Mandarake (Part 3)

By: Brian Mah

(Note: All photos were taken with permission of MANDARAKE INC. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.)


(Vintage mech figures at the Akiba Store.)


The more popular items are in the front of each shop, while the not so popular shows are stored in the back. When asked what is the number one selling item among foreign fans. Mr. Naotsugu states, "Whatever was shown in their home country." He goes on to say that the French are fans of the anime series Saint Seiya. For many North American fans, the Transformers are still very popular.

Japanese fans have many different tastes like their counterparts in other countries. One series that stands out for many fans is the series Kinnikuman. Kinnikuman was a show that involves wrestlers with weird special abilities. The series was very popular among fans. The items that made Kinnikuman so popular were the Gachopon Keshigomu. These were essentially 100 Yen toys that came out of vending machines. Gachapon is the sound a capsule makes after it hits the metal tray. The most valuable Kinnikuman at the Nakano store is the figure Satan Kurosu. The value of that item is 105,000 Yen (US$ 1,000). Last year Kinnikuman celebrated it's 29th anniversary. The number 29 can be read in Japanese as "Ni-Ku." That year there was a DVD box set of the entire series of toys, which retailed for 100,000 Yen (US$ 1,000). The same used box set was valued at 10,000 Yen (US$ 100).