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BEST OF 2010 - Most Innovative Toys
Cool and creative collectibles...
For a great selection of action figures and collectibles, check out BigBadToyStore.com, ToyDorks.com, BriansToys.com, ToyWiz.com, SmallJoes.com, PastGenerationToys.com, Urban-Collector.com, MonkeyDepot.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, and Sekaido.com.
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#4 MATTEL'S MONSTER HIGH
First showing up in toy stores under-the-radar in mid-summer and debuting officially in July at SDCC, Mattel released the first offerings in a completely new concept that would turn into one of the hottest girl (and collector) doll lines on the market this year. Monster High mixes the typical girl’s fashion doll (Bratz) with an unusual theme (monsters!), resulting in a unique toy that's freaky and fun. Each character in the series is a son or daughter of a famous monster, such a Draculaura (daughter of Dracula) and Frankie Stein (daughter of Frankenstein) and includes a piece of the MH story, a “token” animal or pet and other accessories. The toy line doesn’t stop at dolls, as Mattel has an entire product line of fashion, electronics, and more to keep the Monster High fandom at full force!
#3 SUPER7 STORMTROOPER SUPER SHOGUN
When it comes to the creative and innovative, few do it like Super7. Best known for its art toys, the company this year unveiled a daring experiment combining Star Wars with the 1970’s Jumbo Machinder archetype. The result was the Super Shogun Stormtrooper, a truly one of a kind figure. Towering two feet tall, the trooper embodies the Jumbo ideal with all of the features guaranteed to cause nostalgia like its blow molded high-density polyethylene construction, vinyl head, rocket-punch firing fist, and wheels under the feet. Meanwhile, the figure also has all of the appropriate Stormtrooper details from the blocky armor to the ominous helmet and even a highly detailed blaster. The Super Shogun also came in a specially designed box that’s nearly as cool as the figure, and a limited edition size made it highly collectible for Jumbo and Star Wars fans alike!
#2 SPIN MASTER'S TRON: LEGACY
Spin Master’s Tron: Legacy earns a spot this year for their use of LED and electronics technology in advancing their world of action figures and vehicles. The lights and sounds of the 3 ¾” line by themselves may not have earned them a spot but the combination of the large scale figures with light-up "holographic" faces helped to seal the deal.
#1 KOTOBUKIYA STAR WARS CHOPSTICKS
There's something magical in how Star Wars brings out the inner geek in all of us. It's a property that speaks volumes about lasting impressions; of how pop culture helps define our daily lives. Iconic on its own, Star Wars is brought to a new level of geekdom when combined with common everyday items. There's Star Wars-themed cups, Star Wars toothbrushes, Star Wars bed sheets... the list is virtually endless... and for the most part, uninspired.
This year, Kotobukiya changed all that with one of the most innovative Star Wars collectibles we've seen in a long, long time: Star Wars Lightsaber Chopsticks. The concept is pure genius: take an instantly recognizable Star Wars weapon and merge it with an instantly recognizable eating utensil. It's like they were made for each other! Okay, so it's not a fork or spoon most Westerners are accustomed too, but that doesn't negate the shear brilliance of the idea and execution. With Koto's Star Wars Lightsaber Chopsticks you'll never look at boring ol' Chinese take out the same way again. You'll feel like a hungry Luke or Vader, Yoda or Darth Maul, your chow mein meal coursing with the power of The Force.
