Recommended music: Clemson University Tiger Band – Eye of the Tiger
For this #WhateverWednesday, we’re checking out a toy that is greatly overdue. It’s the Jada Toys Tony the Tiger!
Making his debut in 1952, Tony the Tiger is the anthropomorphic mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes breakfast cereal and has appeared in ads and on packaging for over 70 years. Part of what makes the character stand out from other advertising mascots is his signature catchphrase, voiced by actor Thurl Ravenscroft.
For more than 50 years, until his passing in 2005, Ravenscroft’s booming deep voice was the audio behind Tony the Tiger’s signature catchphrase “They’re g-r-r-r-eat!!!!”
Tony and similar mascots, for that matter, have been so persuasive as spokespersons, they have effectively been banned from being featured in ads and packaging in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru to help curb the advertising of sugary products to children.
Even Jada Toys appears to be hooked on the sugary cereal. 😄 Founded in 1999 and finding huge success in producing Remote Control Cars, Jada has been branching out in the past few years. Not a brand I normally collect, following their buyout by the German toy company Simba Dickie Group, Jada has really expanded into making licensed collectibles outside of just vehicle-related items.
Fortunately, Jada’s 1/12-scale cereal mascot action figure line has now expanded to include Kellogg’s. When this Tony the Tiger release arrived on my doorstep a few months ago, I was thrilled to open it. Even the packaging was so well done for something ultimately destined for the recycle bin.
In addition to the fantastic paint and articulation, Tony comes with a variety of alternate hand options. These include a ball-spinning hand, a holding hand, a pointing hand, a spoon hand, and a thumbs-up hand. He also sports a basketball with a separate spinning effect, a cereal bowl, and a cereal box with his likeness.
Now, I’m not too worried about showing off all his great looks today, and I guarantee this figure will be back at the end of the year on my Top 10 figures of 2025 list, heeee’s great!!
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