Marilyn Manson action figure series
In 2001 and 2002 Marilyn Manson released a series of action figures, produced by Japanese manufacturer Fewture. They were designed by Yasushi Nirasawa and sculpted by Yoshihiro Saito, and as the stickers indicate, made in cooperation with Manson himself. At first the toys were only for sale in Japan, but in January of 2002 they were released wordwide. The release was accompanied by the website www.mansontoy.com, which disappeared in late 2003. The design for each is intrincate figure, they are very well detailed, and go hand in hand with the image they portrait from each era or video.
Contents
Holy Wood Action Figure
The Holy Wood figure was the first of the series; it was released worldwide on January 10th, 2002. It is perhaps the most intrincate and interactive of all, after the Mechanical Animals version. The chosen image of Manson for this figure was the iconic bald Manson from the Holy Wood era, with the mercuty symbol on his forehead, a 69 painted on his chest, an astrological symbol on his left arm. A dead lamb is held in one 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. On both ams the cyaegha tattoos, while the other tattoos seem to be lacking. Parts of the torso and the head seem to be scales instead of skin. The center of the chest presents a gunshot wound, which if looked at from a certain angle, is totally empty, as the wound covers from chest to backside. On the backside the surroundings of the gunshot 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" 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.
Additional items
The items included are:
- A rifle
- A sheep with two heads and ostritch-like legs and the mercury symbol on it's body.
- A pair of regular leather pants and boots, which can be used instead of the fur and tentacles that cover Manson's legs
- An additional head, similar to the regular one, but with a massive head wound through which Manson's brain can be seen. When analized closely, even a fetus is included inside the wound. This head is an allusion to the one of the back cover of the Holy Wood vinyl, and also the autopsy video.
Also the torso can be separated from the body, and when removed Manson's spine can be seen as well as his pruple-colored organs. This resembles the 'Death' tarot card, where only half of Manson is shown, whith his spine visible.
Packaging
This figure comes dark packaging with the red Marilyn Manson logo that was used during the Holy Wood era. The picture used on the box is Manson's pale torso and bald head from the 'Death' tarot card. The fact the figures torso can be separated from it's legs is a reference to that particular card. A kabahlistic symbol is seen on the inlay, along with a red shiny mercury symbol sticker, and on the back an image of the 'Hangman' tarot card, all in dark tones of red and green.
Variations
The Holy Wood figure was also released as a "Stone Version", which is similar to the original version, but in a stone grey color.
Mechanical Animals Action Figure
This is perhaps the most popular of the four figures, as all of them, it feautures a removable head, the original head is the regular red haired Omega, and the second head is Omega with two black tubes emerging from it's mouth, as seen in the limo were he is carried away to stardom. the companion as all the figures have, is one of the men with socks on their heads, who capture Omega when he has just arrived to the yellowish grass field. The man comes with the rod they use to capture Omega. The figure is considerably smaller than the main figureItems included are two pills which read Coma, they are green and translucent. what makes this figure stand out, is the fact that it's complete body from neck to feet is removable, the inside is translucent green, with robot like design, 2 holes are made so the owner can introduce the Brain, which is translucent purple and The heart, translucent green. it is to note Omega's brain is located in his stomach! arms, legs and body, including Omega's infamous breasts are separated so they can be removed, the legs and arms are divided in 2 parts each.
Packaging
The packaging for this figure portraits Omega s in the cover of Mechanical animals album, the sticker is a shiny blue Omega symbol. on the back, there's artwork from the album, specifically Manson's picture where he is wearing a golden outfit and is sitting on a stone like seat. once the action figure is taken out, the inlay contains the image found in the inlay of the album, where the cd is placed, the coma white diagram.
Variations
This figure's variation consists in the same items and packaging, but the figure itself is translucent purple, as all it's items.
this figure was released as a "Stone Version" too, same items and figure, but all painted in a stone-like grey 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 vidoe 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 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.
