Nomiwa’s Hogada Kaiju debut…

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All-new soft vinyl house Nomiwa are proud to introduce their debut figure, the Hogada Kaiju! Heavily inspired by traditional Buddhist imagery, the beautifully realised, beetle-like diety has been hand sculpted at around 6.7″ tall, coming complete with articulation in the arms, head and left leg. Produced in a black soft vinyl for this first outing, Hogada has been treated to layers of green, yellow, red, blue and white sprays that pay homage to the vivid colors used in Buddhist art. Currently up for grabs via lottery for $125 painted and just $75 in blank black, interested parties are going to need to send their name, address, telephone number and PayPal address to nomiwa2016@gmail.com before close on September 30th… Good luck to all who enter!

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PLT Toy x RecycleC’s “Crystal” Puppet one-off…

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Up and coming sofubi producer PLT Toy has teamed up with RecycleC for a special one-off “Crystal” version of their upcoming toy, The Puppet! Coming in at around 11″ tall and featuring articulation in the arms, legs and head, the super-creepy doll – hand sculpted by Papalemon and produced by Unbox Industries – has been cast in what appears to be a black soft vinyl, coming with layers of RecycleC’s signature blue, gold and orange metallic sprays. Currently up for grabs via e-mail lottery through Vintage Vinyl Club for $250 plus shipping, anyone interested in bagging the piece is going to need to fire over an e-mail to Vinyl.House@yahoo.com.hk ASAP, being sure to include your name, Instagram/Facebook name, country, shipping address, phone number at PayPal address… Good luck to all who enter!

Softoy Hobby in Japan plus the coming of Sumoggubōru…

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Hey guys! As some of my Instagram followers may be aware, I recently quit my day job to focus 100% on toys. Whilst this of course will mean I’ll be taking on more production commissions, creating more of my own sofubi and painting whatever comes my way, the extra time will also mean I’ll be able to focus more of my energy on making Softoy Hobby the most comprehensive news site across both soft vinyl and keshi- yay! Before this though, I’m going to be taking some time out to visit the home of these very special toys that we all know and love, Japan’s capital Tokyo. Helping Rampage Toys’ Jon Malmstedt wrap things up before his move back to the States next month, as well as prepping for various shows we’ll be attending whilst I’m out there, I’ll also be spending some time on getting the proverbial ball rolling on my latest sofubi, the Sumoggubōru. A follow up to the hugely popular Oozeball, Sumoggubōru (roughly translated as Smog Ball) has been heavily inspired by smog monster kaiju – Bemon’s classic Kougai in particular – featuring a unique 360° rotatable mouth, 6 eyes which convey a wealth of expressions, as well as innumerable hidden details including power stations, waste pipes and even a micro Ooze-It for good measure! Designed by myself and sculpted by my good friend Richard Page of UME Toys, the crazy looking figure is due to be waxed during my stay, with a hopeful debut planned for DCon ’16 in late November…

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So! Whilst Softoy Hobby’s general news updates are likely to take a hit due to lack of both time and internet connection throughout my stay, regular readers can expect show reports from the likes of Superfestival and the closing Rampage Studios exhibition, updates on the painted runs I’ll be offering, plus details on the Sumoggubōru’s initial stages of production. Those that couldn’t care less about all that stuff?! You’ll be glad to know that both Softoy Hobby and the dedicated store will be back in full swing starting Friday, September 30th…

Thanks to all of you for your continued support guys!

Niall/Tru:Tek

Tru:Tek x Rotten Studio’s “Neo-Politan” Snailmen…

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Our very own Tru:Tek has teamed up with Rotten Studio for a special run of “Neo-Politan” Snailmen! Standing at around 5.5″ tall and featuring 2 points of articulation, these hideous creations have been produced in a mix of light blue and purple this time around, coming with layers of flesh and neon pink sprays over a selection of mint blue, lilac, purple and emerald green. Limited to an edition of just 6 pieces, these will be touching down in the Softoy Hobby store today (9/5) at 2pm London time for just $80 each plus shipping…

NOTE// Softoy Hobby will be heading over to Japan later this week (more info soon!), so we will be temporarily closing the Softoy Hobby store as from 2pm London time tomorrow… Get those orders in quick!

Psycho Scimitar’s “Flesh” and “Sludge” Woebegone sofubi…

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The “Woebegone Mamilla” sofubi from Psycho Scimitar is set to make a welcome return this weekend in its third unpainted colorway! Designed and sculpted by PS’s Alex Gavryushenko, the “miserable nipple” stands at 8″ tall and around 6″ wide, featuring articulation in the neck as well as 2 different eyeballs and a tongue that can be stuck into the eye-sockets. Produced in mixed part “Flesh” and “Sludge” (black) colored soft vinyl, both have been priced at $66 each or just $120 (shipped in the US) for the pair. But that’s not all! Joining the standard release, Alex will also have a limited number of alternate versions that feature the third eye attachment implanted into the top of the head! Going on sale in-store alongside the standard release at 5pm Eastern today (9/2), pricing for these is still to be confirmed…

Miscreation’s “GID” Gergle and “Purple” AZSB…

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Miscreation Toys‘ Jeremi Rimel is proud to announce that his sofubi Autopsy Babies will be returning for a special blank release this week! Featuring both designs this time around, we have Gergle in a classic green GID and the Zombie Staple Baby in a deep purple. Likely to set you back around $125 each plus shipping, the pair will be touching down in limited numbers on the Miscreation store today (9/2) at 3pm Eastern time…

PLT Toy x Lord Master Prince’s “Freon” and “Lava” Coolie High and Koukien…

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PLT Toy have teamed up with Lord Master Prince for the first painted run of their latest figures Coolie High and Koukien! Standing at an impressive 9.6″ and 4.5″ tall a piece, the battle damaged boxer and his trusty bulldog – hand sculpted by Papalemon and produced by Unbox – have been cast in a GID blue soft vinyl with 2 different colorways up for grabs; “Freon”, coming with metallic sprays over a blue rub and “Lava”, replete with gold, red and green sprays over a similar blue rub. Limited to just 4 pieces of each, these guys are currently up for grabs via e-mail lottery for $350 each plus shipping. Looking at bagging a set? Then be sure to fire over your name, address, post code, phone number and PayPal address to plttoys@foxmail.com before close on September 5th… Good luck!

Hariken’s “Mikan Orange” ARE sofubi…

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Japanese artist Hariken over at Mad Panda Factory is proud to reveal that his アレの見守りソフビ人形 (more simply known as “ARE”) figure has made a return in an all-new “Mikan Orange” colorway! Standing at around 2.5″ tall and featuring articulation in the neck, the little fellow – designed by Hariken and sculpted by TTToy – has been produced in a bright orange soft vinyl this time around, coming complete green, orange and black detailing to resemble a Mikan mandarin. Packed in authentic food-style trays and mandarin packing boxes, the little guys will be touching down in the Mad Panda Factory store right here at 9pm Japan time today (9/2) for just 2,160yen each plus shipping…

Blackdots’ Madballs sofubi coin banks teased…

Originally announced last week, we can now reveal the first teasers for Blackdots‘ officially licensed Madballs sofubi coin banks! Whilst we can’t confirm any details at present, it appears that there will be 2 very different designs from the franchise up for grabs; a version of Skull Face, coming complete with a small “hand” stand, and our favourite Slobulus, featuring a rather more appealing full-body sculpt inspired by the original Madball Head Poppers. Whilst release details still remain close guarded, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the unveiling of these latest teasers means they won’t be too far off. Keep a close eye on the Blackdots Instagram feed here for more info soon…

Planet X’s Gosaura sofubi revealed…

With Twinclops already under their belt and new figure Mecha Goliathon now in production, the guys behind up and coming sofubi brand Planet X have decided it’s time to reveal yet another new sculpt they’ll have up for grabs soon… the humungous Gosaura! Heavily inspired by Marusan’s classic Gosura kaiju, the towering 2-headed beast has been digitally sculpted by Planet X, coming in at around 12″ tall (TBC) and featuring 6 points of articulation. Due for production over the next couple of months, be sure to keep a close eye on Planet X’s Instgram feed here for a full reveal of Gosaura soon…

The SVM2 exclusive NagNagNag lottery…

With doors opening this weekend, the guys behind the highly anticipated Soft Vinyl Mayhem 2 show have just unveiled a rather special release they’ll have up for grabs at preview night… a run of “Camo” 4-Eyed Boryoku Genjin from NagNagNag‘s Shigeru Arai! Whilst details with regards to pricing are still remaining close guarded at present, we can confirm that a total of 3 figures will be offered up via lottery at the Brisbane-based event. Live local and fancy your chances at scoring one of these beauties? Then be sure to head down to the event’s location Laced before the draw at 6pm this Friday, September 2nd… Look out for a recap from the show next week!

New Drizzleshits, Paulo, Gravyload and Eyeboras at Gravy Toys…

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Gravy Toys‘ Bwana Spoons has just unveiled a whole heap of blank vinyl that’ll be touching down online later this week! Featuring the all-new Gravyload minis – Little Honey, Bigdog and Peter – in a neon pink, these little guys are to be joined by the return of SoB’s Drizzleshits and Paulo in slime green, as well as a mixed-part GID Eyebora. Going on sale right here at 10am Pacific time this Wednesday, August 31st, pricing for the motley crew is still to be confirmed…

Candie Bolton’s “Ectoplasm” Bake-Kujira…

“The reanimated corpse of a vengeful whale spirit, this haunting phantom is said to bring a curse of famine, plague and natural disasters to the village that caused its demise. They can be found on rainy nights near the coast with a host of strange birds and fish swarming around them…”

Candie Bolton is proud to announce the release of a special “Ectoplasm” artist run of Bake-Kujira sofubi this week! Standing at a lofty 10.5″ tall and featuring numerous points of articulation, the beautifully detailed whale phantom has been cast by TAG in a mesmerising marbled GID/black soft vinyl this time around. Limited to just a handful of figures, these will be touching down in Candie’s store at 6pm Pacific time on Friday, September 2nd for $200 each plus shipping. Here’s hoping we see a painted run from the artist soon!

Yamakichiya’s STGCC exclusive Yabanjin set…

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Japanese retailer Yamakichiya will be bringing along a whole host of exclusives to Singapore’s STGCC next month, the first to be revealed coming in the form of this Yabanjin set from Siccaluna! Featuring a total of 4 different variations on the hugely popular 2-headed beast, we have a grey version with dark blue sprays, a black with gold sprays and blanks in orange and clear blue; each coming complete with chain and club accessory. Going on sale at the event starting September 10th, pricing for the limited run of 5 sets is still to be confirmed… Look out for more Yamakichiya STGCC exclusives later this week!

Lord Master Prince’s “Guardian of the Fantasy Land” Twinclops for Project-X…

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Planet X and Vintage Vinyl Club have teamed up with international artists for a number of Twinclops micro-runs that’ll be releasing under the Project-X banner over the next couple of months, the first coming in the form of this gorgeous “Guardian of the Fantasy Land” edition from Lord Master Prince! Standing at just over 10″ tall, featuring 6 points of articulation and coming complete with removable spiked club, the Harryhausen-esque beasts have been cast in a pink soft vinyl and treated to layers of subtle purple shading, zebra-style stripes and meticulous hand painted detailing. Limited to a run of just 5 pieces priced at $250 each plus shipping, these will be going on sale via e-mail lottery for 24 hours starting Thursday, September 1st HK time. Looking at picking one up? Then be sure to get your name, Instagram/Facebook name, country, shipping address, phone number and PayPal address sent over to Vinyl.House@yahoo.com.hk within the specified time… Good luck!

飢渴 Thirsty’s Pugzilla revealed…

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Up and coming soft vinyl house 飢渴 Thirsty are proud to announce the arrival of their debut figure, the awesome Pugzilla! A satirical play on the recent boom in popularity of domestic animal breeding – particularly the short muzzled Pug – this genetically mutated monstrosity has been designed and sculpted by Thirsty’s Evan Shen, coming in at around 3.5″ tall and featuring articulation in the neck. Produced in a black soft vinyl and treated to gold sprays for this first release, Pugzilla comes complete with matching chain and bracelet for just $30 plus shipping. Currently available to purchase via Taipei’s Wrong Gallery, interested parties can hit them up through their Facebook page right here…

RecycleC x PLT Toy’s “War of the Galaxy – Galaxy Beggar” Ultra Bastard…

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PLT Toy has teamed up with with none other than RecycleC for their latest Ultra Bastard painted run, proudly presenting the “War of the Galaxy” Galaxy Beggars! Standing tall at a lofty 12.7″, the gruesome anti-hero – sculpted by Papalemon and produced by Unbox Industries – has been treated to layers of metallic blue, gold, silver, pink and flesh sprays, coming complete with matching ray gun accessory and cloak fashioned by Georges Werk. Limited to just a handful of figures priced at $295 (HK$2080) plus shipping, the Galaxy Beggars are currently up for grab through Vintage Vinyl Club by means of an e-mail lottery. Fancy picking one up? The be sure to fire over an e-mail to Vinyl.House@yahoo.com.hk between Monday, August 29th – Tuesday, August 30th (HK time) with your name, Instagram/Facebook name, country, shipping address, phone number and PayPal account… Good luck!

Hateball’s Duck Wolf sofubi…

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“It’s a strange phenomenon: I’m not *proud* of being held in thrall by a property owned by such a large and oppressive global brand. Which, I guess, is why I’ve chosen to make my own version of that property. An autobiographical interpretation of something that’s benignly irradiated my life. And now I benignly irradiate yours, if you’ll have me…”

Hateball is proud to present the next evolutionary step for his debut sofubi Zine Wolf… the awesome Duck Wolf! Featuring the same Teen Wolf-inspired body as the original release, this new version comes complete with a removable oversized mask that’s been bootlegged and refined from a vintage Donald Duck toy. Making its debut in a sleek unpainted black soft vinyl, Duck Wolf comes packed with a 20 page ‘zine plus 2 knockoff-style Disney patches for just $55 plus shipping. Go check him out in the Hateball store right here…

Tru:Tek x Frank Mysterio’s blind bag Frankballs…

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As if the previously posted “Nakajima” Canadian Hairless weren’t enough, we have yet another release coming from our editor-in-chief Tru:Tek this week… the TTPaint blind-bag Frankball run! Taking on both of Frank Mysterio‘s recently released Madball knock-offs (Ugly Head and Battle Toad), the 2.75″ wide figures have been cast in Mexico using a squishy white soft vinyl, each coming with layers of rubs, sprays and hand painted detailing courtesy of Tru:Tek. Limited to just 13 pieces spread across 5 different paint apps, these guys will be sold blind bag, each coming packed with a Madballs-style Gory Hole pin from Keith Caves for just $7 each plus shipping. Look out for them in the Softoy Hobby/Gory Hole store alongside an all-new “Freddy Oozer” pin from Live Rad this Friday, August 26th at 7pm London time…

Tru:Tek x Red Hot Style’s “Nakajima” Godzilla Canadian Hairless micro-run…

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Our very own Tru:Tek has teamed up with Red Hot Style for yet another TTPaint release, proudly presenting the “Nakajima” Godzilla Canadian Hairless micro-run! Standing at a humungous 10″ tall and featuring 4 points of articulation, the adorable cosplaying Sphynx has been cast in a bright pink soft vinyl this time around, coming with layer upon layer of life-like sprays and hand painted detailing that pays homage to the figure’s central influence, the image of legendary Toho actor Haruo Nakajima dressed in the bottom half of his Godzilla costume. Limited to just 5 pieces priced at $280 each plus shipping, the “Nakajima” Godzilla Canadian Hairless are currently up for grabs via e-mail lottery until Midnight London time this Saturday, August 27th. Fancy your chances? Then be sure to fire over an e-mail to us at softoyhobby@gmail.com being sure to include your name, address, telephone number and PayPal address… Good luck to all who enter!