Mark Nagata – Max Toy Company 10th Anniversary retrospective!!!

Mark in his 'Ultraman Museum' room in his home.

This month, Mark Nagata’s Max Toy Company celebrated its 10th anniversary. In honor of this wonderful accomplishment, we are proud to share an article about Mark, written and composed by Mike Minjares - one of Mark's biggest fans and now friend! In this, we see Mark's many creative contributions and some thoughts from some of the designer-toy world artists he has impacted throughout the years... including myself, and what an honor it was to talk about Mark! So sit back and enjoy the journey!

“Mark’s enthusiasm for the kaiju world has no limits” – Javier Jimenez
“Mark truly is an inspiring artist to look up to” – Jay222
“If I’ve learned anything from Mark, it’s to enjoy what you do” – John “Spanky” Stokes

Ask any of the many artists that he has worked with or influenced to comment on Mark Nagata and his contributions to the designer toy and art community, and you are sure to hear numerous stirring remarks just like these.

Handpainted Kaiju by Mark at SDCC

Mark Nagata, the talent and orchestrator behind the popular and respected Max Toy Company and its unique, highly-collectible toys, has earned a legion of fans not only for the incredible craftsmanship and expertise evident in each and every release, but more so because of how he has gone about growing his successful art toy enterprise and the kaiju world he loves.

For years, Mark has befriended fellow artists and toy collecting colleagues assisting them with bringing their shared passion for this enticing and engaging art form to life. He has invited collaborations from young up-and-comers as well as established, well-known industry mainstays with one goal in mind – to create art that illustrates each artist’s personal vision and passion.

“While other artists are reluctant to share their experience, Mark holds no secrets and is always happy to share his experience in the art world with others who have been around less time than him and are in need of help,” says Javier Jimenez, a young Spanish artist who recently saw his first figure “Wananeko” fully-funded online in just a few days. Before meeting and working with Mark, Jimenez says he was fascinated by the amount of detail exhibited in Mark’s figures and how the vivid colors instantly served to catch one’s attention. “I admired him then, but since I’ve met him I admire him even more, both as an artist and a person. For the last couple of years, Mark has been a big supporter of me and my work and has taught me a lot about how the toy scene works. Mark’s enthusiasm for the kaiju world has no limits.”

Mark's son, Max... hmmmmm, I wonder how Max Toy Co. got its name :-)

Helping to introduce folks from far and wide to the designer toy scene has been part of Mark’s professional and personal mission for years. In 2007, he played a significant role in the development of the first group kaiju show in the United States called “Toy Karma” that featured detailed work from Japanese, American and South American artists. Held at the Rotofugi Gallery in Chicago, Illinois, the show had participants and passersby marveling at the supremely-skilled, custom-painted toys and art on display. “Toy Karma” led to Mark being featured as one of the spotlighted artists in the “Beyond Ultraman: Seven Artists Explore the Vinyl Frontier” exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. The October 2007 show, held jointly with the Los Angeles Toy, Doll and Amusement Museum, marked the first time – in a museum setting – that the influence of Japanese toys on California artists was explored. The exhibit featured more than 30 of Mark’s original paintings, toys and a selection of his vintage toy collection.

"Max Boy" sofubi figure

In 2010, Mark served as guest lecturer on kaiju and the toy-making process at the Morikami Museum in Florida. Prestigious art houses Philips De Pury and Christie’s in New York and London have sold Mark’s hand-painted custom kaiju toys in its auctions. Much of Mark’s world-renowned Japanese toy collection – including many from his massive Ultraman collection – was recently on display at San Francisco International Airport Museum, SFO. The exhibit titled “Japanese Toys! From Kokeshi to Kaiju” showcased the incredible diversity and growth of Japanese toys with many of Mark’s favorite vinyl kaiju figures prominently featured. The exhibit also served as a great introduction to this captivating art form for tens of thousands of bustling travelers to and from Mark’s hometown.

Also hailing from northern California is another of Mark’s close colleagues – Jay222. A self-described East Bay, CA, horror toy sculptor who combines a love of classic horror films and comics with a slash of twisted humor, Jay222 has long benefited from Mark’s friendship, guidance and advice. Seeing how Mark goes about his work motivates Jay222 to work equally hard at his craft.

“I love being around Mark,” said Jay222. “He truly is an inspiring artist to look up to. From canvas, to sculpting, to painting, Mark can do it all. Mark’s work makes me want to be a better artist. Since Mark can do it all, and do it all really well, that makes me want to push myself to be well-rounded.”

 Drazoran and Captain Max sofubi mini's

John “Spanky” Stokes, artist and the creator of the award-winning designer toy-focused blog site SpankyStokes.com, calls Mark a “consummate professional.” It is an apt description. After training at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco in the ‘80s, Mark went on to a successful career in commercial illustration. He completed works for such prominent companies as Lucasfilms, DC Comics, Hasbro Toys, IBM, Sony, and numerous advertising and design firms, both national and international. Mark’s colorful style graces numerous cover paintings for R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps book series – Give Yourself Goosebumps.

Mark’s heart has always been in the creative process, so in 2005, after co-founding and publishing a toy magazine, he set out on his own and started Max Toy Company, named for his son. Over its first 10 years, Max Toys has stayed true to its founding mission – to specialize in custom and limited editions of “kaiju” (Japanese monsters) toys and artwork. Many of the original toys are hand painted by Mark, a tradition and process that goes back to the Japanese toymakers of the past – supremely talented folks Mark has taken the time to personally visit and acknowledge in his work. Since Mark runs his company himself, he juggles his business responsibilities and family obligations that best he can. He says that for that reason, it’s not possible for him to be on the road attending conventions all that much. But he loves the opportunity Max Toys has provided him to showcase his talents and creativity.

“Max Toys allows me to produce original artwork, new toys and work directly with a lot of talented artists,” Mark says. “Max Toys is a synthesis of toys and art, both life-long passions.”

Mark painting in his home studio

It is that passion for one’s craft and the way Mark goes about his creative work that “Spanky” Stokes has taken special note of since becoming involved in the designer toy scene. As an artist and dad himself, “Spanky” has an appreciation for not only Mark’s considerable artistic talent, but the joy he radiates through his interactions with fellow artists and collectors. “If I have learned anything from Mark, it’s to enjoy what you do!” “Spanky” said. “Mark’s greatest contribution to the designer toy scene is his amazing imagination. He bridges the gap of the classic kaiju from the 1950s and ‘60s while adding his own unique spin to this universe of creatures we all love to collect. The use of multiple colors, the seamless fades, the precision of paint applications all show why Mark is at the top of the totem pole when it comes to this. His passion for our scene is unprecedented and unmatched. We need more ambassadors like him to help designer toys flourish.”

As “Spanky” suggests, Mark continues to shine a positive light on the art community he has helped grow. Mark coordinated the inclusive and barrier-breaking art show titled “Beauty and the Kaiju.” The event saw the immediately-recognizable Max Toy characters reinterpreted by six wonderfully talented Japanese female artists. The result was new takes from fresh faces that kaiju fans welcomed and enjoyed. In fact, several of the participating artists have gone on to successful projects of their own.

Mark and his son, Max

Today, Mark’s fantastically unique kaiju feline work has proven to be popular with his fans. The “Hello Kitty Kaiju” release through the Japanese American National Museum has sold out within minutes each time it has gone up for sale. His new “Office Cat,” collaboration with Javier Jimenez, debuted to an enthusiastic response at the recent Design Festa in Tokyo, Japan. Max Toys has offered exclusive releases to Japanese collectors for years.

“Stores like OneUp or toy companies like Medicom have supported Max Toys for many years, so we work with them on Japan-only exclusives,” Mark explained. “The bar, DaiKiaju Salon, is another good supporter so we offer them and Japanese fans very small runs of figures, too. On the other hand, most of my hand-painted releases are USA-only releases, so I think it balances out in the end. I'd love to make everything available to everyone, but they wouldn't be exclusive at that point.” It is obvious that as long as Mark Nagata decides to share his immense talent and passion for this scene, the designer toy and art community will continue to include great releases, both overseas and stateside, and even greater people for years to come.