Universal Monster Army

I've posted about these in the model kit thread, but X-Plus or Shounen-Ric or whatever they're called displayed their upcoming Frankenstein's Monster soft vinyl figure again over the weekend at a festival and here are some better photos.

So, it's not a kit, but you do have to paint it?

Yeah, I'm wondering that myself. Or is the grey version an unfinished one meant to show of the design? It looks like something I might pick up, but probably not if I also have to paint it myself.

I'm thinking that the grey one would be the hard copy sculpt and the colour one is the finished soft vinyl version. I always see these painted and the grey looks like some sort of sculpting material.

Ian

Generally sofubi (soft vinyl) comes painted. Some companies, usually more on the indie side, will offer unpainted blanks for customizers.

I have a feeling these are going to be very popular.

Based of the overall style of the monster, I suspect creature will look a bit like...
(https://img.mandarake.co.jp/webshopimg/02/00/908/0200110908/020011090836.jpg)
But less ragon and more creature-y. Those wide hips. 😁

Quote from: deadonarrival on October 08, 2024, 01:50:31 AMI suspect creature will look a bit like...But less ragon and more creature-y.

Are they doing a Creature, or are you just assuming?

Quote from: Mike Scott on October 08, 2024, 01:59:49 AMAre they doing a Creature, or are you just assuming?

I would imagine they'd do the usual suspects. Drac, Creach, Wolfie, etc.
X plus usually does multiple figures from a franchise.
They'd be foolish to leave THAT money on the table.

Quote from: deadonarrival on October 08, 2024, 02:12:34 AMThey'd be foolish to leave THAT money on the table.

You would tink.

What do thes things go for?

At least they have good birthing hips  ;D

How tall is Frank - and where can I buy one?

Quote from: Monsters For Sale on October 08, 2024, 06:20:30 PMHow tall is Frank

They look to be around 10 inches tall, to me. Here's a post from July '24 with the sofubi on the same shelf as the model kits.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on July 28, 2024, 12:44:57 PMX-Plus put on quite a showing at Wonderfest 2024 in Chiba, Japan, including what I believe is the first look at the first charater in their new Universal Monsters sofubi (soft vinyl) figure line: Frankenstein's Monster! Wild to me that, finally, we're getting licensed Uni Monsters traditional sofubi toys after all these decades. Images taken from X-Plus' various social channels and hosted for posterity.

(https://i.postimg.cc/WzmbzJ3D/2024-X-Plus-Wonderfest-July-1-1.jpg)

Quote- and where can I buy one?

They've not been scheduled for sale as yet.

Big fan of Sofubi's-- they usually come painted but often have solid colored variants.  I'm all in here.

Nobody considers the Placo's sofubi, but they are IMO.

Quote from: scarey1scd on October 08, 2024, 09:10:30 AMAt least they have good birthing hips  ;D

Yeah, what's with the female hips? Aside from that they look pretty good.

The female hips are a pretty standard Sofubi practice going back to the 60s-- it's to make them sturdier.  I have about a dozen different ones-- most of them I got in Japan (where I believe they were first introduced) and I love them.

Did they say if there would be any others aside from Frankenstein? I'd go nuts for a Kharis or Gillman sofubi!

Quote from: Hopefullygoodgrammar on October 10, 2024, 09:21:48 AMDid they say if there would be any others aside from Frankenstein? I'd go nuts for a Kharis or Gillman sofubi!

There is a Mondo Creature sofubi that was released fairly recently, did you see that?

Ian

I have!  :)   I just meant specifically from X-Plus.

Quote from: Palifan on October 10, 2024, 01:46:39 PMThere is a Mondo Creature sofubi that was released fairly recently

You mean these?

(https://mondoshop.com/cdn/shop/files/CFBL_Linocut_PP001.jpg?v=1718832808&width=570)

Quote from: Mike Scott on October 10, 2024, 02:10:35 PMYou mean these?

(https://mondoshop.com/cdn/shop/files/CFBL_Linocut_PP001.jpg?v=1718832808&width=570)

Yes that's the one I was thinking of and the first colour release. It was sounds though that one from this company is what the other member is hoping for. More the merrier I say 😁

Ian

Quote from: Hopefullygoodgrammar on October 10, 2024, 02:02:15 PMI have!  :)   I just meant specifically from X-Plus.

I see, yes, I can imagine that they would make a great version 😁

Quote from: Hopefullygoodgrammar on October 10, 2024, 09:21:48 AMDid they say if there would be any others aside from Frankenstein? I'd go nuts for a Kharis or Gillman sofubi!

Gill-man?!? You and me and Mike and a lot of others!

At this stage, however, all I've seen is this Frankenstein's Monster, and X-Plus has been very upfront about it not yet even being scheduled for sale. I'm curious to know if they keep showing it (twice now over four months) because they're looking for either a distribution or retail partner for it under their Shounen-Ric brand (or perhaps that's a sister company - if anyone knows the structure of Shounen-Ric/X-Plus/X-PlusNA I would love to know it).

Here is a photo I posted of signage for a Metaluna Mutant item from July's X-Plus Wonderfest display (its clipped from a live video), but its generation is so poor I couldn't translate it. That said, it DOES NOT look their "coming soon" images they've used these last two years to tease new model kits. Anyone here able to get a legible translation of it?

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on July 28, 2024, 12:44:57 PMX-Plus put on quite a showing at Wonderfest 2024 in Chiba, Japan...

(https://i.postimg.cc/C1GX3C5Q/2024-X-Plus-Wonderfest-Metaluna-Mutant.png)

Quote from: Mike Scott on October 10, 2024, 02:10:35 PMYou mean these?

(https://mondoshop.com/cdn/shop/files/CFBL_Linocut_PP001.jpg?v=1718832808&width=570)

While I find all three variations of this Mondo Attack Peter Creature FTBL very fun, they, like the Playco figures, are not commonly considered "Sofubi", a simplified Japanese word derived from the pronunciation of the English "Soft Vinyl". Sofubi has traditionally referred to Japanese made soft vinyl (PVC) toys, though that is morphing a bit. There have been plenty of oft vinyl composition toys made in the US and other countries over the decades which aren't considered "sofubi".

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on October 10, 2024, 05:47:28 PM. . . Japanese word derived from the pronunciation of the English "Soft Vinyl". Sofubi has . . .

How did they get "ubi" from "vinyl"?  ;D

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on October 10, 2024, 05:32:44 PMAnyone here able to get a legible translation of it?

Way too far gone! You need one of those computers from a TV cop show.

Sofuto Biniru. Sofuto=soft Biniru= Vinyl.  Sofu-Bi

My wife reads and speaks Japanese-- the picture is too blurry to make out what it says.

X-Plus attended the 62nd All Japan Model and Hobby Show, held 2024 October 12 - 13 in Tokyo and had the same signage for the Mutant on display with signage exclusively for model kits, so I'm thinking it too is for a kit and not a sofubi.

No update on these?

(I like the unpainted Frank better than the finished one.)

Just remembered this. Any updates? I did a quick Google search, and don't see anything.

X-Plus had the Frankenstein's Monster sofubi at the 2025 Winter Wonder Fest in February, but not prominently displayed. They seem to be part of the "X-Plus Garage Toy" line, and in front of them is a dinosaur and woman I don't recognize. There was also a highly stylized non-licensed neon pink Frankie on display as well. Oh, the placard for the Mutant I posted previously is in fact for a model kit. I've posted that in the X-Plus model kit thread. It's pretty swell.

Could that be Moon Girl and Devil Dinsaur from Marvel Comics?

Quote from: AndyFish on April 09, 2025, 11:43:13 AMCould that be Moon Girl and Devil Dinsaur from Marvel Comics?

I don't think it is, nothing about Marvel, Devil Dinosaur, etc on the display card, but I don't know what it's meant to represent (beyond dino and gal, that is).

I thought the dinosaur had a "Valley of the Gwangi" vibe.

Maybe pink franky is gargantuas inspired?
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ifZxnrASAX0/maxresdefault.jpg)

It looks fantastic whatever it's inspiration comes from.

I sure hope they release that soft vinyl Frankenstein, and they seem to display the unpainted version prominently, which I prefer also.

Do any of you know of a retailer, or comic company that carries the X Plus models, and hopefully the soft Frankie?  Are these still only available in Japan? 

Quote from: MrDark1 on April 09, 2025, 04:13:45 PMDo any of you know of a retailer, or comic company that carries the X Plus models, and hopefully the soft Frankie?  Are these still only available in Japan? 

There are a couple of hobby distributors in the US that carry X-Plus - or were before the current tariffs. Everything seems to be on pause in terms of importing into the States , but that also seems to be a very fluid situation, so perhaps it will break in favor of the consumer. If so, I imagine the same places you're seeing sell the model kits will continue to do so and, hopefully, the sofubi will be offered to the hoppy in the same manner. As far as buying the already released kits, google for whichever character you're after or, if you're close to Athens, Georgia, hit up Bizarro Wuxtry. If they don't have it in stock, they should be able to order it for you.

Frankenstein is up for pre-order now at BBTS

FRANKENSTEIN SOFUBI (https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/347144)


https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/347144

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54944818925_e046ab2757_o.jpg)
                    FRANKENSTEIN - Figure - 10.63 in.- X-Plus, 2026

After shipping and tax, that would be a $140 wide-hipped Frank that is nothing special - beyond being slightly different from other figures.  And he is only a bit over 10½" tall!

That's an easy PASS for me.

I wouldn't spend $14 on that, let alone ten times that

Look at the gap between those legs.  Them's birthin' hips.

.

10,000 Yen!!! Oh yeah, that's only about 5 bucks.

Quote from: darkmonkeygod on November 24, 2025, 08:53:07 PMYou'll note I didn't bother to post about either of the 95th anniversary vinyl figures X-Plus is offering.

That said, here's the other one to hate on. 

BBTS lists it as both 21 inches tall and 8.5 inches tall.  Which is it?

At least it is different.  Not something I would buy for $90 - but different.  Oddly, I don't hate it as much as the other one, just not something I would collect.

Its a typo.    21cm is about 8 1/2 inches

The other designer version is 21"
I'm passing too, Sofubi's are usually colored in very artistic colors, this one is just too plain for me.  And the price doesn't include whatever the Tariff fee would be.

Quote from: AndyFish on November 25, 2025, 10:12:42 AMThe other designer version is 21"
I'm passing too, Sofubi's are usually colored in very artistic colors, this one is just too plain for me.  And the price doesn't include whatever the Tariff fee would be.

Thats how sofubi humanoid characters are.    They dont get garish paint jobs like the kaiju stuff. 

Quote from: Monsters For Sale on November 24, 2025, 02:58:19 PM(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54944818925_e046ab2757_o.jpg)
                    FRANKENSTEIN - Figure - 10.63 in.- X-Plus, 2026

After shipping and tax, that would be a $140 wide-hipped Frank that is nothing special - beyond being slightly different from other figures.  And he is only a bit over 10½" tall!

That's an easy PASS for me.

Reminds me of this (which a lot of collectors bow down and worship  :laugh: ).

(https://i.etsystatic.com/17528621/r/il/9a0fe8/2222533314/il_fullxfull.2222533314_mcgf.jpg)

(https://preview.redd.it/5i9r5p4xo2a31.gif?width=400&auto=webp&s=3fbb564ab3501d4fb05fb0f2708aad60f423cfe3)

Quote from: horrorhunter on November 25, 2025, 03:23:59 PMReminds me of this (which a lot of collectors bow down and worship  :laugh: ).
(https://i.etsystatic.com/17528621/r/il/9a0fe8/2222533314/il_fullxfull.2222533314_mcgf.jpg)

Quote from: Dr.Terror on November 25, 2025, 12:50:18 PMThats how sofubi humanoid characters are.    They dont get garish paint jobs like the kaiju stuff. 

(https://toyunderground.com/store/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Awesome-Toy-Golden-Space-Flyman_1024-01.jpg)

I've got well over 100 sofubi's and the best ones (IMO) are the ones with crazy color schemes.

But its not wacky colors for the sake of being wacky.   Its based on a Korean Batman cartoon.   Its accurate to the source.     The modern licensed Batman  like that.   Accurate to the source.   Not wacky artsy colorways.    Show me some licensed Ultraman, Kamen Rider etc...humanoid characters done in wacky colors.

If Frankenstein wore yellow tights the sofubi would reflect it.

Its the exception not the norm.       

Quote from: horrorhunter on November 25, 2025, 03:23:59 PMReminds me of this

The hip joints fall in line with human sofubi hip astetics.   The jacket just makes them look wider.   

Well, you might be right.  I have a crazy colored Ultra-Man in storage but I think I got that at a show in Los Angeles.  All the other one's are not human characters.

I wasn't thinking too crazy- just something like this;

(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiha2ooZVwM-WBdmkAv8CPrNck_7nf8Hoirel1P10T_lnX1L0utI052SRJ7d77pqGShtPYdXGcnTVCLXqPnRzzIqfxSXIQCKld3q9qMZJBREbXub_o3rSnAUUllaZZQot2GU-Zm8-gkx-x4U57SeEInYGJH1Rb__hg0ngUW8SYt0oBaBnghG3PS4vzjapDH/s792/FRANKENSTEIN.png)

Crazy how the old Placo is more sofubi than an actual sofubi.    Something like this woukd have been better imo.   Paint wise. 


(https://i.postimg.cc/rwCLrGpL/Screenshot-20251127-224747-Samsung-Internet.jpg)

Agree 100%

Has anyone heard any updates on these?

Quote from: Dr.Terror on April 19, 2026, 12:59:26 AMHas anyone heard any updates on these?

I have one on preorder from BBTS, and it says it's estimated to release June of this year. Of course, those dates are often wrong. Unfortunately, looks like they're sold out on BBTS: https://www.bigbadtoystore.com/product/universal-monsters-retro-sofubi-collection-frankensteins-monster-figure-176858?variation=347144