Kaiju Invades San Francisco

Kaiju invaded San Francisco last weekend and set up shop in North Beach at Double Punch’s upstairs gallery. Some might say that the Bay Area is already a pretty monster-friendly place, and Mark Nagata whose Max Toy Co is locally operated would agree. Mark was joined by Massachusetts-based invader Matt Walker of Dead Presidents and duel Japanese raiders, Ichimiya-san from SUNGUTS and Yajima-san from Dream Rocket. Together, the talented and wacky quartet filled the small space with brilliant colors, copious customs…and not a single Dunny in sight. All unsold work from the show will make its way to Ningyoushi. Hit the jump for closeups and commentary.

Collaborative pieces by Dead Presidents, SUNGUTS, Dream Rocket and Max Toy Co

DEAD PRESIDENTS

Matt Walker brought a host of figures that showcase subtle differences in color and tonality. By applying specialty automotive paints and his signature pinstriping techniques, he transformed some of Mark’s Max Toy Co figures, Eyezon, Boy Karma, TriPus, Balbagon, Drazoran and a few rows of RealxHead pieces. The painted and pinstriped Boy Karmas are available in a small edition. Before the show, Matt did a pinstriping demo, which owing to rain and abysmal parking in North Beach, we regrettably missed. That said, I was luckily able to scoop up his Suiko collab with SUNGUTS…

Dead Presidents for Kaiju Invade San Francisco

Matt Walker of Dead Presidents

Eyezon customized by Dead Presidents

TriPus customized by Dead Presidents

Balbagon and Drazoran customized by Dead Presidents

RealxHead customized by Dead Presidents

Devil's Disciples by Dead Presidents

Boy Karma by Max Toy Co x Dead Presidents

SUNGUTS

I’ve been following the creations of Ichimiya-san from SUNGUTS, and recently missed an opportunity to pick up some Suiko in Tokyo. Not again. As the evening wound down, the table of Suiko was thinning out. I snagged one of the Dogs of Space because the headphoned head with glitter space-age bustier and pop-up action squid mouth reveal was highly compelling. SUNGUTS showcased a wall of original and customized figures that blend whimsical and sensual. Note the red dot next to that XXX-LA SP Bust Monster, indicating ‘hands off’ indeed.

SUNGUTS for Kaiju Invades San Francisco

Ichimiya-san from SUNGUTS

Suiko by SUNGUTS

Suiko by SUNGUTS

Original monsters by SUNGUTS

Original figures by SUNGUTS

Customized Bust Monster by SUNGUTS

Original painting and Dogs of Space by SUNGUTS

Original Suiko by SUNGUTS

DREAM ROCKET

Yajima-san of Dream Rocket brought some of the most diverse monsters, including insectoid creatures like Doguma and Gumos that are definitely outside my arachnophobic comfort zone and awesome Balbagons and Quemaras with intense paint jobs.

Dream Rocket for Kaiju Invades San Francisco

Local customizer Dustin Cantrell and Yajima-san of Dream Rocket

Dream Rocket for Kaiju Invades San Francisco

Custom Balbagons and Quemaras by Dream Rocket

Dream Rocket for Kaiju Invades San Francisco

MAX TOY CO

Mark Nagata is a man who needs no introduction. Maybe you know him for the original kaiju figures he makes as Max Toy Company or maybe it’s the amazing one-offs he paints or maybe you know him for having the world’s biggest Ultraman collection. Memo to Max if you happen to read this: Not all Dads have toy collections like this. Some Dads have no toys at all! Check out that fiberglass Eyezon, coming soon in a limited supply. Wow.

Max Toy Co for Kaiju Invades San Francisco

Mark Nagata with two-faced fiberglass Eyezon!

Customized Eyezons by Mark Nagata

Customized Eyezon by Mark Nagata