Books that focus on the art, history, and culture of sofubi toys, highlighting both classic and contemporary creations.
All Soft Vinyl Figure Catalog
(ソフビフィギュア全カタログ)
成美堂出版. 1998
"Mook" – Magazine/Book
ISBN: 4415093213
A large collection of popular anime and monsters such as Godzilla, Ultraman and Atom.
Creators Sofvi
Neko Publishing Co., Ltd.
Fake is Real
Crisis Gallery, Pachi Kaiju. 2024
Hardcover
ISBN: N/A
Fake is Real is a 2024 exhibition catalog by Crisis Gallery celebrating the wild creativity of vintage Japanese pachi kaiju bootleg toys.
Kaiju Encylopedia
(ニュースクールカイジュウソフビ大図鑑)
Kanou Ishizaka (Hyper Hobby), Brian Flynn (Super7). 2010
Tankobon Hardcover
ISBN: 4766120396
An overview of contemporary Japanese vinyl toys.
Super 7 - International Toy Pirates
Super 7. 2008
"Mook" – Magazine/Book
ISBN: 097966781X
ITP takes you on a nostalgic journey to the endless days of youth and summers spent watching Godzilla, Mothra and Rodan battle for world supremacy.
Books about Tokusatsu that explore its history, franchises, special effects, and cultural impact, with a focus on catalogues and collections of multiple franchises rather than individual titles.
Great Empire Of Fine Figure
白夜書房. 1997
"Mook" – Magazine/Book
(2 Editions)
ISBN: 4893675273
Catalog covering newer Marusan, vintage Rainbowman, Tiger Mask etc.
Killer Kaiju Monsters: Strange Beasts of Japanese Film
Ivan Vartanian. 2010
Hardcover
ISBN: 0061655791
Killer Kaiju Monsters is the ultimate ode to the legendary monsters of the Japanese golden era of special effects movies and television shows.
So Crazy Japanese Toys: Live Action TV-Show Toys from 1950s to Now
Jimbo Matison. 2003
Paperback
ISBN: 0811835294
From obscure Japanese shows to programs that have gained popularity around the world – Crazy Japanese Toys! will delight casual fans and hardcore aficionados.
The Chogokin
(超合金)
KKコミックス. 1997
Comic
ISBN: 4063300463
Japan's first Chogokin Bible completed with the full cooperation of Bandai.
Tokusatsu Character Data File
1950s-60s/1970/1980s-90s
Kodansha. 2016/2017/2020
Tankobon Hardcover
ISBN: 4062198215
An extensive collective of Tokusatsu Characters.
Ultra Godzilla Monster Soft Vinyl Encyclopedia
"The Beautiful Book of Monsters"
(ウルトラ・ゴジラ怪獣ソフビ大全)
Kazunori SaitoÌ. 2008
Tankobon Hardcover
ISBN: 4062146177
Books that explore various aspects of Japanese culture, including history, traditions, art, and contemporary life.
Cruising the Anime City: An Otaku Guide to Neo Tokyo
Patrick Macias, Tomohiro Machiyama. 2004
Paperback
ISBN: 1880656884
Neo Tokyo is where "anime" has become both urban fashion "and" cultural zeitgeist, and this is its first street-smart guide in English. Covering studios, toys, museums, games, film "locations," music and more.
Idle Idol: The Japanese Mascot
Edward Harrison. 2010
Hardcover
ISBN: 0984190619
Photographs and written explanations vivify these
unique mascots that are artful, audacious and wholly Japanese!
Plastic Culture: How Japanese Toys Conquered the World
Woodrow Phoenix. 2006
Hardcover
ISBN: 4770030177
In "Plastic Culture", British comics artist and illustrator Woodrow Phoenix explores our relationship to toys in the twenty-first century, with particular emphasis on Japan.
Pure Invention
Matt Alt, 2020
Hardcover
ISBN: 1472131878
A deep dive into Japan's cultural and technological impact.
Tokyo Underground: Toy and Design Culture in Tokyo
Brian Flynn. 2010
Hardcover
(2 Editions)
ISBN: 0867197390
The definitive book on toy shopping in Tokyo.
Printed editions covering a range of topics including Sofubi.
Clutter Magazine
Issues: 44 [1]
Clutter Magazine is the world's premier media source for Designer Toys.
Figure Ō Magazine (フィギュア王 Figyua Ō, "Figure King")
Issues: 274 (as of 11/24/20)
A monthly Japanese hobby magazine covering the figures and merchandise of many franchises.
GARDEN® Magazine
Issues: 2 (inferred by sales listings)
Michael Lau magazine from 2004. Issue #2 features BxH centerfold.
Playtimes Magazine
Vol 1 Issues: 12 / Vol 2 Issues: 8 [2]
A Singapore toy publication produced and published bi-monthly. Ceased publication April 2007 [3]
Super7 Magazine
Issues: 14 [4]
Before Super7 came Super7 Magazine, dedicated to Japanese toy culture, kaiju culture, art and design.
Tsuburaya Pro Fan Club Newsletter
Issues: 7 (inferred by sales listings)
Printed version of the Fan Club's Newsletter. Comic sized magazine featuring Japanese articles.
Books that showcase the works and creative journeys of specific artists, often featuring comprehensive collections of their projects and exhibitions.
13: Izumonster Sofubi Works 2014-2024
(ニュースクールカイジュウソフビ大図鑑)
Izumonster. 2024
Tankobon Hardcover
A commemorative photo book celebrating the 10th anniversary of Izumonster, known for designing flyers for the Indy Sofubi Rally and prototypes for the Spaceship series such as Battle Mecha Orochi MX1.
Dehara Yukinori Works 1998-2018
Dehara Ykinori. 2018
Tankobon Softcover
ISBN: 4990958683
A collection of the artists work from 1998-2018 featuring a range of clay sculptures as well as sofubi toys.
Konatsuya Catalogues
Konatsuya. 2011-2018
Tankobon Softcover
ISBN: 4990958683
A collection of the artists work and sofubi toys spanning four volumes.
MEATS by Retroband
CoART Publications. 2019
Screen Printed Hardcover
ISBN: N/A
Part biography and part catalog, this monograph explores everything from Retroband's MEATS' 2015 debut through to its mid-2018 issuings.
Takahiro Komuro Sculptures
Takahiro Komuro. 2023
Hardcover
ISBN: 9784568105728
The inaugural compilation of works by sculptor Takahiro Komuro, showcasing their iconic characters and designs through wooden sculptures and sofubi toys from various exhibitions.
Toy Karma: The Kaiju Toy Collection and Art of Mark Nagata
Mark Nagata. 2018
Paperback
ISBN: 9781732649804
Toy Karma is a about Mark Nagata's journey through illustration and Japanese toy collecting, profusely illustrated with photos of Nagata's art and toy collection throughout.
Books that showcase the works and creative journeys of specific companies and brands.
The Art of Super7
Super7. 2025
Hardback
ISBN: 1506739636
The Art of Super7 explores the art, design, and packaging of official product as well as Super7's own in-house creations.
Books that delve into the broader designer vinyl scene, with crossover into sofubi and related subcultures.
Figure it Out!: Designer Toys and Their Makers
Victionary. 2019
Paperback
ISBN: 9887850195
Figure It Out turns the spotlight on the creatives who apply their artistry onto unique collectibles that blur the line between toy and art.
Full Vinyl: The Subversive Art of Designer Toys
Ivan Vartanian. 2007
Paperback
ISBN: 0060893389
Covering a wide range of toys from garage kits, character & subculture figures and limited editions by master creators.
https://www.cluttermagazine.com/category/clutter-magazine ↩︎
https://web.archive.org/web/20070301061932/http://www.playtimes-magazine.com/pastissues.htm ↩︎
https://web.archive.org/web/20070614031719/http://www.playtimes-magazine.com:80/index.htm ↩︎
https://super7.com/blogs/super7-magazine/tagged/super7-magazine?page=1 ↩︎