The long-awaited S.H. Figuarts Imit-Ultraman figures headline anniversaries, with Kenner's Retro Collection continuing Star Wars nostalgia.
This week’s most notable development for collectors is the debut of the S.H. Figuarts Imit-Ultraman, an event exclusive released in July 2026. Long anticipated, this figure marks an evolution in the Ultraman franchise’s enduring tradition of evil doppelgängers, dating back to the original series in 1966. The Imit-Ultraman was released to commemorate the Tamashii Nations Live Action Figure Expo, finally addressing a gap in the Ultraman collectibles market. Given its limited availability as an event exclusive, this release may prove challenging for collectors looking to add it to their shelves. (source)
Star Wars Retro Collection Continues to Engage Fans
News from the galaxy far, far away centers on the ongoing interest in the Star Wars Retro Collection. Enthusiasts have revisited the past with Hasbro’s re-releases of classic Kenner figures, although distribution issues have plagued the line since its debut in 2019. Recent collectors’ efforts to secure figures like the original twelve Kenner figures highlight both nostalgia and the challenge of modern availability.(source)
Further complicating this nostalgic journey is the release of various Yoda figures, including a 2-inch Retro Collection Yoda and a 4.75-inch Action Collection Yoda from 1997. Collectors seem divided over the Retro Collection, yet many are seeing the merit in these reissues as a cost-effective alternative to vintage specimens.(source)
Spotlight on Rare and Niche Collectibles
This week also highlights the enduring fascination with rare and niche collectibles. The relatively obscure Monsters of the Galaxy, an Italian Masters of the Universe knock-off introduced in 1985, remains a curiosity among collectors despite its limited geographical release and availability. This line, featuring nine figures and two beasts, is rarely seen outside of niche auctions and markets.(source)
Additionally, collectors’ interests extend to unique finds like the Corgi bootlegs from the 1970s, highlighting the long-standing tradition of knock-off toys, like the F1 replicas based on Corgi casts. Such vintage bootlegs shed light on the parallel histories of legitimate and imitation toy lines. (source)
Odds and Ends: Other items, though intriguing to niche collectors, including mechanisms in the Blue-Box Peugeot 205 and earlier entries in the Stargate series, reflect the storytelling and toy application diversity within the market.Blue-Box | Stargate
