Marusan Battery-Operated Walking Ultraman, Tinplate with Wired Remote, 1966, 31 cm, Showa Era

Ultraman in lithographed tinplate, made by Marusan to walk under battery power from a wired remote control box. First released in 1966, the year the hero reached Japanese television, and standing 31 cm (12.2 in) tall.

The Piece

Marusan of Tokyo was the toymaker that set the pattern for Japanese character toys in the 1960s, and the first to take Tsuburaya Productions’ monsters and heroes into shops while the programmes were still on air. Ultraman made his television debut on TBS in July 1966, and this walking figure belongs to that first season of merchandise, built from pressed and printed steel in the manner of the great Japanese tin toys.

The figure carries the silver and red suit of the original series, with the blue colour timer set into the chest, the eyes picked out in yellow and the fin rising over the crown. The arms are articulated at the shoulder, and the legs are linked to a motor housed in the body; the feet ride on black sliding plates beneath the boots. A green cable runs from the back to a black two-cell battery box that doubles as the remote control.

Early Ultraman tin toys rarely survive complete with the remote, and a walking Marusan in this size is one of the scarcest pieces of first-generation tokusatsu merchandise. It is the kind of object that anchors a serious Showa toy collection, and it is offered here as a display piece.

Height 31 cm (12.2 in). Weight 450 g (1 lb). Every measurement is taken by hand, with the piece laid flat and the tape read by eye, so please allow a gentle margin of about 1–3 cm (0.5–1 in) for the natural give of fabric, handwork and the human hand.

Details

• Maker: Marusan
• Character: Ultraman, Tsuburaya Productions
• Year of release: 1966
• Material: Lithographed tinplate, with plastic and steel fittings
• Mechanism: Battery-operated walking action
• Control: Wired remote battery box
• Height: 31 cm (12.2 in)
• Weight: 450 g (1 lb)
• Box: Not included
• Era: Showa

Condition

• The motor does not run when batteries are fitted; it is offered for display.
• Surface wear, small scratches and light oxidation consistent with age, most visible at the hands, boots and joints.
• The printed red and silver finish is strong overall, with the colour timer intact.
• No original box.

Condition grade B (good, visible wear) on the Japanese scale; see Japanese condition ranks, explained.

Authenticity & Care

The pressed construction, lithography, articulation and wired remote are consistent with Marusan’s 1966 walking Ultraman. Tinplate should be kept dry, out of strong sunlight and away from humidity; handle it by the body rather than the arms, and do not store batteries inside the remote.

Delivery from Japan

The figure is wrapped, boxed and padded as a fragile toy. It ships from Tokyo, insured and tracked, by EMS or an equivalent express service; import duties, where due, are payable on arrival. Please ask anything before you buy, and see our published policy.