‘HER TURN: Mariko Custom Exhibition’ Writeup and Mega Gallery!

The HER TURN: Mariko Custom Exhibition in-person event starts Sunday, December 20!

All month long, artists across the globe have been churning out incredible one-offs for Toy Art Philippines‘ HER TURN: Mariko Custom Exhibition. From CHK DSK and Arman Kendrick to Quiccs, the Bulletpunk king himself, over twenty artists have all put their unique spin on Mariko and Necco.

Just this past summer, Quiccs teamed up with Devil Toys to bring us the first edition of Mariko in OG Black and Ghost White. Like all things TEQ, Mariko and her mecha cat, Necco, were barely online before they were out of stock everywhere. Mariko is 5.2 inches of vinyl, and each copy was accompanied by her Bulletpunky mask and trustworthy robo kitty, Necco.

Toy Art Philippines’ 2020 toy show

Like most other toy events this year, Toy Art Philippines (TAPh) brought the 2020 edition of their toy show online for everyone to experience. And though there were no crowded halls and packed booths to navigate, TAPh refused to back down. They hosted talks with Filipino artists Happy Garaje, Doktor Karayon, and Megumi Miura, as well as a virtual session with the legendary Frank Kozik, godfather of designer toys.

Whereas last year’s TAPh event main attraction was a custom Dunny show, this year they kicked it up a notch with the incredible HER TURN: Custom Mariko Exhibition. With a dominantly Filipino artist lineup, TAPh2020 featured the likes of Quiccs, 13 Lucky Monkey, CHK DSK, Creon Chkn Head, Arman Kendrick, and over twenty other artists. Each was tasked with putting their own spin on Mariko, and damn! They sure as hell delivered.

Invasion’s favorite Mariko customs

Though every custom was a true masterpiece, there are a few that jumped out of our screen and grabbed us by the collar. Here they are in no particular order:

1. CHK DSK’s MARIKO: CRBN Mode

Right off the bat, our homie CHK DSK drew us in with his MARIKO: CRBN Mode. Sporting that CHK DSK blue, her helmet has been converted to a face mask (very 2020), and she carries grenades and an ArmaLite carbine. The best part? Probably Necco riding a little Mechatro WeGo. So cute!

Follow CHK DSK:

Web: behance.net/CHK_DSK/
Instagram: instagram.com/chk_dsk/
Facebook: facebook.com/chkdskofficial

2. The Slayer, by the RKT KRU collective

RKT KRU collective’s Mariko may be our favorite across the board. The colors are gorgeous, the finish has that awesome weathering, the amazing helmet has a removable visor, even Necco gets some badass head gear. And don’t even get us started about that scythe! Finally, to really bring it on home, The Slayer includes 8 art cards, each by a RKT KRU artist. Pokémon, eat your heart out!

Follow RKT KRU:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rkt_kru/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RKTKRU/

3. Arman Kendrick’s Mariko ver. B.A.P.S.

Arman Kendrick never fails to disappoint, and his Mariko ver. Battle Angel Pop Star, or B.A.P.S. for short, is no different. According to Kendrick, Mariko ver. B.A.P.S. is a “pop star by day, battle angel by night. Most of the time, she mixes up her duties and goes full on battle angel pop star both on the stage and on the battlefield.” She’s got badass wings and some badass armor too.

Follow Arman Kendrick:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/armankendrick/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/akdesignertoys

4. BLACK, by 13 Lucky Monkey

This particular Mariko is special because she was made by 13 Lucky Monkey, a studio known for jewelry rather than any toys. Their unique background certainly showed through, as their Mariko, known as BLACK, diverged sharply from the other in the show. Mariko has been transformed into a corvid who drinks out of a teacup-headed Necco. Most impressively, this custom features several sterling silver elements. Shiny!

Follow 13 Lucky Monkey:

Web: www.13luckymonkey.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/13luckymonkey/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/13luckymonkey

5. In Bloom, by Pixeldump

Next on our list of heavy hitters is Pixeldump‘s In Bloom, and damn is she impressive. This Mariko is a mixed media custom that simply goes above and beyond. Fighting against the mechanification of herself and the world around her, she has a tiny piece of plant life that keeps the infection at bay. But aside from that bonsai in her backpack, everything around her has started to become a mechanical shell.

Follow Pixeldump:

Web: pixeldump.bigcartel.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/pixeldump/
Facebook: facebook.com/pixeldmp

The rest of the crew

The remaining twelve (twelve!) customs are no less impressive. They’re a mish mash of mixed media, diorama, and dope-as-hell art styles, and each one is in the “absolutely neeeed!” category. Mariko alone is awesome enough, but these ones have us picking our jaws up off the floor. Take a look below:

Billie J, by Quiccs

Creon Chkn Head’s CH-20

Jaw Breaker Playset, by CVTY Collective

Battle Cipher, by DBTK

Mecha-Zombie Mariko, by Distort Monsters

Toxic Candy, by Epjey Pacheco

JP Pining’s Futuriko

Manilla Ghoul, by Klaris

Maiko no Mariko, by Megumi Miura

Havoc Attack Girl, by Obscure Prototype Lab

Mother Earth, Her Turn To Rest, by The Steffi

Trip63’s Backpack Full of Spray Cans

Every custom is spoken for at this time, but they will be on display in the Secret Fresh Gallery at the RONAC Art Center, from December 20 to January 7.

The HER TURN: Mariko Custom Exhibition in-person event starts this Sunday, December 20, at 2PM Manila time. CoVID restrictions will be in place, including a limit of 15 people at a time.

Itching for that good good Quiccs merch? Browse the Invasion Store today!

Follow Toy Art Philippines:

Instagram: instagram.com/toyartph/
Facebook: facebook.com/ToyArtPh/

Follow Quiccs:

Web: hiddenfortressmanila.com/
Instagram: instagram.com/quiccs/
Facebook: facebook.com/quiccs

Join the Invasion!

Web: invasiontoys.com
Instagram: instagram.com/invasiontoys_
Facebook: facebook.com/InvasionToys