I’m still recovering from Kaiju Con 2019, but in a nutshell it far exceed my expectations ! Plus, the crazy thing is the tickets sold out at the door and they actually had to turn away people wanting to come into the show ! They could see the museum and of course the Kaiju vs Heroes show at least.
I was pulled in many directions, we had a booth, a signing with Gerald Okamura, a Paint Demo and Toy Talk also.
Kaiju Con Crowds
Max Toy table Kaiju Con 2019
While I prefer to stay home and pet the cats … it’s also good to venture out and once I’m out, I do enjoy meeting fans and friends !
Artist Fred Marinello and the Radioactive Giant Bunny ! Love Fred’s work !
Mechavirus in person ! Todd had some drop dead beautiful work !
Awesome Dudes !
Xpanded Universe Mike !
Anatomy Kaiju Eyezon goes home with a Fan !
I didn’t know but the room was full so they stopped letting people into the demo !
I really don’t know what I’m doing 😉 The museum taped the demo and there will be a link to it soon.
Drying brushing Demo !
We also had Martial Arts Legend Gerald Okamura sign his newest figure release for excited fans !
Man of Many Weapons !
😉
And finally, participated in a Rare Toys Round table, hosted by Super Duper Jumbo Machinder collector, Tom Franck, with Justin Ishmael, Quang Le and Mark Nagata ! Video is up on YouTube but I believe the museum will also post it soon ( I’ll post up links when they do) Good times !
Holy Grail Red Bullmark Ultraman
and finally I wish I had more time to talk to the many artists and vendors … but here’s a few …
Happy to add this amazing painting by artist Joel Nakamura to the Ultraman collection !
I didn’t want to pressure Max too much but this was his first time selling customs he painted at a con !
Well, I’m sure I’m missing something but was a awesome convention and people kept asking if there will be another next year … all I can say is I hope so and I’m sure the museum will make a decision about it soon 😉
I’m way behind on a few updates so will do my best to catch up here… First off Thank You so much to everyone who came out to see Gerald Okamura, buy his figure, get a autograph and picture. We had a great turn out and Gerald is a masterful storyteller ! I posted a brief clip view my Instagram: maxtoyco which is pretty funny ;-P
Fantastic Dcon ! Thank you for all the kind words and support !! I’m a bit overwhelmed by all the fans who came up to say “Hello” and who saw the “Kaiju vs Heroes” exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum !! When we were planning the museum exhibit, it was my hope that if anything my story would inspire people to pursue their dreams and that you can do it !
We sold out of almost everything we brought … have only x3 Kanegon and x3 glow Otters so will post them later today. A few customs will post as well 😉
The bigger Dcon venue allowed for more room for the crowds which was nice and of course more vendors. I wish I had more time to just wander the con and didn’t get to connect with everyone I wanted too .. but we’ll be back next year 😉 So many talented artists at the show .. I highly recommend attending next year if you can.
Here’s a few misc pictures with my booth mates Sunguts, Blobpus, DaiKaiju Salon ( Kobeni-chan), Suzuki and Doug Hardy ( Cat Magic Toys ) !
Visited the exhibit with the Japan crew 😉
Below: We had the honor of having the Legendary Martial Artist and Actor, Gerald Okamura at our booth. We sold out of the first Man of Many Weapons Sofubi and had a great signing event ! Look for a new release January 6th, 2019 at the Japanese American National Museum, with another signing and on stage interview with Gerald ! See the museum web site for more details !!
Thank you Everyone for your kind words and support of Max Toy Company ! As we enter our Lucky 13th year, 2018 is already booked ;-P Look for new toy projects, conventions and in September 2018 at the Japanese American National Museum, Kaiju vs Heroes – Mark Nagata’s Journey through the World of Japanese Toys (!) I’m co-curating the show with Maria Kwong ( http://www.latdamuseum.org/ ) More info coming in the new year so stay tuned and see you there !
Well decide to dump all the images here 😉 Max Toy Dcon stuffs, see us at Table TE17 !!!
Max Toys at Dcon 2017
Hi Max Toy Fans !
Phew … ! I painted a mix of micro runs of our most popular figures, a few factory paints and of course one of a kind painted figures for Dcon.
I’m packed and ready to drive down to Dcon ! Excited to be setting up there at Table TE17 😉 Come say Hello to Max and Myself !
As many of you may know, I have not set up at the USA show in over 9 years !
Anyways, I’m bring all the above plus a ton of smaller one offs and some Max Toy stock. A good time to see the stuff up close and of course buy ;-P
Also have stuff from Jay222, Javier Jimenez and Doug Hardy. Doug will also be the booth both days, and selling his brand new resin, Witch Cat Lulu ! Very cute hand cast and painted figure so check her out !
By the way, everything is first come, first served .. but on the Tiger Boss / Office cats it’s one of each type per person, per order.
I will have a test shot of our newest figure, Sofubi-man on display as well !! My tribute to the men & women who cast these figures in Japan. This figure will release very soon, so stay tuned for more details.
Also, excited to be finally revealing publicly at Dcon, my Japanese toy collection / art show at the Japanese American National Museum in Sept 2018 !!
Titled; Kaiju vs Heroes – Mark Nagata’s Journey through the World of Japanese Toys
I’ve worked on this for over 2 years now and we are coming down to the final months before the opening. Much more info as we get closer and some cool stuff planned so stay tuned !
Had the pleasure and honor to be interviewed by Marusan President Eiji Kaminaga for his Marusan TV channel while in Tokyo a few days ago. Actually it feels like a week ago with my jet lag ;-P
It’s alway cool ( to me ) to hear history about the vintage Japanese toys I collect. Once the cameras stopped I kept asking more questions too !
Kaminaga-san was kind enough to give me a copy of his book about the history of Marusan toys. It’s all in Japanese, which I can not read ;-( I told him to do a version in English, haha … but he said it might be possible in the future.
To be honest, this mug, is like the best thing I got on this trip (!) It’s like being on the Kaiju Tonight Show !!
During this interview, I revealed something I’ve worked on for about two years now .. what is it ? You have to watch to find out !
Now in the web store, new release of Koijarus Koi Fish Kaiju painted by Mark Nagata ! Limited supplies left so don’t delay ! http://www.maxtoyco.com/shop_item.php?id=1107
Also, half the run will sell thru OneUp store Japan so check them out: http://one-up.shop-pro.jp/
I hand flocked this Nyagira for the upcoming P!Q gallery show, details here: http://www.piqproducts.com/pages/hello-kitty-99-friends
I based the Black Kitty on the Catsby Kids characters from Sanrio ;-P
And a final release of hello Kitty Kaiju, Sanrio x Max Toy via EMP museum is forthcoming ! I’m not sure how they will release these, but they may only be available in person at the museum store. Check their web site for more current info, and good luck ! http://www.empmuseum.org/hellokitty?from=home