This ain't no G.I. Joe... This is Yusaku Matsuda

by Chris MaGee

Here's a bit of news for the collectors out there via Wildground's Twitter feed. We've already seen action figures basded on the characters from "The Seven Samurai", "Zatoichi", "Lone Wolf and Cub", etc., etc., but this isn't something I've seen before: Yusaku Matsuda action figures! For those of you not in the know Matsuda was the father of Ryuhei Matsuda, and starred in two dozen films over a 17-year career that saw him dubbed as "Japan's James Dean". Sadly Matsuda passed away at the age of 39 from bladder cancer just after appearing in Ridley Scott's 1989 film "Black Rain". These figures from Mediacom are based on two of his biggest films: 1979's "Ressurrection of the Golden Wolf" (above) and 1980's "The Beast Must Die". To get a better look head here for a better look, and here for additional details and specs.