Collection: Billiken Shokai (Japan)

Billiken Shokai began in 1976 as a specialist vintage-toy shop in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo. Rooted in the interests of collectors, the business developed from buying and selling older toys into creating its own character models and figures.

In 1983, the company began manufacturing and selling original soft-vinyl assembly kits, becoming an influential name in the development of Japanese collector-focused sofubi (soft vinyl). Its realistic model series approached monsters and screen characters as display objects for adult enthusiasts, with close attention to sculptural detail and recognisable character forms.

The range drew on both Western science-fiction and horror cinema and Japanese monster and superhero productions. Subjects have included classic film monsters alongside characters from Godzilla, Ultraman, Gamera and Kamen Rider, reflecting the broad collecting culture that shaped the original shop.

Billiken Shokai's history spans vintage-toy retailing, original model production and specialist collecting. The company launched a dedicated online shop in December 2020 to complement its established shop and telephone-order service, continuing to offer its original soft-vinyl kits to enthusiasts.

Read more about Billiken Shokai's history here, and its original soft-vinyl kits here.