Marilyn Manson action figure series
Marilyn Manson action figure series spans roughly two years, from 2001 to 2002. They were designed by Yasushi Nirasawa and sculpted by Yoshihiro Saito, in cooperation with Manson himself, and were released by Japanese toy manufacturer Fewture. Initially the figures were only sold in Japan but were later released worldwide in January 2002. The series was also accompanied by a website, MansonToy.com, which disappeared by late 2003. The design for each figure is very intricate; each is very well detailed and go hand-in-hand with the image they portray. This list includes all four collectible figures released by Fewture.
Contents
Holy Wood action figure
The Holy Wood figure was the first of the series; it was released worldwide on January 10, 2002. It is perhaps the most intricate and interactive in the series, after the Mechanical Animals figure. The figure portrays Manson as the tarot of Death shown in the Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) album booklet; depicting a bald Manson with the Mercury symbol on his forehead, a "69" painted on his chest, and an astrological symbol on his left arm. The legs can also be separated from the torso, exposing the figure's lower spine and purple-colored organs. A dead lamb is slung in his right arm, while the other holds a rifle. The figure is pale skinned, with a purple vein-like tone surrounding it; also the scar and the nipples are toned purple. Both arms include only Manson's cyaegha tattoos, despite the fact that Manson had nine tattoos at the time of this portrayal. Parts of the torso and head seem to be comprised of scales instead of skin. The center of the chest presents a gunshot wound through the heart, which if seen from a certain angle, is totally empty, as the wound covers from chest to backside; on the backside the surroundings of the gunshot wound look infected. Since the original picture the Holy Wood figure was based on only covered head to torso, the lower part of the body was presented as the tree-like skirt worn in "The Nobodies" music video. The legs are covered with a yellowish fur, with straps all over it. Underneath mechanical claws and tentacles emerge, in a style that is reminiscent of H.R. Giger's artwork. The tentacles too are well detailed, as they even include suckers.
The figure also includes a rifle, a sheep with two heads and ostrich-like legs, as well as the Mercury symbol on its body, a pair of regular leather pants and boots, which can be used instead of the fur and tentacles that initially cover Manson's legs, and an additional head, similar to the regular one, but with a massive head wound through which Manson's brain can be seen. When analyzed closely, even a fetus is included inside the wound. This head is an allusion to the one of the back cover of vinyl Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) release, and also the autopsy video.
The Holy Wood figure comes in a dark packaging with the red Marilyn Manson logo that was used during the Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death) era. The picture used on the box is of the Death tarot card used in its respective album's booklet. A kabahlistic symbol can be seen in the inlay, along with a red shiny sticker of the Mercury symbol. The back of the packaging features an image of the Hanged Man tarot, all in dark tones of red and green. A "Stone Version" of the figure was later released; this version is similar to the original, but has a stony-gray color.
Mechanical Animals Action Figure
This is perhaps the most popular of the four figures. The figure portrays Manson as Omega, the androgynous extraterrestrial shown on the Mechanical Animals album cover, and the music video for "The Dope Show". This is a stand-out figure as its body from neck to toe can be completely disassembled; the inside is translucent-green with a robot-like design. Two holes are made so the owner can introduce the translucent-purple brain located in the stomach, and the translucent-green heart.
The figure also includes two pills, green and translucent, which read Coma (reminiscent of the image on Mechanical Animals's disc). As do all four figures, it contains a removable head; the original head is of the red-haired Omega, and the second head is of Omega with two black tubes emerging from its mouth (as seen in the limousine where he is carried away to stardom in the music video for "The Dope Show"). One of the masked men who captured Omega in the music video is included in the package, along with an immobilizing rod the men used in the video. The figure is considerably smaller than the other figures. The arms, legs and body, including Omega's infamous breasts are separated so they can be removed; the legs and arms are each divided in two parts.
The picture used on the packaging is of Omega, as used on the Mechanical Animals album cover. A chart shown in the Mechanical Animals album's inlay can be seen in the packaging inlay, along with a blue shiny sticker of Omega. The back of the packaging features artwork from the album, specifically depicting Manson wearing a golden outfit, sitting on a stone-like seat. A "Stone Version" of the figure was later released; this version is similar to the original, but has a stony-gray color. A "Stone Version" of the figure was later released, like the Holy Wood figure; this version is similar to the original, but has a stony-gray color attributed in a grayer tone.
The Beautiful People Action Figure
This figure portraits Manson with his Beautiful people and Antichrist Superstar tour outfit, a corset and gloves with straps, in a mummy like fashion. the legs have ripped stockings and boots, while the hands have the nails meticolously painted black. the head has long black hair, an angry expression, lenses correctly detailed and a black stripe descending from the mouth, muscles from the back are very detailed, the chest even has Manson's brand like scar, colored in an orange tone. Items are a pair of stilts, with arm support, both include straps so they can secure the figure, when placed, they make the figure significantly taller, and it looks just like Manson did when he performed "Kinderfeld" in the Dead To The World Tour. Both hands are removable, the second pair are closed fists, which must be used with the stilts, to grab them. the second head is the most well known floria sigismondi collaboration with Manson picture, and one of Manson's most shocking images to date, as can be seen in The Beautiful People video, Manson wearing a strange black leather cap, a bizarre mouth instrument which opens his mouth painfuly, revealing silver teeth. this is the head that must be placed with the stilts. Companion feautures one of the bald faceless dancers seen in the video, with black like skin and long skirt, the figure comes with a holding base, as the main figure does too.
Packaging
This figure's packaging uses a picture of Manson with his mouth open by an antique dental instrument, as seen in the beautiful People video. the sticker is a red shiny shock logo. in the back, there's a picture of manson on stilts, probably performing "The Nobodies" In the 2001 "Guns, God And Government" Tour.
Variations
This figure was released as a "Stone Version" too, same items and figure, but all painted in a stone-like grey tone.
Disposable Teens Figure
The Disposable Teens Figure is designed closely after Manson's appereance in the video of the same name. The face has the Tau cross, silver colored covering the forehead and nose. lips are open partially revealing teeth and long black hair. The head is attatched to a peacock feather with a soft veil. when removed, chest is revaled, with the scar in it's place. Both hands are semi flexed, the torso has a black corset on, black lether pants with high heel boots are on, with a bizarre deatil on the crotch, a sea like animal or decoration. Second head feautures the one seen at the beginning of the Disposable Teens Video, Manson with long black hair and sharp silver teeth. The hair was put on the back in a manner to indicate wetness, and the forehead was added thin black lines similar to the ones Manson wore in the Smells Like Children Era. Items include replacement arm and leg, both prosthetical like, wooden and spiked. the consistance of the prosthetic replacements is very different to the one of the rest of the figure. A hook with a clinging Heart is included, as seen on the video. the Heart is well detailed, including veins. Companion is the monkey seen on the video next to the Bishop Manson, the small figure includes a cross on it's back and a removable leaves crown.
Packaging
The figure is packed in a green tone similar to the Disposable Teens single. the Msnson picture chosen for the front is the one seen inside of the Holy Wood album booklet, Manson with the Tau cross on his forehead. Sticker is a red shiny Mercury symbol. on the back, the Disposable Teens Cruci-fied baby is shown, as seen in the Single cover too. when the figure is removed, the inlay reveals a design yet to be analized, a map of sorts.
Variations
this figure was released as a "Stone Version" too, same items and figure, but all painted in a stone-like grey tone.
Trivia
- The Mechanical Animals figure appears in a Sum 41 music video, "Hell song" which features assorted action figures. the figure appears excited waving it's arms.
- The fewture contract ended before more figures were releaed, but speculation circulated of a Grotesk Burlesk action figure considered for release, the figure would be Manson in "This Is The New Shit" Costume, and a replaceable head with Manson's face painted black with mickey mouse ears included.
- Mcfarlane toys was supposed to release the Official Manson action figure line, but as Todd Mcfarlane said "Before we could put the ideas in the oven, Manson isolated himself for the creation of the Mechanical Animals album and the plans were later turned down".
- There is another official Manson figures line, the "wind up" small figures, which include The Fight Song and mOBSCENE.
- The rifle that Manson holds in the mentioned picture, was used by his dad on the vietnam war.
