Hey, anyone wanna indulge me while I wax on and on about a Holy Grail I just got? I figured if anyone would understand, it'd be you guys....
Since 2004, I've been looking for the Bandai 1/12 scale Kaneda's bike from the Tokyo Motorcycle Show. This was an exclusive edition that came out months before the regular edition.
I've had the regular edition since it was released, and it remains one of my favorite toys of all time, despite a slightly oversized Kaneda figure that's stuck in one pose.
The biggest difference in the limited edition is of course that there's no Kaneda figure to ride the bike, and all the sponsor stickers are not there, so it's a "blank" bike. It also comes in a slightly smaller box. One last way to tell the difference...there's a "gascap" looking piece that's gold on this one.
Of course, as a completionist, it bothered me like hell that I didn't have the rare version. I'd seen it around secondhand places in Tokyo but always over $100....too rich for my blood.
Once, probably about 15 years ago, I saw it at a used toy store for about $50. I wanted it so badly, but I just couldn't afford the 50 at the time. I had to leave it there. Killed me doing that. Never forgot it.
Over the years the price has gone anywhere up to $500. I'd been seeing it around on the internet sites for about $200.
The other night I saw a listing for one on yahoo japan auctions for $120. Said it was used, but looked good in the pics. I figured, why the hell not? The virus is gonna kill us all anyway.
It arrived and I'm overjoyed. The box is a bit rough sadly, and seems to have turned a pinker shade of red than it should be, but the harsh Japanese sun can do that....it's why I keep my toy room 100% sunlight free.
The listing said it was used but I bet this guy rarely, if ever, removed it from the box. It's all shiny and new, especially the tires. What a difference comparing my toy that's been displayed all this time and the new one.
Here's some pics.....sorry for the random assortment of other toys in the background...you know how it is!
Can you spot the gold "gascap" on the limited version?
Here's Kaneda deciding which version to ride:
Here's an oversized SHF Iron Man taking it for a spin.....if anyone could afford a bike like this, it's Tony Stark:
And here's the baddest ass anime bikes of the 80s....never thought I'd ever own these. What a dream come true!! (Ugh....do I need to find a Garland from Megazone 23 to feel "complete" now? No!! Don't spoil this high for me! I'm so psyched to have these after all these years!!)
