Finding Tokusatsu-Inspired Merchandise and Information at WonderCon 2017

WonderCon 2017 returns to the Anaheim Convention Center and the Tokusatsu Network sought out where fans can a piece of the tokusatsu they love. 

After spending the last year in Los Angeles, CA with over 55,000 attendees, WonderCon 2017 returns to the Anaheim Convention Center for the first weekend of April. This year, the Tokusatsu Network sought out where tokusatsu fans can find pieces of their favorite Japanese medium at one of the largest comic conventions in the West Coast of the United States.

On Friday, Scarlet Rhapsody, a site dedicated to covering pop-culture conventions, hosted a Rangers ‘n’ More: A History of Tokusatsu panel. Though off to a late start, the panel briefly covered the history of the Power Rangers and Super Sentai franchise with plenty of lengthy clips from various Power Rangers shows, such as Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Magiranger, and Power Rangers: Time Force.

On the Exhibit Hall floor, a wide array of Power Rangers and tokusatsu merchandise could be found in the various booths. BOOM! Studios (Booth #1301) assorted offerings of their official Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers tradepaper backs, variant cover issues, and the recently released Power Rangers: Aftershock, the original graphic novel tie-in with the Power Rangers 2017 movie. Power Rangers: Aftershock author, Ryan Parrott is scheduled to sign at the BOOM! Studios booth on Saturday, April 1st from 5:00pm to 5:50pm.

Gallery Nucleus (Booth #2101) also has some available art prints from their official Power Rangers art tribute show, many of which would become variant covers for various issues for the BOOM! Studios comics line.  Other official collaborations includes Power Rangers limited edition boxes at the Stylin’ Online “tower of t-shirts” booth (Booth #1419) which included shot glasses and coasters; Tamashii Nations Power Rangers Tamashii Buddies and S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla  figures from the Bluefin Distribution (Booth #1037); official tokusatsu illustration and magazine books from Japan the Anime Books booth (Booth #1045); and some high-end Power Rangers bust statues from PCS Collectibles (Booth #1801).

In addition many independent, small dealers and artists also offered tokusatsu-inspired wares available at various booths in the main exhibit area, dealers’ tables, and Artist Alley; including artists previously highlighted in the Tokusatsu Network’s Artist Feature.

These include:

• Dino Squad from Fat Rabbit Farm (Booth #2056)
• Kaiju Kitties from 100% Soft (Booth #1955)
• Limited-edition Ultra Rider enamel pin and Ultraman mug from artist, Christopher Lee (Booth #1366)
• Power Rangers kid art prints and magnets from Dakota Kid Creations (Artist Alley D-06)
• Godzilla art prints from Lenzations by artist, Lenny Romero (Artist Alley D-42)
• Showa-era kaiju prints from Jusscope Press by artist, Justin Orr (Artist Alley D-43)
• Power Rangers mini-prints by artist, Nikki Abrego (Artist Alley B-29)
• Feed Me Dino charms and prints from Sakuradragon by artist, Cindy Duong (Artist Alley A-42)

A variety of fun grab bags, merchandise, and toys were also available from booths such as Anime Bazaar (Booth #1159), Anime Link (Booth #1261), and the Japan World Heroes / Planet X Toys booth.

Wonder Con 2017 is held from March 31st to April 3rd at the Anaheim Convention Center, until 7:00pm with special extended programming on Friday and Saturday evenings; and until 5:00pm on Sunday.