Around The BLOCKhead

By: Erich Arendall

Episode 10: Kubricks Need No Title


Ah, a fellow "red shirt."
The list of popular block figure brands is about as short as most of the figures themselves. Despite the different brands lurking out there, most aren't well known at all. Granted, block figures are a niche market as it is, but when they are discussed, one particular brand of block figures stands out: the Kubrick.

Produced in Japan by MediCom Toy, the Kubrick figures have a huge number of licenses under their belt. These licenses include, but are not nearly limited to: Star Wars, DC Comics, Amélie, Grand Theft Auto III, Andy Warhol, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. The last listed line was actually the first line, and Kubricks were introduced to the world (well, to Japan) in 2000.


Where's the Christian Hayden Kubrick
that replaces me in the Special Edition?
The figures were developed in conjunction with a former LEGO employee and the Kubrick design is clearly reminicent of the little LEGO block figures which dominate LEGOland. Like LEGO figures, Kubricks are made up of 9 base pieces: a head, torso, hips, two arms, two hands, and two legs. Like their smaller inspirations, this means that there is no elbow or knee articulation. Like their brethren, they tend to just look cute. Even the figures one would assume might/should look creepy. Different lines are produced in one of three height scales: 6 centimeters, 24 centimeters, and 60 centimeters. Most of the lines are in the standard 6 centimeter scale.

Fun fact! "Ku" means nine in Japanese. Coincidence?

Other fun fact! The Kubrick logo is designed in the style of the logo for "A Clockwork Orange," directed by Stanley Kubrick. This is not a coincidence. The name was chosen in honor of the director.

The Kubrick toys are considered the fathers of modern block figures. They may not have actually been the first block figures on the market, but they are credited as the inspiration for Art Asylum's Minimates who, in turn, were the inspiration for Palisades' PALz lines. So, despite the lack of articulation I have a little place in my heart and a large hole in my wallet, thanks to MediCom.


"You're the ugliest looking Ewok I've ever seen."
As each line of Kubricks is produced in relatively small numbers and distributed primarily in Japan, the figures are highly collectable and can command high prices in one of the only places they can be purchased from in America: eBay. I've seen genuine Kubricks can range in price from a reasonable $4 (plus shipping) to upwards of $200 (plus hefty shipping fees). Many of these sellers are, unsurprisingly (due to the distribution of the toys), located in Asia so shipping can take some time.

Because of the popularity of the figures in Japan and abroad, there are a startlingly large number of Kubrick knock-offs. These are generally easy to spot due to less sophisticated detailing, cheaper plastic and bad paint jobs. However, sometimes it can be difficult to tell what's a real Kubrick and what's not when browsing online. Buyer beware. In researching the Kubrick toys, I did find MediCom Toy Store, which has no direct relation to MediCom, but does list a number of the Kubrick lines available, with eBay search links to purchase the goods.

Personally, I've only gotten a handful of different Kubrick toys, largely for research and display purposes only. Not only can they be a little too pricey for my tastes, but the lack of articulation is simply too large a strike for me to overlook. Perhaps if I got into the block figure game a little earlier, I'd be more interested in them. Are they for you? Depends how devoted to particular media lines you are, I suspect. Admittedly, I really do love my Admiral Ackbar Kubrick figure.

-erich

No, I've not yet featured Kubricks in my webcomic, Attercap.Net, yet. It's my webcomic. The licensing is great, but the prices and articulation aren't.

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Copyright © 2008 Erich Arendall