Mark Nagata, owner of Max Toy Company, reminded me via facebook we are all able to cast out votes for the Designer Toy Awards 2012. He himself has been nominated twice this year, Max Toy Company for "Brand of the year", and Kaiju Negora for "Best Sofubi". Although, like he says himself, he usually does not seek out such support, still a well deserved success for Mark, Congratulations!
Let us start with the casting of KaijuMonster's Votes! Feel free to comment below this post!
Brand of the year
Mark Nagata's devotion to Japanese toys is always at MAX. Starting as a collector he ended up creating and publishing
Super7 Magazine. After successfully building the Super7 brand he moved on and began Max Toy Company. Max Toy Comany's Eyezon was one of my very first sofubi toys and a big part of the reason I started collecting in the first place. Still now Mr. Nagata produces original artwork, sculpts new
toys, and works directly with a lot of both new and already made names in the world of sofubi like Daniel Goffin, Frenzy bros, Konatsu, Bob Conge and so many more. Plus I am still a proud Lifetime member of the Max Toy Club! These are only a few of the numerous reasons KaijuMonster's vote for "Brand of the Year" belongs to MAX Toy Company!
Best Sofubi
I am not into cute sofubi. I am more of a Monster kinda of guy. A lot of cute sofubi got nominated this year so there is not much competition for the artist that will receive KaijuMonster's vote. Or was there ever any competition for this guy!? He is dropping gem, after gem, after gem. Every release I think to myself, can it get any better? Yes it and he can! KaijuMonster's vote for "Best Sofubi" belongs to the Mockbat by Paul Kaiju. A big shout out to Splurrt's Cadaver Kid though!
Artist of the year
This was a fairly easy pick for the mighty KaijuMonster.This guy succesfully translated one his paintings into a awesome sofubi toy with the help of Shikaruna and Lulubell toys, the Ultrus Bog! KaijuMonster's vote for "Artist of the year" belongs to Skinner
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Skinner – Blue Velvet Star Crusher Ultrus Bog |
Best Blog
If you love sofubi news coverage from its very core this should be your daily read! KaijuMonster's vote for "Best Blog" goes to KaijuKorner!
Fan Favorite
Since this particular toy was not listed in the "Best Sofubi" section. I am not sure why, but I am glad that it did not. Now I am able to cast votes on another one of my favorite Sofubi heroes! Creator of the giants in my collections and now this awesome mid-sizer. KaijuMonster's vote for "Fan Favorite" goes to the Sludge Demon by Rich aka Lash aka MutantVinylHardcore!
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| MVH Sludge Demon Mash up and Ollie set @ Nederland Monsterjam |
Best online Toy store
This store has it all! Amazing rare Japanese Sofubi! Great collaborations with artist like Skinner and Grody Shogun. Unlimited holdboxes in which you can stack toys up to the roof, great for us international customers. And they Have Amy!! The kindest store owner on this planet! Fun fact about this store, there emailing system has a will of its own. Some even say it is currently in a transitional fase from the digital world to the biological world. KaijuMonster's vote for "Best online Toy store" belongs to Lulubell toy Bodega!
Best toy Store
An amazing gallery and a super kind, toy and art collecting, gallery owner! Although I have yet to visit this amazing place, and I will, I know this will not change my mind. This store and gallery produces its own toys from many of my favorite artist like Paul Kaiju and Carlos Enrique Gonzalez and they host the most amazing shows. KaijuMonster's vote for "Best Toy Store" goes to Gino's ToyArtGallery! Read his latest interview here.
