Japanese Toys that Changed the Game | Nintendo, Godzilla, Transformers, Ultraman

Today we're at a Vintage Japanese Toy Museum in Hokkaido exploring the innovative toys that changed our world! Toys from Japan have always been creative, from the 1954 Godzilla movie on, character toys sparked the imagination of generations. From cinema and TV, the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s brought us Kamen Rider, Ultraman, Super Sentai and many others still popular today.
The 80s also brought us the Nintendo revolution, a company that started selling cars and paper models to the Ultra Machine and Ultra Hand, it broke out with the Family Computer (Famikon) in 1983 and the NES in 1985 in the USA then the Gameboy which put it all in your pocket.
The 2000s is really the digital age, less toys - more about nostalgia with toys sold as much to adults as kids. The future looks mostly digital and I'll be back for Part 2! Thank you to Matt Alt for making the trip to Hokkaido with me to check out Wakaki-san's store and museum.
Matt Alt’s Book: Pure Invention
📕 www.amazon.com/gp/product/198...
▶︎ www.pureinventionbook.com
Is an amazing look through so many toys and Japanese inventions that changed our lives.
🤖 Visit the Toy&Art Museum 古趣・北乃博物館
📍maps.app.goo.gl/B4iTzBZa77s2o...
If Wakaki-san isn't there, visit his original toy store around the corner or call.
▶︎ phone: [phone] / ワカキ玩具店 store: maps.app.goo.gl/281NhKxcFyHJi...
00:00 Start
01:34 Kaiju | Vintage Godzilla Toys
03:44 Japanese Toy History
05:02 Evolution of Nintendo
06:42 Nintendo's first toy
07:25 Japan's Famicom vs NES
10:06 How Toys R Us Impacted Japan
11:33 Transformer Toys in Japan
14:16 Barbie vs Licca-chan dolls
15:02 Character Toys 1970s-1980s
16:41 Japan Inspired by America
17:53 Japanese Christmas, Santa is a Yokai?
#onlyinjapan #toys

[@AltMattAlt]

Thanks for having me on again. Always a blast! And it was really amazing seeing some of the very same objects I wrote about in "Pure Invention."

[@onlyinjapan]

Matt, Thank you for coming with me to Hokkaido for this Toy Adventure! So much fun!!! Wakaki-san was also super grateful, so happy to spend a day talking about his passion - Toys! 🗳️ Who wants a Part 2? Japanese Toy Evolution 2000-2024, the digital world! ٩(^‿^)۶ 🤖📱

[@Boomdizzle99]

Just bought your book at Kinokuniya Matt! About to start reading it today! Happy New Years to you both! 🎉

[@Rob-hb7wh]

Holy crap! Matt! Dude I love your book and it was so cool to see you on this video!

[@BartHubbard]

Whoa! So great to see Matt Alt on camera. You couldn’t pick a better expert on Japanese toys!

[@Jo-un6es]

HOLY SMOKES you two are key members in my journey to visiting Japan. I watched Only in Japan and Japanology religiously years before going.

[@hopeheavenonplanetearth1417]

I just texted my sons to watch this… We were so fortunate to live in Japan in 80-90. We watch every episode you put out to relive the wonderful memories… Thank you

[@onlyinjapan]

Thank you! I hope your sons enjoy this one ٩(^‿^)۶ I’d have loved to have lived in Japan during the bubble era! Seen what it’s like - some of the stories I’ve heard are incredible! Maybe an episode idea 💡

[@khristalcapapas9171]

If I see them gunpla I'm going there

[@kezbot2]

Toy collectors rejoice! Great to see Matt Alt back to doing what he does best - educating us on all things Japan 😀

[@onlyinjapan]

So right! Matt’s knowledge on this topic is so deep! I was thrilled he could come with me and show these toys to us with a spotlight of knowledge! Saw Wakaki-san museum in a new light.

[@UFOBobTV]

Wakaki san’s toy collection is amazing. And Matt’s commentary on their historical importance was fascinating and enlightening. Watching this episode made me feel like a kid again. 😊

[@watchforever1724]

Yeah pretty awesome

[@TravisSurtr]

The “ultra hand” is also the name of the tool in Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom where you can manipulate and combine objects in the game. It was named after the original Ultra Hand.

[@pinoi78]

As someone that’s been collection Japanese toys for two decades this is a superb look into its past. I loved the history lesson from Matt Alt and Wakaki-san. There’s just something special about the presentation that makes it so friggin cool.

[@Horus070]

Me too granted I only started collecting since 2017 … but have garnered quite a bit through these years. I always loved anime as a kid but never had a chance to get such toys back then …

[@HeavyMetalMech]

My childhood was in the 60's. I remember the stamped metal robots with their lithographed graphics, sparking canons, wind up or battery motors. All very cool, even today.

[@raymondcenteno5835]

There’s something nostalgic about old toys no matter what age you are. Thanks for the episode John!

[@seiya880]

I love Japanese toys! Every time I go to Japan, I come back with at least one suitcase full of toys

[@Tradewindsvintagehi]

Kikaida and Kamen Rider!! So popular when I was growing up in Hawai’i ❤️

[@funkmachine9094]

when i was a kid in the 80s in paris i use to watch a japanese show called "BIO-MAN" and that show blew my mind! and i had some of the action figures from the show as well! it was way before power rangers that the u.s later adopted.

[@TorToroPorco]

Nice of Matt to come along for this tour. Their history is such an important part behind the story of toys. The Nintendo paper models are so cool especially with the retro graphics and fonts.

[@onlyinjapan]

Couldn't agree more!

[@john-sp8jk]

​@@onlyinjapan I really love this video! I love Japan and the Rich history of their toys! Whare is this toy store museum in Japan at?? I wish you would have dived deeper into those diecast metal robot toys also known as the showgun warriors!🤖

[@darktetsuya]

Santa as a Yokai? sure I could see it, haha. Definitely a lot of love for much of the stuff that came outta Japan... Something I certainly never knew about was the paper toys out of nintendo! like I knew about the board games and some of their other early toys after the playing card stuff, but that was new to me! Grew up with the NES so been a fan of theirs going on almost 40 years now! also cool to see all the other stuff like transformers, gundam, power rangers/kamen rider and of course godzilla!

[@Jim58223]

Wish toys like these were still made in Japan. Much higher quality.

[@TheChild888]

Thank you John and Matt for bringing this old head of Japanese collectibles and nostalgic of early 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s from Japan back with memories. Man, growing up in Taiwan back in the 80s all of that is part of my life! Albeit is expensive as import toys to Taiwan, but the diecast toys (or Soul of Chogokin, Gokin) is the most memorable along side Famicom Family Computer, which known as Nintendo today.

[@alexlee1443]

15:44 Super Sentai and Kamen Rider were the reasons I first got into Japanese culture. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@ThePaulz80]

I was grow up with Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman, Macross, Gundam, Dragon balls and Diaclone in the 80's before American take over toy markets.

[@LemifromJapan]

I've never seen so many private toy collections! Wakaki san must be so happy to have you as gests and introduce his collection to the world!😊

[@onlyinjapan]

The benefits to being a toy store owner! He talks a lot about this in the interview. I’ll release it tomorrow on ONLY in JAPAN GO! channel.

[@QalinaCom]

it feels like you could make several more episodes on toys... So much more in this museum!

[@FlameMage2]

Great stuff! I just realized The Great Saiyaman is based off that Kamen Rider! Megatron history was fascinating, and I had no memory of knowing there was a pitching machine in Nintendo's early toy days. I actually learned stuff today lol.

[@007007gf]

Amazing collection. He will be having more visitors to his store. Everyone loves toys sometime in their life. And then having the toy expert, Matt Alt is icing on the cake. Matt could not blink. Great job. Great video.

[@Kosherart]

Thank you, Kanai-san for donating Sailor Chibimoon’s first wand & Super Sailor Chibimoon’s Crystal Carillon to the museum! I’d recognize those girls’ toys anywhere! 😊

[@onlyinjapan]

Kanae 👩🏻 was surprised you knew exactly what it was! 😂

[@Kosherart]

⁠@@onlyinjapanI’m just an old Sailormoon nerd, that’s all. 😅

[@nepaliunderratedmusic]

80s/90s Japan and Hong Kong were so good!

[@ShaunChee1998]

One of my favorite lives u ever done with the Hokkaido toy museum! Love that u revisited

[@daudselex6576]

Nice, so nostalgic 😊

[@vegnewb]

Those little one game LCD games were widely available in the US too.

[@iancowan3527]

I still remember the crazy in USA toy stores after the first Transformers... Japanese toys, robots, space ships, and those that were both in one! And saddest to me - what was low quality then - is super deluxe by today's standards! Thank you for walk down memory lane! Bless you...

[@mekabruh6922]

This has to be one my favorite episode of Only in Japan ♥

[@johnnyseawalker3634]

This is super fun! Thank you John! Another popular toy is the Kinkeshi or Muscle figures back in the day. I'm referring to the little rubber/eraser figures that were a hit back then, and are still enjoyed today by toy collectors. These were based off of the Kinnikuman comics which is making a comeback in the animé scene. I would like to see you meet the authors, the dynamic duo called "Yudetamago", someday. Cheers again John! 🎉 My Grandpa who I used to show your videos to on Chromecast past away early this year. Which is why I haven't had the energy to go on KZbin the past few months. He was one of my mentors and best friends. He's the reason why I was able to experience Japan in my childhood, buying and discussing Pokémon, Godzilla, and Japanese culture the whole while. It was 1998 that time and I almost went to school in Japan. But now that I'm back and watching your channel, I feel less lonely and reminisce the times I was watching it with my Grandpa. I also watched your channel with my family and introduced it to my Mom and Dad during the pandemic. Hope we get to meet someday John! God bless you and your family, always! 🍻

[@MazinGo-1972]

Very lovely place. The Nintendo paper car reminded me of the Lego car that I was gifted for Christmas.

[@jjdinanno4147]

Nailed all my 80s nostalgia here! Fantastic video. You had a clip of the Japanese release of Destro from the GiJoe A Real American Hero line. Those were my favorite toys as a kid. They were very popular all over the world. As an adult collector of those toys now, that Destro is a rare find! Video games, and specifically the NES, ended my toy phase. So great to hear and see that history in the video. Had no idea. ❤

[@mokisan]

This was so good to watch! Probably my favorite video by you John! I wish it was longer 😊 Thank you for making it

[@onlyinjapan]

That makes me so happy! Thank you for watching and I plan to make a part 2, the digital era is this one does well.

[@mokisan]

@@onlyinjapan that would be a treat to watch 😄 Thanks!

[@ericng7015]

I see that Wakaki san keep on updating the toys collection here, not limited on the vintage era, he even has the relatively new lines there

[@onlyinjapan]

Some things, yes - his toy store is mostly selling vintage stuff. He knows the process and value now. I’m happy for that, never close the original toy store! We need stores like this to root us to our past.

[@tokugeeky2931]

Aw man to see all those Kaiju and Ultraman toys across the era is so cool!

[@annedugan3161]

What a marvelous experience and story. There aren't many toy stores left and this made me remember the awe and excitement of going to one as a kid. Thank you for another great opportunity to see the past and origin of many many toys!!

[@colincofield3747]

That's it. Wakaki-san's Museum and store is now on the.....Bucket List. Also, Godzilla featured in 1954 in Japan but same the film but with Raymond Burr aka Steve Martin 1956 in the USA.

[@user-cn6de7xe2o]

Oh my gosh- this is wonderful!! I'll have to show my son and husband when they get home. Thank you!!

[@kurtisgillen7658]

This episode makes me very happy and nostalgic. Great video John.

[@teresa_davis]

Oh my goodness..LOVED this video!!! So much history…I leaned a lot! Thank you!⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@jamesnewman4351]

Thanks for this! I collect the transformable robots from the 70s and 80s , Daitarn lll ,Trider G7 , God Sigma , Daltanius. What wonderful Memories!

[@ironreaver4589]

Omg this was a really awesome episode as a collector but also a treat to see Matt! I loved his attack books! Didn’t sleep on the flight back after picking up his books at Narita Airport.

[@AltMattAlt]

Honored to hear that! Thank you!

[@carolineindacityphx]

Oh my. This was a walk down memory lane. The toys and their history are fascinating. ❤ Thank you for showing us Wakaki-San's amazing toy store! 🥰

[@CollideWithTheSlope]

I bought Mr. Alt's Yokai Attack book (at 3:50) from Kinokuniya or Periplus (i forgot where exactly) back in Summer 2019, it's a really informative book with lots of cool & colorful yokai drawings...such a fun read. It's so nice to finally see the author here in this video, he's just really knowledgeable about these kinds of stuff!

[@AltMattAlt]

Thank you very much!

[@CollideWithTheSlope]

@@AltMattAlt You're very welcome!

[@aubreyharper4829]

Bro that first Nintendo Family Computer was like the stereotype for Wii, they were waaaaaaay over it's time! 👏🏻🤯

[@gabrielshepard]

There is a lot of amazing plastic history here!!!! I so wish I could go back to the days when transformers and GI Joe were the big thing!!! There was so much to look forward to historically, looking back at it. We had NO IDEA what was going on and how much all those toys would be worth these days!!!!!

[@Kelvin_Foo]

Great episode, John! Also thanks to Matt Alt who provides a lot of background information on the various toy franchises. Fun Nintendo Fact: The Ultrahand, the Game and Watch, that D-pad on the Famicom controller and the Game Boy were all designed by the late Gunpei Yokoi (1941-1997). In fact Nintendo's move into gaming happened when the Nintendo president saw Yokoi experimenting with the Ultrahand back in the 1960s.

[@banjohead66]

Collabs with Matt Alt are always A++!

[@CardinalKaos]

My goodness Mr. Daub what is this video upload frequency!?!?! Note: this is not a complaint, this is just delightful shock! It always brightens my day to see youve published again, and tbh I could use all that brightness I can get cause this year hasnt been so great for me. But your videos always entertain, and to me theyre like a cozy pot of tea. They just make ya feel good. You and your team are just the best on YT!

[@onlyinjapan]

I’m thrilled it brightened your day, brought some smiles and good energy! I met Wakaki-san 20 years ago when he picked me up hitchhiking and to come back and show his museum to everyone in a mini documentary is a good story for me personally to end this tough year. I hope people come to visit him, he’s such an amazing man with unlimited knowledge on Japanese toys, seen a lot! I’ll be back to visit him again soon, this town is not far from Sapporo and has one of my favorite onsen!

[@rfcg462002]

One of my favorite episodes. The nostalgia hit me so hard that I need more of this type of videos. I've been here since Toby the crow btw.

[@hitachicordoba]

As someone with shelves of hundreds of Gundam/mecha robot shokugan figures, diecast cars and LCD Game & Watch handheld games, this video is a treasure! Matt's book is a great read too!

[@dimsumoffun6932]

Man, we love John doing more short form content again.

[@1ChilledDude]

As something of a toy collector myself, I've been waiting for this one. A lot of these are super rare!

[@filippoBTV]

Thanks for the video John. You should ask Bandai if they will allow you to make a video there. Gunpla are a huge thing 😉 Happy Holiday.

[@exosapiens2509]

What an amazing collector but furthermore, what a great message of peace and love while connecting to others through a passion many of us share. Long live the toys we grew up with and the communities guarding them.

[@CallyKariShokka]

"Oh, Santa Claus is a yokai!" I have never laughed so hard than I did from that fifteen second conversation.

[@onlyinjapan]

The discussion took such a turn!! 😂 I couldn’t cut that out ❤️ hahaha

[@stephenfreeman8617]

Excellent video John. My sons were born in the early 90’s and grew up with these western versions of these toys. They now live in Japan 🤷‍♂️ . The museum guy is a cool dude full of knowledge and stories. ☝️🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@shannondore]

I'm a toy collector so this is right up my alley. I've been waiting for this episode ever since you mentioned your dear friends toy museum. I love this!!😄

[@onlyinjapan]

Inside story: he sold some of his best items to buyers about 20 years ago - I am glad we could go have a close look. Wakaki-san picked me up hitchhiking 20 years ago in 2003 and it’s amazing to repay that kindness with this episode.

[@shannondore]

@@onlyinjapan I'm glad you did John, it was awesome.😊

[@captnjaygreybeard6394]

My first robot toy was a Robotech Valkyrie in the 80's

[@FlippytheMasterofPie]

What a character Wakaki-san is! He could have his own show

[@onlyinjapan]

100% yes on that!

[@nunodeazevedo]

Great episode John, toys are no doubt the few things that connects us to our past and our childhood, bringing up memories and stories. 👌🎄 Thank you

[@Michael-td9nj]

Great episode!! So thrill to see those vintage toys. Hehehe…. During the introduction of Ultraman, was the shaky part an effect to the clip or accidental. Love ❤ it. Have a great and enjoyable holiday

[@hellohi821]

A history of toys! I especially liked the history of Nintendo: I always learn something new with your videos. Nicely done! 👍

[@acejon2162]

Finally! i was wondering when he'd go back to the store. I"m a toy collector, collecting mostly Japanese robot toys like the Godaikin, Takatoku, Bandai Soul of Chogokin, Transformers, Macross, Gundam (toys & model kits), original HCMs, Neo Beast Wars, Ultraman etc. Also collects Playmobil, Lego, anime figures, Masked Rider etc.

[@teomai]

Like 50% of the toys mentioned in the video I had owned it or seen it in my entire life. My first video game console was Atari (it was a present from my aunt), then the fami-con (the one in this video), Gameboy Advance Color, those little handle games (the one with just one game), Transformers toys (from Japan & it was kinda expensive) and so much more to list on 😅 Thank you John for this video. It brings back a lot of memories (my childhood) and if you're wondering, I was born in the late 70's. So, yeah, I'm old 🤣🤣

[@onlyinjapan]

Atari never took off here, that was American (with a Japanese sounding name) 😂

[@teomai]

@@onlyinjapan I'm not in Japan nor from Japan 🤭 I'm from the Land Below the Wind.

[@robertmcintyre3405]

My Dad was Airforce from 60s to late 80s. We were stationed in Okinawa from 73 to 77. I sill have my toy treasures from Japan... Honda 3 wheel pedal scooter, Ultraman die-cast figures, kids size papasan chair, ect.... Best time of my life was in Japan... ty for this window to my past...

[@KennethTakanami]

Great video. Huge fan of Matt Alt! His book Pure Invention is a must-read.

[@AltMattAlt]

Thank you so much! I’m honored.

[@roso827]

Hey John can you do an update episode on how your family is doing? Miss those close to home videos

[@onlyinjapan]

I’ll do one before I leave! With the editing and everything else, it’s been a while since I did a GO! stream, the longest hiatus since I started it. Thanks for asking for one ^_^

[@roso827]

@@onlyinjapan ❤❤❤❤

[@roso827]

Just want to say I hope you and your family are safe from the tsunami 😢

[@JenniferNg0529]

I loved this episode! It's so nostalgic seeing all the toys I grew up with in America. I didn't know Transformers was of Japanese origin. Please make more of these videos!

[@joecrews7632]

What a fun video - thanks John, really enjoyed it!

[@mastermavrick]

Ah, all those boxed Gundams & Moblie Suits

[@onlyinjapan]

That was with Peter in 2022, this was shot last month 😉 I went back to make this. I’m sure to be back again!

[@mastermavrick]

@@onlyinjapan Oh gez..talk a about a misremember when thinking on x video released during Covid. Thanks for the correction, but happy to see you there again. Was a better peak/overview of the collection with more info.

[@biancajune8963]

I was awed to watch this! Very cool and nostalgic!!

[@bawintermage8351]

I remember having all kinds of toys from, to wooden to my "Shogun Warriors" collection. Every time I make it back to Japan, I go toy shopping like I'm still a kid .

[@john-sp8jk]

I still have a couple of my showgun warriors toys in my collection 70s which ones do you have which robots??🤖

[@bawintermage8351]

@@john-sp8jk I have tin stamped Japanese toy robots, a 24 inch walking Godzilla ( somewhere in storage) ,signed idol singer posters, and some random Jumbo Japanese action figures with flashing space helmets ( have no idea). As for the shogun Warriors, I had two, the fist launch and the one with the shoulder missiles. ( Don't ask me which was which) I vividly recall hitting myself in the eye numerous times , before moving on to star wars toys and full size metal cars , trucks and fire engines with working water tanks!!!

[@john-sp8jk]

I have the one that shoot missiles from his hand and I have the one with the yellow horn ears and I also have the very last showgun model they made and that one had rockets on the side of his legs!🤖

[@bawintermage8351]

@@john-sp8jk Can I come over and play😜🗾🗾🇯🇵

[@john-sp8jk]

That would be cool! Only a true showgun warriors fan and collectors can understand the inner kid in us! You also have a very impressive collection! I love Godzilla very much too! I want to get The Rodan and the gamera toys! I have my collection since 78!!

[@RoodeMenon]

I had that Optimus Prime toy back in 1988. Optimus folds into the trailer to become an even bigger Optimus!

[@AnntheConqueror]

Transformers godmaster ginrai in the intro ! Nice ! Great video full of nostalgia !

[@onlyinjapan]

Yes! We were hoping some people would notice it! “Transformers” BEFORE Transformers! It shocked me to learn the background on this!

[@AnntheConqueror]

Agree I was fascinated myself when I learnt that too (years ago I'm old lol) and the the evil diaclone bots where call waruder. Thanks for a great video !

[@ShaunStephens777]

Now I want to visit this museum, when I come to Japan 😁

[@onlyinjapan]

Wakaki-san has welcomed a lot of visitors since I streamed this place a few years ago. He’s a kind soul, very informative! He picked me up hitchhiking in 2003! I know he’d be glad to have you visit.

[@ShaunStephens777]

@@onlyinjapan thank you for sharing that story. Is that when you first met him, during your hitchhiking?

[@john-sp8jk]

And the 60s & 70s were the Golden era greatest era of those Japanese toys and games!

[@jkoadventures7401]

Sugoi! This is amazing historical account of the evolution of the Japanese toy industry. Love the vintage ads & videos of the original toy series. Excellent documentary! Thank you so very much! 💞💞💞

[@dwaynewilson8919]

As amazing how anime portray Japan as high tech, the more you learn there’s a lot of old outdated system like stamps, website layout, and small novelty shops.

[@ramsessilent]

Always love seeing the shop! Wakaki-san's shop and museum are amazing I would to have many of the transformers, robotech and battletek transforming models before they were called by those names in the U.S. thanks for the share! stay awesome!

[@nelstalgic7878]

as a toy collector myself.. i really enjoyed this episode ✨✨✨👍🏼

[@AnnisaNew]

Thank you guys for giving us this amazing video❤

[@michaelsasano8622]

Aloha John! My oh my! I was looking forward to watching this video and as always, you've created another fantastic one! I loved this so very much. Seeing some of the toys and recognizing many of them brought back so many great memories of my childhood. I actually still have a few of Nintendo's handheld games like the Game and Watch and even the ones with a dual screen. I could see myself spending hours in this toy shop and I'm sure I'd find a few to buy just to relive my youth. Thank you so very much for always putting a smile of my face with your edited videos. 🤙 Mahalo my dear friend!

[@onlyinjapan]

Mahalo Michael! This one is a stroll down memory lane for our generation! History for everyone else 😂 it was great to work with Matt and see my friend Wakaki-san again.

[@michaelsasano8622]

@@onlyinjapan 🤙❤️

[@notatallheng]

Funny old coincidence - I was putting together a Gundam model kit whilst watching this. It would be cool if Wakaki-san had a display showing how the models have evolved over the years. It looks like he has Gundam action figures (fairly new-ish ones at that) but no model kits in the museum. I also lol'd at the Santa thing. Yes, Santa is absolutely a yokai.

[@n7d2]

懐かしい！ほとんどおもちゃ買って貰えなかったけど 超合金のおもちゃ、モンチッチ、リカちゃん 買って貰った時はめっちゃ嬉しかったな。

[@fredericksweet]

Was waiting on your return to this place. I remember seeing your first stop there a long time ago.

[@863rafael]

We had that Game and Watch back in those days. It was so popular then because you can bring it with you. And then soon, the robots. But I was a bit old for robots although they fascinated me as well. I've been waiting for this return to the toy museum. A lot has happened since then! In fact, that was when I discovered your channel!

[@Prof.Rui_BastoDaSilva]

Thank you for this video. Took me down memory lane and tears in my eyes. Thank you, once again, for meaningful work. Kudos John and everyone involved!

[@kyoho_grape]

What blew my mind is that many toys still exist in his museum, and they look like new toys. I appreciate how much love he has for them. He keeps not only toys but also our beautiful old memories. I like his personality, and I'm proud of him as Japanese.

[@kkwong9190]

Great to see Matt Alt, in my opinion the best co-host on Japanology. Always wondered what he was up to when he left the program. Glad he is still active in Japan 😊

[@onlyinjapan]

He was an excellent co-reporter here too! I always thought he should have his own show talking just about toys and inventions from Japan! He has a podcast too. So fun to talk about toys.

[@sujoyteslesl]

Looks like I have a YET ANOTHER new favourite video on this channel. Looks like Melody Roads has been bumped down a peg. And Matt Alt is such an awesome guest on these things. Your channel is a great place for knowledgeable guests like him.

[@WMARUoriginal]

This was fantastic John! Really hope to keep seeing these in-depth videos on here and not just on Go. This is top notch stuff!

[@ShaunStephens777]

This is a video, I’ve been waiting for 😁

[@tsaabit5080]

Wow i love vintage toys and this episode makes me so excited, thank you john!!

[@Jonostunes]

The 1980s were like 40 years ago! Wow time flys

[@doc_multiverse]

Been following Matt since the early days of my re-obsession with Super Robots! He's a class act and I dig seeing him discussing toys :)

[@AltMattAlt]

Aww thanks man

[@Retrodude_92]

Toys/Gaming in Japan is just too fun Dude, I'm even jealous as of the things you guys get, and we don't :D

[@jasonmaitoza6713]

That was a fantastic episode; very cool and informative. You guys make a great team. Thanks for sharing your day with us. 👌

[@aubreyharper4829]

What a lovely grandpa 🥰

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Pretty amazing! Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@Og-Judy]

Very cool. I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s. GODZILLA!👍

[@dadzilla8015]

Growing up in So Cal in the 70's-80's with a Japanese mom who strictly watched Japanese programming we were exposed to shows and cartoons and TOYS like Ultra man, Kamen Rider, Go Ranger, Raideen the Brave, Getta Dragon and Getta Robo. In Anaheim and Gardena there were cool Japanese shops with cool toys.