Mike Giant x Toypunks x Reckless Toys Teaser Video..!!

Some of the pictures and video we took at Mike Giant's studio are incorporated into this Toypunks teaser..!

TOYPUNKS Mascot by Mike Giant to be Released This Saturday @ Noon...!

via: Reckless Toys

This Saturday at noon EST, the Toypunk vinyl figure, which was designed by Mike Giant, will release here at Reckless Toys. Made in Japan, this is the first and only vinyl toy that's based on a Giant illustration. With the artist's custom lettering printed on the baseball bat and the back, the figure stands at over 8 inches tall, features a removable baseball bat, and is poseable at the wrists, feet and head. Produced at the venerable Obitsu toy factory, the figure will sell for $99, plus $5 U.S. domestic shipping. (The above video is from the forthcoming Toypunks Vol. 2 DVD, with additional footage and photography provided by Reckless' Lance Martin and Toybot Studios' Kirkland Jue.)













Joe and I hung out with Mike Giant and had a great time discussing the proper way to roll your joints, skating, biking, traveling, Buddhism, cool artists, and even a bit about toys. Mike is a super chill dude with amazing talent. We were honored to get a glimpse into his life. And some of the video we shot that day will make it into Toypunks Vol. 2...!

More pics after the jump

Reckless Toys x Mike Giant = TOYPUNKS Mascot Test Pull..!!

Unpainted Bone White Test Pull for the upcoming Toy Punks Mike Giant designed mascot. I'm stupid and didn't get the Ogon Bat reference until recently. lol...

I don't give a shit about the generic middle finger or the Converse Hi-tops. I like the stylized look regardless if it's made in Japan or China.

Toypunks Vol. 2 Trailer: Goto-san master painter of all Japanese toys

Sitting on a tatami mat in a small shack behind his home in suburban Tokyo, Goto-San has been painting Japanese Vinyl toys for over 60 years. In this time, his hands have painted over a million toys.

Toypunks Vol. 2 (#TPV2) will feature Mike Giant, Usugrow, Pushead, Takeshi (TAKESHIT) from Cocobat, Hiddy from Secret Base, Endo from Devillock, Mike Sutfin, Obitsu, Dream Rockets, Death Climax, and more.

Reckless Toys x Mike Giant = TOYPUNKS Mascot

from Reckless Toys

When the Reckless team last went to Tokyo, we took with us the raw sculpture of the Toypunks mascot figure (shown in gray). We visited with our good friend Hiddy, owner of Secret Base toys in Harajuku, to share the progress and to set up production in Japan. Now, just a few months later, after a few tweaks that were suggested by Hiddy and the factory, this porcelain-white, unpainted vinyl sample has arrived in the United States (shown at top left!). We are extremely happy with the quality of the sample, which is being produced at Obitsu factory. Obitsu is hands-down the best vinyl maker on the planet, with over a half-century of experience in the industry and an unmatched legacy of pristine handcraft. A very special thank-you goes out to Hiddy!

Not only are the materials and craftsmanship gorgeous on the figure, it is the first toy to be based on a Mike Giant illustration and the flagship release of Reckless Toys. It will be available this fall at New York Comic Con, at select retailers and at RecklessToys.com. Keep your eyes out for the reveal of colorways and collaborations with our closest friends from across the globe.

*Tokyo photos by Liza Kovalsky

RECKLESS TOYS T-Shirts..!!

RECKLESS TOYS INTRODUCES A LINE OF T-SHIRTS SURE TO PLEASE AND SHOCK YOUR FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS. AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, ORDER DEADLINE MARCH 15TH 2010, PLEASE ALLOW 2 TO 3 WEEKS FOR PROCESSING.

$20 each + Shipping. CLICK HERE TO BUY YOURS

Toypunks Vol.1 On Sale NOW!!!

The wait is over! Toy Punks is here!!! Order it now to see what this crazy Japanese vinyl is all about..!

After one wild ride, the Toypunks Vol 1 DVD is now available for pre-order! 17.99 plus 4.00 domestic shipping. The DVD will ship DECEMBER 1st!


Toypunks Volume 1 is an odyssee into the world of Japanese toys, fashion and punk rock. Exploring the birth of the designer vinyl explosion from its roots in character culture and punk music, Toypunks Volume 1 takes you in-depth with Japanese fashion icon, Hikaru Iwanaga, creator of the world's first designer toy. Hiddy Kinoshita of Secret Base, Frank Kozik, Balzac, Three Tides Tattoo and more are interviewed highlighting profound cross-cultural connections between today's top creative talents in toys and fashion.


Extras include:

-Uncut Bounty Hunter Interview Ecerpts!

-Hiddy Kinoshita on Sneaker Collecting!

-Frank Kozik on the Death of the Undergound!

-Live Sculpting Session with Kiyoka Ikeda of Gargamel!

-And more!


Toypunks on DVD: Retail 17.99

Shipping: 4.00

Please send payment and shipping information via paypal to sales@toypunks.com
Advance press copies are AVAILABLE NOW. Please request at justin@toypunks.com



WHAT IS TOYPUNKS?

Toypunks is a documentary film series covering the converging worlds of Japanese toys, fashion and punk rock. Via location shooting around the globe, toypunks spotlights several top Japanese fashion designers, toy makers and artists illuminating the fact that most of these influential creators find deep roots in DIY, punk and outsider attitudes. Several top US artists and toy makers are included in the discussion, revealing profound parallels between their lives and those of their Japanese contemporaries.

toypunks is collaboration between Justin Kovalsky and Chris Nelson. The two met in Houston, Texas, where Kovalsky was working as assistant editor of Newytpe USA, and Nelson was creating and launching the Anime Network, a 24 hour digital cable network with a footprint of over 20 million households. Kovalsky and Nelson developed a bond around electric guitars and Japanese culture.

Kovalsky grew up in Baltimore, MD, a skateboarding guitarist with an inordinate interest in Japan. He went on to work as a freelance writer for Viz Communications in SF and then, following a stint as assistant editor of Newtype USA, he worked as editor of Super7 magazine. Most recently Justin has been a contributing editor and writer for Juxtapoz magazine, covering the burgeoning designer toy scene with an eye towards upcoming Japanese brands. He has a modest toy collection, featuring a balance of classic characters and current vinyl from the Japanese underground.

Nelson was born and raised in New Orleans, fronting a post-punk band throughout high school. In addition to the interstitial and branding work for Anime Network, Nelson brings 14 years of professional experience as an editor, director, creative director and videographer. Key credits include editor on VH1's Video Timeline series, commercials for Burger King, Continental Airlines and Havoline. He has been a segment editor for ESPN2, Fox and ABC Sports as well as a frequent collaborator with Houston's ttweak, most recently as editor and post production supervisor for Tapping Maple Ridge, a HD documentary about the intersection of wind energy and maple syrup production.

The toypunks crew is thrilled to be joined in Tokyo by collaborator and translator Carl Wormley, who after graduating from Morehouse in Atlanta, GA spent six years living in Nagoya, Japan, which changed his life. Wormley has worked as a designer, subtitle script writer and producer and was recruited by Nelson to be a part of the start up team for Anime Network. Wormley's artwork incorporates paper cutting and folding, textiles, sewing, and lighting into organic three dimensional sculptural works which reference the role of Japanese culture and aesthetics in his life.

Toypunks Vol. I Trailer: Fuck Art, Let's Punk!!!!

Fuck yeah! I've watched this trailer like three times already. Created by Christopher Nelsen, Carl Wormley and Justin Kovalsky, this DVD has it all! It features toys we collect, people we collect with and other toy designers influenced by Japanese Toys and Punk Rock.



from Toypunks

Toypunks Volume 1 will take you in-depth with Hikaru Iwanaga of Bounty Hunter, who mixed punk and toys over a decade ago to create the top fashion and toy brand in Japan. In turn, he unwittingly gave birth to the designer vinyl movement. Frank Kozik, Hiddy Kinoshita of Secret Base, Balzac, Isaac Ramos of RFSO, Carl Kent-Smith and many more make guest appearances while offering insight on the culture.

Toypunks Volume 1 goes on sale on November 15th 2007 at toypunks.com and select retailers worldwide. Each subsequent volume of toypunks will focus on a different creator while exploring the cultural connections between toys, punk and street fashion on a global scale. Expect loads of extra features, interviews and outtakes on each release. Please contact justin@toypunks.com for ordering information and inquiries.

Finally, a shout out! Last week we premiered the toypunks trailer at Isaac Ramos' party during San Diego Comic Con and it was a blast. Isaac knows how to throw a party! Thanks to Carl Kent Smith, Chris Kohler, Paul Kaiju, Pete, Mike Le Merde, Jeremy of Mutant Massacre, Glenn and Lisa Pogue, Gargamel (skate to live), Paul, Skylar, Missy and the whole RFSO crew for being cool and to Isaac for being the glue! Check out Isaac's new site at http://www.realfanshitonly.com/.

Toypunks Documentary DVD

One of the things i'm most looking forward to this fall isn't even a toy. But it is a documentary DVD about Japanese toys and the crazy characters that design and make them. Toypunks is the brainchild of former Super7 editor and super duper nice guy Justin Kovalsky. I had the pleasure of working a bit with Justin and I can honestly say that I don't know a nicer guy on this planet. I'm stoked about this project and will be one of the first to purchase this interesting documentary on the Japanese toy designers whose creations capture so much of our attention (& $$$$). From their website:

WHAT IS TOYPUNKS?

toypunks is a documentary film that's underway and scheduled for release in fall 2007. In this movie we'll be offering a rare first-hand glimpse of the converging worlds of Japanese street, punk and toy culture through in-depth interviews and on-location shooting in Japan and the US. We'll be sitting down with several of the top fashion designers, toy makers and artists in Japan and illuminating the fact that most of these influential creators find deep roots in DIY, punk and outsider attitudes. Later, we'll be talking with top US artists and toy makers on the American West and East Coasts, seeking parallels between their lives and those of their Japanese contemporaries. So get ready. toypunks are go!

The man behind the toy and fashion megabrand, Bounty Hunter, Hikaru Iwanaga.



Hiddy Kinoshita is the owner of one of my favorite toy lines, Secret Base





Maestros of Japanese Horror-Punk Balzac have been collaborating with Secret Base for years to produce some of the sickest toys out there.





Do yourself a favor and check the ongoing progress of the documentary by visiting the Toypunks blog.