With so many rare and collectible sofubi out there, sofubi buying and collecting can be daunting. It can even be very confusing for those unfamiliar with popular Japanese characters and culture, especially since sofubi information is scarce outside Japan. Thankfully, we have compiled a list of essential sofubi to add to your collection.
When it comes to sofubi, there are several characters that collectors consider must-haves. These include classic pop culture icons, such as Godzilla, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider. However, there are also unique characters and toy lines you can only find in sofubi specialty stores, such as Bemon.
Also Read: How To Buy Rare Sofubi And More From Mandarake
In this article, we will walk you through popular sofubi among collectors. You will learn the rich history behind these items and how much collectors are willing to pay for them. And if you’re interested in snagging rare sofubi, you can buy them through ZenMarket. Check out how to buy from Japan here.
Godzilla Sofubi
The King of the Monsters and the father of the Kaiju genre is a must-have for sofubi collectors. Godzilla is a legendary Japanese cinema icon that arguably inspired the production of most of the sofubi toys in the 1960s and 1970s. His massive popularity gave rise to other popular genres, including Tokusatsu superheroes and mecha anime.
The first Godzilla sofubi was released in 1966 by Marusan (Marusan Shōten / マルサン). There were several designs and colorways produced from 1966 to 1969. Surprisingly, no Japanese toy companies were making Kaiju toys despite Godzilla dominating the Japanese box office for over a decade.
The only Godzilla-inspired toy that existed then was made by the American company Aurora for the American release of Godzilla vs. King Kong. The Marusan Godzilla sofubi was based on the Aurora Plastic Model Kit.
It wasn't the best, as Marusan's Godzilla sofubi was a first-generation product. Compared to future iterations of the Godzilla sofubi, Marusan's toys were inaccurate. Nevertheless, Marusan Godzilla sofubi still fetch high prices in second-hand sofubi specialty stores, given its historical value.
Also Read: The History Of Godzilla: Japan's Most Famous Kaiju
After Marusan filed for bankruptcy in 1969, Bullmark (ブルマァク) took over the production of Godzilla toys. Bullmark Godzilla sofubi are highly sought after by vintage toy and sofubi collectors.
They are a significant step up from their predecessors. Also, their unique paint and manufacturing process has become iconic, even influencing today's sofubi. Bullmark went out of business in 1977 but would later be resurrected in 2009.
After the Bullmark era, Japanese toy company Popy made Godzilla sofubi in the late 1970s. Unfortunately, these toys weren't up to par with Bullmark or Marusan's offerings. Today, they are the most affordable and easiest to acquire vintage Godzilla sofubi.
In 1983, after Toho announced plans to bring Godzilla back to the big screen, Bandai and Yamakatsu started releasing Godzilla sofubi. Yamakatsu's offerings were well received and significantly improved over Popy's Godzilla sofubi.
Today, they are easy to find and acquire at great prices. Bandai also released their series of Godzilla sofubi. From then on, Bandai would become the official manufacturer of Godzilla-branded toys.
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In addition to vintage Godzilla sofubi, many companies collaborate with Bandai and Toho to produce Godzilla sofubi. Most are inspired by the vintage Bullmark Godzilla sofubi. Modern Godzilla sofubi companies include Medicom Toy, Bandai, Secretbase Japan, and T-Base.
Overall, Godzilla is the perfect entry point to the world of sofubi. The vintage figures have a lot of historical value, and there is an abundance of modern artisan sofubi artists with unique takes on Godzilla.
Ultraman Sofubi
Ultraman is one of the most iconic Tokusatsu superheroes of the 1960s. Its popularity inspired and helped spawn future Tokusatsu superheroes, such as Kamen Rider and Super Sentai.
Ultraman debuted in 1966 and has produced many Ultraman series and spinoffs throughout the decades. Popular Ultramen include Ultraseven, Ultraman Jack, Ultraman Taro, Ultraman Ace, and many more. As a result, an abundance of Ultraman sofubi are available for collectors.
The history of Ultraman sofubi is very similar to Godzilla. In the 1960s, Marusan made sofubi for Ultraman and its predecessor, Ultra-Q. And just like with the Godzilla sofubi, these were charming but very inaccurate.
Also Read: Top 10 Best Things To Collect From Japan
Bullmark and Popy then handled manufacturing before Bandai took over. There are also several brands that re-released classic Ultraman sofubi, such as the Japanese fashion brand BEAMS.
Today, Bandai produces a number of Ultraman toys, including the iconic Ultra Big sofubi. Medicom Toy also manufactures retro-inspired Ultraman sofubi and Shin Ultraman-branded sofubi.
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Kamen Rider Sofubi
Kamen Rider is one of the most popular Tokusatsu superheroes from the 1970s. The Kamen Rider series is also one of the most enduring. Since the original Kamen Rider’s inception in 1971, there have been many incarnations of the iconic Japanese superhero.
Popy, Bandai’s subsidiary, was the first company to produce Kamen Rider sofubi. The Popy Kamen Rider World Heroes series was originally made as a Japanese import version of Kenner’s 3¼ Star Wars figures. However, they were a success, prompting Popy to maintain the production of these figures.
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Later, Bandai took over the production of Kamen Rider sofubi. Today, there are many brands that produce sofubi based on many of the classic Kamen Rider shows.
Medicom Toy is currently the most popular manufacturer of retro-inspired Kamen rider sofubi. Some examples of their work include the TOEI Retro Kamen Rider sofubi based on Kamen Rider 1 and Shin Kamen Rider sofubi.
Voltes V
Mecha is an absolute must-have for your sofubi collection. Mecha figures have been mainstays in every toy collection. And while mecha sofubi don’t have the same detail and refinement as model kits and other forms of mecha toys, they still have their unique charm.
Voltes V is one of the most popular mecha for sofubi toy collectors. Voltes V is the second installment of TOEI’s robot romance trilogy, which includes Combattler V and Tōshō Daimos. The anime was released in 1977 and ran until 1978.
The most popular vintage toy manufacturer who made Voltes V sofubi was Popy. Many of their Voltes V sofubi fetches high prices today. For instance, the Popy Voltes V Volt In set sold for a whopping 350,000 yen at Mandarake.
There are also modern interpretations of Voltes V by companies such as Medicom Toy. These include the Voltes V DX Vinart and the Medicom Toy 11-inch Voltes V sofubi.
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Bemon Sofubi
For those looking to dive deeper into the world of designer sofubi, Bemon sofubi is a must-have. Unlike the other sofubi we have discussed so far, which are all based on popular movie franchises and anime, Bemon sofubi is an original work.
Bemon was the nickname given to the pollution monsters and two-headed giant sofubi created by an unknown artist. There is no official documentation or information regarding the number of Bemon figures released. The rarity of these figures makes them instant must-haves and holy grail items for die-hard sofubi collectors.
Given how limited Bemon sofubi are, they fetch extremely high prices. They normally go for 90,000 to 350,000 yen. On top of that, they are not easy to find.
Cosmo Knight Alpha in Tokyo is one of the only reliable places to get Bemon. They earned the nickname “Bemon Store” due to their large collection of Bemon sofubi.
Cosmo Knight Alpha does not have an online store, meaning sofubi collectors must go there in person to see their collection. Bemon sofubi has also become more available in several sofubi specialty stores, such as Mandarake.
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BLACK PEARLS
BLACK PEARLS is another popular designer sofubi. These sofubi are uniquely designed by Josh Wang. Their designs are inspired by Western folklore, such as “the devil”.
In addition, their signature devil sofubi often wears costumes and apparel based on other popular characters, such as Goku (Happy Koku). BLACK PEARLS also frequently collaborates with popular brands and franchises for truly unique sofubi.
Like most designer sofubi, BLACK PEARLS are not mass-produced. They also often release one-offs, making them extremely rare. Due to the unique way BLACK PEARLS sofubi is designed and distributed, they are highly sought after by toy collectors.
Overall, BLACK PEARLS is perfect for those who wish to dip into designer sofubi. While they can get pricey in the aftermarket, they are relatively easier to acquire than Bemon and other rare sofubi. BLACK PEARLS frequently exhibit their offerings, giving collectors many chances to snag limited edition pieces.
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Secretbase JAPAN
Secretbase is another sofubi manufacturer worth adding to your collection. They release original sofubi and collaboration projects. Their popular collaborations include Godzilla, Mazinger Z, Spongebob, Astroboy, McDonald’s, Ghostbusters, Gremlins, and many more.
Secretbase sofubi look strikingly similar to the source material while still adding their unique flair. They also offer different colorways and X-ray designs to add variation to their already excellent sofubi line.
Most Secretbase sofubi are one-offs or made in limited numbers. As a result, they tend to catch a high price in the second-hand market. New products released in their store also have a considerably higher price than most mainstream sofubi.
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