Uncle Moroboshi | Look, this must be a JR terminal station. That's right, they sell toys at station kiosks as well, don't they? |
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Hoshino | Hee-hee-hee. Now please excuse me as I have to go somewhere, but Dr. Baltan will be in charge for the rest of your tour. |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. Glad to be here. |
Anne | We are busy so please excuse us. See you then. Dr. Baltan, do well. |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. |
Uncle Moroboshi | Where do they sell the monsters? |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. They sell them at kiosks at train stations. |
Uncle Moroboshi | You know, I thought they only sold ordinary toys with nothing special... |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. The fact is, there are quite a few shops which sell the kind of toys that are unavailable at ordinary toy shops. Why don't you have a look at the kiosk over there? |
Uncle Moroboshi | Wow! You know what this reminds me of? This must be the Pointer in the Ultra Security Guards! Well, don't they sell them at toy shops? |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. You might find them at some large toy shops, but they are mostly sold at convenience stores, drug stores, family restaurants, souvenir shops at tourist stops, and station kiosks. For example, this is what I found at a souvenir shop in Fukushima last week. |
Uncle Moroboshi | I see, but how come these shops don't sell ordinary toys? |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. The unit prices of ordinary toys at these shops tend to be too expensive. These shops have their own distribution system, so the costs are lower if they deal with special products. This is why there exist toy makers who specialize in these 'gap' distribution channels. |
Uncle Moroboshi | This Ultraseven is so small but look at how detailed his movement is. |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. I'm glad you said that. The innovation of the metal mold technology enabled expression of details of this sofubi toy, something the older technology couldn't do. The low costs of production in China made it possible to spend a lot of money in developing these tiny products. |
Uncle Moroboshi | The story almost makes me cry. |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. These kinds of toys have scarcity values because the production is quite small. This Birdon, who was in 'Ultraman Taro', made the collectors crazy because it was the first production of its toys made of soft vinyl. |
Uncle Moroboshi | Well, I don't know too much about Ultra characters in those years. |
Dr. Baltan | Fo-fo-fo. Here is the best actor. The world of toys is much wider than you think. I appear in a variety of toys such as catcher machines at game centers, masks sold at fairs, jigsaw puzzles, and stationary goods. There is a special maker and distribution system for each of the products. |
Uncle Moroboshi | I've really learned a lot today, haven't I? |
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