Review – Kano’s Moneygrip DIY

Exactly one month ago today we took a look at Kano’s Boba DEF vinyl toy (review here). Well, today we dig back into 2007 to take a look at Kano’s first toy, Moneygrip. And I’ve had this thing for a few years now, since I ordered back when it was first released in early 2007 (check this post at Plastic and Plush for info), so it’s about time that I do something with it.

Poor blank toy. Over two years and I haven’t painted you. I’m gonna have to get to that soon. But first, before I damage the piece, lets look at the raw DIY Moneygrip toy.

5-Inches of Vinyl Cute

In the product description over at www.undergroundhiphop.com there’s this quote from Kano:

“Vinyl toys is something I’ve always wanted to do, it just always appealed to my sense of design. I drew Moneygrip in my sketchbook one day on my way to work. I was trying to find something original, that said Hip-Hop without being so literal, which is always my approach when I’m designing anything.”

I completely get the street/hip-hop vibe Kano was shooting for with this design which is, in my opinion, one part South Park and one part warped genius. The cute coat and hood, the over-sized zipper . . . these things just set you up for that weird, wacky fist in place of a head.

Awesome Sculpt

Sculpted by Eric Nocella (of Argonauts Resin), Moneygrip’s a tight, clean piece without any oddities or visible imperfections. The toy has that smooth designer look down and it’s actually very, very minimalistic in its design. All curves, with a few lines, and the sculptor wonderfully translated Kano’s artwork over to a three-dimensional form.

What’s Articulation?

Technically, Moneygrip has two points of articulation — the head and waist — but honestly these are just points where the three pieces of the toy connect and not really articulation. The head can’t move because the hood restricts any real movement so, in the end, the only real poseability choice is how you twist the waist; are you a dead center, left, or right sort of guy?

There’s Really Not a Lot to Say

Moneygrip’s no longer available, was very limited when he was released, and — like many DIY toys — looks kinda neat in white but doesn’t really turn into a fun piece until the painting starts. I’ve no idea what one of these would cost today, but back when I bought him he cost me $35 (including shipping) which, at the time, seemed high for a toy. I’ve since learned that $35 for a toy limited to 100 DIY pieces isn’t bad at all.

Especially when it’s one with this much character and style packed into such a very simple, deceptively basic design.

Philip Reed feels lucky that he grew interested in designer toys at exactly the moment that he did. If the vinyl toy scene had caught his attention just six months later than it did he would have completely missed this DIY toy.