Buka
Kinnikuman (Kinkeshi) series
Buka is figure #133 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$5
- Salmon$8
- Orange$7
- Red$7
- Purple$8
- Dark Blue$8
- Light Blue$7
- Magenta$9
About this figure
Identifying the sculpt is straightforward once you know what to look for: standing, arms hanging at sides with large fists, spiked ridges along shoulders and back, single horn on head, grinning fanged face, muscular bare torso, briefs, bare feet. 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.
Buka is documented in 8 of the ten production colors (Flesh, Salmon, Orange, Red, Purple, Dark Blue, Light Blue, Magenta). The flesh version books around $5 in mint condition, while the magenta run is the toughest to find and trades closer to $9. 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.
