Black Sumo
Kinnikuman (Kinkeshi) series
Black Sumo is figure #165 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.
7 KNOWN COLOR VARIANTS · EST. VALUES FOR MINT CONDITION
- Flesh$5
- Salmon$8
- Orange$7
- Red$7
- Purple$8
- Green$7
- Magenta$9
About this figure
Identifying the sculpt is straightforward once you know what to look for: standing, both arms raised with open hands spread, antenna-like topknot on head, flat face, muscular torso, sumo mawashi belt, thick short 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.
Black Sumo is documented in 7 of the ten production colors (Flesh, Salmon, Orange, Red, Purple, Green, 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.
