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I'll start with a few notes that may aid you in this list. First, it's not quite complete, which is why I wanted this list in the first place. My hope is that you will read the list and possibly be able to add to it. If not, that's ok too. You can simply take the list for what it is: A short summary of the little known model kits and transforming toys that were (and are still) packaged with gum/candy and distributed to various grocery and convenience stores in Japan.
(Webmaster's Note: I've added links to the Kabaya models I have. I've also added links to the many knockoffs (likely they are knockoffs, some could be legit, but I doubt it) models that I have. You'll note some listed with an asterisk. Those I have knockoffs of, but I can't say for certain that official ones were made, though presumably, anything from G1 that is a knockoff was made legitimately.) |
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First up is Kukje. Kukje is the Korean equivalent of Kabaya. They're fully licensed reproductions of Kabaya kits that are best distinguished by their color differences. I'm speculating that it must be part of the license agreement but I've never seen an appropriately colored Kukje kit. Even if they utilize the *same* colors as the original Kabaya kit, the colors will be on different parts. The stickers and plastic are also sometimes of less quality. A Korean company named "ToonTown" re-released four of the Large, first series Kabaya models in 1997. The four consist of Optimus Prime, Soundwave, Sideswipe, and Starscream and were released in two-packs as model kits. These re-releases are actually very, very close in quality and color to the originals. Kabaya has produced Transformers mold kits in other series that are worth mentioning and will probably be added somewhere in this list when more information is available. One such toy series is the pre-Tansformers Micro Change line. Kabaya made model kits for many of the MC toys that eventually ended up in Transformers and others that weren't (list pending). Kabaya also did a number of Brave kits with Takara, and while it's not entirely related to Transformers, there are a some that make the cut. Notably, the Transformers molds that were reused within the Brave series. So far, I've only found two-- Dag Base/Grandus (this one. I've only read about this one and can't back it up yet) and Shadow Maru/Sixshot (remolded Sixshot)-- but there are probably more. Another set of candy model-type toys that may be of interest are theso-dubbed "gumball model kits". Again, there are four models in this set: Optimus Prime, Sideswipe, Starscream, and Prowl. These were packaged in the egg-like containers you would normally find in gumball machines and came in a variety of solid colors. About the size of Micromasters, gumball kits are close in tradition with the unicolored Kabaya mini kits. (Webmaster's Note: In the last year or so, thes kits showed up on the market in small boxes. Molding appears identical to the gumball model kits. They seem to be vintage, but the boxes are not dated (I believe).)
Big thanks to: Grandmasterspecter, Autocon, Tony Li, tfu.info, HK_Thomas, Tony Preto, Rik Ruff, Ras, Himawari, Hydra, and Jordan Derber whose various information's and resources were invaluable in compiling this list. That's about all I have, so far. Say, are we absolutely certain Defensor and Bruticus were released for Battlestars and not earlier? And what about Grandus? I've read one report that Kabaya released a Dag base; has anyone seen a Transformers version? Merry Christmas! -Hatch
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