Archives

Thunderbirds are Going Japanese

Gerry Anderson’s Thunderbirds was easily his most toyetic series and that was not lost on the Japanese. Even though the show was 14 years old in 1980, it didn’t stop Popy from creating some incredible diecast toys.

Popy World Heroes Catalog 1980

I recently acquired the 1980 Popy Catalog and it’s a “Treasury Edition” sized book that hates scanners, it’s also delightful. While I don’t have the time to scan the whole thing, I thought it important to showcase one of my favourite toy lines the Popy World Heroes. I honestly wonder if that middle carrying case […]

Pod Stallions 37 : Godilla

Episode 37 is our first “lost episode” as we had to re-record half of it after a computer glitch (sorry), so we know it’s not October. This one has J & B discussing all things Godzilla and his Toho pals, something we’re both fans of. Subjects include our highlights (and lowlights) of his film series, […]

Popy Godzilla!

This year I managed to cross a toy off my want list that has been there since I first saw it in 1995. The Popy “Jumbosaurus” is the Japanese equivalent to the Mattel Shogun Warriors Godzilla. Mattel kept a few of the trademark items (like the firing fist and the wheels on the feet) but the differences outweigh […]

Popy World Hero Update!

When I first launched the Popy World Hero gallery, I had a few mysteries to solve like who certain characters were and the like. I’m happy to announce that the gallery attracted like minded folks who joined in and helped out, filling in a pile of gaps, like who was mystery figure 17? I now […]

Popy World Hero Figure Archive

The World Hero series was released in Japan in 1980, toy maker Popy had been distributing the 3 3/4″ Kenner Star Wars figure in cool display boxes as opposed to the cards the rest of the world received. Image Borrowed from Rebel Scum, they have a great article on Japanese Star Wars toys here. With […]

Podstallions 19: Japanese toys

Episode 19 sees Jason and Brian explain their deep affection for toys from the land of the rising sun. Even though we both grew up in North America, our childhoods were made happier by the imports that did manage to hop across the Pacific leaving us with a thirst for more. Japanese Toys tries to […]

Those Other World’s Greatest Superheroes

   There was a time in my younger days where I was absolutely obsessed with these guys. Made by Japanese toy maker Popy, these 8″ figures were meant to fit in with Mego Superheroes (which Popy also supplied in Japan). That 8″ Mark from “Battle of the Planets” is the toy we deserved as kids. […]

Ultraman hits the mall

Yet another Japanese Mall Appearance photo, this time it’s Ultraman Joe (the animated version) visiting a toy store. This was done in conjunction with Popy toys, to no doubt promote their awesome line of toys including these Mego-esque figures. Send me your mall appearance photos!

1978 Popy Toys Catalog

Oh Japan, how i love thee.  The Popy Toy Corporation is not terribly well known to North Americans but their influence definitely had an impact on us. In 1978, they had a tremendouse amount of cool licenses such as Gatchaman (Known to us as Battle of the Planets), Starzinger (which we called Spaceketeers) and your […]