Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation, Live Action T.V. Show Vam Mi

Star Trek Hikaru Sulu

George Takei is one of my heroes.

He has an AWESOME voice, piloted the first Enterprise for five some years, AND he became captain of the Excelsior, the best Star Ship in the known universe! Now who can beat that?! I have several Sulu figures, including his Target Exclusive 9" figure from the original series, his classic Star Trek 5" figure,

and a statue that depicted his famous fencing stance in the episode "The Naked Time." George Takei also has written a book, and is in the process of writing another one.

The Simpsons Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in Kwik-E-Mart

This figure is not out yet, but I do know it will be released with the Kwik-E-Mart set. Each set is supposed to include special pegs for other Simpsons action figures to produce dialogue.

We'll have to wait and see, but I bet some of you are wondering why I'm including Apu in the AAAF Homepage. You can make the argument that he's just a Matt Groenig creation that is voiced by a white actor.

And most certainly there are many Asian groups, most of them Asian Indian or South Asian groups, who despise what Apu stands for --- the stereotypical Indian working in the convenience mart. But in recent years Apu's character has turned into some much more than a stereotype.

He was involved in an arranged marriage to Manjula in 1999, and it was discovered that he holds a PhD in Computer Science.

Hmmm, well I guess he's still falling in stereotypes, but at least he's getting more screen time. In fact, the last time I searched for his name (which was like five minutes ago when I wanted to find how to spell his last name) I found no less than eight homepages dedicated to Apu. Now that's an accomplishment! And the other cool thing about The Simpsons is that everybody who's not Black American, foreign, or sick all of the time (like one of Bart's classmates) is yellow! Talk about Yellow Power!

Police Academy Flung Hi with crazy Karate gear

As I was just mentioning in the above introductory statement, my Flung Hi figure is all played out. I believe he had some sort of "crazy karate action" because his right arm and leg are super loose compared to his left limbs, but alas, he can barely stand anymore.

At least someone enjoyed playing with this figure. As for the "crazy karate gear," I have NO idea what that was all about. In fact, I can't even tell if this is a "good guy" or "bad guy." He has a fu-manchu beard, and a pony tail on his head. He also has some sort of ear muffs on. This figure really confuses me. And another thing, what kind of name is "Flung Hi?!"
Those names must be from the Tang dynasty, which also saw names like Flung Lo, and Fling Flung, and Spring Fling. I tell 'ya, we REALLY need to stop using stereotypical names to describe Asians.

In every culture, and in every name, there is meaning behind the names. My surname, for instance, means "one who proclaims." Chen used to be the most populous Asian name in the whole world, but now it is 4th or 5th. I am very proud of my name, and it offends me when people who do not understand the meanings behind Asian names make fun of them so easily. Even Western names have meaning.

My first name, Peter, means "rock." It is Biblical, standing for the strong foundation that Christianity brings to those who have faith. I am very proud of this name too. My middle name is another name for the toilet, John.

Actually, I'm kidding, it has another Biblical meaning, but I think you get the point. Names are very important in any culture, so lets be more sensitive about them, all right?

M.A.S.K. Bruce Sato

Bruce Sato comes from Japan. In the cartoon show he had an accent, and I never thought about looking to see who voiced him, but anyway, he was Matt Trakker's (the main character) right hand man.

He came packaged three different ways: in the Rescue Mission Adventure Pack with a flying helicopter backpack, in a two pack with Brad Turner, and in the Rhino truck with Matt Trakker. The Rhino was a semi cab that turned into a huge tank-like behemoth of a machine. As with all of the M.A.S.K. figures, the facial details were almost non-existent.

But I do remember that Bruce had black hair (another stereotype, errr, oh wait, that's a reality, sorry 'bout that) and some molding in the face that led me to believe that he was Japanese, but there were no painted features, so he could have been from any country. 8-)

The Green Hornet and Kato

In the 1966/67 Television series, Bruce Lee played Kato, the loyal and martial arts fighting chauffer and sidekick to the Green Hornet.

The FEW episodes I have seen from this series (I'm not that old 'ya know?) revealed that Bruce Lee ended up saving the Green Hornet numerous times?! Yet he was STILL just the sidekick.

Oh well, such is the case when it comes to super heroes. In any case, check out www.katoman.com from some cool information about the show, the series, and Bruce Lee.

G.I. Joe Chun Li

Chun Li is not a part of GI Joe, per se, but she is a member of the Street Fighter group.

The reason I include this figure in the GI Joe group is because GI Joe did a special series called the Street Fighter series. She has a plethora of weapons that come attached to a plastic frame, and she has kicking action in her legs.

Her facial features are much like many other GI Joe women figures, namely, they look like men, but she does have her signature hair pieces on and she's ready to kick some major butt!

Tunnel Rat

Now this is a special figure.

It was modeled after Larry Hama himself! He is an explosive ordnance disposal specialist, and he also is a combat engineer.

No GI Joe collection should be without one of the two Tunnel Rat figures that were released due to its tribute to the creator of GI Joe.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers 1994 Tiger Toys

Gi is the Chinese, or Asian, representative who controls the power of water. This particular figure I found in a now defunct K-Mart on the west side of Indianapolis. It was on the clearance rack, so I got it real cheap, but the important thing here is that I decided to begin collecting Asian American Action Figures with the purchase of this figure, thus changing my life forever (yeah, forcing me to form an addiction to going into toy stores and departments every chance I get!). Her hair is short and her eyes are just a little slanted inwards. This figures posture is amazing.

I say that because it is almost unnatural. I think this is the case because she comes with a huge backpack that sticks into a hole in her back that runs a tube through to her right hand and comes out of a ring that is on her figure. Basically, she squirts water.

It doesn't work too well, but hey, we all know she controls water, so she doesn't have to prove it all the time! 8-) The file card on the back of the card says that Gi is "an athlete whose favorite sport is surfing, she is very smart and started college at the age of 14 in marine biology." True, this is a stereotype of sorts, but hey, it's a good stereotype, and it's not like they said "she, like ALL Asians, started college at age 14 and etc..." so I'm not criticizing it too much. 8-)

X-Men vs. Street Fighter Apocalypse vs. Dhalsim

These two figures scare me.

Apocalypse is just big and cold-looking, and Dhalsim has tiny shrunken heads all over him.

The accesories scare me too; it's just a bunch of extra arms for Apocalypse.

X-Men vs. Street Fighter Chun Li vs. Juggernaut

This figure is not as cool as I once thought. Her head sculpt isn't bad. It really captures the animated look that this character is made of. However she is so disproportionate that she can't even stand on her own.

The articulation points appear as if Play-Doh was used, and the paint job almost rubs with a touch. On a brighter note, Juggernaut is really cool, and if you're a Juggernaut fan, then I highly recommend this piece.

One of the best accessories I've seen is the steel I-beam that bends (remember, I grew up without all these new fangled Wrestling Action Figures that you can buy boxes full of odds and ends accessories for).

Final Fantasy VII Collector's Edition Aeris Gainsburg

This figure is articulated at the arms and the head.

She has big blue eyes and carries a staff that hold magical power, or something like that.

1996 Kenner Amy Chow

That's right, here she is, one/seventh of the famed magnificent seven from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics! I took a 1996 Timeless Legends Nadia Comenci and painted her hair black, and painted her uniform.

It's not great, but I think that Amy Chow deserves it. She has received, by far, the least amount of attention among all of the U.S.'s Olympic team.

All seven of them contributed equally to winning the Gold Medal, yet why is it that they don't all receive equal amounts of attention?

Professional Wrestling Yokozuna

Yokozuna is the Sumo wrestler of WWF wrestling. He is HUGE! He has this thundering body slam that kills people, I think.

In any case, I have not idea if he is really from Japan or not, but his figures are cool.

He has a big one, a really tiny one with a big head, and one that pits him against Ahmed Johnson (former pro football player) in their own tiny wrestling ring. Needless to say, Yokozuna always knocks Ahmed out of the ring due to his tremendous girth!

Hockey Paul Kariya

Paul Kariya is a multi-racial Japanese Canadian player for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Disney's version of professional hockey.

He is considered by many to be the next Wayne Gretzky, but he's had one too many concussions, and he may not be the same next year. Only time will tell, but keep your eye out for the Asian Canadian hockey player! His 1996 SLU was really good, until all of the concussions, and his 1997 Headliner is still strong.

He was also in one of the really cool Hockey One-on-One's which pitted two hockey SLU's against each other on a simulated ice floor.

Baseball Chan Ho Park

Chan Ho Park signed with the Dodgers as the first South Korean baseball player in the United States.

For symbolic reasons, he chose the number 61 which is the exact mirrored replica of Nomo's # 16. Park has been coming along rather steadily, but is now in the limelight with Nomo being traded to the Mets.

Let's see if Park can make a name of himself out West! His SLU was pretty hot in 1997, but has since cooled down, considerably. I still had a heck of a time trying to find it.

My brother finally came across it in a Toys R Us in Cincy.

Yao, Ling, and Chien Po

These are the comic-relief characters of the movie. They are in training camp with Mulan, and become good friends after trying to beat each other up. I could be mistaken, but I think Chien Po is the ONLY one of these three who is voiced by a real Asian American actor.

He is also extremely huge, and always speaks in fortune-like statements.

As a side note, Fortune cookies were created in San Francisco, thus, they are Asian American, or actually, an America product. Why, then, are they always associated with Asian movies or people? I mean, I never ONCE saw a fortune cookie while I was in Taiwan, so why do people associate them with Asian people? Think about it, it's an American thing, really, it is, people should associate fortune cookies with all Americans, no? It's a deep stereotype, but if you give it enough thought, you'll see what I'm trying to say.

As for Yao and Ling, one is short and fat, and sounds like Wolfman Jack, and the other is tall and skinny, and always has a big smile.

I did mention that these were comic relief characters, but they were NOT my favorite characters of the movie. In the McDonalds set they are all molded together, with Yao tied on to a string that when it is pulled, it makes Chien Po run, with Ling sitting on his head.

I don't think I saw them do this in the movie.

Hua Mulan

She is, of course, the main character. Fa is her family name in Cantonese (Hua is its Mandarin form), just in case you weren't aware that surnames are deemed more important than individual names in many Asian countries, and are placed first. She is voiced by Ming Na Wen, who was in the Single Guy. But anyway, the main problem in all of the Mulan figures I have is that her eyes slant downward.

I discuss this phenomenon in great detail in the TV/Cartoons section, but basically, a common feature among Asian American action figures is that the eyes are slanty, and are point downward towards the nose. I've never met an Asian person who had eyes like this.

I don't doubt that there may be people who look like this, which is a testimony to how diverse and different Asian people are amongst themselves, refuting the stereotypical notion that "all Asians look alike." But anyway, Mulan comes in either her military uniform, usually with cool armor that snaps on and off, or her "matchmaking" dress, where she is all dressed and made up in order to find a husband, or in her primping outfit which is what she wears just before she gets all dressed up.

Her McDonalds toy has both her armor, which is in one piece as opposed to separate upper and lower halves and separate helmet, and a piece of cloth that attaches around her waist when you remove her armor.

Her Disney figures often come with Mu Shu (the dragon that is voiced by Eddie Murphy), weight lifting stones, and a sword.

Wai - Lin

Here it is, the first American Michelle Yeoh action figure! Actually, I was a little disappointed with this figure. She is a 9" doll, with plastic-leather (or as a trendy friend of mine calls it, pleather) jump suit on, and a base stand that does absolutely NOTHING to help her stand up on her tiny little high heels.

I don't remember seeing Wai Lin kick butt with high heels on in the movie though, but maybe I was concentrating on something else. Anyway, the one good thing about this figure is that the head sculpt looks a LOT like Michelle Yeoh in the movie.

I don't know how they did it, but I knew exactly who it was supposed to be when I found the beat-up box in Toys R Us.

I know that the extra hair on her head is a separate mold, because I actually saw one figure that was BALD! Her extra hair piece had fallen off! It was rather hilarious, but this is a good figure to keep in the box, if you can find a box that looks decent enough. If you hadn't already figured out, I don't keep too many figures in their package, but this is an exception, mainly because she can't stand on her own two feet!

The Adventures of Gumby and friends Ninja Playset

This box set comes with Gumby in a "karate" outfit (despite the fact that it is called a NINJA Playset?!), a Block Head with a sai (small dagger-like weapon), a little fold-out training temple (like the ones we all have in our backyards, right?), a screen with the Mandarin character that means "prosperity," and a golden statue that resembles Buddha.

Oh, and it comes with a computer disk that has pictures you can color on it. So what, you may ask, is this doing in my collection? I figured I could use the temple, statue, and screen with some of my other action figures, but alas, they were too small.

It was no big loss though, I only paid like $1.25 for it, its MSRP is $12.99.

The Puzzle Place Friends Collection

There are six PVC figures in this set.

The Asian American figure is named Julie, and she is from San Francisco, California. She loves to sing and dance.

Her figure is sculpted in some sort of dress with pink polka dots, and she has a wireless microphone in one hand.

Ninja

It's the quintessential ninja! How culd any collection be complete without the ninja?! I mean, all Asians know at least some of the "black martial arts" that shroud the ninja in mystery, don't we?! Well anyway,
this figure shows how to take care of that "giddy complex" I mentioned above --- draw slanting eyebrows and a mean looking fu-manchu on the face and you've got a completely non-giddy-looking Asian Playmobil figure. He was an exclusive in 1998.

Mandarin Prince

I have no idea where the idea for this guy came from. I guess he's supposed to be the Asian Prince Charming.

But anyway, you can easily see how Playmobil characterizes an Asian figure. They put black hair on it and shape the eyes in half-circles.
Not too bad, but it makes them look even more giddy than the other Playmobil figures.

You can also see the dragon head on this guys shirt. The year 2000 is not just the year of the Dragon, it's the year of the Golden Dragon, so be looking for a huge baby-boom throughout Lunar New Year celebrating countries. He was an exclusive in 1997.

Karate Fighter

This figure is actually really cool, and it just so happens to be really hard to find. In any case, I like his accesory the best.

His chest looks like he's infected with fleas, but oh well, that's what you get with simplistic paint jobs. He was an exclusive in 1997.

Eastern Warrior

Apparently every warrior who resides East of where you live can be considered an "Eastern Warrior," and as such will look like this Eastern Warrior.

Really though, from what I can tell, this guy is supposed to look like a Mongol Warrior from nomadic tribes north of China.

Of course, if you colored his beard (would any Asian grow a beard this long?!) white, you'd have a European Santa Claus, who just happens to carry a bull whip and sword. He was an exclusive in 1998.

LEGO's Ninja System

Check out the pictures! I grabbed them from www.lego.com. (I hope they don't mind) But these are such COOL pieces.

In case you were wondering, the catalog numbers refer to the available sets, which include the two that are depcited in the image, as well as a Ninja's Stronghold, Ninja's Hideout, Shogun's Bridge, and Shogun's Fortress. Ok, so here's my take on LEGO's sudden affinity for Japanese Feudal History. Through some minimal research, (ie: browsing the LEGO aisle for other SYSTEM sets) I have found a much more diverse representation in their people.

First of all, LEGO people are yellow, so I always thought they were Asian anyway, but I was wrong. Oh, I'm sidetracking again, I digress. If you remember the old school LEGO's, all the people looked the same. Sure they had different hair styles and colors, but they all had those round black eyes and smilely mouths.
Well, now there are hundreds of facial expressions and clothing styles and stuff.

There's even a Western System that has Native Americans! So I believe LEGO is really beginning to concentrate on diversity and multiculturalism, and they're doing it with the two groups that typcially get left out of these types of initiatives! I mean, it's very east to note that the majority of "Race Issues" are in terms of Black and White, and Latinos are increasingly becoming a part of those debates, but why is it that Asian Americans and Native Americans are left out so easily? Could it be that one represents a group of people who are disappearing and most people don't care about them, and the other group of people are rapidly increasing with both numbers and power, and most people would like to see them disappear as well? I know I'm being super vague here, but it's something to think about, but not while building these way-cool LEGO's!!!

Little People

Now here's a cute set. It has three Little People girls portraying 1997 Winter Olympic sports.

We have a skier, whom I call Picaboo Street (is that her real name?), a speed skater, and a figure skater who happens to be Asian American.

I call her Michelle Kwan. All three have gold medals (which Michelle deserved to get more than Tara Lipinsky (is she European or something?)) and have real big smiles. The figure skater has bright, cheery eyes, not slanted downward like too many other Asian action figures.

There is a set for boys, but I didn't see any Asian Americans in this set.