Favorite Toy Pickups of 2018

When Trampt first launched I created a few unboxing videos, but something about this process always felt off. When you never watch other people’s videos it’s hard to imagine anyone would care if you created one. Same is true with podcasts, but I don’t feel like going down that rabbit hole at the moment.

That said, I am fascinated by what toys others purchase, especially industry folks like artists, bloggers, etc. It’s kind of like finding out their taste in shows or movies, plus it cuts through the crap of saying “that is fire 🔥🔥🔥” on every Instagram post but not putting your money behind it.

While there are probably a dozen toys released this year I would've grabbed if my timing was better, I could figure out ordering from Asia, or my checking account ran deeper; here are some of my favorite pickups from 2018. In no particular order … but kind of.

Reiki Starchild

by Prodip Leung and produced by How2Work

This is one of those pickups that I was lucky enough to find through Instagram. Browsing some tags like #arttoys led me to Prodip’s work, which led me to the Wrong Gallery, which led me trying to figure out how the hell to purchase it. A few emails later and the deal was done. Side note, after bringing some amazing stuff the last two years of DesignerCon, the Wrong Gallery is my first stop next year.

Teal Raw Edition Sofb Boy

by Taku Obata & produced by Unbox Industries

Full disclosure, while I love the sculpt of this piece I definitely would prefer the Original Sofb Boy so if you have one you’re willing to get rid of I’m happy to upgrade. Besides the 80’s street vibe, the 8 points of articulation let you pop and lock him into a variety of poses. Recently I saw Taku Obata’s ‘B-Girl’ on the Medicom Toy site but no clue on how to even attempt to grab that figure. Guess I’ll poke around eBay post-release.

Black Baby Rabbit

by Alex Face and produced by Mighty Jaxx

This guy made it under the wire by arriving December 31st. The Baby Rabbit figures are a production beast being 12" tall and made of polystone. My only tiny gripe about the figure is the ears on the main figure and the bunny it’s grasping aren’t attached. While good for shipping, I always worry about them falling out. Mighty Jaxx has produced three color ways of this figure (pink, black, and white) but there were some different sculpts of Alex Face’s work by FlabSlab that I’d wouldn’t mind either. Sorry, looked for like 10 minutes but I can’t find that Instagram post to share.

Cherry flavor Mister Self Indulgence!

by Nouar and produced by Martian Toys

In a random conversation with Aaron on Instagram in 2017 he shared the first test-paint of this piece and I knew I would grab it. Over the last few years, Martian Toys has curated several massive custom shows and produced a solid lineup of toys. It was a no-brainer grabbing this Nouar piece after being such a fan, and while I’m always a fan of grabbing the initial color ways I might have been more partial to the blueberry. Oh well.

OG HOBS

by KMNDZ and produced by 3D Retro

I met Johnny back in 2013 during a Blamo custom show at Toy Art Gallery, and he was the nicest dude. We talked a bit that night, and over the years we got to hang out a DCon and a few times he’s done murals around LA. I remember seeing him paint the HOBS figure on the side of the 3D Retro store and thought that’d be a really cool figure. So when it dropped I grabbed it. The quality is on point and the paint job truly captures his style … somehow I need to get him up to Portland to paint a mural on my wall. #2019goals

Falling into Autumn Maximillian Ca$h

by Pete Fowler and produced by Superplastic

Superplastic launched their Kickstarter in May of 2018 looking for $25k to launch their first toy Janky … they closed with $547k. With the launch of Janky also came Fowler’s Maximillian Ca$h which I was lucky enough to grab before it sold out. I think the biggest surprise was Paul & Huck’s ability to get these figures shipped before the end of the year. Hopefully more great releases in 2019.

Gray Volt Beyond the Beyond Fly Boy

by Hebru Brantley and produced by Bait

While regretting not pulling the trigger on his Original Fly Boy when they were up on Rotofugi, I think this is a more interesting figure … plus I love this color way more than others he’s produced. Though I wish he was attached to the rocket with magnets or something as I’m always worried it will take a tumble off the shelf. Also, big thanks to Scott from grabbing this for me at SDCC.

Unbox & Friends Series

by Various Artists and produced by Unbox Industries

After a few years of buying Dunny cases, the ratios put me off and I just stopped buying them. However, Unbox released a 10 figure series with 10 variant colors ensuring you get a full set in the case, and variants are worth trading and collecting. Artists included: Jim Kwong Jimdreams, Jubiyang, Katsuya Kurosawa, Natthapong Rattanachoksirikul, Paulus Hyu, Sentinel, Seto Ping, and Ziqi.

Bream Man

by Duckhead and produced by Merry Go Round

Over the last year or so Myplasticheart has posted up a few toys from overseas and Bream Man was one that caught my eye. I love the swagger of this fish just doing some shopping and I might have to grab some of Duckhead’s other figures to go along with him. Just wish his little hat would stay on his head.

Mr. C Chunk

by Jimdreams and produced by Unbox Industries

While I also purchased Jimdreams ‘Fancy’ figure this year, I think this edged it out a bit because of my love for Mr. T. The chain and barbell are great touches to the figure. If you could set the Chunk up at a desk and give it a few coffees then it would essentially be my spirit animal.

I was really trying to keep this down to a top ten list of sorts. Sure, someone will say “the Unbox & Friends case was like 12 figures” and to you, I’ll say shut the hell up. I’m treating that like a bag of apples at checkout to squeeze into the ‘10 items or fewer’ lane.

As part of Trampt’s new Discover section, I will be posting individual stories and photos of figures as I buy them throughout the year. Go a bit in-depth on the artist as well as other figures they’ve made that I enjoy. If anyone wants to send me free ones I’ll be sure to do that too.

Kidding not kidding.