Keshi
Keshi (Japanese: 消し or ケシ) aka keshigomu (消しゴム, for Keshi Gum) is the Japanese word for eraser. Modern reference to "keshi" is related to a collectible manga/anime character mini figure made of coloured hard gum. However, keshi is not restrictive to its etymology but a generic term as several gum types are used, from matte to transparent. Also, some lines, such as the "Cosmos Souls Keshi Gum" (コスモスザウルス消しゴム, kosumosu saurusu keshi gomu) uses plastic parts. Keshi figures are not necessarily based on Japanese comic book nor TV series franchises, since there are keshi dedicated to video games (Super Mario, Zelda, etc.) and some western lines are based on local mythologies and popular culture. A similar product is often mistaken with keshi, the pencil cap toy (ペンシル キャップ, penshiru kyappu) which appeared around the same period.
Keshi is a toy genre with Japanese roots but is not limited to Japanese manufacture nor Japanese culture as the keshi were sold and became popular all around the world in the last twenty years, and some keshi lines were made in Europe or in China and exported.
This toy genre appeared in Japan during the 1970s and became increasingly popular throughout the years. Adult Collectors and Kids alike would paint and expose Ultra Q, Ultraman, Ultraseven, The Return of Ultraman, Ultraman Ace, Ultraman Taro, Ultraman Leo, Ultraman 80, Ultraman Tiga, Booska, Mirrorman, Captain Ultra, Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider V3, Kamen Rider X, Kamen Rider Amazon, Kamen Rider Stronger, Kamen Rider (Skyrider), Kamen Rider Super-1, Kamen Rider Black, Kamen Rider Black RX, Android Kikaider, Kikaider 01, Akumaizer 3, Inazuman, Robot Detective, Kaiketsu Zubat, Himitsu Sentai Gorenger, Barom-1, Space Ironmen Kyodain, Space Sheriff Gavan, Space Sheriff Sharivan, Space Sheriff Shaider, Nebula Mask Machine Man, Spider-Man, Daitetsujin 17, Giant Robo, Godzilla, Gamera, various Kaiju, Marvel, DC Comics, Transformers, Gundam, Zoids, Votoms, Astro Boy, Gegege no Kitaro, Hello Kitty, Fist of the North Star, Cyborg 009, Cutie Honey, Devilman, Star Wars, Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, Pokémon, Digimon, Doraemon, High School! Kimengumi, Dai no Daibouken, Dr. Slump or even Kinnikuman keshis (known as Kinkeshi).
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