KYB #4: Rocky Balboa

Know Your Brick #4: Rocky Balboa

I am not even going to try to introduce Rocky to you all because he is already too famous. A great story about an underdog fighting his way to the world championship. You can read all about Rocky Balboa on the Wikipedia.

It is a shame that I do not know which sequel this Kubrick figure was released for, but it does say "© 1976-2003 MGM Studio" on the back. Rocky V was released in 1990 and Rocky Balboa (VI) is a 2006 film, so I am really scratching my head.

So, what makes this figure special?

The answer is in the picture below. If you remove the hair, you will see the hidden smashed face. I didn't know it until someone pointed it out to me on the Kubricknation Forum. The same heavily smashed face is also available for the other character in the same box set, Apollo Creed.


Hope this post makes someone goes "OH!".

From: Rocky Box Set II 2003 (Rocky, Apollo and Mickey - the trainer)Variation: Rocky Box Set I 2003 (Rocky, Apollo and Adrian - Rocky's wife)
Note: The Italian Restaurant you see in the last film, is also called "Adrian".

(not sure if this is the championship belt)

(look who's sponsoring the gear?)

(normal face)

KYB #3: Monkey Magic

Know Your Brick: Son Goku - Saiyuki (孫悟空 - 西遊記)

The Story
Son Goku, the Monkey God, is a fictional character from the epic Chinese classical novel - Journey to the West (Saiyuki). The story is about the adventure of a Buddhist monk (Tripitaka) and his 3 disciples (Monkey, Pigsy and Sandy) on their pilgrimage to India in order to obtain the Buddhist religious texts. Son Goku was the most powerful disciple among the 3, he has 72 transformations and was able to clone himself just by using his hair - monkey magic!

(The cloud and the staff, no head band yet though)

His Gears

Son Goku has a "somersault-cloud" (觔斗雲), a typical cloud-somersault travels over 10,8000 li (about 54,000 KM). He uses a golden staff called "as-you-wish" (如意金箍棒). He could change the size of the staff according to his will, even to the size of a needle and keep it inside his ear, very handy eh? The mischievous monkey also wears a magical golden headband (緊箍児/金剛圏), so that his master can control him if he is causing trouble. I think YouTube video is probably the best way to explain how the headband works (from the Japanese TV series - Monkey!)

The Figure
This Kubrick figure features the legendary Monkey God Son Goku in a warrior costume, together with staff and headband. Costume design is based on the character played by 香取慎吾 (SMAP) in the 2007 Saiyuki movie.

From: Monkey Magic 孫悟空 Kubrick and 西遊記 Bearbrick Box Set 2007

(Headband)

(Costume)

(Staff)

KYB #2: Kamen Rider

Know Your Brick: Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー)

,

Kamen Rider, also known as the Masked Rider, has nothing to do with Japanese Ramen. The TV series was a hit in the 70s. The story was basically about an altered human, which can change form (Henshin!) into Kamen Rider and fight evil in the name of justice.

Kamen Rider rides a motorcycle called Cyclone, and wears a Typhoon Belt which is also his energy source. This Kubrick figure features KR version 1 wearing a red scarf.

From: Rider Chips 2002 Box Set (with band member and drum set)

(How to make the special 'compound-insect-eye' effect)

(Typhoon Belt)

Variation:

1. Kubrick CD Rider Chips with Dragon Knight (龍騎＆新仮面ライダー1号)
2. Project BM 装着変身×KUBRICK 仮面ライダーVOL.1
3. HMV CD promotion pack
   

KYB #1: Lincoln Ape

Know Your Brick: Lincoln Ape

In the 2001 Tim Burton "Planet of the Apes" film, the Lincoln Memorial was modified, using the face of the ape General Thade. Similar to the Statue of Liberty scene from the original film.

This Kubrick figure features Statue of General Thade like the well known seated sculpture of Abraham Lincoln, stone chair included.

From: Planet of the Ape (Rule the Planet) 2002 Set D