Iwao
Kinnikuman (Kinkeshi) series
Iwao is figure #023 of 236 in Mattel's 1985–88 M.U.S.C.L.E. line (Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere). Like every figure in the line, the sculpt originates from the Kinnikuman (Kinkeshi) series; the US release kept the Japanese name.
8 KNOWN COLOR VARIANTS · EST. VALUES FOR MINT CONDITION
- Flesh$6
- Salmon$9
- Orange$8
- Red$8
- Purple$9
- Light Blue$9
- Green$8
- Magenta$11
About this figure
Identifying the sculpt is straightforward once you know what to look for: standing, blocky rock/stone body covered in cracked segmented plates, right fist raised, left arm down, angry face with brow, stocky legs. Like every genuine figure in the line, originals carry the “Y/S·N·T” foot stamp — a soft or missing stamp is the quickest way to spot a reproduction.
Iwao is documented in 8 of the ten production colors (Flesh, Salmon, Orange, Red, Purple, Light Blue, Green, Magenta). The flesh version books around $6 in mint condition, while the magenta run is the toughest to find and trades closer to $11. As a Class C common it turns up regularly in lots and bins, which makes it an easy early checkmark — condition, not scarcity, drives its price.
