Hong Kong is a kitbash/customizer's dream

[ironman1188]

God! I wish I was there!!

I'd be broke, but I'd be happy.

[mazinz]

Just imagine a 1/6th version of MegoMeet operating out of four multi-level toy malls (and separate hobby shops) within a stone's throw from each other, operating 7 days a week, year-round. I honestly haven't seen anything even remotely comparable in Tokyo on this scale in terms of a concentration of custom culture. In the shadow of this are the female fashion doll customizers as well.

What is actually kind of creepy for me is how 1/6th military action figures are so closely linked with the military collectors in this area of Hong Kong. So not only do you have the stores filled with realistic gun replicas alongside the toy stores, there is also a ridiculous amount of Nazi memorabilia on display as well (including action figures). Keep in mind most of these shops are the size of phone booths, and then juxtapose that with a store next to it that specialized in Hello Kitty, Lego Figures or Mochichi.

that sounds like heaven! Yeah WW1 and 2 are huge for 1/6 scale replicas

[starsky]

great pickups!!

[samurainoir]

I did take quite a few photos when I could, but there was many cool things that I couldn't photograph because the stores won't allow it. I'll have to wait until I get home before I unload then onto the computer and upload online.

Almost as popular in Mong Kok are the Lego stores, particularly specializing in the character figures. It's insane how much they are asking for individual figures. Although I guess it makes sense since many of them do go out of production and were only found in larger lego sets to begin with.

[kingdom warrior]

Sweet Stuff! great pick ups. Most of my customs are 1:6 it's just a size I'm comfortable with and can find stuff easier than Mego size. I'm a huge Takara fan and Coolgirl/Cygirl collector.....

[Neutron X]

Awesome! Never knew 1/6th customizing was so big over there. Will they let you take any pics?

[SlipperyLilSuckers]

I'm glad to see you are having fun Ed!

[samurainoir]

Today's pickups...


All the Arnie battle damage T2 needs now is some weapons. I assembled him in minutes by walking into three different stores. You might not be able to tell from the photos, but that's a decent Clint Eastwood head in the cowboy hat, and a bald Bruce Willis that is perfect for an Unbreakable custom.

I wish I had more time to dig through bins and pegs, because I'm sure I could have outfitted the T1 as well.

[samurainoir]

youi aint jokin. Hop on ebay and type in 1/6 under the toy section and you will get a few thousand listings with about 90% of them out of Hong Kong. It has helped me considerably when searching for those odd 1/6 accessories

Just imagine a 1/6th version of MegoMeet operating out of four multi-level toy malls (and separate hobby shops) within a stone's throw from each other, operating 7 days a week, year-round. I honestly haven't seen anything even remotely comparable in Tokyo on this scale in terms of a concentration of custom culture. In the shadow of this are the female fashion doll customizers as well.

What is actually kind of creepy for me is how 1/6th military action figures are so closely linked with the military collectors in this area of Hong Kong. So not only do you have the stores filled with realistic gun replicas alongside the toy stores, there is also a ridiculous amount of Nazi memorabilia on display as well (including action figures). Keep in mind most of these shops are the size of phone booths, and then juxtapose that with a store next to it that specialized in Hello Kitty, Lego Figures or Mochichi.

[mazinz]

I'd agree historically that Japan has usually set the pop culture/otaku trends in decades past, but in this case I'd argue that it's the Hong Kong customizers and companies that have led the way on this movement due to their close ties with inexpensive manufacturing in China that have flooded the 1/6th accessory market.

Japan's Medicom was there first in the nineties with the 1/6th Joe scale, but HK's Dragon got the ball rolling and other HK companies like Triad and Hot Toys have jumped in the fray and have been constantly upping the bar for the past decade. Most of the "name" customizers creating the gray market 1/6th stuff are predominantly coming out of Hong Kong.

As someone else pointed out to me in another recent thread, I'm discovering myself first hand right now how ridiculous fragile and impractical the Medicom bodies are for customizers as I'm dipping my toes into the 1/6th hobby.

youi aint jokin. Hop on ebay and type in 1/6 under the toy section and you will get a few thousand listings with about 90% of them out of Hong Kong. It has helped me considerably when searching for those odd 1/6 accessories

[ironman1188]

I might be interested in anything you may decide you don't want to keep.
Afterall, 1:6 is my thing. Especially if you happen across any Planet of the Apes 1:6 goodies.

[samurainoir]

that female body ilooks like the Volks mini dolfie - I made Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy with it. Just cut about an 1/8" off at the ankles and it is perfect Mego scale.

Ah! Thanks. I'm probably going to try and pick up a few more today. They also looked like they had some heads that might work, particularly with multi-hair colours.

[Megospidey]

that female body ilooks like the Volks mini dolfie - I made Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy with it. Just cut about an 1/8" off at the ankles and it is perfect Mego scale.

[samurainoir]

Hmmmm....

Some time around 2000 customizing 12" figures got HUGE in Japan.... and I imagine the rest of asia followed suit. I still find it heartbreaking that it wasn't 8" scale....

Don C.

I'd agree historically that Japan has usually set the pop culture/otaku trends in decades past, but in this case I'd argue that it's the Hong Kong customizers and companies that have led the way on this movement due to their close ties with inexpensive manufacturing in China that have flooded the 1/6th accessory market.

Japan's Medicom was there first in the nineties with the 1/6th Joe scale, but HK's Dragon got the ball rolling and other HK companies like Triad and Hot Toys have jumped in the fray and have been constantly upping the bar for the past decade. Most of the "name" customizers creating the gray market 1/6th stuff are predominantly coming out of Hong Kong.

As someone else pointed out to me in another recent thread, I'm discovering myself first hand right now how ridiculous fragile and impractical the Medicom bodies are for customizers as I'm dipping my toes into the 1/6th hobby.

[samurainoir]

I wish I could post better images than just my webcam. Today's kitbash was ridiculously easy and inexpensive.

They refer to this one as "Tom's Forrest" here. I even found a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co hat.


I was hoping to find stuff to kitbash a Dr Gregory House together, but the head and accessories appear elusive.

I found this female body that might be okay for 1/9th if modified. Looks like a great base for a Vampirella or Power Girl custom.


I hope I have time for one more trip over to the Kowloon custom shops before I leave here. Still lots of heads, bodies and accessories I should pick up while I have the chance.