Figura andante de hojalata con cuerda Mirrorman de Bullmark, con caja original, tokusatsu del período Showa de principios de los años 1970, 24 cm

Mirrorman is a quieter, more introspective tokusatsu hero, and Bullmark rendered him in lithographed tinplate during the last great chapter of Japanese tin production. This 24 cm deadstock figure survives unused with its box, closer to a reference specimen than a plaything.

The Piece

Produced by Bullmark in the early 1970s, this boxed Mirrorman comes from the apex of Japan's tokusatsu industrial imagination, when toy makers rapidly turned live-action television heroes into durable, animated tinplate forms. These were not character merchandise in the modern sense but physical extensions of broadcast culture, made to bring movement, rhythm and heroic posture into the home.

Mirrorman's design is unusually restrained beside his contemporaries. The mirror-like facial mask suggests reflection, duality and identity, a departure from monster-centric tokusatsu; the green chest motif anchors the figure without excess ornament; and the metallic silver body mirrors, literally, the industrial optimism of late-Showa Japan. Bullmark translated the costume geometry into lithographed panels that favor symmetry and posture over aggression, and the figure stands composed and observational, in keeping with the character's role as a reflective protector.

Bullmark tin figures occupy a distinct tier: tinplate stamping required precision tooling that limited production runs, the lithography here remains crisp with strong color blocking, and the zenmai mechanism uses a simple, durable gear train engineered for longevity. Tin was less forgiving in play than the soft vinyl that followed, so survival rates are significantly lower, especially with boxes. As plastic and vinyl replaced tin, tokusatsu series ran short broadcast lives and children discarded packaging, boxed tin figures were rarely kept on purpose; most survivors come from forgotten inventory, closed toy shops or early collectors, and this one likely survived in non-retail storage rather than in a child's hands.

The figure speaks to Showa-era tokusatsu historians, Bullmark specialists, tinplate mechanical toy collectors and design-led archive displays. It stands alone as a hero artifact, works as a companion to Ultraman, Spectreman or Fireman, and serves as a study object for pre-vinyl character manufacturing: for serious collectors, a cornerstone reference.

Details

• Maker: Bullmark
• Character: Mirrorman (Mirror Man)
• Era: Early 1970s (Showa period, after the 1968 tokusatsu boom)
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Lithographed tinplate body with mixed alloy components; clockwork (zenmai) mechanism
• Mechanism: Wind-up walking action; arms swing, forward gait confirmed
• Measurements: Height approx. 24 cm
• Type: Tinplate wind-up figure, masked hero
• Included: Original box

Condition

Japonista grade S · Unworn or as new, complete with original packaging.

• Deadstock example; the figure is unused.
• The mechanism was tested for verification only.
• The box shows age toning and handling wear consistent with storage.

Authenticity & Care

Bullmark Mirrorman tinplate wind-up figure with its original box; walking action confirmed in a single verification test. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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