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| Bandai Kirby Friends 2 - Yo-Yo |
| Exhibit #5223 |
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| Type | Production |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 2022 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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The Bandai Kirby Friends 2 figure series was released in 2022 as part of the company’s collectible candy-toy line. Each box contained one pre-painted soft vinyl figure and one piece of soda-flavored gum. The series included eight standard figures, plus one rare color variation, for a total lineup of "8+1."
This example above featured Kirby in his yo-yo ability form, shown wearing a backward blue cap and holding a red yo-yo with a star emblem. The packaging identified the figure as "Yo-Yo," number 6 in the series. The design referenced Kirby’s yo-yo copy ability, in which Kirby used a yo-yo as a weapon and performance prop during gameplay.
Although not a working yo-yo, the figure showed how the yo-yo had become recognizable enough to appear as part of Kirby’s character abilities and merchandise. Its inclusion in a Nintendo character line is seen as the toy’s broader cultural reach beyond traditional skill-toy collecting. The box artwork also showed the other figures in the assortment, including Cloud Kirby, Waddle Dee, Kirby inhaling, Kirby full-mouth, Candy Kirby, Ice Kirby, and Cutter Kirby.
The small bandage on Kirby’s face was part of the Yo-Yo ability design rather than an indication of injury. Along with the backwards cap, it gave Kirby a sort of street-style appearance that matched the trick-based nature of the yo-yo ability.
Original retail price: $10 USD. | |
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