Of Ridiculous Product Tie-ins
Posted by Ray @ 6:04 pmHeard of Razor Ramon HG (aka Hard Gay)? In Japanese variety shows he’s an insane-but-well-intentioned japanese character who goes around “helping” society… with a twist: his character is flamboyantly, extravagantly, near-offensively gay.
Of course because he’s so over-the-top, it’s also ridiculously funny. Girls run away from him, screaming in terror as he thrusts his hips violently into the air. Shopkeepers beg him to leave, then thank him profusely for helping their sales. He’s so loud, nobody dares say “No” to his face.
Which is probably how things got so far. Here’s the deal. In one episode, HG invades Tomy Japan, demanding they make a HG version of a popular Tomy toy. When the security guards didn’t let him in, he lowers himself outside the building on a rope, and armed with a loudspeaker demands to speak to the director. An underling appears and begs him to leave (he’s really begging), but HG won’t take no for an answer… and so they invade the director’s home! Long story short, HG convinces the director to make a prototype and limited run of the toy.
(Watch the episode on youtube: part 1, part 2).
Apparently, the toy is doing well, because they just hit Singaporean retailers! Check it out:
And assembled:
And yes, for those of you who are wondering, it does make enticing sounds.
6 Comments »
The URI to TrackBack this entry is: http://www.squarebrain.net/2006-09/of-ridiculous-product-tie-ins/trackback/
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Where do they sell this? I would like to get one!
Comment by Chin — Monday, September 18 2006 @ 9:43 pm
In Singapore he’d be arrested.
Comment by Agagooga — Tuesday, September 19 2006 @ 10:12 am
Chin: Well, there’s a specialty toy store in suntec city, right opposite the Eng Wah cinema (I think it’s Eng Wah? never watched there before). That’s where I got mine. Friends tell me it’s available from the toy store in Orchard Cineleisure as well. Price is about $60, batteries not included. You could probably find it for cheaper if you hunt a bit.
Agagooga: nah, he wouldn’t be arrested, because TV producers would be too humji to let him do it here in the first place =P
Comment by Ray — Thursday, September 21 2006 @ 10:59 am
Thanks a lot. Will get one soon when I am near Suntec.
Comment by Chin — Monday, September 25 2006 @ 12:43 pm
OMG. I want one!! But I won’t be back til Christmas! Doh!
Comment by Joao — Monday, October 9 2006 @ 7:42 pm
They sold out already? Damn.
Comment by Ray — Monday, October 9 2006 @ 10:14 pm