This figure is the Japanese Dolly Varden (also known as Miyabeiwana or Miyabe Char in Japan), Salvelinus malma miyabei, a Secret Figure from the first series revised release (so, the third release of series 1 for those keeping track). I believe it is numbered #17 in the set, although it is based on model #2.
White-spotted Char (Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book, Series 1, revised by Yujin)
4.8 (4 votes)
This figure is the White-spotted Char (also known as iwana in Japan), Salvelinus leucomaensis, number 02 from the first series. This salmon and trout relative is a fish found in East Asia, and can be landlocked or ocean-running. As with many Japanese fish models (though not all) it is widely fished for.
Ayu (Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book, Series 1, revised by Yujin)
5 (5 votes)
Author’s note: Back in 2015 I wrote a series of walkarounds depicting and describing the breadth of the Yujin Freshwater Series, AKA Yujin Primary Freshwater Fish Pictorial Book. At that time, each species was described in brief, each figure was described in brief, and a number of photos were included. Some were updated with variants as I found them in my hunts—or updated when I learned more about them!
Malayan Tapir (Wildlife by CollectA)
3.9 (9 votes)
Review and images by caipirasuchus; edited by bmathison1972
Tapirs (family Tapiridae) are cool. Their curious proboscis, big size, and somewhat prehistoric appearance made them very charismatic creatures. It’s not surprising that tapirs are very common in pop culture, at zoos, and as toys. What’s surprising is that nobody reviewed this animal here in ATB until now.
Tiger, Standing Adult and Cub (Wild Animals by Papo)
3.8 (14 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
The charismatic Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the nominate tiger species and probably the one that most people envision in their minds when you mention tigers to them. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it rivals the Siberian tiger for the title of world’s biggest living cat.
Vietnamese Pot-bellied Pig (Farm Time by Papo)
4.3 (7 votes)
The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, known locally as the Lon I, or simply I, pig, is a traditional Vietnamese breed of domestic pic. It originates from the southern Red River Delta in the Nam Định Provence of northern Vietnam. It was originally bred for meat.
Eurasian Otter (Wild Life Europe by Schleich)
4.3 (6 votes)
The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) is the widest ranging of all otter species, with a distribution covering most of Europe, large portions of Asia, and even part of northern Africa. It is also the most commonly made otter species by toy companies, although the North American river otter and sea otter are well represented too.
Indian Crested Porcupine (Wildlife by CollectA)
4.8 (12 votes)
Review and images by Suspsy; edited by bmathison1972
As its name suggests, the Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) is an Old World porcupine that ranges across most of India as well as much of the Middle East. And like most porcupines, it is covered in a formidable coat of quills for defense against predators.
Leech (Giant Microbes)
4.3 (6 votes)
What better creature to feature for spooky season than a parasitic blood sucking worm with important ties to antiquated and horrifying medical practices? Although there are 680 described species of leech what we’re looking at today is the European medicinal leech (Hirudo medicinalis) which is the species most used in medical practices, as both the common and scientific name suggest.
3D Dangerous Sea Creatures Pictorial Book (The Access)
4.2 (10 votes)
For my next October review I will be giving a brief overview of the entire 3D Dangerous Sea Creatures Pictorial Book collection by The Access (also known as Access Toys), which was released just a couple months ago this past August 2023. I was originally going to just review the jellyfish, but was convinced to review the whole set by forum member JimoAi.
Gray Wolf, 2015 (Wild Life America by Schleich)
3.9 (10 votes)
Carrying on with Spooky Season here on the Animal Toy Blog, it’s time to look at the “big bad wolf” and based on its appearance, this one certainly fits that description. It’s the Schleich 2015 gray wolf (Canis lupus). If I’m being honest, it’s not a figure I would pick for my own collection.
Small Tortoiseshell (Little Wonders by CollectA)
4.9 (7 votes)
Having recently showcased CollectA’s small tortoiseshell butterfly (Aglais urticae) in my daily ‘Museum’ posts on the ATF, I thought it would be a good opportunity to review it for the Blog! I was contemplating just migrating over my forum walk-around, but I am not happy with those images, so I took new ones for a fresh review.