WONDERCON13: Kotobukiya

[JeffSaylor]

Booth Displays and Panel Reveals...

CLICK HERE FOR A KOTOBUKIYA WONDERCON PHOTO GALLERY TOUR!

While several toy and collectible companies showed up at WonderCon this year, only Kotobukiya took the extra step with its own panel to show off its coolest new releases and upcoming products for 2013 (and a little of 2014). Of course, the statue and toy giant also had a booth on the exhibit hall floor selling everything Koto, and also showing off some highlighted pieces. On display there from Marvel were Fine Art Statues (Daredevil, X-Force Wolverine, Venom, and Hawkeye), the Iron Man Mark IV ARTFX Statue, and the upcoming Kitty Pryde Bishoujo Statue. On the DC side were several Bishoujo ladies (Power Girl, Harley Quinn, Huntress, Wonder Woman, and Black Canary art), Justice League Korejyanai figures, Batman Dark Knight ARTFX Statue, Joker Killing Joke ARTFX Statue, and Justice League ARTFX+ lineup (with prototype Cyborg). From their other lines were a sampling of kitchen items from Star Wars, Naruto, and One Piece, Star Wars ARTFX+ Statues (Boba Fett, Jango Fett, Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Royal Guards, R2-D2, and C-3PO), Darth Maul ARTFX Statue, Jaina Solo Bishoujo Statue, and the new metal business card holders. The final display case held an assortment of statues from Trigun, Men in Black 3, Tekken, Dead Space, and Mass Effect.

CLICK HERE to see the photo gallery of Kotobukiya’s WonderCon 2013 booth!

And while attendees enjoyed seeing all of those at the booth, the real news came upstairs at the Kotobukiya Spring 2013 Preview panel! The comprehensive slideshow went through many of the company’s most popular licenses and showcased new releases as well as those coming further down the line. First up was Star Wars, featuring the business card holders, Jango Fett ARTFX+, Mara Jade Bishoujo, General Grievous ARTFX+, and Sandtrooper ARTFX+ 2-pack. From Tekken come more fighting beauties, and while there was nothing to show it was announced that a Chun Li from Street Fighter X Tekken is still in the works. Continuing with the video game section, the Mass Effect Commander Shepard Bishoujo Statue releases this month with an exclusive version in the Bioware store, while the Dead Space 3 Isaac Clarke ARTFX (with LED hand, back, and visor!) comes out next month.

Marvel makes waves with three ARTFX Statues from Iron Man 3: the Mark 42 armor, War Machine, and Iron Patriot, while Koto’s amazing Fine Art Statues add Venom Unbound, Daredevil, and Classic Avengers Hulk. Previously announced at Toy Fair, Kotobukiya will be doing a line of Marvel’s Avengers in ARTFX+ based on designs and artwork by Adi Granov; some sketches were shown but we’ll have to wait until SDCC to see anything more. Finally, after Kitty will come an X-Force Psylocke in the Bishoujo line!

Last but not least came a look at Kobotukiya’s DC products starting with an in-depth examination of Killing Joke Joker with its cool motion sensor light and sound effects. Next up will be a New 52 Deathstroke ARTFX Statue, and the preliminary prototype images already look very promising. We also got our first glimpse at the Superman: For Tomorrow ARTFX, the perfect compliment to the Batman Black Costume statue. Once the Justice League ARTFX+ series is complete with Cyborg Koto will be adding more New 52 characters like Shazam, Black Adam, and Supergirl, then launching into a Justice League of America series starting with Catwoman! Announced without any images was the license for Arkham City, so look for more news on that soon, and lastly after Black Canary they’ll be doing an Armored Wonder Woman Bishoujo.

Check out the photo gallery of Koto’s Spring Preview slides HERE!

- Scott Rubin

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