{"title":"Billiken Shokai (Japan)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBilliken Shokai\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 1983, the company began manufacturing and selling original soft-vinyl assembly kits, becoming an influential name in the development of Japanese collector-focused \u003cem\u003esofubi\u003c\/em\u003e (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBilliken 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRead more about Billiken Shokai's history \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/toyverse.tokyo\/pages\/about_billikenshokai\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ehere\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e, and its original soft-vinyl kits \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/billikenshokai.stores.jp\/about\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ehere\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"vintage-astroboy-16-vinyl-figurine-made-by-billiken-shokai-in-japan","title":"Astroboy 16\" Vinyl Figurine | Made by Billiken Shokai, in Japan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fantastic collectors piece for all the Astroboy lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade by Japanese manufacturer \u003cstrong\u003eBilliken Shokai\u003c\/strong\u003e, this vinyl figurine is stamped with the official details on the base of each foot (one in Japanese, the other English). \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e 40cm (16\")\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe is excellent condition, with very little surface wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eNote this piece comes with an original box and b\u003cspan\u003eased on our research this piece dates back to the early '90s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Billiken Shokai","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43458182709415,"sku":null,"price":256.65,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0405\/5839\/5559\/files\/IMG_5045_cab25a12-9117-4db5-8bae-2176b9182f06.jpg?v=1718453774"},{"product_id":"vintage-astroboy-14-5-vinyl-figurine-made-by-billiken-shokai-in-japan","title":"Astroboy 14.5\" Vinyl Figurine | Made by Billiken Shokai, in Japan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA fantastic collectors piece for all the Astroboy lovers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade by Japanese manufacturer \u003cstrong\u003eBilliken Shokai\u003c\/strong\u003e, this vinyl figurine is stamped with the official details on the base of the feet (one in Japanese, the other English). \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e 37.5cm (14.5\")\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe is in great to excellent condition, with very little surface wear however \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003ethere is small scuff on the black part of the head. Note this piece comes with an original box and b\u003cspan\u003eased on our research this piece dates back to the early '90s.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Billiken Shokai","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43730854052007,"sku":null,"price":256.65,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0405\/5839\/5559\/files\/temp_dfda764e-ae0f-412f-9d65-78110b14fb26.png?v=1766896887"}],"url":"https:\/\/thatretropiece.com\/collections\/billiken-shokai.oembed","provider":"That Retro Piece","version":"1.0","type":"link"}