Since 1972, “Otomodachi” (which translates to “Friends”) has been a children’s magazine showcasing a lot of what is popular in anime, tokusatsu, toy lines, etc.
And in 2007, the children’s magazne “Otomodachi Gold” which featured similar content but included a packaged toy was released.
For Tomica collectors, these magazines have become interesting for collectors because you could get certain vehicles painted in different colors. These magazines are released three times a year and not all issues feature Tomica, but when they do (which is typically has been the March issue since 2018), you definitely want to pick up an issue.
With Otomodachi Gold April 2023 issue (issue 46), we get a Toyota Hilux painted in red/white with the nickname “Shota”.
A big box in purple/white is included, but once you open the box, then you will see the Tomica box.
The truck features a big F, which I’m not sure if it’s F for “Friend” or to indicate a “Fire Department” vehicle. Not sure. But you get a cool Toyota Hilux in red and white in 1/70 scale.
What is a Toyota Hilux? It’s pretty much what Toyota calls their pickup trucks in Japan. For the US market, Toyota trucks at the time were just known as truck, compact truck, pickup truck, etc. and later would have their T-100 or even a Tacoma (which was even more popular in the US domestic market).
But in Japan, Toyota trucks were not actually well-known because a pickup truck is not as used by general consumers, especially for those with families. And so Toyota would focus on producing trucks for overseas demand than domestic.
But there was an interest that Toyota would bring them back domestically in 2017 in X (for businesses) and Z (souped up) format and to this very day, it is the #2 selling Toyota vehicle after the Toyota Corolla.
And in 2022, Toyota announced the Hilux Revo BEV Concept.
As you can see, it looks very cool with the red and white. It has sirens on top but interesting that it’s off-balance and it looks like one mount of the siren is bigger than the other.
I love the front look of the Toyota HILUX with the clear front lamps (not painted), the Toyota logo and cool detail throughout the front.
Everything from the front and the sides look good. The paint is good…no major issues with the paint, but when you get to the rear…
It just doesn’t look that great. The truck bed is well-detailed but the rear….no Toyota lettering, no HILUX lettering.
I dig the overall look of the truck and it’s red and white colors. It’s very cool! But I just wished there was a bit more care put into the rear portion, like the front when it comes to detail.
But for the most part, it’s hard to be picky when this isn’t a mass retail release. It’s a gift for those who purchase the magazine and for a gift release, it’s a very cool looking Toyota HILUX.
As always, get these Otomodachi Gold now while available, otherwise, you’ll be paying a lot of money because they are not available in stores for retail.
The Otomodachi Gold April 2023 (issue 46) Tomica Hilux (Shota) is recommended!
