While slime and Space Invaders are busy celebrating their 30th birthdays, manga icon Kinnikuman is feting a most important 29 this year. Two in Japanese is read “ni” and nine “ku.” Put them together and you get “niku,” get it?
In honor, Bandai is offering a commemorative premium solid gold figure that comes, fittingly, in a crystal capsule. (It should further be noted that while “kinniku” means muscle in Japanese, “kin” is the word for gold).
The made-to-order items (sorry, the deadline passed on August 21st) will reach collectors on Kinnikuman Day, August 29th. Bandai quotes an estimated cost of ¥49,350 but notes that the actual price will reflect the current market price for gold.
Meanwhile, Gundam needs no anniversary excuse to morph into any number of collectible, occasionally useful, goods. The latest is the Gundam Mobile Ashtray, in the design of the “Zaku” mobile suit.
This key holder model from Banpresto, while not quite solid gold, comes in a “classy metal finish” according to the press release. The mobile ashtray, popularized through the various styles offered at the Mobile Ashtray Museum, is Japan Tobacco’s attempt to marry two well-known local practices, smoking and product design.
See more examples here and here.
