Toys on Tap

In the final episode of our three-part series with Rich of Mutant Vinyl Hardcore, we zoom out and reflect on the long game. Rich opens up about what decades in the sofubi scene have taught him about creativity, discipline, community, and what actually matters over time. We talk about the importance of isolation for creativity, how stepping away from noise (especially during his recent time in Japan) reshaped his perspective, and why being “genuine” is the foundation for a lasting career.
On Instagram: @mutantvinylhardcore
This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!
Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap
Thanks to Our Supporters
Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

In episode two with Rich of Mutant Vinyl Hardcore, we move from origin story into real growth. Rich breaks down what happened after the first Sludge Demon run, how he learned to stretch inventory, price work fairly, and slowly build MVH without pretending success came overnight. We talk about the tension between art and business, why lotteries became necessary, how hate mail accidentally helped inspire Sludge Demon DX, and the hard lessons that came from scaling too fast or making the wrong creative call. This episode is about patience, consistency, surviving mistakes, and what it actually takes to turn obsession into a lasting sofubi brand.
On Instagram: @mutantvinylhardcore
This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!
Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap
Thanks to Our Supporters
Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

We sit down with Rich of Mutant Vinyl Hardcore to dig into the roots before the legend. This episode stays in the origin story: growing up around small-business hustle, early encouragement from a Marvel Comics artist, and a childhood shaped by He-Man, G.I. Joe, fantasy films, graffiti, anime bootlegs, and lowbrow art. Rich talks about leaving high school, working in the family gym, trying art school, driving trucks, and slowly finding his way toward toys through Kidrobot, Toy Tokyo, Skullbrain, and Japanese sofubi. We get into early customs, learning hard lessons about respect for makers, discovering sculpting, and building MVH from obsession, patience, and pure love for the form.
On Instagram: @mutantvinylhardcore
This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!
Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap
Thanks to Our Supporters
Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

We sit down with Michael, aka Draculazor, to trace a path from childhood weird-toy obsession to becoming a mainstay in the sofubi world. He talks hand-me-down Transformers and Marvel, buying his first Japanese soft vinyl in 2005, and the brutal college house-party flood that forced him to sell almost his entire collection. From printmaking school to touring the world as the drummer for Wild Nothing, Michael breaks down how freelance illustration and drawing toys he couldn’t afford eventually became making toys for real. We dig into Japan’s slow timelines vs faster factories, Five Points, Creature Bazaar/Summer Slime, and his new love for weird minis, finger puppets and an upsized bootleg “foot” toy. Pure Draculazor.
On Instagram: @draculazer
This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!
Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap
Thanks to Our Supporters
Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!

We sit down with Ron of Buya Toys to trace a wild pivot from gaming industry 3D artist to full-time music-inspired toy maker in Thailand. Growing up in the Middle East, art became survival, identity, and escape. After losing his job, Ron found clarity through music, The Artist’s Way, and sculpting musicians like Doechii, Tyler, JID, and SZA into bold, stylized figures. We unpack launching Buya just seven months ago, shutting down a Kickstarter mid-run, pivoting to preorders, and selling out. This episode is about trusting your gut, building from heartbreak, and turning fandom into form.
On Instagram: @buya_toys
This Episode is Sponsored by: Empire Blisters – Your go-to source for blister packaging! With 19+ styles and bundle deals, they’ve got everything you need to make your toys shine. Use code TOYSONTAP10 at checkout for 10% off. Patreon members get 20% off another reason to join!
Support the Show on Patreon Unlock exclusive episodes, early access, and behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/toysontap
Thanks to Our Supporters
Rate & Review the Show! Leave a rating and review wherever you listen it's the best way to help Toys on Tap grow!