Glossary of Toy Terms

Japanese toys are collected around the world, and their descriptions mix Japanese terms with collectors' shorthand. This glossary explains the words you will meet.

Materials and mechanisms

  • Tin plate. Printed sheet steel, the material of post-war Japanese toys.
  • Soft vinyl. Hollow cast vinyl used for monster and hero figures from the 1960s onwards.
  • Die-cast. Cast metal. Japanese die-cast robots of the 1970s are known as chōgōkin, super alloy.
  • Clockwork. A spring motor wound with a key, zenmai in Japanese.
  • Friction. A flywheel motor charged by pushing the toy along.
  • Battery operated. Powered by batteries, often with lights, sound and several actions.
  • PVC. The plastic of most modern figures.
  • Resin. Cast resin, used for garage kits and statues.

Kinds of toys

  • Kaiju. Giant monster figures.
  • Tokusatsu. Toys from live action special effects series.
  • Gashapon. Capsule toys from vending machines.
  • Shokugan. Small toys sold with confectionery.
  • Prize figure. A figure made as an amusement arcade prize.
  • Ichiban Kuji. A lottery in which every ticket wins a prize, with figures as the top prizes.
  • Garage kit. A small run resin kit for the collector to assemble and paint.
  • Model kit. A plastic kit, such as the robot kits produced since 1980.

Packaging and condition

  • MIB. Mint in box.
  • MISB. Mint in sealed box.
  • NIB. New in box.
  • Header card. The printed card stapled to a bagged toy.
  • Blister. A clear plastic bubble fixed to a card.
  • Insert. The card or plastic tray that holds the toy inside its box.
  • Box art. The illustration on the box, often valued as highly as the toy.

Marks and editions

  • Maker's mark. The trademark printed or moulded on the toy.
  • Reissue. A later production of an earlier design, usually marked with a new date.
  • Event exclusive. A figure sold only at a convention or shop event.

Related references

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