Mystical Warriors of the Ring Figure Foto

Ulric Wolfrom (front)
Ulric Wolfrom (back)	Ulric Wolfrom (close-up)

Toy Line: Mystical Warriors of the Ring

Color: Translucent Red

Collector's Note: This is the 1.0 version for this sculpt and it's resin casted in "Infection Red" by THEGODBEAST.

Slug Zombies Figure Foto

Johnson
The Brain Eatin' Barbarian	Dismembered Dennis

Toy Line: S.L.U.G. Zombies

Color: Green, Flesh

Collector's Note: Finally a sunny day to take some photos! Here are a selection from Series 4, I really hope that Series 5 hits the shelves somehow!

Ultraman Figure Foto

Toy Line: Ultraman

Sculpt Name: キーラ (Keylla)

Color: Dark Gold

Collector's Note: I'm in Kaiju-mode these days so please be understanding. This monster is part of a keshi subseries called "アンティッＱ" and it was on the 38th episode of the original Ultraman series. Fun fact: searching for the name at first I got a whole page of Keira Knightley images, that's because another way to write its name in roman letters is "Kiira" like the actress.

Ultraman Figure Foto

Toy Line: Ultraman Jonias

Sculpt Name: ワニゴドン (Wanigodon)

Color: Red

Collector's Note: One of the many monsters in the Ultraman keshi universe, I don't know his name but the Ultraman keshi have it engraved on the body (under the belly on this character), so I'll try to find out something more. His name is Wanigodon and fought Ultraman Jonias in the animated series from Sunrise "ザ☆ウルトラマン" (The Ultraman).

OMFG Figure Foto

Toy Line: OMFG Series 1

Sculpt Name: Multiskull

Color: Orange

Collector's Note: Character created by Monsterforge for the first series of the successful OMFG toyline, here is the second Artist's Proof color released.

Ecologini

Name of Toy Line: Ecologini

Production Company: Partner SPA

Distributor: Amico Giò

Years of Production: 1990

Countries/Regions Available: Italy

Size/Scale: 1"-1.5"

Figure Trade Markings: None

Approximate # of Figures: 12

Details :

Thanks to an awesome and fortunate find, finally we have been able to uncover the details of this italian toyline. Produced by Partner SPA for the toy stores chain Amico Giò in 1990, these figures were available only as a free giveaway if a certain amount of money was spent in the store.



Unfortunately I don't remember the exact amount but I can guess, judging by the year, that it would have been something between 5€ and 10€.
The gimmick of these figures is the ecology and the defense of our enviroment, a theme commonly used by toys at that time (Captain Planet comes to mind), each one has a special ability like eat smog, oil, garbage and litter or absorb TV radiations or noises.




There are 12 different sculpts in the line casted in a deep shade of green, inside neat little cardboard boxes, featuring strange forms, bizzare proportions and protuberances.
The sculpting style of the figures seems to resemble (in a not so subtle way) another toyline: G.E.R.M.S., a nice and colorful collection of gigantic real germs in test tubes, you can see and read more on the Dork Dimension or at Bogleech.

Here's the advertisement published on kids magazines at that time:



And the traduction:

ECOLOGINI
The nature-saviours little geniuses.
Children, run to Amico Giò. There are the ECOLOGINI for free. Make friendship with each one, learn their strange names and you'll see how fun they are! Flip the page and you'll find your Amico Giò.

Some comparison shots, these guys fit very well with any kind of monocolored figures!

Ecologini

Credit Stunner76.

Name of Toy Line: Ecologini
Production Company: Unknown
Distributor: Unknown
Years of Production: 1993
Countries/Regions Available: Italy
Size/Scale: Unknown
Figure Trade Markings: Unknown
Approximate # of Figures: 10

Details: As you can see, I have very little information about these figures. I first saw them at the LRG forums when member Stunner76 posted images of them there. He and Toypedia contributor nanoFotato, both Italian collectors, identified them as Ecologini. Unfortunately, a search using Google Italy turns up no information about these figures. Were they pieces for a board game, premiums of some type, or were they simply a minifigure line sold at retail stores? I'm not an expert in the Italian language, so I'm not sure what, if any, clues can be garnered from the name. However, I did find information about a product called Ecologino, which is apparently a tiny ashtray for use at the beach. It's interesting that the names are so close.

I'm uncertain of their scale as well. I'd guess they are 2-3" in height. I'd also guess that they are made of hard plastic. However, I can't be certain of either of those things.

Update: nanoFatato has gotten his hands on an exquisite Ecologini advertisment made by the Italian company Amico Gio (see scan above). nanoFatato also provides a translation which reads as follows:

ECOLOGINI 

The nature-saviours little geniuses.

Children, run to Amico Giò (an italian brand). There are the ECOLOGINI for free. Make friendship with each one, learn their strange names and you'll see how fun they are! Flip the page and you'll find your Amico Giò. 

Much more information and pictures will be coming soon!

Z.O.M.B.I.E.

Name of Toy Line: Z.O.M.B.I.E.

Production Company: October Toys, LLC.

Distributor: October Toys, LLC.

Years of Production: 2009-Now

Countries/Regions Available: Worldwide via Internet

Size/Scale: 2"-3"

Figure Trade Markings: None

Approximate # of Figures: 5

Details:

Zillion Of Mutated Bodies Infecting Everyone

In 2009 the guys at October Toys created and released a toyline of five small zombie characters in four colors: Toxic Green, Bone White, Pale Blue and Glow in the Dark.

Their names are School Girl, Rockabilly, Bathtime, School Boy and the Ape, they were sold in full color set or in a pack of 13 pieces or big jar of 100 pieces.

The line was more than successful and new colors were produced (the last wave has been released about a month ago), including some exclusive colors along the road.

Meet the little monsters:

Bomberman Figabulary

Toy Line: Bomberman

Sculpt Name: Partz

Color: Blue

Collector's Note: I don't know anything about this figure's origins. It's about 2" tall and made of a nice, heavy rubber vinyl. It has no trade markings at all. However, the sculpt reminds me of a certain breakfast food character...



If you know anything about this figure and would care to share, please do so in the comments below. Thanks! Thanks BAH for the ID in the comments below! (And nano as well. :D)

MOTU Figabulary

Toy Line: Masters of the Universe

Sculpt Name: He-Man

Color: Red

Collector's Note: This figure is from a MOTU toy line from Portugal. The figures are very small, about an 1" or 1.5" tall. Check out Nuno Mata's informative post regarding these figures at his excellent blog, My Best Toys.

/Tɔy·pē·di·ârt/: Ütt

Bazaar Items

Toy Line: Dr. Slump

Location: Yahoo! Japan

Vendor: Yk091114

Auction Number: k136876120

Collector's Note: There's not really much to be said about this "crappy" figure. Let's just hope it's not scented like the Arbito Mini Squishy figures. :D

MOTU Figabulary

Toy Line: Masters of the Universe

Sculpt Name: Beastman

Color: Red

Collector's Note: This figure is from a MOTU toy line from Portugal. The figures are very small, about an 1" or 1.5" tall. I'm not sure if is a legit, Mattel-licensed line or an unlicensed line. The quality and details of the sculpts are actually very nice, especially at such a small scale. I have more of the figures, all red, that I'll be posting more pics of in the future.

Edit: Be sure to check out Nuno Mata's informative post regarding these figures at his excellent blog, My Best Toys.

Arbito Mini Squishy

Name of Toy Line: Mini Squishy
Production Company: Arbito
Distributor: Arbito
Years of Production: 2011
Countries/Regions Available: Worldwide via Internet
Size/Scale: 2"
Figure Trade Markings: Arbito
Approximate # of Figures: 4 sculpts, 3 colorways (but possibly more)

Details:

Arbito is an artist/​illustrator/​designer liv­ing in Seat­tle. Born and raised in Wash­ing­ton State, Arbito’s work has been exhib­ited glob­ally from Spain to Eng­land, Aus­tralia to New york. Cur­rently he’s exper­i­ment­ing with resin sculp­ture but is also rec­og­nized for his west coast proto-​​hippie style acrylic paint­ings and drawings. (Source: Arbito.com)

I don't know what prompted Arbito to create a line of mini figures, but I'm certainly glad he did. He chose four of his typically larger creations - Patty Power, Cosmic Hobo, Seeker, and Hobo's Van - and shrunk them into deliciously smelly (literally) and squishy minis. Indeed, each of the 3 colorways comes with a corresponding scent: Pink is Cherry scented, Yellow is Popcorn scented, and Green is Watermelon scented! It's a really fun concept and works really well.

Rivet Wars

Name of Toy Line: Rivet Wars

Production Company: Ted Terranova

Distributor: Ted Terranova

Years of Production: 2011

Countries/Regions Available: Worldwide via Internet

Size/Scale: 2"

Figure Trade Markings: None

Approximate # of Figures: 1 sculpt, multiple blank colorways

Details:

"Rivet Wars takes place in a world locked in a decades long battle. The inhabitants of the planet Rivet have divided themselves into two factions, the Allies and the Blight.

The Allies see themselves as fighting for the freedom of all Rivets. When the Blight began their attacks, the free nations of Rivet gathered their forces and formed an alliance to defeat the Blighter threat.

The Blight believe that the world of Rivet is theirs to rule by right. Blighters see themselves as Rivet's chosen rulers. They will stop at nothing to crush any opposition to their plans to conquer all of Rivet." (Source: Rivet Wars.Com)

Rivet Wars was created by Ted Terranova as "a context in which to make toys, art, stories and stuff." His first piece is the beautiful Vert Tank. Its creation is a wonderful story. I first learned about Rivet Wars on the October Toys forum. Ted had submitted his Vert Tank design, then called Sherman, as a submission for series two of the OMFG! minifigure toy line. Shortly thereafter he created a 3D design of the sketch using a computer program called 3D Max, submitted the design to Shapeways.com, re-named the piece Light Vert Tank, received a 3D printout of the design in the mail, created a mold of the printout, and finally cast a small army of awesome, new, hard resin minifigures!

If that all sounds very simple and easy, I can assure you it wasn't! However, Ted has made the entire process seem incredibly easy. He has tentative plans to create an illustrated guide of the process he used to make the Vert Tank. Be sure to check his Rivet Wars website for that potential future offering.

In keeping with the military theme, Ted first cast the Vert in shades of green. As you will see, I convinced him to try some new colors.

Bits N Bytes

OMFG!

Credit Daniel Smith

Name of Toy Line: OMFG! (Outlandish Mini Figure Guys!)

Production Company: www.octobertoys.com



Distributor: www.octobertoys.com

Years of Production: ~

Countries/Regions Available: Worldwide

Size/Scale: 2"

Figure Trade Markings: Unknown

Approximate # of Figures: 5 sculpts, 2 colorways

Details:

Some time in early 2011, the idea for a new M.U.S.C.L.E.- and M.I.M.P.-inspired toy line began to take shape at the October Toys forum. (October Toys are the brains behind the awesome Z.O.M.B.I.E.S. toy line.) Several incredibly talented artists and toy enthusiasts began to brainstorm and flesh-out the details of the project that was to be designed and created top-to-bottom by toy collectors. After several months of churning out character and sculpt ideas, logo and packaging designs, the project began to take on the unmistakable shape of pure, 100%, ass-kicking goodness.

Figabulary

Horrors N Heroes

Name of Toy Line: Horros N Heroes
Production Company: Unknown
Distributor: Mr. Lucky Bags Ltd.
Years of Production: 1990s (?)
Countries/Regions Available: UK/Europe (?)
Size/Scale: 2"
Figure Trade Markings: None
Approximate # of Figures: 16 Sculpts, multiple colors

Eraser Bouncing Bad Bad Ball

Name of Toy Line: Eraser Bouncing Bad Bad Ball
Production Company: D.V.S. (Made in Taiwan)
Distributor: Unknown
Years of Production: 1987
Countries/Regions Available: USA
Size/Scale: 1"
Figure Trade Markings: None
Approximate # of Figures: 8

Super special thanks to Blarghhhspot for introducing Toypedia to these wonderful items and for all the pictures in this entry! If you've never visited the blog you should do so. Now!

Details:

If you love Madballs (and who doesn't, right?) and you love mono-colored mini-figures (sure you do!), then you'll love Bad Bad Balls! These tiny balls combine the best of both worlds: They've got the awesomely round grossness of Madballs and the rubbery colored goodness of keshi!

They came packaged in a simple box with a pull out tray. There were eight of them in a range of pleasant pastel colors including pink, yellow and light green. On the package is text indicating that these pieces doubled as both high-bounce balls and pencil top erasers. Nice! Everyone loves a twofer.

The sculpts themselves are impressive considering the medium (a tiny round ball) and the source material (let's be honest, these are total Madball ripoffs). Come on, let's get up close and personal with these little dudes courtesy the Blarghhhspot.

Not much to say about this first dude other than he may want to invest in some veneers. Seriously though, it's a simple yet solid little sculpt.



Here's a look at one sculpt in two different colors. Seems to be only one of two double sculpts in the box. It leads me to believe there /may/ be other sets and figures - and maybe sculpts! Joy. As for the sculpt itself, meh.


Click to enlarge

I love the color of this next guy. Yellow is always a favorite keshi color, but the light pastel hue is just buttery smooth; And the elephant trunk and tusks put this guy in the running for my fav of the bunch.



I'm not sure what's going on with this piece. Looks to be a normal, albeit goofy human, but there's something up with his/her hair. Is that a snake slithering around up there?


Click to enlarge

Ah, toad eye. I've loved toad eye since I first laid eyes on him! He's got a toad on his eye! Toad eye.

And I noticed something whilst kicking around this Blarghhhspot post. Check out the Sad Ball pictured here below Toad Eye. It seems one sculpt influenced the other, or both are inspired by the same (unidentified) piece.





Group shot.


Click to enlarge

And the packaging. Note that none of the figure drawlings appear to correspond to any of the actual sculpts. The drawing was probably completed preproduction or perhaps in isolation, but I choose to interpret this as proof that there are other sculpts and colorways out there!


Click to enlarge

What a fun Western keshi toy line! Good luck findind these little guys. I've never come across one myself, but of course would love to. Super very good thanks to Blarghhh Spot for the great pics. Be sure to check there for more incredible coverage of Madballs and Madball knockoffs.

Related Websites:

Bad Bad Ball @ Blarghhh Spot