Mego Superheroes in Japan: Vintage Mego

[RSS]

As promised in this week’s toy ventures, we’re continuing our look at Japanese toys with a look at how the Mego Superheroes were distributed in Japan by Popy Toys. We also talk about character selection and why these specific three characters were chosen. As a bonus here is our video on the Popy TV…

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[palitoy]

[Wee67]

Given how popular heroes were in our hemisphere in the 70's, Japan having even more popular heroes is incredible! I was never a big fan of Spiderman's orange packaging in the U.S. I prefer when the figures were put against contrasting colors, making them pop more. I think green is a good color for Spidey.

For the longest time, a Popy Superman sat on the shelf at Toy Tokyo in NYC for $400. I always wanted to pick it up but never did. I think I was spoiled having picked up the non-US heroes in a lot. The price for the lot worked out a much less price per figure rate and I think I had that burned into my head. Someday I'll get the three US heroes and finish the line.

[Mr.Marion]

I'd say Batman was the least popular of the 3 by that point in Japan. Superman got a wave of merchandise after the film including this killer vinyl figure.

[palitoy]

Given how popular heroes were in our hemisphere in the 70's, Japan having even more popular heroes is incredible!

Their kid's programs have more action in them than our primetime shows did for us, I think they have an incredible charm that kids pick up on.

[B-Lister]

These guys are lower on my list, but I would eventually like to add them.