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| Yokoyama Set | Go Nagai Set | Glow/Dark Mazinger | Glow/Dark Devilman | Tezuka Set |
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| Tatsunoko 1 | Tatsunoko 2 | Tatsunoko 3 |
Keychains
Keychains have been available as catcher toy prizes since the early nineties. Plush keychains are generally about 4 inches in size, and the PVC keychains are about 2 inches tall. Keychains have cardboard hang tags much like the larger plush figures. The detail and paint jobs on the PVC figures are always outstanding and they make great collectibles. Unfortunately, the keychains are often bootlegged. The first thing to look for is the cardboard tag. If the tag has been removed, look for the copyright imprint, which can be usually be found on the back of the figure's head. On the original figures, the imprint appears sharp and clear.
Creator-Based Collections
Many of the manga writers and artists are well known for their creations over the years. And oftentimes, keychain sets will include a creator's most popular characters from their career.
1. Mitsuteru Yokoyama Collection - Banpresto, 1998 - A great set, which includes Tetsujin 28 and Shotaro with the remote control unit (aka Gigantor and Jimmy Sparks in the US), the Giant Robot from the Johnny Sokko series, Giant Robo and Ginrei from the animated Giant Robo series, and a few others I'm not familiar with. Complete set of 8 keychains shown.
2. Go Nagai Collection - Banpresto, 1998 - 11 characters created by legendary creator Go Nagai, including Cutey Honey, Kekko Kamen, Violence Jack, Devilman (both the anime and the manga versions) Devilman Lady, Silene and other characters I'm not familiar with. For those who haven't heard of her, Kekko Kamen is a superheroine who fights wearing just her gloves, boots and a mask. Her opponents get overwhelmed by the site of her nude body and she kicks their asses without much trouble.
3. & 4. Mazinger & Devilman Glow in the Dark Set - Banpresto, 1998 - This set of 7 keychains also feature Go Nagai characters. The Mazinger robots have glow in the dark paint accents. The Devilman characters are made with a glow in the dark PVC. The complete set is shown here in images 3 & 4. The first has Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and Mazinkaiser. #4 shows both the manga and anime versions of Devilman, Silene & Devilman Lady.
5. Osamu Tezuka Collection - Banpresto, 1998 - Tezuku is called the "God of Manga" for good reasons. Although comic strips had been around for a while, it was Tezuka who first created story manga in Japan. And with his 1953 manga Ribbon No Knight, he created the first "Shoujo Manga." (This story became an animated series in 1967, and appeared in the US as "Princess Knight." This set presents some of this creator's most popular characters. Astro Boy, Princess Knight and Choppy, Fushigina Merumo, Kitty & Simba The White Lion, and Black Jack and his little assistant. This is the complete set of 8.
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| Yokoyama Set | Go Nagai Set | Glow/Dark Mazinger | Glow/Dark Devilman | Tezuka Set |
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
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| Tatsunoko 1 | Tatsunoko 2 | Tatsunoko 3 |
6. - 8. - Tatsunoko Collection - Banpresto - I'm not sure if these are all from the same creator, or just from the same production company. If anyone out these knows more, please send me an email and let me know. These are from the Tatsunoko Collection. The first set was released in '96, the second in '97, and the third in early '98. In mid-'98, all were re-released in one large 25 piece collection. 22 are shown here.
11. & 12. Toei Heroes Collection - Banpresto, 1998 - These two images show the complete set of 12. In image 11, clockwise from top left: Kikaider 01, Hakaider, Zubat, Ninja Arashi, Robot Detective & Kikaider. In image 12, clockwise from top left: Red Go Ranger, Kamen Rider, Daitetsujin 17, Akumaizer 3, Inazuman & Robocon.
13. Astro Boy aka The Mighty Atom - Banpresto, 1998 - Five are shown here, although the scientist was also included in the set.
14. & 15. Sentimental Graffiti - Banpresto - There were a total of 12 keychains, released in two sets of 6. SG was a highly successful romance role-playing video game with 12 schoolgirl characters.
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| Toei Heroes A | Toei Heroes B | Astro Boy | Sentimental Graffiti | |
16. Rurouni Kenshin - Banpresto - The original set is terribly hard to complete since they've been bootlegged. These are the originals I've found. I believe there were 8 in the series.
17. Gatchaman aka Battle of the Planets - Banpresto - Complete set of 7 keychains shown.
18. Robocon - Banpresto, 1998 - There were a total of 7 in the set, all of which can be seen below. The final Robocon, seen in the bottom right corner, is made of a translucent PVC.
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| Rurouni Kenshin | Gatchaman | Robocon |
Many more key chains can be seen on the Super Robot Key Chain Page
The words and scans are © Kane, aka spooky@voicenet.com, who freely admits he spends way too much time thinking about toys. The toys shown are © Banpresto, Inc., a subsidiary of Bandai, Inc. This site is not endorsed or affiliated with Banpresto, it is just a side project that I enjoy working on. Before you email me to ask, NO, I am not selling these toys. Cheers.