The end of my journey

[mikedeco]

Yes, it's probably the end of my long journey as I've been able to get the very last Machinder that was on my want list.

Here's some images of the last big guy who joined my shelves this week. Not only does he complete my Robot Factory set, but he also complete my entire collection.






When I've start collecting almost 15 years ago, I was looking at big collections with my eyes wide open and I was thinking that those hardcore collectors were nuts. Seems like today it's me who might be even more nuts. I was far from thinking that one day I could go that far with my collection and I feel very very lucky that I've been able to reach that point. It was really a long journey that I've start slowly by trying to get the easy pieces, then learning to love the real Popy stuff until I became highly addicted with the hunt of those rare toys we all love. There's a lot of collections that are way bigger than mine and lots that have much more clean pieces and I look at those with envy and excitement, which means that I'm really too deep into it



Of course I could probably go even further as I have some Jumbos that are not in good condition, and could probably try to upgrade them. I could probably replace my U5 with real Popy one day but that was lower in my priority list as I wanted to get one representation of each Jumbo made by Popy. So even if I have a Voltron and not a Golion, a bootleg D17 and not the original. Well, I'm happy like that and this kind of luxury can wait a few more years or it can even stay like this.
I've build my own version of the rarest villains as I'm sure that it will never happen to score one as the price is way beyond what I'm ready to go. But basicaly, I am where I dreamed to be a few years back and damn, it feels soooooo good. Thanks to all the people from this board who helped me into this journey and thanks for all the inspiration and motivation.

[organic]

Congratulations! You have a stunning collection. Which jumbo is your favourite?

[mikedeco]

Thanks a lot.
Well, that's just a tricky question. Almost impossible to just name one as my favorite as I like them all, but if I have to really choose a few: Doublas M2, Daiku Maryu, T28, Danguard, Gordian

[bt1]

Wonderful collection, and congratulations! While Jumbo's were never my thing, I envy you very much, as I think there are not many who can say they are at the end of their hunting/collecting. I believe it would be a very difficult thing (for me at least) to stop and say 'I am satisfied and complete.' Well done!

[KingboyD]

Yeah, that's crazy to think that you might be done. Unbelievable achievement. Congratulations, Mike! You are so deserving. Its funny, I had brought up the idea of ultimately achieving collection completion in the past, and most people said it was not possible or that was not something they strove for. I'll dig up the link - its a fun read (it was on TBDX). But to think that one of us has gotten to Nirvana - such an accomplishment. I am so happy for you. Actually, I know you did a Collector's Corner interview in the past. Considering this achievement, we should do a new article / interview with you, if interested. That would be a pretty cool read.

I've always loved and admired your collection. Not just for the contents, but for the classy and thoughtful way you display it.

So where do you go from here? Do you have any interest in branching out to diecast or vinyl toys? Or just upgrading slowly over time? Do you think your interest will wane in the coming years now that you have succeeded in your goal? Do you still see yourself being active in the forums moving forward?


EDIT: Here's that link I was mentioning. I revisit it every now and then. Its interesting to see people's opinions on this, and I would be interested to hear the opinions of others here on this matter.

toyboxdx.com/phorum/read.php?4,139190,139190#msg-139190

[Mr. Ginrai]

As I sit here and read this, I have the biggest smile on my face. It makes me so happy to see another collector that has a focused vision for their collection and sticks with it.

After following your work on your blog, reading the mountains of info you have contributed in threads here, and meeting you briefly at the east coast summit (I believe it was 2011, I showed you the DX Voltes) I have looked forward to your continued updates and awesome display case photos.

I am very happy for you, and congratulate you Mike on a job well done. Daidenjin was a great piece to finish off your journey and I am sure that although it took a very long time, you must be very happy with what you have achieved.

I hope you continue to post and stay active. Now go take a break and enjoy those great jumbos!!!!

- Mike

[mikedeco]

Thanks a lot guys. Hey Kingboy that's an interesting post you've link there.

Well, like I was saying I can try to upgrade some in the future because honestly my collection is not complete. It's just that it's exacetly where I wanted it to be, and that's the cool point.
Now I don't know what I will do. I'm sure that I will continue looking at auctions sites a few time every day as it's in my habits now. I've try to stay focus on Jumbos for a very long time, I've see a lot of cool non-Jumbo toys and passed on them because every time I was thinking that it's better to stay focus and keep my money for the Jumbos. So maybe I will get a few other toys, but that's not even sure.
There's no reason to stop posting here, it's a pleasure to help and contribute.
What's sure is that my family situation has change a lot since I've start collecting and with two kids now, I put things in another perspective.
So all in all, it's really a good timing for me and I feel very fortunate that I can stop looking at my collection and only see what I'm missing

[GEN1AUTOBOT]

Congrats on completion!!! I had the same thought process a few months ago relating to completion as well. This hasn't led me to making a definitive list of items that I need to complete my collection, Transformers that is, but I would like to think that I will be done collecting within the next few years. Once I received my Vehicle Voltron last month, that was the last non-Transformers figure that I wanted. Therefor I consider myself done with the Japanese super robot side of collecting. All of the jumbos that I own have either a Soul of Chogokin or other manufactured diecast robot to represent it on a smaller scale. My Jumbo collection fails in comparison to yours, but I am very content with the ones that I have. There are still a few jumbos that I would like to have in the future but for now I am done in this department. Once again, great collection and you have reached a pivotal point in collecting. Now you have to find something else to do in place of the collection you just completed. Good luck and Merry Christmas mikedeco.

[choryujin]

Congratualtions! Sell me your Hasami Jaguar so you won't be complete and will still be in the hunt

This is a very interesting crossroads you have hit and it will be interesting to see where you go with it. I had a similar instance years back when I was collecting Diaclones. I ended up where I wanted to be and had 90% of the line, then after about a year I cracked and sold it all. While I loved the pieces, my collection lost value to me because it wasn't just the pieces themselves, but the thrill of the hunt that was part of it and the satisfaction of adding to my collection. With nothing left to hunt I lost interest. I've yet to get back in to collecting as hardcore as I was, but what I am collecting I am taking very very slowly so as not to burnout. I've passed on great deals just to extend the life of my collecting.

[bowhntr66]

That is incredibly awesome!! Honestly Mike, I started typing this 4 times.
2 years ago when I started seriously collecting jumbos, some pictures of your collection inspired me to start researching other jumbos that I had never seen before. A picture from your collection was the first time I had ever seen a jumbo of my all time favorite super bot, Combattler. It was these pictures that started all the wonderful madness, frustration, exhilaration, and excitement that is jumbo collecting for me. It was these pictures that eventually brought me to this forum. Because of them, I have met some incredible people, found some great friends, and expanded my horizons in this hobby in ways that I never expected. I've seen true genious and ingenuity in the craftsmanship of scratch builds, customs, and reproductions of bots and parts. You sir,with your knowledge, and your collection, inspired me, and I'm sure, quite a few other people. For all of that, congratulations, and thank you.

[B-]

First your collection is just way too awesome to even try to word.All very beautiful,the colors and shapes are what I love most about super Robots and Jumbos really pop with both.

I collect modern classic Super Robots and I envy vintage collectors as there is a place where you have everything that was made! I have everything i want that has been made up to this point in my collection,but I know more will be made of Super Robots not made yet by any company,there are several left from animes that aired between 1972-84,like Diapolon,Daikengo,God Mazinger etc,that arent modern made yet.Its nice to be at that point in collecting,but still have future buys.
With you upgrading,and foreign Jumbos can open a new world for you if you get interested.So keep an open mind,and congratulations on a very cool room!Truly breathtaking!

[xtrlowz75]

Wow and wow on your collection. Now you can play with them all haha and enjoy it without worrying about hunting for the next one online. Congrats. I can't wait to be there with my Godaikins some day. I know my 2 finalists will be a boxed/complete Voltes V and Tetsujin-28, and they will be a few years out still. Do you feel complete and relieved at least?

[devoidofemotions]

Hi Mike,
congratulations, how time flies I still remember your collection photo was my inspiration when I first saw it. I still aspire to have an underground toy cellar like yours.
I especially like the barons section , villians section and RF section.
I have to congratulate you on scoring the daidenjin your all time wanted item.
I am suprise you called it a day when you have not attempted on the clover JMs...
maybe come out with some custom...goshogun JM or Daimajin JM...i always dream of daimajin JM and daikumaryu displayed together lol

best
doe

[rodman75]

Hey Mike,

They say 'Imitation is the highest form of flattery' and the manner in which I try to display my JM's is inspired by your classy, organized, now complete, collection. I remember not too long ago when I came into the hobby and visited other robot websites that many 'senior' collectors would talk down to me if I asked any 'stupid' questions or made any comments. It was like they believed they were better than me and felt there was some sort of hierarchy amongst collectors. None of them had the impressive collection that you did and nobody, regardless of their perceived order in this foolish hierarchy, treated me better. I recall that you were always supportive, encouraging and complimentary towards my collection as it grew. You are a true gentleman who exemplifies the type of people in this hobby. Like Kitsir, D.O.E, Bourno and many others, we'll probably never meet face to face but I would like to express my deepest congratulations to you and say thank you for being a friend.

Best Regards,

Rodman75 aka Jeff

[magengar]

Congrats, Mike! Wow, that is truly inspiring;
and your collection/display look absolutely Beautiful!
I often wondered if there were an end to this hobby,
let alone an end to one's own collection.
By that I mean reaching one's collection goal and at
the end finally declaring that the collection is complete.

The question then would be, "What's next?"
Where does one go from here? I don't know. Perhaps we'll never know.
I just don't know.

To my very limited RJ-Newbie knowledge, you're the first collector
I've ever known here, so far, who has Completed his collection, generally,
here at Robot-Japan.
You probably have just about every single jumbo ever made on this planet,
and then some additional versions as well.
And you've reached your goal!

That definitely calls for a celebration and it's also worthy of becoming
a Robot-Japan historic landmark.

Thanks for sharing!

zozo-mag

[mikedeco]

Thank you all for those nice reply.

Like I was saying, my collection is far from complete and I know a lot of collectors who have collections much more complete as they have originals Popy instead of the U5 and all that.
I honestly dream of being able to replace the U5 with the Popy and that shouldn't be too hard. But I consider it a luxury to do this and the main point here was that I've manage to reach the point I dreamed with my collection.

I'm not too much into variants and bootlegs. My main focus was the Popy, and if I start with the Nakajima, Clover and so on and all the weirdo bootlegs from all over the globe, well I will never stop.

It's really an honor for me if my collection has inspired some people here as I've been inspired by yours also as every collection is different and there's lots of good ideas in every display I've see here.

I have no idea on what will come next, I'm not necessary in a hurry to know as I like spending hours staring at my big guys and it seems that I won't be bored of this before ages.

[bourno]

Cool to hear you have gotten all the ones that have wanted to be in your collection.

While I don't collect the boxes, I do think it is cool that you have a number of them and have the room to display them as such.

Sounds like you can now focus on making customs

[joweone]

Congrats again Mike! the pics of the collection as a whole are simply amazing. Such great score on a boxed Daidenjin!

[Derik]

Wow! I am in complete awe. Your collection in amazing.
I didn't realize that there were so many.
What are your next plans?

[gilcholo59]

Congratulations Mike! Can't imagine how you must feel right now to finally have the last one!
You even got a boxed one to make it even sweeter! Well you go to prove that patience pays off Mike! I still love looking at your collection especially now eith Daidenjin, it never gets old.
I guess now its time to finish that Google V to add him to your awesome collection! Congratulations once again Mike