Update on UNKL Spongebob Toys
Speaking of licensed “designer” Spongebob toys, UNKL presents a first look at their Spongebob samples…and they’ve UNKL-ized (nearly) the whole gang. Back in July, UNKL was still courting licensor approval for Spongebob, so it’s nice to find out they got it.
UNKL writes:
“Sally (the Squirrel) is in the next series (if it happens). We’ll take a stab at anything to put our own twist on it if we like how it looks to begin with. The SB crew is a great starting point for us to explore with our own style. Love how these guys are looking. Still artwork to tweak on these and adjustments here and there to the forms, but we’re gettin’ there fo sho…”
[Thanks to Sergey Safonov for the tip, as well as the link to this utterly OCD, fantastic Spongebob video.]
When I first saw the figures, my interest was piqued a little. However, the artist apparently does not know the name of one of the characters (Sandy, not Sally). I know, I know, it’s pointless of me to point it out, but I’m not pointing it out to call out the artist because he goofed up a name. I point it out because it shows that he is not a particular fan of the television show. My thoughts went from “Ooh, look at these toys, this guy must like SpongeBob (maybe I should buy some),” to “Oh, he might just being doing this for the brand recognition (I am not going to buy any).” I do hope it is not the latter, but with the linked discussion about licensing toys, I figure I would express my disheartened opinion.
The “artist” knows it’s Sandy rather than Sally. The name was correct to begin with but the same artists underwent brain trauma, so it’s amazing he got that close to the name really. Paradigm shift?
More trauma I guess, artist (singular), not artists. Only one of us had it. I am a fan of the show for the record.
We don’t do anything just for name recognition.
Thanks for the comment, Jake (and for chiming in on the licensing discussion)! I guess it’s worth pointing out that UNKL was responding to someone else who called the squirrel Sally on Facebook first. Though, I suppose they could have corrected the name in their response? The full conversation is here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150530079998207&set=a.494322953206.269093.590278206&type=1&theater
Thanks for pointing that out Jeremy. As a fan of the show, my feelings toward these toys are still a bit torn. However, the source you provide is certainly a point to consider.
Thanks