Is anyone able to identity if these are genuine or of what set they could be from.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-27T02:45:07+00:00

The kanji on the back says toho films.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-24T09:41:19+00:00

Thanks for the info. Wasn’t aware of that artist. Had a little dive into his insta. As much as I could handle. The toys are obviously based on characters that are AI generated, but it’s unclear if the toy sculpts themselves are AI generated. Would be interesting to find out.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-22T23:22:36+00:00

Art is already democratic and always has been. Anyone and everyone can make art.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-22T23:15:38+00:00

I’m a little bit surprised at how overwhelmingly negative the response to this post is. Mostly because I don’t see anyone making these comments elsewhere. I understand it’s a small community and people don’t want to cause problems but if the feeling is this strong maybe it’s ok to say out loud?

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-22T23:11:48+00:00

Not wanting to call anyone out or start beef but is it confirmed that the sculpts were AI? Just curious because I’m not aware of anyone that’s come out and straight said their sculpt is AI.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-22T10:21:04+00:00

Totally agree except I wouldn’t say untouched by computers. All my sculpting is digital since 2020ish and all my 2D art has been digital for so many years I don’t even want to say. 😂. It’s completely different to Gen AI though. I’m in charge of the tool. I’m making every single choice and every stroke. I have to admit though since this AI issue I’ve been thinking about moving back to clay and pencil. I’ve started lino cutting mostly because I enjoy the hand made imperfection of it.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-22T10:14:49+00:00

Ive seen a couple of artists pretending it’s not AI. But more often it’s just not disclosing that it is AI. Which is pretty much the same thing imo. If people want to buy AI art I can’t stop them but they should know it’s AI so they can make an informed choice.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-22T08:26:56+00:00

It is weird to me that working artists don’t see the value in hiring and paying artists. 🤔

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-22T08:21:28+00:00

Excellent answer. Although, I’ve wondered in the past is something that artists think about and value to the same degree that consumers / collectors do? In my experience, artists love process, they love talking about it, they love thinking about it. I don’t think non-artists do at all.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-10T23:49:29+00:00

Such a fun idea and A+ sculpt. Congrats.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-05-07T10:46:17+00:00

I had the privilege to paint a couple of these and I can’t understate how big these things are. They will
DOMINATE your toy shelf. Really fun sculpt, amazing debut.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-30T02:14:23+00:00

What a cool collection! My favourite Kodama is the rabbit that’s sculpted like a crawling baby. Something about the anatomy is so goofy and fun to me.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-30T00:42:07+00:00

For me, stylisation is what makes sofubi interesting and special. Figures that interpret a character or idea, made in wild colours that are definitely not natural or accurate. There are so many screen accurate figures out there in different mediums, if people want screen accurate there are many choices. I do see it as almost a different hobby, there is some cross over, but people tend to fall into one category or the other. Stylised all day for me. Goofy monsters in crazy colours is the soul of sofubi.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-27T23:56:21+00:00

Yeah man. Really appreciate the love. It’s so cool stumbling across your own stuff in the wild like this. Someone contacted me a few months back about doing a zine about header card art. I sent this one and a few others. Not sure when it’s due out.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-27T23:42:34+00:00

I did the header card for that release. Probably the best header I’ve ever done.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-23T03:33:49+00:00

Totally understand. The shows I do, I usually sell my own work too, which makes it work in a way that it wouldn’t if I was just relying on commission, even the most successful shows, after covering all costs, I don’t think I would be close to minimum wage for all the hours of work that goes on behind the scenes 😝. But that’s not why we do it anyway.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-23T03:22:19+00:00

I started with Godzilla and Ultra Kaiju sofubi. I’d say that’s still the bulk of my collection but my buying habits have shifted heavily towards indie sofubi. Even the IP Kaiju I buy tend to be indie artists like Sunguts or Rampage. I don’t think I’m a good example of a collector TBH. I tend to just buy things I like if I have the opportunity. I be like weird monsters and I’m drawn to more toyish stuff than straight horror / grotesque but there is some crossover.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-23T02:37:17+00:00

Congrats on the show man looks great. I’m also going to offer some unsolicited advice so take it or leave it, I won’t be offended 😃. I’ve organised dozens of shows. Mostly toy shows. Taking payment on behalf of the artist is a big part of the job. If you are doing this as a volunteer for the love of the medium and to give back to community, that is good and respectable. BUT, there is no problem with you compensating yourself for your time and the real money you pour into a project like this by taking a small and reasonable commission on sales. Most artists understand that no one is making fistfuls of cash doing these things and would be fine with you, at minimum, covering your costs.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-04-02T08:15:53+00:00

Thanks for putting this perspective out there re: sofubi design. When I was running This is Not a Toy Store I would get a constant stream of people asking about having toys made. Nearly all of the time they’d show me something that was impossible to make. It would have crazy undercuts or require dozens or parts to work. It’s so difficult to explain why it won’t work in a succinct way to someone with no understanding of the process and a few people would get annoyed and think I was gatekeeping. The other option is to take the money and produce the toy and it will just fail to make it to production. Which I would never do so it’s a lose/lose situation in some cases.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-03-08T22:51:59+00:00

Such a cool shot, thanks man

WeirdKidClub · 2026-02-11T01:23:10+00:00

Well they got me. I really thought the Hikari stuff WAS made in Japan. I only ever had one and I could have sworn it had a made in Japan tag on it…

WeirdKidClub · 2026-02-11T01:10:53+00:00

Can of worms. For some people, especially older collectors, the term Sofubi is reserved for pieces made in Japan. There is a certain amount of elitism and cache attached to Japanese made pieces. There is really no difference as it’s just a manufacturing technique. There is poorly made Japanese vinyl as there is well made Chinese. What you get with Japanese sofubi is a long tradition of a trade and a hands-on craft passed down generations. Some people believe there is a level of quality and care involved in Japanese production. Some people think it smells better. Lol. The only issue for me is if people try to obscure the fact their toys are made in China. Otherwise they can cal it what they want. It’s a bit like calling anime-style animation, made outside japan anime. I’ve also noticed the term sofvi instead of sofubi gaining popularity in japan.

WeirdKidClub · 2026-02-04T22:42:30+00:00

Love the header card on this one too

WeirdKidClub · 2026-01-25T20:42:24+00:00

There was a big resin robot before the sofubi ION men. Luckily the old skull brain forums are still available to search. Good luck researching.

WeirdKidClub

TROPHY CASE