APA Toy News
APA Toy News
Updated: January 21, 2000
This section is devoted to news about upcoming Asian Pacific American toys. The sources I've used are:
Check back with this space regularly as I plan to update this section as I get news and will archive it by month.
TABLE OF CONTENTS - JANUARY 2001
Playmates Toys to Produce Jackie Chan Adventures Line
Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke To Come Out In Toy Form
Tenchi Muyo! Is Coming To Town
Samurai Wars To Be Next Theme For Spawn toy series
A Whole Lot of Wrestling Going On
The December 2000 issue of Toyfare magazine and the January 2001 issue of Lee's Action Figure News and Toy Review have released their "Best of 2000" awards.
Amongst the APA friendly awards of Toyfare's "Best of the Best 2000," are:
Lee's Action Figure News and Toy Review's 7th Annual Golden Toy Awards were not as fruitful, but all the same inclusive. Its APA inclusive awards went to:
The January 2001 issue of Lee's Action Figure News and Toy Review reports that Playmates Toys will be releasing another Apu figure, this time wearing a Pin Pals Shirt. The Pin Pals were a bowling team headed by Homer Simpson. The figure is due out sometime early 2001.
The January 2001 issue of Lee's Action Figure News and Toy Review reports that Mojo Jojo toys are hotter than ever. They say that the Talking Mojo Jojo doll is "easily one of the hottest toys of the 2001 Holiday Season. It's packed one-per-case, so be on the lookout on your next toy hunt." They also note that the Mojo Jojo Mini-Friend and two variations of Mojo Jojo beanies offer the best return for your money!
Playmates Toys to Produce Jackie Chan Adventures Line
According to a September 2000 posting on Raving Toy Maniacs, Sony Pictures Consumer Products has chosen Playmates Toys to be the official lincensee of toys based on Jackie Chan Adventures, the popular animated cartoon on Kids WB!.
Jackie Chan is perhaps the most popular martial arts actor of modern day, and this is the first time since Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan that has featured Asian Pacific American characters in the top spots of a cartoon. And, given the action theme of the show, it seems only natural to put the characters in toy form.
Look for the first wave of toys and playsets to come out this month (January 2001) with more to come out later this year.
A representative from Praying Mantis Toys, the makers of the popular Captain Action remakes, recently wrote the "Save Johnny Quest" Campaign. He wrote, "I've been meaning to let you know how much I appreciate your 'Save Jonny Quest!' campaign. I showed it to Tom Lowe and he was very appreciative as well. I really hope it makes a difference -- I guess we should know sometime in the next few weeks.
The figures will be shown at the Dallas Import Show later this month -- that will be make or break time; if we can't get a substantial commitment at that time, the line will be officially abandoned."
Praying Mantis is set to mass produce figures based on the classic animated television show. Amongst them is Johnny's South Asian friend Hadji. However, toy stores are hesitant to pick them up because nobody bought toys recently made for the newer "Real Adventures of Johnny Quest" show.
For more information on the "Save Johnny Quest" Campaign, check out:
http://www.joeworld-online.com/savejonny.htm.
Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke To Come Out In Toy Form
According to the January issue of Tomart's Action Figure Digest, Vital Toys will be releasing figures of cult favorites Cheech and Chong from their most famous movie Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke.
Tommy Chong is of Chinese (father) and Irish/Scottish (mother) descent.
The figures will be released sometime early this year.
Tenchi Muyo! Is Coming To Town
Toy company Toynami will be releasing 12" figures of characters from the popular Tenchi Muyo! anime series. Due out in March, the first wave will feature Tenchi, Ryoko and Ayeka.
The Tenchi Muyo! line will be the first line produced for Toynami, a new company founded late last year that will focus on toys based on Japanese anime.
The Tenchi Muyo! line is due March 2001.
Samurai Wars To Be Next Theme For Spawn toy series
According to the March 2001 issue of Toyfare magazine, McFarlane Toys will be releasing Spawn Series 19 this year. The line is dubbed "Samurai Wars," which Toyfare says "will feature new Spawn characters with a decided Eastern vibe." There is no release date noted.
Popular WWF wrestler Rikishi has made it big. His WWF Rulers of the Ring figure, produced by JAKKS Pacific, ranked number 8 in Toyfare magazine's March 2001 Top 10 Hottest Action Figures list. He is the only Asian Pacific American toy in the list. Says the magazine, "...WWF fans across the country are diving for the sumo-sized heel, both alone and in his Too Cool boxed set."
Note: It should be noted that five of the other toys on the list come from Gundam Wing, a Japanese anime. But, since Gundam are giant robots, they are not necessarily Asian or Asian Pacific American.
A Whole Lot of Wrestling Going On
According to the January 2001 issue of Tomart's Action Figure Digest, JAKKS Pacific will be releasing a whole slew of Asian Pacific American wrestlers in its 2001 line.
In 2001, JAKKS will be releasing WWF Titan Tron Series 9, featuring popular APA wrestlers Rikishi Phatu and The Rock. It will also be relasing the first series in a Rebellion line, which will feature The Rock.
The December 2000 issue of Lee's Action Figure News & Toy Review reported that "In what has become a somewhat morbid trend, action figures resembling recently dead wrestlers are now instant cash cows. Yokozuna figures from numerous WWF lines have begun to climb in value. Most notable among these in the KB Edition Yokozuna on both red and yellow cards, which has risen to $30 and $25 respectively."
The APA Toy Categories
Sci-Fi and Fantasy | Fashion Dolls | Character Toys | Superheroes
Military | Sports | Toddler Toys | Animated Films
Action Adventure | Video Games | Anime | Baby Dolls