NEW ART GUILD, established to honor the final wishes of the artist NAGNAGNAG who passed away suddenly last year and to carry on his legacy, is releasing the "Giant Garamon (Marusan Production) Enlarged Edition, 1200mm, produced by NAGNAGNAG," which NAGNAGNAG produced during his lifetime. This will be available via lottery sale.

The Marusan-produced Giant Garamon, first unveiled at "MEDICOM TOY EXHIBITION '24" held from July 23rd to 28th this year (displayed in its raw plastic form, known as 'Rakugaki Blue'), is finally set for release. This product is a revival of the legendary Marusan in-store display Garamon, produced under the direction of artist NAGNAGNAG.

Garamon is a kaiju that first appeared in episode 13, "Garadama," of the 1966 TV series "Ultra Q" (aired March 27, 1966).

Around May of the same year, Marusan Shoten released soft vinyl dolls of the kaiju featured in "Ultra Q." Initially, orders from wholesalers were small, with only 600 units of the first lot, "Garamon 1st Generation" (dark blue plastic), being produced. However, it later became a massive hit due to its popularity among children, becoming a cornerstone of the first kaiju boom.

Let's now introduce the production process of the "Giant Garamon (Marusan Production) Enlarged Edition, 1200mm, produced by NAGNAGNAG" that is being released this time.

This project recreates the extra-large Kanegon made for in-store display by the sofubi manufacturer "M1号" in the late 1990s. Following this, NAGNAGNAG and MEDICOM TOY's CEO, Tatsuhiko Akashi, strongly desired it as a successor series, leading to official approval from Tsuburaya Productions, Marusan, and M1号, and the commencement of development.

Based on scan data of the original "Garamon 1st Generation" from the collection of M1号's Yuji Nishimura, a prototype was created with added texture under the production of NAGNAGNAG. Mold production began in mid-September 2023 and was completed approximately six months later in late March 2024. The coloring adopts the popular "Marusan Garamon" (commonly known as "Red Garamon") from the 1960s.

The project, from conception to announcement, took over a year. NAGNAGNAG sadly passed away last November before seeing the completion of this product. Due to its 1200mm size, production in China was initially planned. However, honoring NAGNAGNAG's preference for "MADE IN JAPAN," the figure was manufactured in a Japanese factory. The copyright mark indicating Tsuburaya Productions' license is engraved on the sole of the right foot, NAGNAGNAG's logo on the sole of the left foot, and the Marusan mark on the inner side of the right foot.

Garamon is revered as the origin and pinnacle of kaiju sofubi. No original Marusan in-store display Garamon figures are known to exist; only a single photograph of an extra-large Kanegon displayed at the 1967 toy fair remains. For those who truly cherish kaiju sofubi, this is an opportunity to acquire the phantom item that NAGNAGNAG dreamed of.

Giant Garamon (Marusan Production) Enlarged Edition, 1200mm, produced by NAGNAGNAG
Planning Cooperation | Marusan, M1号
Prototype Production | Pied Piper
Size | Approx. 1200mm in height
Purchase Method | Lottery sale via MCT TOKYO from Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 0:00 to Thursday, October 10, 2024, 23:59. *For details,www.medicomtoy.co.jpplease see.
Release Date | Scheduled for January 2025 shipping
Price | ¥990,000 (incl. tax)
*The photo shows a sample under supervision. The actual product may differ slightly.
© Tsuburaya Productions