Blake Wright, publisher and editor-in-chief of Toy Collector magazine, joins Toys on Tap to talk Star Wars, lost toy history, and keeping print alive.

Blake shares how a childhood love of action figures grew into a journalism career, the Toys That Time Forgot book trilogy, and a magazine built to sit proudly beside the toys on your shelf.

We talk about:

• Growing up with the original Star Wars toys • Hunting figures in the early internet era

• Uncovering unreleased toy lines and prototypes

• Creating Toys That Time Forgot

• Funding three books through Kickstarter

• Preserving stories before they disappear

• Launching Toy Collector magazine

• Landing exclusive reveals for 25 covers

• Running nearly every part of the magazine himself

• His graphic novel Moon Man Zero

This episode is a fast, fun look at collecting, publishing, and why toy history deserves to be saved in print.

On Instagram: @toycollectr

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Illustrator, toy designer, filmmaker, and lifelong storyteller Chogrin joins Toys on Tap to trace a creative journey shaped by two cultures and an unstoppable love of characters.

Growing up in Ecuador, Chogrin absorbed everything from Super Sentai and Japanese heroes to Ghostbusters, Ninja Turtles, and classic rubber-hose animation. After moving to the United States and starting over, he turned that mix of influences into a career that led from Cartoon Network to Adventure Time, gallery shows, designer toys, filmmaking, and Magic: The Gathering.

We talk about:

• Rebuilding his childhood toy collection

• Working behind the scenes on Adventure Time

• Finding his voice through illustration

• Turning art-show ideas into 3D objects

• Creating Guru del Toro and his “Guru” toy series

• Designing toys inspired by TMNT and Jurassic Park

• Opening your own doors instead of waiting

• His next short film, Sector 1218

This episode is a fast, inspiring look at what happens when curiosity, persistence, and genuine fandom collide.

On Instagram: @chogrin

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Empire Blisters: If you are looking for blisters for vintage toys or new bootleg figures head over to https://www.empireblisters.com and use code TOYSONTAP10 for 10% off

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Steven Nunes, aka Steve Beef the “Sofubi Shy Guy", joins Toys on Tap to talk horror, collecting, and the creation of M.U.D. Toys.

Steven traces his obsession from Ninja Turtles, Goosebumps, vintage masks, and early sofubi discoveries in New York to partnering with longtime friend and turning their monster ideas into Japanese vinyl.

We talk about:

• Discovering sofubi at the Mishka store • Collecting NAG, Super7, masks, VHS, and sneakers • Photography, tattoo shops, and creative influence • Living with anxiety and agoraphobia • Launching M.U.D. Toys • Creating Barfy, Grim Bones, and Grim Oni • Hand sculpting vs. digital sculpting • Collaborations and community support • Clothing and accessories for toys • What M.U.D. Toys is making next

This episode is funny, honest, and packed with monster-toy energy. Steven proves you do not need to have everything figured out, or be the loudest person in the room to make something unforgettable.

On Instagram: @m.u.d.toys

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Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

Empire Blisters: If you are looking for blisters for vintage toys or new bootleg figures head over to https://www.empireblisters.com and use code TOYSONTAP10 for 10% off

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In this episode, Andrew, also known as Spaceboi, returns to Toys on Tap to talk about the evolution of Space Boi and the growing universe around the character.

Since his last appearance, Spaceboi has expanded far beyond one figure. What started as different versions of Space Boi has grown into Space Girl, Space God, plushies, resin toys, sofubi, vehicles, mechs, blind bags, and large-scale booth displays that feel like their own world.

We also dive into the realities of being an artist in a changing economy. He talks about shifting toward plushies, keychains, small resin toys, and useful accessories while still pushing bigger creative ideas forward. He also discusses the importance of trusted artist communities, honest feedback, and learning how to separate your ego from your work.

All of this episode leads us to the upcoming Space God custom show at Indie Toy in Alhambra, featuring custom sofubi pieces from over 25 artists, new Space God colorways, blind bag plushies, and a full shop takeover.

If you have ever wanted to see world building in action. Look no further!

On Instagram: @spaceboidega

Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMVsuiDuwYxfqoUY4G4ekQRm8lDREEhQ43xRmjH0H_2lv-Jw/viewform?usp=header

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In part two of this conversation, Quang Le shares the story behind the creation and evolution of Creature Bazaar.

After years spent collecting toys, building relationships, and learning the industry from the inside, Quang and Brandon turned an idea into one of the most recognizable names in the sofubi community. Quang discusses traveling throughout Japan to meet artists where they lived, launching Creature Bazaar, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, transforming into a web store almost overnight, and eventually helping grow events like SummerSlime into community staples.

More than anything, this episode explores what it means to build something that lasts. Rather than chasing growth for growth’s sake, Creature Bazaar has focused on relationships, history, and creating experiences that bring collectors and artists together.

Whether you’re a toy maker, collector, or creative entrepreneur, Quang’s perspective on community building, adapting through change, and playing the long game offers valuable lessons far beyond designer toys.

On Instagram: @photosalaquang

On Instagram: @creature_bazaar

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Quang Le joins the show for part one of a two-part conversation about collecting, creativity, and the foundation that eventually led to Creature Bazaar.

Before Creature Bazaar and SummerSlime, Quang was a lifelong toy collector shaped by Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Japanese robot cartoons, Asian market imports, punk shows, D&D, photography, fashion, and underground art culture.

We talk about his early connection to toys, touring with The Aquabats, working in photography and fashion, discovering Japanese soft vinyl through Giant Robot and Super7, and eventually finding himself surrounded by artists, collectors, and makers who would help shape the modern sofubi scene.

This episode is about community before business, collecting before creating, and the relationships that quietly build something bigger.

On Instagram: @photosalaquang

On Instagram: @creature_bazaar

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Mike Die joins the show to share the journey that led him from New York graffiti artist to creator of the Rock Protectors toy line.

Growing up surrounded by He-Man, Battle Beasts, Transformers, and Ninja Turtles, Mike always dreamed of making toys. After years spent in graffiti, custom Dunnys, street art, and enamel pins, he eventually found his way back to action figures through 3D printing and character design.

Today, the Rock Protectors have become one of the most recognizable independent toy lines online, blending fantasy storytelling, retro toy influences, and modern creator culture into something completely unique.

We talk about:

• Toy collecting in the 80s and 90s
• Graffiti and street art
• Kidrobot's impact on designer toys
• Custom vinyl and resin figures
• The enamel pin explosion
• Building a toy universe from scratch
• Selling independent action figures
• Zolocon and toy conventions
• Community in the toy world
• Future graphic novel plans

A great conversation about creativity, persistence, and making the toys you wish existed.

On Instagram: @mikedie

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Tony Coppolillo (SioPio) joins the show to share his incredible creative journey from architecture student to Hollywood movie poster artist, visual effects professional, and independent toy creator.

Over the course of his career, Tony has contributed to major film campaigns, worked in visual effects, taught 3D design, and eventually discovered a passion for bringing his own characters and ideas into the physical world through 3D printing and toy design.

We talk about:

• Movie poster production
• Working on blockbuster films
• Burnout in creative industries
• Learning 3D printing
• DesignerCon experiences
• Building the SioPio brand
• The creation of Nubs
• Toy manufacturing realities
• Creativity after 50
• Why community keeps creators going

If you've ever wondered what it takes to keep reinventing yourself as an artist, this episode is packed with wisdom and perspective.

On Instagram: @sio.pio

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Brandon of Motley Miscreations joins the show to discuss his journey from childhood toy collector to professional sculptor, resin caster, and independent toy maker.

Growing up with Battle Beasts, TMNT, Batman, comics, and video games, Brandon always had a passion for art and creativity. After studying fine art, working in illustration and video games, and eventually discovering the designer toy scene, he began creating his own original toys and building the brand now known as Motley Miscreations.

In this episode we discuss:

• Childhood toy obsessions
• The rise of Image Comics
• Art school experiences
• Working in the video game industry
• Learning digital sculpting
• Resin casting and mold making
• Building a toy business from scratch
• DesignerCon lessons and collector culture
• Community over competition
• Upcoming dinosaur, cryptid, and original toy projects

This conversation is a fantastic look at the dedication, craftsmanship, and persistence required to succeed in the modern art toy world.

On Instagram: @motleymiscreations

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Mimor Toys steps on the stage to talk about handmade soft vinyl toys, learning sofubi production from scratch, and building an entirely analog toy-making process out of a garage in Southern California.

Inspired by Kidrobot, Dunnys, Webkinz, Club Penguin, and DIY maker culture, Mimor grew up obsessed with toys as art objects before eventually teaching themself mold making, welding, electroplating, and vinyl production.

In this episode, they talk through:

• Growing up around designer toys
• The influence of Kidrobot and collectible culture
• Making plush toys, costumes, props, and drag outfits
• Learning sofubi production at home
• Safety, chemicals, and the reality of DIY vinyl production
• Collected Con and selling out their first handmade soft vinyl toys
• Community, kindness, and inclusivity in the toy scene
• Building larger vinyl toys and future ambitions

This is one of the deepest behind-the-scenes conversations we’ve had about handmade sofubi production and independent toy artistry.

On Instagram: @mimor.toys

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