Batman’s 1960s Japanese Toys
Batman is a character of daring heroics and spectacular gadgetry, making his exploits fertile ground for exciting toys. Though a lot of toys and characters fall out of fashion from one generation to the next, Batman’s action figures, Batmobiles, and playsets have done battle in countless kids’ bedrooms for over 60 years.
Aside from the 1944 full color transfers, Batman toys and related merchandise were not produced in earnest until the 1960s during the Batman TV show’s Batmania. The show may have run for a short three seasons in the 1960s, but its cultural impact is still significantly felt today. By creating a mix of super-heroics and comedy with a pair of handsome, brave leads and a rotating crew of outlandish villains, the show was produced under a family-friendly umbrella.
The tone of Batman was campy and tongue in cheek, borrowing the lighter aspects of Golden and Silver Age comic books. This made Batman more marketable in the toy industry than he ever had been and some of the most interesting Batmobile and other vehicle designs came out of Japan. Hake’s Auctions is now selling some of the coveted Japanese Batman toys.
The Batman boxed 1966 Japanese wind-up tricycle was made by Masudaya for the Japanese market. The 4-1/2” x 4-3/4” toy has a built-in key and plastic body with a painted tin gear box, tin litho wheels, and a bell on the back. Batman is a celluloid figure sporting the foreign pink coloration, with jointed shoulders and a felt cape. The toy comes in the original box, which features manga style illustration of Batman on the tricycle.
The Batmobile boxed Japanese friction toy is a 9” long tin litho that was made in Japan by Sanka, circa 1966. Batman is in the cockpit with a separate tin litho head, and it has a full body image of the Caped Crusader and the Bat-symbol on the hood. Both depict Batman in a red and blue costume. The Batmobile is sold in its original box.
Another interesting design is the rare Bat Man Japanese friction Batmobile. Made by Yanoman in ’66, the 3-5/6” x 4-1/4” tall tin litho toy has a soft vinyl Batman driver figure with jointed shoulders. The toy has a radar screen in front of Batman showing Robin fighting, “Bat Man” is on the sides, and there are bats on the hood and the front fenders.
These are just a few of the many toys offered in Hake’s Auction #234. It is open for bids now through March 15-16, 2022, at hakes.com.
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Batman’s 1960s Japanese Toys
Batman is a character of daring heroics and spectacular gadgetry, making his exploits fertile ground for exciting toys. Though a lot of toys and characters fall out of fashion from one generation to the next, Batman’s action figures, Batmobiles, and playsets have done battle in countless kids’ bedrooms for over 60 years.
Aside from the 1944 full color transfers, Batman toys and related merchandise were not produced in earnest until the 1960s during the Batman TV show’s Batmania. The show may have run for a short three seasons in the 1960s, but its cultural impact is still significantly felt today. By creating a mix of super-heroics and comedy with a pair of handsome, brave leads and a rotating crew of outlandish villains, the show was produced under a family-friendly umbrella.
The tone of Batman was campy and tongue in cheek, borrowing the lighter aspects of Golden and Silver Age comic books. This made Batman more marketable in the toy industry than he ever had been and some of the most interesting Batmobile and other vehicle designs came out of Japan. Hake’s Auctions is now selling some of the coveted Japanese Batman toys.
The Batman boxed 1966 Japanese wind-up tricycle was made by Masudaya for the Japanese market. The 4-1/2” x 4-3/4” toy has a built-in key and plastic body with a painted tin gear box, tin litho wheels, and a bell on the back. Batman is a celluloid figure sporting the foreign pink coloration, with jointed shoulders and a felt cape. The toy comes in the original box, which features manga style illustration of Batman on the tricycle.
The Batmobile boxed Japanese friction toy is a 9” long tin litho that was made in Japan by Sanka, circa 1966. Batman is in the cockpit with a separate tin litho head, and it has a full body image of the Caped Crusader and the Bat-symbol on the hood. Both depict Batman in a red and blue costume. The Batmobile is sold in its original box.
Another interesting design is the rare Bat Man Japanese friction Batmobile. Made by Yanoman in ’66, the 3-5/6” x 4-1/4” tall tin litho toy has a soft vinyl Batman driver figure with jointed shoulders. The toy has a radar screen in front of Batman showing Robin fighting, “Bat Man” is on the sides, and there are bats on the hood and the front fenders.
These are just a few of the many toys offered in Hake’s Auction #234. It is open for bids now through March 15-16, 2022, at hakes.com.
Popular Topics
Overstreet Access Quick Links
