Medicom Toy Exhibition '18 Report | MEDICOM TOY

MEDICOM TOY

MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION ’18 REPORT (1)

Photographs by Kaku OhtakiText by Kunihiko Shinno

Medicom Toy, a company that challenges itself with the concept of “creating what we want,” goes beyond the category of toys. At the "MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION ’18," held at Omotesando Hills from Saturday, July 21st to Thursday, July 26th, attractive products were unveiled to the world for the first time, marking a new stage for the brand.

The green trees, which served as the key visual, represent the company's aspirations, cultivated over 22 years since its establishment.

Inside the venue, in addition to BE@RBRICK, there were MAFEX action figures of popular works, VCD and UDF figures meticulously recreating beloved characters, and soft vinyl figures by popular artists.

Collaborations were also announced with "Sync.", "FABRICK", and "Amplifier", as well as new apparel lines "Noodle." and "KNIT GANG COUNCIL."

OPENERS conducted interviews with the creators who garnered attention at this exhibition. We plan to deliver these to you sequentially, so please look forward to them.

Left: A 400% BE@RBRICK entirely clad in the fabric of PORTER's signature long-selling TANKER series. A waist bag, tote bag, and wallet, also in collaboration with BE@RBRICK, were on display. Center: Tokyo Tower, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. A 1000% BE@RBRICK inspired by the landmark's illumination also appeared. Right: A 1000% BE@RBRICK from a collaboration between READYMADE, a remake brand known for its deconstructed and reconstructed military items, and A BATHING APE®.
© YOSHIDA
© 2018 TOKYO TOWER. All rights reserved.
© NOWHERE Co., Ltd. All rights reserved. 1993/2018

A diverse lineup of BE@RBRICKs were showcased, including those crafted from wood by Karimoku, Kutani ware, and pewter from the long-established Malaysian brand ROYAL SELANGOR.

The new collaboration with fragmentdesign features a BE@RBRICK crafted from crystal by Baccarat, a French brand renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and heritage.

Page 02.MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION ’18 REPORT (2)

MEDICOM TOY

MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION ’18 REPORT (2)

Top: "Noodle." is an experimental fashion project by art director Hideyuki Tanaka and stylist Kumiko Iijima. Pay attention to the items in the "PREMIUM ERROR COLLECTION," which feature intentionally flawed designs such as oversized denim jackets and parkas with enormous hoods. Bottom left: An "error bag" made of genuine leather printed with "Made in China" from "Noodle.'s" "PREMIUM ERROR COLLECTION." Bottom center: A polo shirt with an extremely wide body and short length from "Noodle.'s" "PREMIUM ERROR COLLECTION." When worn, it drapes like a shawl. Bottom right: A three-tiered "error mesh cap" from "Noodle.'s" "PREMIUM ERROR COLLECTION."

"KNIT GANG COUNCIL" is a clothing brand where Horinouchi creates knitwear representing icons of the era. The first collection, featuring sweaters inspired by Go Nagai's "Devilman" and Hajime Sorayama's "Sexy Robot," was unveiled for the first time globally.

Items by Kosuke Kawamura, a collage artist known for his "AKIRA"-themed art wall in Shibuya, were also exhibited. Skate decks featuring collages of Katsuhiro Otomo's works attracted the attention of visitors.
© Kosuke Kawamura
© Katsuhiro Otomo/MASH・ROOM

Characters such as "Nekong" and "Rangias," which are overwhelmingly popular among soft vinyl collectors, appeared as giant soft vinyl figures approximately 60cm tall.
© T9G/MUSEUM
© SHOKO NAKAZAWA
© KONATSU
© KAORI HINATA

The "Space Invaders Gigamax," a collaboration with BE@RBRICK to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Taito's "Space Invaders," was also on display. It utilized a giant screen and allowed for simultaneous play by 10 people. Notably, the turrets attacking the invaders were designed as BE@RBRICKs.