[Our man in Japan, Luke Rook, has his finger on the pulse of designer toys in Japan. Here’s his latest transmission (delayed by the flu of yours truly) – news of two new toy stores in the heart of trendy Shinjuku in Tokyo].
Last night [ed: 2.18] was kind of odd. Nothing weird on the surface, but once you looked a little closer, you got it. Right in the middle of Shinjuku’s lights, Louie Vuitton, and a million other shiny, expensive things to catch your eyes, is the new Shinjuku-Marui One. I mean – finally I can get my Gothic/Lolita head piece and my Hello Kitty all in one place. One stop shopping.
It does actually have two really amazing things going for them. One is Kaiju Blue, a small but impressive olive branch from mall shopping to the otaku world of Kaiju. Toy psychopath Blobpus, opened the show with several sharp stabs to the brain. About ten one-offs that still have me wondering how the hell he painted them, four store exclusives, plus a sweet new shirt. All four exclusives are available only at Kaiju Blue.
The second and equally impressive thing going for Marui One is the newest location for the beloved Blythe. LeLe Junie Moon has whatever anyone would need to get their soulful-eyed fix. The opening show’s theme is “Electric Beauty”, which leaves you feeling just that.
All and all, the building is a big “Meh”, but Kaiju and Blythe in one place: winner – winner.
[Click through for an amazing collection of pictures. The Blobpus figures are wild.]
