Kaiyodo – Figure Collection (Seven-Eleven x Suntory Boss)

In the spring of 2006, as the first film devoted to Raoh reached cinemas, an unusual campaign got under way. Buying a can of Suntory Coffee Boss at Seven-Eleven came with a Hokuto no Ken figure sculpted by Kaiyodo. A convenience store exclusive that has since become scarce.

Details

ManufacturerKaiyodo

LineFigure Collection (Seven-Eleven x Suntory Boss)

ScaleNon-scale

MaterialsPVC (gashapon)

Production period2006

PriceCampaign (Suntory Boss can)

Two waves, two faces

The collection ran in two waves of eight releases each, four figures on bases and four busts mounted on pedestals, in metallic gold and silver finishes. One detail sets the two series clearly apart. The first carries the full film logo on its label, Shin Kyuseishu Densetsu, Raoh-den Junai no Sho, presenting itself openly as film merchandise. The second returns to more generic packaging in the franchise colours.

The first wave, in the film’s colours

True to its cinematic footing, this wave brings together four figures from the film’s cast, Kenshiro, Emperor Souther, Shû and Raoh. To these are added four busts, Kenshiro and Jagi in silver, Raoh and Toki in gold.

Kenshiro

Details

Wave	first, in the film’s colours
Type	figure on base

Raoh

Details

Wave	first, in the film’s colours
Type	figure on base

Souther

Details

Wave	first, in the film’s colours
Type	figure on base

Shû

Details

Wave	first, in the film’s colours
Type	figure on base

Kenshiro bust, silver

Details

Wave	first
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	silver

Raoh bust, gold

Details

Wave	first
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	gold

Toki bust, gold

Details

Wave	first
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	gold

Jagi bust, silver

Details

Wave	first
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	silver

The second wave

The second wave refreshes the figures by drawing elsewhere in the story: Kenshiro and Raoh are joined this time by Heart, the giant of Shin’s gang, and Yuria. The four busts, for their part, reuse exactly the same sculpts as the first wave, but swap the finishes. Kenshiro and Jagi turn to gold, Raoh and Toki to silver. A neat device that, simply by inverting the colours, pushed collectors to buy both series in order to own every bust in both versions.

Kenshiro, bare-chested

Details

Wave	second
Type	figure on base
Leaflet text	successor to Hokuto Shinken, an assassination art passed to a single heir each generation

Raoh, bare-chested

Details

Wave	second
Type	figure on base
Leaflet text	the strongest man of his age, ruling through terror and standing in Kenshiro’s way

Heart

Details

Wave	second
Type	figure on base
Leaflet text	a giant whose body absorbs every blow, Shin’s henchman, remembered for his dying cry

Yuria

Details

Wave	second
Type	figure on base
Leaflet text	Kenshiro’s fiancée, whose choices between Hokuto and Nanto reshape the fates of men

Kenshiro bust, gold

Details

Wave	second
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	gold
Sculpt	identical to the first wave

Raoh bust, silver

Details

Wave	second
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	silver
Sculpt	identical to the first wave

Toki bust, silver

Details

Wave	second
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	silver
Sculpt	identical to the first wave

Jagi bust, gold

Details

Wave	second
Type	bust on pedestal
Finish	gold
Sculpt	identical to the first wave

A promotional item, never sold

The leaflets make it clear: these figures were given away, not sold. The only contact provided is a dedicated campaign office, and the legal notices warn that the item given may differ from the photograph. The sculpting is credited to Matsuura Ken, with planning and manufacturing by Kaiyodo and art direction by Ryo Ainoya.

Finding them today

Distributed only for the duration of the campaign, these figures never entered normal retail, which makes them hard to gather today. They resurface on Yahoo Auctions, Mercari and Suruga-ya, keepsakes of a marketing operation that tied together coffee, convenience stores and cinema.