TRU:TEK × UME Toys's Madball version of Bemon's "Kougai"… "Sumoggubōru!"

Bemon's "Kougai," his version of the Hedorah-esque smog monster horror, has become a fan-favorite among kaiju collectors, including Softoy Hobby's Tru:Tek. Proclaiming it to be "one of my all time favourite toys," the British artist enlisted his fellow countryman Rich "UME Toys" Page to sculpt the above-pictured "loving homage" to the beast… in Madball-like form! Titled "Sumoggubōru" ("SmogBall"), this spherical scare features a "fully rotatable mouth, 6 eyes, and a ton of hidden details" on its 3½-inch tall form. Currently in Japan being cast in vinyl, I love how the base concept of "Kougai" was captured and evolved: the almond-shaped eyes made more dynamic by the off-center pupils, the nasal swirl given more definition and depth, the mouth granted grandeur by its extra long width, and the smoke stacks upon its head being more pronounced. A truly marvelous work of art from this duo, we're told this is merely the "first of many" from them and we can't wait to see more!