UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

Mekamess (Kinkeshi Flesh Version)
By Nama Niku

Objective:
In late 2012 Man-E-Toys.com organized a set of M.U.S.C.L.E. inspired figures from various artists. The set, called the first wave, was made up of 10 figures. The collection of figures flew under the banner of H.U.S.T.L.E. (Hundreds of Ugly Scrapped Together Losers…Everywhere!)

A variety of colors were available, with specific colors tied to the various shows and online stores that made the figures available. This is a very special version of the Mekamess figure. Nama Niku (Tyler) explains:

Being part of the series entitled all the “artists” to an exclusive color (of their choice) for a micro run of five pieces. I chose “Kinkeshi Flesh” for mine.

Rather than sell it, I just gave them to the five people who had helped support me/my blog the most over the years.

Niall sends me one of each color the figure has been cast in, but the Artist Proofs were exclusive to me.

The packaging of the figure is a homage to the original keshi capsules. A checklist and Nama Niku card are included.

The Mekamess figure was created by Tyler from Nama Niku. He posted a behind-the-scenes picture of the Mekamess figure being constructed. The picture shows how significantly the figure has been customized. The alterations are so significant it is impossible to suggest there is a “base” figure upon which the figure was created. The largest part, the chest, comes from a #73 M.U.S.C.L.E. figure, but the rest of the pieces are culled from several figures.

The figure is not resin. It is a keshi-style rubber. The color is a very close match to the keshi Flesh color. The figure was cast by Niall from Tru:tek (man-e-toys.com).

Subjective:
I remember once reading that Tyler started customizing figures because he simply wanted to do it. He wanted to create some of the figures he loved that weren’t created as actual keshi figures. The Mekamess figure is proof that pure Kinnikuman love is poured into every figure he works on.

This is one of the figures that truly leaves me speechless.

A long time ago I said that Manzilla could be the best custom figure ever. And when I got ahold of Manzilla 2 I thought it might be able to take that honor. Mekamess doesn’t get to take that title, but it is certainly in the same class. I’m just speechless. It’s a stunning figure.

I often say that you need to hold a figure in your hands before you can truly pass judgment. But just take a look at this figure:

Front

Angle 2

Angle 3

Angle 4

Angle 5

Angle 6

If those pictures don’t make you fall in love with it, then I promise you will once you own it.

I am truly humbled that Tyler shared this figure with me. Honestly, I thought I had bought it. And when I thought that; I was as equally happy with it. But when I saw “Artist Proof” on the checklist I had to ask Tyler what it meant. It had never really registered until I snapped the pictures.

Again, I was humbled. Truly.

But this is a figure that every M.U.S.C.L.E. collector should own. If you don’t already have it, then beg Tyler to bring it back. (The good news, you can still get the Manzilla 2 at Eric Nilla’s webstore.)

If you’re reading this write-up, then odds are that you already know Tyler, Nama Niku, and where to find him. But, just in case, here are some places to find more information about Nama-Niku:
– Nama-Niku.com
– Nama Niku on Instagram
– Namu Niku on Twitter
– Namu Niku on Facebook

Nama Niku Card

Nama Niku Card (Back)

Mekamess Head