Tag Archives: Good Smile Company

Favorite Toys of 2010

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Favorite company: Crazy Label

I was totally on the late train with Treesons. I always thought they were cute but I never bought any. SDCC 2010 was a mad scramble to get the SDCC Exclusive Treesons (the 5 on the left). My friend got me the ones on the days I didn’t attend, and I bought the remaining one when I returned from SDCC.

This year I also got the plush Treeson keychain (adorable!) and pre-ordered Treeson and Other Stories Series 2. My Treeson collection is looking respectable.

Favorite blind box series: Marshall by 64 Colors

This is another toy that I completely slept on. What is my problem?! Marshall is supah cute and the toy is a lot bigger than I thought. Every time I look at it, I get happy….and crave s’mores. I don’t care about limited edition or exclusivity or any of that. I judge a toy on whether it makes me happy to look at it. I need to collect more of these.

Favorite vinyl: Munko by David Choe x Giant Robot x Good Smile Company

I love David Choe, and I love Giant Robot; so this one is a no-brainer. They did such a good job with translating Choe’s whale into toy form. You really can’t go wrong with any of these. Plus the girl Munkettes have bows in their hair and itty bitty boobies. See more from our Munko photo shoot.

Favorite art toy: Schoolboy Jizo by Dehara Yukinori

Personally I hate the term “art toy” because I think it sounds silly and pretentious. Since this was purchased at Dehara Yukinori’s solo show at GR2, I’m okay with using the term. To be quite honest, I did not like Dehara Yukinori‘s artwork before I saw it in person. Then, I saw the Jizo, and I fell in love. At first glance, they’re almost ugly but then you realized that they’re totally cute!

My boyfriend surprised me with this piece for my birthday, so it means that much more to me. Plus we were introduced to Dehara at the art show, and he just seemed like someone you’d want to have beers with.

Favorite discovery: Sawdust Bear by Shing Yin Khor

I fell in love with Shin Yin Khor’s specimens (left and middle) at the recent DesignerCon. I really appreciate the care that goes into these handmade critters. Her work is so imaginative and you can tell her specimens are made with love. Plus I love her Marlowe web comic. I’m in trouble because I know I’m going to get more of these.

Favorite toy of 2010: Beastlies by Leslie Levings

Let’s give it up for Beastlies!! I held off on adopting one for so long because I wanted to find the right one. And I did. Every Beastlie is handmade by Leslie Levings, and again I’m so appreciative of artists who sculpt their own creations. Her Beastlies shop is closed for now, but when it opens in January, watch out! I’m really looking for a red or orange Beastlie for my new collection. I’m also hoping she makes more Beastlie snow globes because I really need one!

A Munko Love Story

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We arrived at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday around noon, and the first thing we did was to head to the Giant Robot booth. The boyfriend and I planned to get a case so we could co-own the entire set. We got our case and got in line for Dave Choe’s signing.

There are two guys standing behind us talking about the Munkos. One of the keeps asking annoying questions like “Are they limited edition? Are they numbered? Are any of the figures numbered? Does the box say it’s limited?…etc.”

I was willing the guy to shut up with my mental powers, but it didn’t work. My boyfriend finally turns around and says, “Some people don’t care about that stuff because they’re fans of the art. Some people genuinely like the artist and want to support.” The annoying guy mumbled something about not meaning anything by what he said.

Maybe my boyfriend appeared rude but he had to make a point. It’s not always about exclusivity and having what other people don’t have. Sometimes it really is about the artist and supporting his/her work.

We love Giant Robot, and we love Dave Choe. Now I can honestly say that we love Munko. We liked the toy before we bought up but now we really love all of them. As soon as we came home, we opened the entire case and had our Munko photo shoot. Get your own Munko at GR. If you buy a case, you get all 12 figures. Honestly, I love them all.

SDCC 2010: Giant Robot Exclusives

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Big Boss Robot and Munko are almost here! Giant Robot‘s first exclusive figures, made in conjunction with Japan-based Good Smile Company, will debut at the Giant Robot booth # 1729. I want the legged Munkos!!

Big Boss Robot details:

  • The mascot of the Giant Robot magazine and stores come to life
  • Sculpture-quality casted in tactile material with fully rotating arms, legs, and head
  • 11 vibrant shades and 1 camouflage pattern, blind-boxed packaged with one full set in each case of 12
  • Fully detachable and interchangeable limbs, encouraging customization and sharing with friends
  • To be debuted at Giant Robot’s booth at the San Diego Comic-Con; customers who purchase complete sets will receive a special, limited-edition printed gift bag
  • An animated short has been made and released via YouTube with a soundtrack provided by Free The Robots

Munko details (more pictures here):

  • Based on the whale paintings of David Choe, whose work was first published in Giant Robot and has gone on to become an international fixture in the worlds of street art, indie comics, and high-end galleries
  • Loving, artist-supervised translation from two-dimensional painting art to three-dimensional pieces
  • Several unique molds with distinct appendages and unique accessories
  • Radically different paint jobs, textures, and hues
  • Blind-box packaged with one full set in each case of 12

GR’s signing schedule -

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Artist David Choe will be signing his brand-new, hardcover monograph from Chronicle, as well as the Giant Robot booth’s exclusive new Munko figure.

FRIDAY, JULY 23, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Artist David Choe will be signing his brand-new, hardcover monograph from Chronicle, as well as the Giant Robot booth’s exclusive new Munko figure.

SATURDAY, JULY 24, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
David Horvath, artist and co-creator of Uglydoll indie plush toys, will be signing hand-painted custom figures.