The Karate Kid & Cobra Kai - Collectibles - Vol. 03

Let's Talk - Cobra Kai
Episode 147: The Karate Kid & Cobra Kai - Collectibles - Vol. 03

Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez discuss and unpack The Two-Time All Valley Champions Box Set from Diamond Select Toys featuring Johnny Lawrence & Daniel LaRusso.

Recorded: 04-18-23
Studio: Just Curious Media
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Transcript

Jason Connell: 0:01

Whoa, just curious. Welcome to Just curious media. This is let's talk Cobra Kai. I'm Jason Connell.

Sal Rodriguez: 0:11

And I'm Sal Rodriguez.

Jason Connell: 0:12

All right, so we are back for another episode.

Sal Rodriguez: 0:18

Yeah Jason I feel like you've been indulging me heavily with with with these episodes here the you know this with this wheelhouse as you say it is

Jason Connell: 0:25

true. It is true, but I'm getting merch.

Sal Rodriguez: 0:29

You are getting merch.

Jason Connell: 0:30

I feel compelled. Because today we are doing our on our third. But let me be specific, the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai collectables, volume three, it is our third, it is true. And it's happened in a short amount of time because all the sudden we do one episode, we do Volume One, which to be clear. Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez discuss the toy industry and how it impacts the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai collectibles in the past, present and future. I thought it was a great discussion. We got into all sorts of things, some of the toys you've had the how the markets shifted. But then Volume Two comes about because you got to some figures. I have my own figures. I was like, well, we got to do something. So Volume Two was Jason Connell and Sal Rodriguez discuss and unpack the Karate Kid Miyagi dough training boxset from icon heroes, featuring Mr. Miyagi, and Daniel.

Sal Rodriguez: 1:35

Yeah, and the definitive Miyagi and Daniel Tupac. I would say

Jason Connell: 1:39

Tupac. Yeah. So we did that. I'd never been part of an unpacking and unveiling in that way, Sal. So I was like, Oh, that was fun. Okay, and I have these figures. And it was cool. There's all these changeable parts, and it has the whole wax on wax off. I was like, wow, really, you know, intricate, so many things to break down. And I figured, hey, we're good for a while. But no, there's volume three. Yeah. And who are we discussing today? So on. Let's talk Cobra Kai.

Sal Rodriguez: 2:12

Well, I just have happened to learn about these recent action figures. You know, unfortunately, I'm not on the email list from these companies. I'm not I'm not to the level as let's say a YouTube Toy reviewer. Where I'm like, they're reaching out to me you know, I got a notice something and go hey, wait a second. And then yeah, so I contacted Diamond Select My friend over at Diamond Select. His name is Zach. Hey, Zack. Remember you sent me some figures before I did a review on the Salvador Los Angeles channel How about I do a review on the channel again but also mentioned you on Let's Talk Cobra Kai? How about that have

Jason Connell: 2:49

a system mentioned Oh then hey, way to go Diamond Select? Well

Sal Rodriguez: 2:54

Jason you've been generous enough to not just give a mention but to give an entire episode to these companies that's that's very nice for you and today we're looking at the definitive I would say definitive all valley to pack with Daniel and Johnny this is not necessarily Cobra Kai not necessarily Karate Kid per se doesn't say Karate Kid well But hang on but it doesn't say Karate Kid anywhere on the packaging which I think basic makes it a novelty and significant because usually it's going to say you know have an icon or an emblem or a logo you're gonna see karate kid or something. You're gonna see the Cobra Kai logo know what this is this commemorates our two two time all Valley champions Yeah, that's two wins each and this is a commemorative salute to pack by Diamond Select.

Jason Connell: 3:43

It even says karate championships. All Valley sports arena so all Valley gotta plug. They're nice. And let us not forget when we recorded together this past summer for The Next Karate Kid. We were in the valley in just minutes away from the actual all Valley sports arena at CES. That's right. Remember that?

Sal Rodriguez: 4:06

Forget about that. Because we were in Northridge, right? Yes, we were and they were in Northridge, North just down the Northridge Northridge doesn't get enough props shout out Northridge shout out Northridge shout out CSUN.

Jason Connell: 4:18

Yes, your sibling went there. Your sister went there.

Sal Rodriguez: 4:22

I believe I had at least one sibling go to CSUN I believe I believe that, I believe well, you know, they're older than me. I don't know what the hell they were doing. Well, they were in college, I was running the streets, you know, that's true.

Jason Connell: 4:31

Well, so this isn't unpacking unveiling but we're doing a little bit unconventionally, minus still inbox and I but the box is really a big part of this. And I can open it and show you inbox. You couldn't wait, you unboxed. So we'll do ping pong back and forth about this. The way we do it. However, there's also and I won't read it yet. I'll wait a second but there's this great writing on the back of the box and I'll I'll try to do my best there because it sets the stage So, you said it though. So it is a celebration of two of our heroes. Johnny Lawrence. Right. Daniela Russo. And they both won all Valley two times. Yep. And I love that it's great. Although I'd like to see a Daryl of a doll one as well. But that's this me. And let's show the box first and foremost, if you can see it. This is this beautiful box. You can see that the fist

Sal Rodriguez: 5:31

you know what it looks like? Jason doesn't look like it would be like a DVD or sorry, a VHS box that totally

Jason Connell: 5:37

Yeah, what it looks like before I open it. I'm gonna spin around slowly.

Sal Rodriguez: 5:41

Oh, beautiful. I think of that, like that fist golden fist. Oh,

Jason Connell: 5:44

that's the real Darrell would love this. It'd be in blue. If Darrell was in charge. There's the back which I want to read try to read this small font. The bottom part is really talking about how many points of articulation which I'll let Sal cover he really knows his figures and collectibles. And here's the other side. And then nothing really on top or bottom. So now to show you. Oh,

Sal Rodriguez: 6:09

so beautiful. Really beautiful. I always say this I know I've said this before on our show for sure. And that is that I am an out of box collector I take figures and toys out of their boxes here out of the box. But like this something like this. I would not fault anyone for leaving them just leaving them because it's such a beautiful display a side by side. Yes. It almost looks like it'd be like a like a museum exhibit or like a wax museum like life size figurines. Totally. They really look great. They look great to get shot

Jason Connell: 6:37

on right here Johnny on the left and it says to time Johnny Lawrence champion 8283 to time Daniel Russo champion so two time champion Daniel Lewis 8485. So I really do love that now. Do I see any logo? Well, you've got the figures. Why don't you take over? What are we looking at here? Can we see any logo can we see a Cobra Kai logo Miyagi dough logo on their GIS.

Sal Rodriguez: 7:07

Let me sneak in the journey here. There's the back of Johnny Lawrence.

Jason Connell: 7:12

Oh yeah. Does it say Cobra Kai?

Sal Rodriguez: 7:15

It says Cobra Kai luck yellow and black design and of course Johnny has in his sleeveless gi so this is the official ad for all Valley luck now the thing of it is this isn't necessarily what 16 year old Johnny Lawrence though it's almost more like an adult Johnny Lawrence representing his former self it's almost like he's representing his own childhood which is kind of twilight zone it

Jason Connell: 7:42

you're gonna fight in the Masters division now.

Sal Rodriguez: 7:45

There should be a Masters division former champions masters division. And then we have of course the back of Daniel Russo has me

Jason Connell: 7:54

yeah, nice There we go. Always got one more of those things that the icon here has had the chest the middle

Sal Rodriguez: 8:02

Yes, yes, they call that a diaphragm slice to be honest I'm not I'm not not just love big fan. You know what happens a few years ago now first of all, just to be clear, I love Diamond Select they're a big part of my overall toy collection I also make Marvel figures they make beautiful Avengers figures Diamond Select is also Marvel Select if you ever see that name on any Marvel figures it is indeed the same company Diamond Select okay i love Diamond Select I love Marvel Select and unfortunately what Diamond Select and by consequence Marvel Select have both done is they've kind of bent and suede to the people who really love a lot of articulation. Now what the more articulation the better. So what happens is they put more articulation and figure but I do think when you do so you lose some of the sculpt, you lose some of the aesthetics. So all of a sudden the the waistline looks a little bit very different. Yes, yeah, it has sort of a weird right there. There you can see it. Okay, right there, you see that slice. It gives you more movement, right, but then it looks weird. So it's nothing against Diamond Select. But it has to do with that style that slice I'm not a big fan of that slice, I would rather just go ahead and have a solid torso. And then you can just go ahead and have the waist twist.

Jason Connell: 9:15

You want to do that maybe have actual cloth ghee on

Sal Rodriguez: 9:19

them. That's going to change the whole look though. And that gets into a certain kind of figure. That's the retro style, the migos style figures, which have their following and I've got several but some people don't like the real cloth. They don't like the request. They like the all plastic look. So here No.

Jason Connell: 9:34

Waste is a bit odd, but I've seen that more and more. Oh, there they are. They have the headbands on. Who's taller, taller, because in this looks like Johnny's a little bit taller, but I'm in box.

Sal Rodriguez: 9:47

I think they're about the same height. I don't think they're the same height in real life. Right? But I think these are all about same because what they do is they may just reuse the body just painted differently. This may be the same exact body with different plastic moldings on a different design but actually the same Same exact figure except for the colors and the head itself and

Jason Connell: 10:04

aged because they're definitely not in the 80s

Sal Rodriguez: 10:08

this is not young

Jason Connell: 10:09

Daniels like 35 year olds running around

Sal Rodriguez: 10:13

Okay, so it's not current day Yeah, it's sort of like a yeah like a 30 Something interesting a 30 Something Johnnie a 30 Something Daniel speaking of as part of a previous release by Diamond Select we have our friend Chris crease here. Merry Christmas crease. Crease Kringle.

Jason Connell: 10:30

Wow. So are they all are part of the same company right Diamond Select?

Sal Rodriguez: 10:35

Oh yeah, this is a Diamond Select figure. This is John crease. This was part of a three pack that was previously released by divers. Does he

Jason Connell: 10:41

have the tattoo on the arm there? Oh my gosh. Wow. It is? Yeah. Does he look younger? I'm trying to like see oh,

Sal Rodriguez: 10:51

yeah, well, what Martin Cagney, Lacey Cagney and Lacey Martin Cove. Yeah. So there's how he looks together.

Jason Connell: 10:59

That'd be clear. I wasn't calling him Cagney and Lacey. He was on the show Cagney and Lacey back in the 80s.

Sal Rodriguez: 11:05

Oh, yeah. No, I remember him. No, I

Jason Connell: 11:07

thought I know. First. I know, you

Sal Rodriguez: 11:09

know, but when I first saw Karate Kid for the first time, I think I knew that guy from CAG. Yeah, I saw him on some ABC show.

Jason Connell: 11:16

earlier. I was saying to time Johnny Lawrence champion. It's just the way it's written. Obviously, I was supposed to say two time champion, Danny Lawrence.

Sal Rodriguez: 11:25

No, no, you were announcing it.

Jason Connell: 11:26

I just said Daniel Lawrence. That was a mashup. It's late in Rhode Island two time champion, Johnny Lawrence. Two time champion, Daniel Russo. It is late in Rhode Island. It's pushing 1am. And we don't usually record this late but we're having fun. So beautiful set. Now let's look at the back because the back this isn't really beautiful that they have this come up with their own little verbiage here. Let us read this and try to be fun and festive and you can insert the actual figures during the during the speech here. So and it's a small font. So here we go. Since 1969, the all Valley under 18 karate tournament has crowned a new champion of excellence every year to distinguish young martial artists excelled their way to consecutive championships, Johnny Lawrence in 1982 and 1983 and Daniel Russo in 1984 and 1985. Both have since passed on their teachings. Lawrence at Cobra Kai and later Eagle fan karate, and lo Russo at his Miyagi dough and train new all Valley competitors. There you have it. A very beautiful commemorative set. All Valley embraces them both. However, so well. Johnny Lawrence has gotten the short end of the stick on the show. Anytime they talk about two time champion. It took Daniel low Russa to go over and say he also won two times and then he's acknowledged when you walk into the all Valley sports arena. You see right arena not complex. You see who hanging from the rafters those old photos you see Daniel he's always the one that everyone wants to like put on their you know arms and carry around and even Johnny gets worked up with his Daniel here. All right, loose. So here you go. But Johnny doesn't get enough recognition sound just to be clear.

Sal Rodriguez: 13:41

Well, I think that's what started the whole Cobra Kai movement is right and what Oh, totally. Yes, right. The old ace degenerate. He started as ace degenerate, he's no longer now he's at least as his evolution. Jason, I want to give an honorable mention. I happened to discover this figure at target one. Okay. And this is a Hasbro. Daniel Russo. What they did is they merged Cobra Kai and the Power Rangers. Yeah, they merge Power Rangers with Cobra Kai and we have a White Ranger Daniel Russo. This is made by Hasbro. They also made a Sam the SAM does not look so much like Sam. But they also have a SAM so they have a Sam and that doesn't look like Daniel. Well, this is the Power Rangers Cobra Kai action figure hybrid by Hasbro. BBD it's a Buck Rogers and they go Twiggy they they go It does look real small connects to the look how much bigger look how much bigger the Diamond Select is.

Jason Connell: 14:35

Wow. Wow,

Sal Rodriguez: 14:37

it looks like you'd be his son. This this should be Anthony Russo. Yeah, totally. This should be

Jason Connell: 14:42

well, back to this box. The celebration of these champions I get it so they don't really embrace Gianni until now. Right they did back then. Until he lost all of a sudden he's like yeah two time champ whatever. We got the new champ here. Let us not forget we should not overly celebrate 80 fives Championship. The way we're talking about two time champ they're playing up 85 a bit heavy here a bit heavy hand. It's all I'm saying. All Things aren't equal. Right? We didn't see Johnny when? In 8283. But we saw Johnny compete in 84. And he would have won that. Had it gone any longer. Right? Yeah. Well, of course, Daniel had a bunch of D cues to get there and he had a tough road there. But I venture to say that Johnny in 82 and 83 didn't win how Daniel wanted 85. So I just want to be on the record. Once again. 85 Daniel Russo, the champ scored one point in the entire all Valley tournament.

Sal Rodriguez: 15:52

For the record, Jason Connell would like to put an asterisk next to the 85

Jason Connell: 15:57

I'm not dissing Daniel, I love Daniela Russo. I'm generally making fun of credit card part three and the tack Don Valley that they have.

Sal Rodriguez: 16:07

While the all Valley rules Yeah, you have to talk to the valley board. The board. Five Board, who was the 85 board who decided that that was okay to do

Jason Connell: 16:17

my god. Something just hit me. Something just hit me and I wonder.

Sal Rodriguez: 16:24

Yeah,

Jason Connell: 16:25

I'm speculating here. But we know that Terry silver, John crease, and Mike Barnes all got a lifetime ban. Yes, after the Karate Kid part three and into Cobra Kai, it was since changed because, you know, they got to compete, but they had to prove themselves but they were banned. And we were always speculated what was it? Was it because they were doing Mike Barnes beat him up, get a point taken away and then score a point which has its own side story. That's ridiculous that you can hurt someone lose a point but not be D queued as they were in the Karate Kid When Dutch got D queued and know that sorry, Destiny get the kid he lost but Bobby got the kid. But that said maybe just maybe they had the lifetime ban because Terry silver paid off all valley with these. Like, could that be the case? Like you went in here and you're paying off these guys to get Daniel to be in and zip him to the finals? It was some of that at play. Have we ever talked about that?

Sal Rodriguez: 17:37

I don't know. Jason. I don't know. You know what they say that like a cop? I think I heard this from a cop. The first time you catch somebody shoplifting is not the first time they shop. Exactly. Okay, so so we got to see Terry silver pay off a referee? Yeah. Yeah. Probably not his first time doing that. No.

Jason Connell: 17:54

Wow. And I bet he paid off people on all Valley just to get Daniel and like, Hey, let him skip ahead. Was that really all Valley's rules on their own? Or were they influenced? Anyway, I just had to point it out. Very interesting not to take away from Diamond Select. I really love this.

Sal Rodriguez: 18:12

Oh, no, no, Jason Jason you're not taking away from doing select because because Diamond Select will be releasing a three pack very soon now featuring Johnny Lawrence. chosen to Gucci. And Terry silver. If I'm not mistaken, the first Terry silver will be an action figure form coming up soon by Diamond Scylla. Wait, who is in it? John is gonna be Johnny chosen Terry.

Jason Connell: 18:37

Are they are they friends? And are pros of Daniel. What is?

Sal Rodriguez: 18:43

Yeah, you know what? It's the ultimate foes pack is what it could be.

Jason Connell: 18:46

Yeah, it's foes before burrows. Yeah,

Sal Rodriguez: 18:49

I don't know. I don't know how now that you mentioned, I don't know how they're reconciling that three pack but somehow they're selling it as a three pack and if they're selling a three pack with chosen Johnny and Terry, I'm buying it act now. Hopefully, because hopefully they'll just said yes.

Jason Connell: 19:01

And as one act now and you can get all of the foes from the Karate Kid when he fought Johnny Lawrence. And then it was well, I guess John crease is not in there. He could be in there too. Right. But he could be but we already have here. The second movie was absolutely. To Gucci chosen. And then the third movie, it was Terry silver, but Chris was there. He was thought to be dead. But Chris surfaced. Yeah. Wow. Fascinating stuff. Yeah, the mortal enemy pack.

Sal Rodriguez: 19:34

I like it. Jason. A couple things I want to mention about these figures before we close here is you will notice that the figures have a hole on the back right there. You can see that little hole. Okay, you can see that little hole and that is because inside the box are what you call a flight stance. I think they call it flight stance and that is a stance that you can stick into their back. And then you can have them holding various poses various martial arts poses that they otherwise be able to hold and They also have holes in the bottom of their feet so you can put them on stands as well so you have many options to make these not only articulated figures but also figures in motion holding cool martial arts poses nice any way that you like. So yeah, when you open up the packaging, you will see those stands inside there are also some extra hands. So these are not the only hands that they come with. I believe they also have at least one other extra set or about three hands each. So there's a total of about eight hands. Wow. Yeah, I think they each have a pair I think that's what they have parents. lethal. Lethal Weapon hands perfect weapon.

Jason Connell: 20:36

perfect weapon. Yeah, like those little holes on them. That's good for yeah, definitely videos and doing reviews and such also great at all valley. If it did stick one of those guys up on the board there.

Sal Rodriguez: 20:49

What they need is a real nice all Valley playset. That would be Yeah,

Jason Connell: 20:52

that's amazing. So Chris, again, on his own, but it's also Diamond Select right? Yep. Okay, and then the three pack comes out when

Sal Rodriguez: 21:02

I don't have a definitive date. I think it may be the third quarter of this year. So but it is on its way. It might be a convention exclusive. But maybe if our new friend Zack at Diamond Select is kind to us, we might be able to get our hands on that three pack and be able to get to have those here in studio talking about Yeah, the great foes of the Karate Kid.

Jason Connell: 21:21

So if you're at Target or online or wherever you go, how much to set you back.

Sal Rodriguez: 21:27

You know, this is a specialty set. Although I was able to find the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Daniel Russo on the shelf at Target. I'd be hard pressed to believe that the all Valley set will be at Target. I believe it'll probably have to be ordered online. So I've just tell everybody to go to your favorite toy providers, Whoever sells Karate Kid Cobra Kai merchandise and particularly action figures and ask about the all Valley Johnny and Daniel Tupac by Diamond Select.

Jason Connell: 21:50

But how much can they expect to pay for this? Ah, ballpark?

Sal Rodriguez: 21:55

I'm gonna guess about 100 Yeah, okay, that's gonna be my guess I don't know for certain because again, these were donated samples to us by Diamond Select so I'm gonna guess it's about $100 I would imagine and I'm gonna, I'm gonna mark my words. We're approaching the final season of Cobra Kai. Once that season has come and gone, these figures will go up in value and will go up in cost.

Jason Connell: 22:16

And I totally agree with you and I have now signed this one and this one shouldn't have the roof at the

Sal Rodriguez: 22:23

top Cobra Kai all Valley pack. I love it.

Jason Connell: 22:26

Amazing, Sal. Thank you. Thank you, Zack. Thank you Diamond Select. I really liked these and I will unbox them but since you did it, it helps us noise not to have me do it as well. So I'm gonna put these down.

Sal Rodriguez: 22:38

I don't know Jason, you're a minimalist. You don't like a lot of clutter. No, I think you've got a nice display there in the box. I say let me let me have him running around. Yeah, my apartment. Keep them in the box. They look gorgeous. I'll have mine loose.

Jason Connell: 22:50

Sounds good. I love it. So until we come back for volume for whatever that may be. It's been a lot of fun. We've covered three volumes and there are a lot more Karate Kid and Cobra Kai collectibles coming your way. Yes. So thank you so much for listening and please be sure to subscribe to the let's talk Cobra Kai podcast and the let's talk Cobra Kai YouTube Live Channel. You can also really help us by giving the show a five star rating on Apple podcast.

Sal Rodriguez: 23:22

And for all you listeners and enjoy sharing your thoughts you can leave us a review on Apple podcasts, send us a direct message or post a comment on any let's talk Cobra Kai social media platform.

Jason Connell: 23:32

We also highly recommend checking out her other podcast and visiting just curious media.com

Sal Rodriguez: 23:40

No Mercy