Hashutsujo(派出所) is basically a really big police box, or really tiny precinct. Very common police presence in Japan. For someone who grew up over there in the 80's, little diorama of hashutsujo building has iconic presence, thanks to this ultra popular manga that has ran since I guess the 1970's to today(I did not realize that it's still going!). They even included the bicycle!(staple in the said manga lol) Pics:
This is the "01a", meaning that this is the first of the series. Which equals $$$. I recall seeing it for $119 on eBay loooong time ago. It was before I was into TLVs. I laughed at the price tag. Last many many months, I looked for such price tag, but no luck. Amazon had them for $130~$150 range for long time(free ship). I jumped on it when it dropped to $99-something. According to Tomytec website, it MSRP'd for roughly $50 new. I was so happy when mine arrived in one piece!((figure of speech)
Didn't open the tiny accessories consisting of two sets of desks/chairs + two dumpsters. They stay sealed in the bag!
Very well detailed building, down to the doors & texture on the exterior walls.
Yard features random rocks & grass all painted neatly.
Fences, roof & utility pole installed:
There is a mention of "Highway Motors" again. Check out my friend Jarrod's Highway Motors Tomicarama set at the end of this post.
Ah, the bike. What a nice touch. Very well made, too.
Beautiful Nissan Bluebird included in the set. I'm told by another collector that the car is exclusive to this diorama set. Fancy. :)
Now a guest appearance by RAI'S R32 Skyline police car:
Extra look at the Bluebird patrol car:
Is this set compatible with my Shell gas station set? Let's see:
Daaaamn son!
Boy, this was fun. Thank you very much for looking! :)
P.S. More Tomicarama coverage in this post.
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| Tomicarama Shell/Idemitsu Gasoline Stand + Tank Lorry |
Please check it out! :)
I'm looking for it... I want to cry... Now...
ReplyDeleteThis link shows all Tomicarama set by TLV, EXCEPT the "Snake Motors" series: http://www.tomytec.co.jp/minicar/lineup/trv/index.html
DeleteI think they are due for re-release though, Bertrand. It's just my gut feeling, but it's been about a year or two since their last Tomicarama release. If you can wait, you can save some coin waiting for the preorder. :)
Man, these Tomicaramas are far from being cheap ventures, but if you commit to them, you can create your own mini-Tokyo (or any other major city in Japan, mind you) scenery. Also, I can certainly relate to that famous manga you mentioned; while I do not call it by that long name, Kochikame (as it is known outside of Japan) is a very fun anime and manga to watch and/or read. I can never get enough of the characters' antics and sheer humor that happens in every given episode, and this police box is a great way to bring those memories alive.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that it comes with an exclusive-to-the-set TLV police car clinches everything about this Tomicarama. A police officer, a police bike, a police Bluebird... What more could you ask for? Actually, I do have to ask something; why did you keep the acessories sealed within their bags?
Very impressed you know of the manga! Yes, nobody calls it by the long name.
DeleteAs for the accessory parts, I didn't open one that came with the Shell gas station set either. Too tiny to handle. Very cool Tomytec gives us these things, but I won't bother with them until I really need to. :D
Well, the anime is still being broadcasted here in Portugal, and has been so many times before. Currently, only the Spanish dub is being broadcasted, but we once had the original Japanese dub... And I bet that the original long name would be a nightmare for translators around the world, which is why it was shortened, I bet. (laughs)
DeleteSo you are afraid of breaking something within the set whilst trying to get those parts in place? Well I won't blame you, I'd be scared of doing so myself, haha. But it's nice of Tomytec to add these parts, I can certainly agree with that. They add a great deal of realism to an already accurate set...
Actually there is no assembly required. They are complete pieces, but just pain to setup due to microscopic size. :)
DeleteAh yes, fair enough. They are 1/64 scale parts (if not smaller) after all, so I can see why would they be difficult to put in place...
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