Bandai launched the very first large-scale Kyattou Ninden Teyandee figures in 1990. These soft-vinyl (sofubi) heroes were sold as a 6-pack boxed set and stand roughly 10–12 cm tall. Characters were also sold individually, and came with keshi figures.
They’re chunky, bright, toyetic, and honestly?
They radiate pure, unfiltered, bubble-era charm.
The Lineup (+ their accessories)
Yattaro (Speedy) — 2 swords, tail.
Pururun (Polly) — sword, flute & tail.
Sukashii (Guido) — sword, tail.
Karamaru (Bad Bird) — sword, wings.
Ko’on-no-Kami (Seymour “The big Cheese”) — tail + fan.
Loose figures sometimes appear individually on the second-hand market, but most have damaged paint, and/or missing accessories.
Complete boxed sets are rare and VERY expensive. Most collectors only ever see photos.
💡 What Does “Sofubi” Actually Mean? (Quick Collector Guide)
If you’ve ever wondered whether sofubi is a brand, a product line, or something else entirely… here’s the answer:
🟣 Sofubi is NOT a brand.
It’s a type of figure, made using Japan’s traditional soft-vinyl molding process.
What “sofubi” stands for:
ソフトビニール (soft vinyl) → shortened to ソフビ (sofubi)
These figures are:
Hollow and lightweight
Slightly soft or flexible
Made from soft PVC
Often hand-painted or simply airbrushed
Produced using classic Japanese vinyl injection molds
Examples of sofubi toys:
Vintage kaiju (Godzilla, Ultraman monsters)
Many early Bandai figures
Designer vinyl toys from modern artists
The 1990 Kyatto Ninden Teyandee (Samurai Pizza Cats) figures! ← Yes, these count!
Why people get confused:
Modern companies advertise “SOFUBI SERIES” or “SOFUBI COLLECTION,” which sounds like a brand or product line.
But the word just describes how the toy is made — not who made it.
TL;DR for collectors:
Sofubi = the soft-vinyl manufacturing method, not a company.
If it’s hollow, soft vinyl, and made in the traditional way, it qualifies — including the 1990 Pizza Cats figures.
