Trend 2005 / Part 2 / Asian toys

Since the brutal judgment of the Toycon, the Hong Kong Salon of the "New School" figurine, the production and the creative effervescence in the figurine has largely calmed down in Hong Kong, but the good initiative was the Taipei toy Festival which took place in Taiwan and which gives a little hope when the renewal of the scene in Asia. Who will take over the torch? In any case, Michael Lau did not remain his arms crossed since the tireless Hong Kongais, leader of the movement Designer toys, struck several big shots this year again. Apart from the fact (anecdotal for us Europeans) that his own gallery changed his address for a larger place, he continued his 6 '' Gardener series (I reminds that he has 103 on the list and that he is about thirty) and he proposed a rather special and unique concept around the world of football at the end of the year (Lamdog Soccer). What will undoubtedly stay in minds is the ultra -original concept of Mr Shoe. Imagine a character in the shape of a shoe who would be looking for shoes for his own feet. He therefore created a standard figurine (a first for Michael Lau on this scale) which he customized in a hundred different Mr Shoe for the traveling Expo MR Shoe. On the menu: customs, Brands, places, characters, films, universe which are the very source of the daily inspiration of Michael Lau. This exhibition is currently traveling since it should arrive in France in a few weeks after naturally spent at Maharishi / GPS in London. At each stages, new Mr Shoe is sold, and an excellent work Mr Shoe Book is released this year with a Mr Shoe to customize yourself ... Ahhh Custom when you hold us. Some will say that Michael Lau falls asleep on his laurels but he always has a step ahead with his universes and his concepts so much in tune with the times. Note also that he contributed to the 3rd issue of the Garden magazine, entitled Garden Tribe where he revisits a keeping characters from the cult manga tokyo tribe with in addition absolutely stunning illustrations. On the side of our Hong Kong colleagues, the drop in regime started in 2004 was unfortunately confirmed, since apart from a very beautiful breakthrough of Tim Tsui in our regions (Dape, Penny, Dape Jr, exhibition at the Who's Next, And we are waiting for a new figurine for soon) as well as from his partner Alice Chan who is currently multiplying the more Kawaii projects, the instigators of the scene have not produced as much as in the past .... or so to speak at all . The imperturbable Brothersfree continue to produce the most beautiful 12 ’’ in the world, it is already a good thing. But where is Eric So? The latter made us drool so much with his Hellboy in 2004 that he was believed to win the bet in 2005, but nothing was there, no prod except a charitable project was born. Shame Jason Siu? Apart from a few ultra limited speakers, nothing too many Follichon. Pazo Art, Elphonso Lam? Apart from featurings on Qee no new figurines strictly speaking. If the soufflé fell to Hong Kong, some other Asian territories do not give up like Play imaginative of Singapore which develops both figurines and a magazine around our universe. Indeed, they are at the origin of the TRAXI and the magazine Play Times with 12 numbers on the clock. The around prices are a 3 -inch “standard” support to which have been added many artists this year, so note two traditional series for the moment (with its share of rare and secret designs like any good series of mini figurines) and several bolt Specials (Devilrobots, BrothersFree ...). They will continue their efforts this year with the 10 inches 4 times more imposing than the Minis and with the possibility of putting the Minis Tree in the inside of the Big ... Do you follow me? Finally, these are the Toycompagnies rather than the self -employed toy who shone in Asia. Adfunure continues his little way by working closely with artists rather from street art and graffiti with innovative concepts and new forms. In 2005 were revealed in 2005 the vinyls of Mr Jago (Camobot), D*Face (D*Dog), Doma (Jesus Astronaut) or Shawnimal (Weeninja), but everyone awaits with an undisguised impatience the new Teddy Troops whose the artist versions, as well as the 10 inch versions of the helmeted Flying Fortress cubs. Another company emerged this year from Singapore, it is LMAC, making both parodic t-shirts and vinyl figurines (zombies); Their multiple activities plus the opening of stores lets us think that we will hear a lot about them in 2006. Redmagic continue their invasion of the world through the Ciboys by offering new parodic series that are ever more funky. Passed under the Redmagic machine this year the characters of Starwars (Starwash), the Super Heroes (Series 1 and 2), the Kawai characters (Crazy Cutie), the heroes of Street Fighter (Shit Fighter) and many more; Our warned franchouillard eye will stop at length on Superdeux's "Returning Series" entitled Stereotype which already includes 3 very successful mini series and a crossover artists (123klan, Genevvie Gauckler ...) which arrives at the very beginning of year 2006. What about Japan?
Difficult to isolate one or more designers as this country is always a source of limitless creativity and where so many figurines and toys come out in all directions whether in the image of cartoons or manga or mainstream or underground. The number of artists is indefinable and the term Designer toys is really reductive for this country where behind each new creation universe there is a ribambelle of derivative products, toys, figurines, and this, for a number of years already. Let's try to focus on those who have a radiation beyond the archipelago. Starting with the Devilrobots, a group of hyperactive designers, and who had the very good idea to come and exhibit in Paris last June. Always the ass between two chairs, their projects can be perceived as commercial or completely underground by Westerners, their coast continues to climb, and the number of characters created, then produced in any form that is exceeded. The fact remains that they do not leave anyone indifferent and that they tirelessly continue to create characters for others or for themselves, and rare are the characters designers like them who are fortunate to work with so many different customers. The series of TO-FU (7th chapter soon) surprise, amazed and interest many lovers of Japanese figurines and objects. The incredible Flash Tokyoplastic Site gave desires to its creators, since the latter released two figurines directly inspired by their Universe : Opera Dude and Geisha. Two small wonders of efficiency and sobriety. Thanks to TOY2R we were able to know a little more about Teams of Japanese designers like the Mad Barbarians (Gas Curry and Spice, then Manager Prototype and others to come soon), Tygun (Banded Blaze) and soon Dehara Yukinori, artist incredible who has designed figurines in unique copies for a few years and which will produce a tomiller tomato with an aspect still unprecedented in the universe of toys. We also hope to review new creations by Furifuri Company which had gratified us with some great productions in the past and which could go through France for an exhibition in the first half of the year. But there is a scene, still very confidential by us but which begins to spread in the West, these are secret figurines Base and Gargamel. Secret Base began to produce figurines in 2002, parallel to Bounty Hunter the real Japanese underground label, mixing very dark universes and full of skulls with the pushead (which also drew the cover of the first album of Cocobat, the Takeshit group which is the creator of Secret Base) and a disturbing animal bestiary inspired by Japanese Monsters as standard Z. Figurines in ultra limited number (around 50 pieces on average) whose quest quickly becomes a real puzzle. A radical graphic aspect that can cool more than one, but a very interesting way to do for a quality result. Note also that the designer Junko Mizuno, whose popularity in France continues to climb (pure trance, Hansel and Gretel published in French) just begins to develop her characters in 3 dimensions, and her next toys should have a much more important impact in the coming months. To be continued ! Continuation and end tomorrow.