Collector's Corner- Charles Solomon!

Meet respected authority, writer and critic of Anime- Charles Solomon.

Thank you Charles, for taking the time to do this interview and congratulations on your new book available at Amazon- Disney Lost and Found: Exploring the Hidden Artwork from Never-Produced Animation
(Our Book Review will be up shortly!)


As one of the top chroniclers of the history of Animation and critic in the field, how did you become interested in Animation and which film was your “first love” ?

Chas: I can't remember when I wasn't interested in animation. Some of my earliest memories are of watching cartoons on TV when I was about 4. I grew up watching old theatrical shorts--Bugs Bunny and all the Warner Bros. cartoons; Betty Boop and the Fleischer films; the great Disney films. The first movie I was ever taken to in a theater was a re-release of Pinocchio. It's hard to pick a favorite, although Sleeping Beauty fascinated me as a child.


In your new book, Disney Lost and Found: Exploring the Hidden Artwork from Never-Produced Animation ,what is the one thing you would have liked to have seen on the screen?

Chas: During the mid to late 1930's Walt Disney and Samuel Goldwyn talked about collaborating on a biography of Hans Christian Andersen. MGM would do the live action of Andersen's life, and Disney the fairy tales in animation. The artwork for it staggeringly beautiful.

What is your favorite Disney Animation, artist, character?

I've watched the films so many times and known so many of the artists, it's impossible to chose.


When did you become fascinated by Japanese Animation?

I started seeing Japanese animation in the early '80s. Over the next several years, as I saw more Japanese films, I became more interested.

Which Japanese Anime is your favorite ? Artist? Character?

Again there are too many. One of the things I find most exciting about Japanese animation is its diversity. In the space of a few years, it can encompass works as diverse as Spirited Away, Millenium Actress, Full Metal Alchemist, Samurai Champloo, Full Metal Panic, Bleach, Mushi-Shi and School Rumble. That to me is the sign of a vital, intriguing art form.

That said, I believe Hayao Miyazaki is the third genius the art of animation has produced--the first two being Winsor McCay and Walt Disney.

What do you collect?

I'm not really a collector per se, but I like to study cels, drawings, etc. from films that interest me. So I occasionally pick things up, usually with an eye toward something that might make a good illustration for an article or a book.

What is your “dream” item?

An original drawing of Miyazaki's.

What is your favorite item that you have found thru Rinkya?

An animation drawing of the title character from Kiki's Delivery Service.



Links on YJ:
Disney on Japan Auction
Miyazaki on Japan Auction
Anime on Japan Auctions


[disney][kiki's delivery service][anime][Miyazaki]

Collector's Corner Grendizer Part Two!

Yesterday was the first part of our Collector Corner's interview with Italian musician and Grendizer collector, Jurij.
Today is the conclusion, enjoy and thank you for reading!


As an acclaimed musician, guitarist, and producer in Italy how do you integrate your art with your toy collecting?

My music is central to me, collecting is a hobby. I love the search, the hunt for rare Grendizer items, like being a hunter in a jungle, but it is not important, like composing my music is to me. I have made contacts and new friends through both, however. Music contacts in other countries have helped with my collecting. My life, nonetheless, revolves around my music. I have found other musicians who collect toys . Kirk Hammet from Metallica collects Japanese robots.


Is there a Japanese influence in your music?

Yes of course, the Asian music system is based on Pentatonic Scales, a music scale with only 5 notes, these scales are the root for the Blues. I love this kind of intervals and I use it on my improvising and composition too. Other famous Italian composers used these influences on their operas like Puccini, I love his music.


What is your current music project and/or tour dates, and how can Rinkya members find your works?

I'm touring with Rondò Veneziano band right now (editor’s note: A huge success in Italy in the 1980’s, they dressed like an ancient orchestra circa 1700 during concerts. The music is classic, but with elements of pop music. Jurij plays guitar), and Glenn Branca Electric Orchestra.

I've written and composed a lot of music in several different styles, from Rock, Metal, Pop, Dance, to Jazz, and I have worked with some important record labels, such as Sony, Warner, Universal and others. I have also worked with famous artists notably Britney Spears, Queen, Beyonce, and Pink, along with some well-known Italian artists.

Right now I'm very focused on my first Classical Opera Composition called Trazom (Mozart), www.trazomopera.com You can listen to some of it on the website.

Trazom is a natural evolution of my experience. I have two great authors and friends collaborating with me, to help me make my dream of a classical opera come true. Massimiliano Alto, a very famous Italian movie dubber (Lord of the Rings, Aladdin and many others), and Francesco Sardelli ,a very talented musical genius. This is the best team I have ever encountered in my life and I'm very happy to work with them.

Trazom Opera originated with Max and Francesco many years ago, they called me initially to arrange the orchestral parts and a second time to get involved on the composition and main arrangements.

It's a large and difficult work and a great challenge for me. After all orchestral parts are complete the next step should be the real production. Because Trazom is an opera it's a very expensive project to put on either in a theater setting or as a movie, as it will require a big orchestra with a Director, ballet directions, lights, audio equipment. We will probably look for sponsorship in England or France. If some Rinkya readers are interested in helping us with this project or to help with sponsorship don't hesitate to contact me directly at the Trazom website or my music website www.jurij.net



Rinkya thanks you for your time and sharing your insights about Grendizer and music. We wish you the best of luck with your Opera!

For More Collector Corner's, please read:
Flywheel's Transformers
April, Blythe Doll Collector
Ryan, Anime Cel Collector

Want to be featured? Leave me a comment!



[Japan][grendizer]

A Super Sized Collector's Corner!

Meet Jurij, A Grendizer collector from Italy and also a world famous composer and musician. (pictured here with the creator of Grendizer, Go Nagai)

Thank you for the wonderful two part interview, the rest will be posted tomorrow!

Why do Italians seem to have a love affair with Japanese toys?

I think everyone does, it depends on your childhood memories. Those of us who were born in the seventies grew up with Japanese cartoons such as: Grendizer, Mazinger Z, and other GoNagai productions like Jeeg, or Devilman. Grendizer, who was called Goldrake in Italy was a major success on Rai, the Government network. The independent stations followed by showing other Japanese cartoons, sometimes without licenses. The explosion of Japanese cartoons in the seventies followed in the eighties with many other Japanese anime shows such as Lupin III, Candy, Oscar, Ulysse 31, Jeeg, Daitarn III, and many many others. Some of these might be recognizable in the US under Shogun Warriors and Force Five logos. Grendizer was exported to all European countries as well as Lebanon and Egypt, some episodes were even shown in Russia.


What makes Grendizer so special?

Grendizer, Goldrake in Italian, and Goldorak in French, was the first major Japanese anime to arrive in Europe in 1978. It was initially broadcast in France, but shortly thereafter in Italy, and it transformed the Italian ideas of Japanese cartoons forever.

The Goldrake phenomenon was immediate and fairly massive. Without proper copyrights or licensing, thousands of factories produced large varieties of merchandise for collectors. I spoke with Go Nagai, the creator of Grendizer some months ago and he told me the incredible success of Grendizer in Europe came as a shock. He was just as famous for the Mazinger’s Saga in Japan, but in Italy it was Goldrake.

How did you start and how long have you been collecting Grendizer?

I started about fifteen years ago. Then it was very hard to find a lot of things. After 1995, with the Internet and online stores and auctions it became a lot easier.


How large is your collection and how do you showcase and/or store it?

I believe I have the largest collection in Europe. There are over 2000 pieces including comics, books, tapes, cd’s, lp’s and so forth. I have a big room for the collection and for my guitars. While I don’t think it’s the best choice, I have them in IKEA showcases.


Is there a "dream" item for you?

The collection isn’t really a dream it’s a hobby. I’m a musician and composer, so naturally my dreams are all in that direction. I know some collectors live and breathe for their collection, but with me it’s my music. I have most of the rare Grendizer pieces in my collection now though there are still some elusive pieces like the Grendizer's Jumbo Saucer mint in box, hard to find and difficult to ship because of its size.

What is your favorite item you found thru Rinkya and why?

I use Rinkya for Japanese Grendizer merchandise like books and smaller pieces. I have found Rinkya works well for me.


Do you have any advice for new toy collectors?

Of course, toy collections are fun. Some people make them a business and it is sometimes difficult to find honest sellers. When you find them stay in touch and use them for future contacts. Japan is a long way away and they are not an expansive culture. They don’t sell outside of Japan easily and this is why I use Rinkya to buy and research items.


Are there fakes out there and how do you spot them?

As I said, some people make a business of it and some of those people are not above selling fakes, reproductions or repainted toys as new. There is always some risk and you can only use your experience and that of your friends. Collector’s catalogues are helpful, especially in showing versions and rarities with pictures of them, but the toys themselves are the only real way to identify a lot of things. Toys that are cheap because of bad condition are a good way to educate yourself in some characteristics of a collectible toy. Buy a few and study them before spending a lot of money.


Read the rest of Jurij's interview tomorrow!



[Japan][grendizer]

Rinkya Collector's Corner- FlyWheels' Transformers!

How long have you been collecting?

I started when I was 7 in 1984, but really got into collecting again in 1993 and have been going strong since.

How did you get started collecting Japanese transformers?

Thanks to my introduction to the internet. As I researched the rich history of Transformers on various Transformers websites I discovered that Japan got so
much more stuff (toys and all) than the U.S. ever got.

What is the “dream” item for you?

I guess like a lot of other collectors, a complete, mint in box Grand Maximus.

What is your favorite part of collecting Transformers?

The childhood memories that are attached to the characters/toys and the thrill of finding that hard to find toy.

What is your favorite item you found thru Rinkya and
why?

Goryu, one of the Destron Dinoforce members. I had managed to buy the other 5 Dinoforce members complete in their original boxes, but Goryu (the t-rex) had
always eluded me. So I was very ecstatic when I found and won that auction.


How did you like the movie Transformers? Did it live up to your expectations?

Yes, I enjoyed the movie greatly...although I thought some of the humans just "got in the way". Looking forward to the DVD release though as well as the impending sequel!

Where can we see your Transformers collection?

My photo album of my packaged Japanese Transformer items can be found here:
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y240/flywheels/TF%20Collection/
That is just a small representation of everything Transformers that I own though. I haven't found the time to finish photographing everything else!


Thank you FlyWheels for sharing your collection and good luck!

Want to showcase your collection? Email me at laurelNOSPAM@rinkya.com

Transformers on YJ

Prior Collector's Corners:
Cel Collector Ryan!
Blythe Collector April!



[Japan][transformers]
[optimus prime][be@rbricks][megatron]

Rinkya Collector's Corner- Ryan's Anime Cels!

How long have you been collecting?

I have been collecting Original Comic Artwork since 1978 and Anime Cels
since 2001

How did you get started collecting cels?

In 2001 at the San Diego Comic-con that year I was recovering from knee
surgery so my wife and I took a lot of breaks from walking around. One of
the breaks found us in one of the Anime rooms there. One of the shows we saw
that day was Oh My Goddess Ova episodes #4 &5 . The story and character
designs impressed us so later in the dealer room we found a seller and
bought the dvds. Next to that booth was Anime Link and we saw some of the
cels Rick had for sale. We purchased several and have been adding to our
collection ever since.

What is the “dream” item for you?

I can't truly say I have a true "dream" item for my collection is diverse
and I have many favorites. This one http://ryan.rubberslug.com/gallery/inv_info.asp?ItemID=34776 with the image that seems to capture Belldandy perfectly is the one I chose to use as a feature image that appears in rotation on the front page of the Rubberslug
home page.

What is your favorite part of collecting cels?

We enjoy owning images of our favorite series that one can look at and
instantly your mind can replay the scene. Also through collecting and having
a gallery on Rubberslug we have made quite a few great friends.

What is your favorite item you found thru Rinkya and why?

I would say it's way too hard to pick one cel. With non cel items , I was
able through Rinkya to get a couple of Ai Yori Aoshi lithographs that made
great presents for my wife.
http://ryan.rubberslug.com/gallery/inv_info.asp?ItemID=95333 &
http://ryan.rubberslug.com/gallery/inv_info.asp?ItemID=99533

Where can we see your treasures?
At the website RubberSlug which just passed it's 6 year
anniversary.
My personal gallery can be found there at http://ryan.rubberslug.com

Thank you for sharing your collection with us!!!

Image is Property of Owner, do not copy without permission.

For Your Own Cels, Check out YJ:
Anime Cels
Ah! My Goddess

Rinkya's Cel Sale is still on, save money when you purchase a cel, genga, douga, background!

Visit our First Collector's Corner- Blythe Collector April!

A Rinkya Blog's New Feature Collector's Corner!

Welcome to our First Edition of Rinkya's Collector's Corner!

Our first interview is Blythe Collector, April.
Blythe Dolls are popular items in Japan and are sought after by collectors around the world.



How long have you been collecting?

I started collecting about three years ago when my daughter was born.

How did you get started collecting Blythes?

I started out collecting dolls that I had played with as a child. I wanted to be able to show my daughter some of the toys of my childhood.
I actually owned a blonde Kenner blythe doll (the original Blythe) as a child.
They were only produced for one year in 1972.
When I went to buy one on the resale market I was shocked to learn that they were fetching upwards of $1000 USD.
I learned of the resurgence of the Blythe doll's popularity after they began to be produced in Japan.
The story of Blythe's "rebirth" in Japan is fascinating. I bought one just to see what they were like and fell in love.


What is the “dream” item for you?

Ha! ha! It changes all the time! First it was the vintage Kenner dolls...then the limited edition Japanese Blythes. Now I have a passion for customized dolls. The Japanese are doing amazing work - they are preeminent customizers. This is one of the reasons that Rinkya is an indispensable service for me. It gives me access to a critical market I wouldn't otherwise have.


What is your favorite part of collecting Blythes?

Actually, you may find this surprising, but it is the creativity. Doll collectors are creative and talented people. They are painters, photographers and artists. Many sew all of their own outfits for their dolls. They create the most fantastic miniature worlds in minute detail. I learned photography so that I could share pictures of my dolls with other collectors. Now I have started customizing my own dolls now and I am really enjoying the creative process.

What is your favorite item you found thru Rinkya and why?

I have been a fan of the Japanese Blythe customizer known as Blastic.12 for a quite some time. He sells his beautiful creations on Yahoo Japan under the brand name Ragdoll Punch. I was lucky enough to recently acquire one of his custom dolls. She is a work of art and I am thrilled to have her!

Where can we see your treasures?

You can see many of the dolls in my collection on my flickr site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/blink_posse/

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions and good luck with
your collection!!

Thanks for talking with me. It has been fun!

Check out the listings of Blythes on YJ!


Do you have a collection you want showcased on our blog?
Email us! laurelNOSPAM@rinkya.com

Image is property of owner.


[Japan][blythe dolls]
[kenner][japan collections]