Vintage Jumo Machinder/Shogun Warriors ad

[cjefferys]

Yeah that's probably still true, but as just a tourist with little kids (meaning we aren't out late at night or hanging out at karaoke bars) I don't get to see that aspect of Japanese culture (unfortunately). What does Jen think about having to do that all the time?

[samurainoir]

Yeah that's probably still true, but as just a tourist with little kids (meaning we aren't out late at night or hanging out at karaoke bars) I don't get to see that aspect of Japanese culture (unfortunately). What does Jen think about having to do that all the time?

Even before she started working in Japan, she really hated Karaoke! Japan has definitely been a "Lost in Translation" experience for her. I think being female and a westerner has allowed her to duck out of it more often than not (since the tech field in particular is still primarily a culture of men), but she realizes that it's a part of the work culture and it's necessary to participate.

[cjefferys]

Yes, over there you have to do it to be a team player. I forget the Japanese term but it basically translates to something like being in the corner desk by the window. In other words if you don't go out drinking with the boss after work, and thus not seen as a "team player", you are shunned, shoved in the corner and basically will be stuck there for the rest of your employment. But yeah, I think that being a gaijin and especially a female gaijin will cut you a bit of slack.

Actually, I like karaoke (drinking and belting out songs, my secret shame!), but I've never had an opportunity to do so in Japan, and I'm kinda sad about that. Someday! Whoa, we're getting a bit off topic here.

[samurainoir]

Actually, I like karaoke (drinking and belting out songs, my secret shame!), but I've never had an opportunity to do so in Japan, and I'm kinda sad about that. Someday!

Let's put it on the Bucket List for next year's trip to Japan! I'll share my Karaoke in Japan story with you during our road trip in a couple of weeks.

[cjefferys]

Sounds good man!

Trying to get back on topic, when did you guys first find out that there were many, many more Shogun Warriors/Jumbo Machinders released in Japan compared to what we got over here? For me, it was when I bought an early issue of Giant Robot magazine, and the cover story was about Tom Franck's huge collection. This would have been back in 1998 or so. I almost lost my mind when I saw all the different 2 foot tall robots that were released in Japan, I had no idea!

[samurainoir]

As a kid wandering around the Japanese department stores (like Sogo) in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay district where my grandparents lived. It was mind-blowing all the different sized Shogun Warriors and Micronauts and Godzilla toys we didn't get in North America... and when I was slightly older, I'd take my youngest brother around to all the shops in Hong Kong and we'd buy him the earliest incarnations of the Transformers (which were part of the Micronaut/microman line) and boxed Japanese Go-Bots, as well as the Action Man versions of GI Joe RAH (we had a choice of THREE different carded versions, including the Japanese ones).



I also grew up with mini pamphlet picture books that were sold on every street corner newsstand in Hong Kong.

[samurainoir]

Is this the life-sized Gundam you saw Chris?

[palitoy]

Trying to get back on topic, when did you guys first find out that there were many, many more Shogun Warriors/Jumbo Machinders released in Japan compared to what we got over here? For me, it was when I bought an early issue of Giant Robot magazine, and the cover story was about Tom Franck's huge collection. This would have been back in 1998 or so. I almost lost my mind when I saw all the different 2 foot tall robots that were released in Japan, I had no idea!

As a kid. My dad subscribed to Hong Kong Enterprises magazine, in which factories showed their wares and tried to sell toys and underpants, what have you, to importers.

I used to think HK was the land of robots and I begged my dad to take me there. I filled a notebook with Machinder designs thinking I could get factories to make my crappy robots.

Sadly my collection of vintage HKE magazines was destroyed in a flood last month.

[cjefferys]

As a kid wandering around the Japanese department stores (like Sogo) in Hong Kong's Causeway Bay district where my grandparents lived. It was mind-blowing all the different sized Shogun Warriors and Micronauts and Godzilla toys we didn't get in North America... and when I was slightly older, I'd take my youngest brother around to all the shops in Hong Kong and we'd buy him the earliest incarnations of the Transformers (which were part of the Micronaut/microman line) and boxed Japanese Go-Bots, as well as the Action Man versions of GI Joe RAH (we had a choice of THREE different carded versions, including the Japanese ones).

Oh god, that must have been an amazing experience, I wish I could have visited store like that back then.

Is this the life-sized Gundam you saw Chris?

I don't think so, the one I saw was in front of a shopping mall (I forget it's name). There are probably Gundam statues all over Japan.

As a kid. My dad subscribed to Hong Kong Enterprises magazine, in which factories showed their wares and tried to sell toys and underpants, what have you, to importers.

I used to think HK was the land of robots and I begged my dad to take me there. I filled a notebook with Machinder designs thinking I could get factories to make my crappy robots.

Sadly my collection of vintage HKE magazines was destroyed in a flood last month.

Oh, what a shame, I would have loved to see those magazines! It must have been maddening seeing all those great toys you couldn't have. Did your dad take trips to Hong Kong?

[samurainoir]

Sadly my collection of vintage HKE magazines was destroyed in a flood last month.

Please tell me you had already scanned them!!!

[samurainoir]

[cjefferys]

Cool, that must be a really early ad, Kamen Rider V3 and Mazinger Z were the very first two Jumbos released.

[palitoy]

I really want a V3....

They taunt me on Yahoo auctions.

[cjefferys]

What have you seen them selling for on YJA recently Brian? V3 is supposed to be one of the more common Jumbos (along with Mazinger Z) because he was an early release and Popy pumped out tons of them. But saying that, finding one complete with intact antennae might be trickier. Oh, and I would really love a V3 as well, it's a terrific looking toy!

[palitoy]

Honestly, I've been trying to ignore them as much as possible on YJA, so I don't watch the ending.

I seem to have real problems drifting into Henshin Cyborg suits these days and well, July has been expensive that's all I'm saying.

Fortunately everything I bought is the size of a brick and light as a feather. So shipping hasn't been insane.