Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys Conquered the World

by Woodrow Phoenix

Plastic toys based on Japanese comics, movies and TV shows from Astro Boy , Godzilla and Gatchaman , to Power Rangers , Sailor Moon and Pokemon , have had a powerful effect on the imaginations and the markets of the West, and have kick-started trends in design and pop culture that have crossed
from Japan to the West and back East again.

Lavish full-color photographs of cult, limited-edition, and "designer" toys take us through the postwar period and right up into the present, with a fascinating look at the current vogue for "urban vinyl" and "art" toys. Extensively researched, the book includes interviews with the leading players
in today's toy world, including long-established Japanese toymaking giants Kaiyodo and Sanrio, world-famous fine artists and producers of "art" toys Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara, and cult Hong Kong designers of "urban vinyl" toys Michael Lau and Eric So.

With its blend of incisive analysis and stylish photography, this is a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers: from those interested in the latest trends in contemporary art, to toy collectors young and old, and to anyone with an interest in Japan's influence on contemporary pop
culture.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Art, Japan

109 pages, Hardcover

First published August 18, 2006

Reviews

[Elizabeth Judd Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a 4.5 because the photos are great. In fact, I've had this book for a few years and have enjoyed all the photos more than once, but I had never just sat down to read it; so, last night, I did just that. There's a lot of fun stuff in here and a lot of stuff that I collect or admire; what brings this bit of pop culture down to 4 stars for me is that the subtitle is a tiny bit misleading. The book is, indeed, about how the way plastic toys were made and marketed in Japan came to be popular worldwide, but many of the toys and designers showcased in the book are European or American. That in itself is not a problem, it's just that the subtitle led me to believe the book was going to be nothing but Japanese toys (and goodness knows they could fill an entire book quite easily).

[em · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love writing essays said no one ever, I am just dramatic this is actually pretty interesting

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very charming work about plastic toys from Japanese artists and how they have been influenced by America's 1950s and 1960s memorabilia. The book itself is a short read, but holds many fascinating pictures of toys and figures from artists I had never heard of before but have huge followings due to their unique styling. I recommend this book to those who like toys, the history of toys, the social impact of toys on children and adults, or are making toys. I could also recommend this to designers, interior decorators, illustrators, and those interested in branding design, because there are many tips and ideas about the simplicity and complexity of the toys and their designs that I think would be helpful to many people. Overall, I found this book entertaining and interesting.

[Bobby Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating would be higher if the book was longer and more comprehensive.