akihabara

Lots of Ultra Kaiju because it's actually an underground Ultra Kaiju designated floor. There are vintage expensive rare ones and more average, reasonably-priced ones. I got Mirrorman's Iron made by Bullmark, from here. Also there is a basket of broken figures sold cheaply. 

Location Address
Japan, 〒101-0021 Tōkyō-to, Chiyoda-ku, Sotokanda, 3 Chome−9−2 末広ビル Suehiro Building B1F

Operating Hours 
Weekdays: 12:00 ~ 20:00 
Saturdays, Sundays, holidays: 11:00 ~ 20:00


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kaiteijin 8823 Song Lyrics | 海底人8823 歌

-
Image
This is the opening theme of a black and white tokusatsu, Kaiteijin 8823. A really catchy song! 海底人8823 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 ビクター児童合唱団 誰の耳にも聞こえない　 三万サイクル　音の笛 その笛吹けば飛んでくる　 エイ！ ８・８・２・３　謎の人 ８・８・２・３　海底人 正義の勇者だ　 ８８２３(ハヤブサ)だ 大儀おこれば奮い立ち　 波をけたてて海を行く 光が音か　 力か熱か　 エイ！ ８・８・２・３　謎の人 ８・８・２・３　海底人 平和の使いだ　 ８８２３(ハヤブサ)だ 星は流れて地に落ちて　 竜巻 空に舞い上がる 宇宙に敵の起こる時　エイ！ ８・８・２・３　謎の人 ８・８・２・３　海底人 我らの友達　８８２３(ハヤブサ)だ Dare no mimi ni mo kikoenai san man saikuru-oto no fue sono fue fukeba tondekuru ei! 8 8 2 3 nazo no hito 8 8 2 3 kaitei jin seigi no yūshada 8823 (hayabusa) da taigi okoreba furuitachi- ha o ketatete umi o iku hikari ga oto ka chikara ka netsu ka ei! 8 8 2 3 Nazo no hito 8 8 2 3 kaitei jin heiwa no tsukaida 8823 (hayabusa)da hoshi wa nagarete ji ni ochite tatsumaki sora ni maiagaru uchū ni teki no okoru toki ei! 8 8 2 3 Nazo no hito 8 8 2 3 kaitei jin warera no tomodachi 8823 (hayabusa)da
Read more

The Strange Case of Ultraseven Episode 12 | ウルトラセブンの第12話の奇妙なケース

-
Image
Ultraseven  is undoubtedly one of the most popular entries in the Ultra Series. With very well crafted episode plots that can be enjoyed by adults too. However, one episode has caused much controversy for some time, and ultimately became banned. Episode 12, From Another Planet With Love  tells of the Alien Spell ,  who had been caught in nuclear war on their planet and got radiation sickness. Therefore, they needed white blood cells of humans to replenish themselves and headed to Earth for that purpose. They used devices disguised as watches to suck blood out of victims. This episode is the first to mention that Ultraseven is actually from Nebula M78. Alien Spell's true form is strange, a totally white humanoid figure with scars all over, which seemed to be based on nuclear bomb survivors. Originally, the design was described by kaiju designer Tohl Narita as being "beetle-like". However, after the suggestion of the director, Narita reluctantly changed the design. In
Read more

Slicing Up Kaiju, and the Most Recent Occurence

-
Image
A neat way for Ultras to deal with kaiju in the Showa era was to cut them up, be it decapitation, slicing into two, three, or even nine pieces. For the most part these are unbelievably violent for today's standards, but many fans still love them. For a few examples, Ultraman segmented Red King II into three blocks, Ultraseven famously slashed off Eleking's head causing all that purple internal stuff to gush out, and Jack removing Gronken's limbs traumatically. Of course, there's Ace. Just to name a few victims of Ace's cutting techniques: Vakishim, Doragory, Sphinx, Barbaras and Jumbo King getting decapitated, King Kappa, Metron Jr. getting sliced vertically, the sad Bad Ballon losing his head and then getting his body split in two. There was a great deal of realism put into the scenes, such as Metron's guts flowing out, or painting things like bones in the wound. There seemed to be not much consideration for child appropriateness with this level of graphic
Read more