Introducing Grody Shogun: An American Making Vinyl Toys in Japan

Grody Shogun making vinyl toys in Japan

This makes a lot of sense: Luke Rook, co-founder of Arizona outpost, Lulubell Toy Bodega, has been living and working (and buying and selling toys) in Japan for the past five years. It was really only a matter of time before he began producing his own line of Japanese vinyl toys…

Today, Lulubell announced the formation of Grody Shogun, Rook’s company based on all the bits of liquid vinyl he’s sponged up from studying under sofubi masters. Grody Shogun is a project borne out of his “commitment to the life and stability of the toy world,” which is something the scene really needs at the moment. The press release tells us to “expect Grody Shogun to bring some of the weirdest shit you’ve ever seen”. It also foretells of lower-cost “apprentice” prices for the first phase of this new company.

Yesterday, we saw a picture of Jon Knox’s Jeffrey vinyl that’s being produced in Japan through Rook’s company. Veracious Vinyl may be making “Japanese vinyl” in America; now here’s an American making vinyl in Japan. I wish this project lots of luck, and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes out of their molds.

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