Summer is approaching and that means toy cons ;-) While SDCC is the undisputed heavyweight of the world, we always look forward to going to Taiwan for Taipei Toy Festival organized by Monster Taipei. TFF is currently the premiere Asian designer vinyl show with a great mix of artists and companies from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. It’s also the place to meet the numerous Asian toy creators who rarely make it to the USA.
This year TTF goes down July 9th through the 12th with its ‘Secret Forest’ theme in a much larger new venue at the Huashan Creative park. This is welcome news as the show has clearly outgrown its older spot.
The flood of TTF exclusives has just begun – so far we know that Monster Taipei will offer two exclusive 100% Be@rbricks from Medicom – a new tokidoki design and a Jimmy S.P.A. one by Taiwanese artist Jimmy Liao. Assuming our translation of the chinese flier is correct – the Tokidoki Be@rbrick will be available for a special price of NT$499 (~ $15) for people purchasing at least two TTF tickets between May 15th and July 5th. The regular price is NT$600 (~ $18).
Now for the more speculative (read: ‘fun’) part of this post. Every year TTF asks several companies and artists to design the tickets for the show. This year there are six and a few offer interesting possible hints at upcoming toys. The Secret Base designed ticket seems to suggest a new ConvexBase line of figures done in conjunction with Convex. Though of course this just might be a fun design project done just for this TTF ticket. Also, the Touma ticket shows versions of Mao Cat and Kazu mouse wearing Knuckle Bear and DankeSchoen Heads – again might be nothing more than a fun graphic. We’ll try to track both of these down.
Hit the jump for plenty of pics – additional TTF posters, and shots of all the TTF ticket images, plus a handy map if you’re going to make the trek this summer.
