Right off the bat, there are a few things you should know about Mark Nagata.
- He may or may not have THE largest Ultraman collection in the world, but take my word (or look at the pictures): it’s massive.
- He believes (kind of) that kaiju (Japanese monsters) really do exist.
- Mark looks a good decade younger than his birth certificate would tell you: “All the vinyl fumes are preserving me. They’re either killing me or preserving me.”
In addition to possessing that secret to youthful longevity, Mark is one of the nicest guys working in the toy scene today. Beyond being the proprietor of Max Toy Co, he’s an incredibly talented artist and illustrator. The header cards on his toys merely hint at his artistic skills. This combination of art, toys and long-term San Francisco residency intrigued me, so naturally I invited myself over to see Ultraman Mecca and ask Mark a ton of questions. Even after lobbing hard balls at him, he invited me back for a second round. Thanks to Mark-san for being such a great host, and now, let’s get started.
Read the rest of Mark Nagata is the (Ultra)Man HERE.
