Some history!
1985: Mattel licenses a Japanese toy line, Bandai's Kinkeshi: tiny, monochrome PVC figures based on the "Kinnikuman" manga and anime series. They dub them M.U.S.C.L.E. ("Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere").
Mattel markets the statically-posed figurines in random assortments, including 10-packs...
Sold in translucent plastic garbage cans.
The toys are originally marketed in "flesh pink" only, and later re-colored to spur renewed consumer interest.
The line is moderately successful and it continues until 1988, when it is canceled.
2012: Hey, I still have some!
Dig 'em.
In fact, I appreciate the ingenuity displayed in all vintage Japanese toy-making. I especially adore those classic vinyl Gojira and/or Ultraman monsters (kaiju) with their garish metallic paint jobs and unlikely sculpts. (But that's another post.)
And I love kinkeshi, too.
So, the plan is, I think, to profile one randomly selected M.U.S.C.L.E. figure from my modest collection each day.
Let's see how that goes.
See you soon!
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