Click on the picture to view this Collection! Name: Kirkland Jue, Toybot Studios Location: San Francisco

1- What is it that you collect?
Mostly Japanese Robots and action figures. Recently started collecting mini figures including Kubricks.

2- What was it that brought you to collecting? And what is that keeps you going?
When I was a kid, I loved watching the old school Japanese live-action shows like Kikaider and Anime like Raideen, etc. I would beg my mom to take me to Japan Town to buy me a toy. I would stare at the glass cases filled with toys and models as long as my mom would let me. I started buying models and building them and put them on top of my tv. The more I bought, things started to get cluttered so I thought I would recreate that feeling I had as a kid when I walked into a Japanese toy store gazing at all the glass cases. I guess what keeps me going is when I see something cool I want to buy it.

3- When did you start collecting?
I started collecting probably in 1997. I wish I still had the toys that I grew up with but those toys were discarded soon after jr. high.

4- Why (what you collect) example: Batman, Star Wars, Transformers, etc…?
Why Japanese Robots? Their cool and it goes back to the anime I used to watch as a kid.

5- When did you start displaying them?
I started displaying them probably in 1990.

6- How do you get your inspiration to organize and display your collection?
The inspiration to organize and display my collection came from going to the Japanese toy stores and seeing all of the painted models and action figures in the glass cases. I loved staring at them. I still love to go into the stores and check out their displays.

7- Do you have a favorite character(s) you collect?
I seem to collect a lot of Gundam. Not all of them, just select models and versions that are more elaborate but not completely funky.

8- Which item in your collection would you say is your absolute favorite and why?
Hard to say which is my favorite, but I like my Monev the Gale figure from Trigun. It was Toy of the Year a couple of years ago and I still am amazed with its level of detail. I am also quite fond of my trio of somewhat rare red, blue and green Fuchikoma tanks from “Ghost in the Shell”. They are cold cast resin and very detailed. My absolute favorite would have to be my cold cast resin figure of Cloud Strife on top of his “Hardy Davidson” motorcycle from Final Fantasy. It’s awesome!!

9- Which item was the most difficult to obtain? And which one is your prized possession?
The trio of Fuchikoma tanks was probably the most difficult to obtain. I had to special order them and it took months before they were delivered. My most prized possession would be the Cloud Strife figure and the Fuchikoma tanks.

10- What is the oldest item you own? and the one with the most value?
Most of them are fairly new. I have no idea which one holds the most value.

11- What inspires you to purchase an item to add to your collection?
If it’s a different version of a toy I really like, then I will usually purchase it. For example, I have four version of Kaneda from Akira and his awesome motorcycle. I love that bike! Bandai recently released a die-cast version with removable panels that is un-believable!!

12- Customizing figures and statues has become very big, have you ever purchased a custom figure or statue and have you ever tried making one?
I don’t own any custom figures although I think they are very cool. I thought about making models that are “battled-scarred” or with custom paint jobs, etc., but have never got around to it nor have the talent to make them look really cool. I would inevitably ruin the model or toy and waste the money.

13- What do you think of the custom Craze?
I think it’s awesome.

14- Where do you make most of your purchases from? ebay seems to be a favorite with collectors these days, are you an ebayholic?
I buy a lot from Hobbylink Japan. www.hlj.com Even with the shipping, it’s a lot less than most US toy sites and they have a pretty wide selection.

15- Is your collection insured?
No.

16- What is missing from your collection that you hope to one day acquire?
Old School Gaiken transformable Scott Bernard Cyclone Bike from Macross.

17- What is the usual reaction when people see your collection?
“Dude, what’s with the toy collection??”

18- Do you attend conventions for some of your purchases? could you tell us about that?
I actually tried to sell my “toy photography” at Wondercon in San Francisco a couple of years ago. Toy photography wasn’t quite a big hit. I’d like to make it down to ComicCon in San Diego and the ultimate would be the Tokyo Toy Show.

19- Most collectors today go on what they call a toy run, do you participate in that as well? And what are your favorite spots? Do you have a routine?
No, I haven’t had the opportunity to go on a toy run. The next time I’m in Japan, I will definitely make one though.

20- How do you decide what to take out of the package and what stays sealed?
This is where I differ from a lot of collectors. I don’t collect for investment purposes so everything comes out of the box and is displayed just like in those Japanese toys stores.

21- At what stage do you think your collection will be at 10 years from now, do you think you would have grown tired of it?
Not sure where it will be in 10 years. With a newborn in the house and planning to have another kid, the collection will probably sadly end up in boxes.

22- What advice would you give someone who just started a collection?
My advice is to buy what you like first and foremost. Collecting for investment is fine and all, but what fun are toys if you can’t take them out of the box and play with them?