Who is the most recognizable robot character in Japan? Tetsuwan Atom (Astroboy)? Tetsujin 28 (Gingantor)? Mazinger? Gundam? And the debate goes on…

What about a little blue guy that has his show running continuously on Japanese TV since 1979? That’s right! Nineteen consecutive years and still going strong. The world’s longest running anime is no other than Doreamon. This is one of Fujio’s most famous creation and Popy made two die-cast toys in his honor. Both Doreamon and his sister Dorami-chan come with many capsules filled with little rubber toys. You can load the capsules inside Doreamon and Dorami-chan and then eject the capsules from their tummies. The mechanism is similar to a small bubble gum machine you see at supermarkets. The left "hand" of Doreamon has a magnet, so he can pickup small metal object.

Accessories:

Doreamon: (4*) First version with 12 capsules and 14 rubber toys. Second version with 13 capsules and 13 rubber toys. Doreamon also comes with a cardboard cutout of himself and an instruction sheet. Size: 4.5" in height.

Dorami-chan: (4*) 6 capsules and 6 rubber toys. One chain pendent, one red basket, one catalogue and an instruction sheet. Size: 4" in height.

I was thinking about classifying Oba Q with my Meisaku collection, but it still has a way to go, so here is the elusive Oba.  Depicted as one of the most popular and desired Meisaku piece by the Chogoking price guide.  The popularity of Oba Q is analogous to Casper in USA.  Both are friendly ghosts and both have illustrious history of remakes.  Oba Q was initially shown on Japanese TV in the 60s in black and white only a year or 2 behind Atom and T-28, color version remakes were shown in the 70s and 80s.  The little "ghost" next to Oba is his sister P-ko.   You can open a compartment from Oba's back and put P-ko inside.  There is also a red button on Oba's back.  Upon pressed, Oba's mouth will open and tongue will stick out (as shown). Oba also has metal wheels beneath his feet.

Oba Q (4.5*)comes with his little sister and a stand. 

Another famous Fujio creation that Bandai has made into toys is the Guru-Guru-Parman set. The cartoon was first aired in Japanese TV in black and white from April 1967 to April 1968. A remake color version aired from April 1983 to July 1987. The toy’s construction quality is average at best.  The female Parman is made entirely of soft vinyl with moveable arm joints and the little kid Parman is a complete die-cast statue without any movable part. The main Parman has joints for arms and legs and can eject his mask to reveal his identity by pressing a button on his back.  This is actually a very scarce toy, even in Japan.  I would rate it 4* for its rarity and desirability.

Accessories for Guru-Guru-Parman set(4*): A paper mat and a stand in which you can balance Parman 1 (the main character) and Parman 3 (the kid) at each end of a metal bar and set it on top of the stand.  The stand serves as an axis so the metal bar can rotate, kind like a carousel. Size: Parman 1: 4" in height. Parman 2: 4" in height. Parman 3: 2" in length.