Fist of Curry! (Kung Fu Takeout!)

It’s not a secret that I’m a big-time mark for Lanard Toys. Obviously, their GI Joe me-too series The CORPS! is right up my alley, but I’m also interested in their more esoteric output. So if you’re only into Joes, feel free to come back tomorrow. However I recommend you stay if you appreciate interesting toy concepts.

Witness Kung Fu Takeout! It’s a brilliant repackaging and repurposing of figures we first spotted a few years ago. The initial version of these 6 inch figures were sold as Dragon Do, and saw limited release at WalMart. This new offering to mummy knowledge has not been available in the US, and that’s a real shame. I have never seen an action figure marketed and packaged in such a unique way. This was definitely my favorite find from this year’s Lanard warehouse sale.

Lanard has really come a long way in terms of packaging art and design. Just a few years ago, their product had a cheap feel, but the latest versions of the CORPS! and their licensed product have really upped the ante in terms of quality.

Not content with the Chinese food motif in the packaging itself, Lanard has named its characters after food. My favorite is Pad Thaiger, a nicely obscure choice compared to Chop Suey. The only question I have is, isn’t whole enterprise walking the line of insensitivity? I’m torn, but I can see how someone could see at that way. Maybe that’s the reason we haven’t see it here in the States.