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= B. Bonanno Guide Class
= B. DeMars Guide Grade
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Ball headed
Memorable for his marble shaped head as it appeared in the M.U.S.C.L.E. toy line where his original identity was lost in the rebranding from his origins in the Japanese Kinnikuman universe. He’s a minor villain type background character known as Flasher Balloon introduced in the tournament arcs of the superhuman wrestling themed manga and anime franchise still popular today.
Like many in the roster of hundreds of unique and interesting characters brought to life by an artistic pair of Japanese friends known as the duo called Yudetamago, his visual designs lend to the diverse imaginative possibilities made possible by their creations.
Appearing as a bizarre balloon themed antagonist fitting the exaggerated and often comedic aesthetic of early Kinnikuman productions. He’s not exactly what you might imagine for a combat-ready foe as balloons aren’t exactly known for durability, but he contributes to the overall archetype of background villains.
In the figures original Japanese keshi form released well before Mattel discovered the series and licensed it for the English-speaking markets. Fans would have found the figures ball shaped head more of a visceral squishy complimenting feature. As they were created in a softer more eraser type of material than the tougher rubber used for the M.U.S.C.L.E. toys series and in different color variants.
While the origins and character details are still being learned and translated and discovered by the fans who wouldn’t have known previously. Some details are still sought, like what was the inspiration for many characters, and the story behind their character design?
Whatever the case, the eccentricity of the character line up available both from the decades of story arcs and the growing population of the Kinnikuman universe. We’re thankful for the shared imagination and creativity that came out of Japan whose likenesses dawned countless epic battles of memories both past, present, and future, from them.