would be the biggest understatement of the month.

I have a step-brother who lives in Japan and teaches English to college students. We've emailed back and forth, but a few weeks ago I asked if he'd be willing to pick me up a few Tomys. I even sent him a list to go by.

So this morning at 10:58 am, I get a text message from my partner saying "Wow! Guess what just got here." Of course I had to call during my lunch...needless to say, I wasn't much good for the rest of the day.

In alphabetical order, here's what I got:

Honda Civic Type R - #54 – white
Honda Fit - #100 – light purple
Nissan Serena - #109 – orange (van)
Subaru Legacy - #11 – blue (station wagon)
Suzuki Swift Sport - #61 – yellow (5-door hatchback)
Toyota Prius - #106 – silver (Second Generation Body Style)
Toyota Probox - #97 – white w/Tomy on doors
Toyota Probox Voluntary Security Police Car - #23

WO-HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! :woohoo:

Thanks Christopher!

Cool stuff. Tomica is the next diecast maker I want to increase into my collection

i would prefer that you get them in boxes so you can Playw/cars...unless you are going to open them anyway.

i would prefer that you get them in boxes so you can Playw/cars...unless you are going to open them anyway.

Totally agreed...I'm guessing the distribution of boxes and blister-packs is different depending which country the cars are going to.

So far I've only opened the white Probox...I'm working on a new diarama, so when it's finished, these cars will have a new home.

Totally agreed...I'm guessing the distribution of boxes and blister-packs is different depending which country the cars are going to.

This may be, but boxes are also widely available in Japan. I think it more depends upon what the market is. For distribution to depatos (department stores), they are more likely to use blister packs for ease of stocking and sales (parents and kids can see the car and they will be opening it anyway). For hobby stores, you can still get them in boxes I believe. This better suits collectors since the boxes have artwork and they can keep original packaging.

For hobby stores, you can still get them in boxes I believe. This better suits collectors since the boxes have artwork and they can keep original packaging.

Except for a few on-line retailers, I have not seen Tomy for sale in the US for many years. The cars I have in the boxes have been out and a part of various dioramas.

The ones my step-brother sent as you saw, are in blister-packs. This really isn't really a problem for as some I will open, and others I won't.

Except for a few on-line retailers, I have not seen Tomy for sale in the US for many years.

Yes, I know. I was talking about the marketing of Tomica in Japan. Hobby shops in Japan are more likely to have boxed Tomicas than the department stores in Japan.

Those are cool finds!