Toys on Tap

Illustrator, toy designer, filmmaker, and lifelong storyteller Chogrin joins Toys on Tap to trace a creative journey shaped by two cultures and an unstoppable love of characters.
Growing up in Ecuador, Chogrin absorbed everything from Super Sentai and Japanese heroes to Ghostbusters, Ninja Turtles, and classic rubber-hose animation. After moving to the United States and starting over, he turned that mix of influences into a career that led from Cartoon Network to Adventure Time, gallery shows, designer toys, filmmaking, and Magic: The Gathering.
We talk about:
• Rebuilding his childhood toy collection
• Working behind the scenes on Adventure Time
• Finding his voice through illustration
• Turning art-show ideas into 3D objects
• Creating Guru del Toro and his “Guru” toy series
• Designing toys inspired by TMNT and Jurassic Park
• Opening your own doors instead of waiting
• His next short film, Sector 1218
This episode is a fast, inspiring look at what happens when curiosity, persistence, and genuine fandom collide.
On Instagram: @chogrin
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Empire Blisters: If you are looking for blisters for vintage toys or new bootleg figures head over to https://www.empireblisters.com and use code TOYSONTAP10 for 10% off
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Steven Nunes, aka Steve Beef the “Sofubi Shy Guy", joins Toys on Tap to talk horror, collecting, and the creation of M.U.D. Toys.
Steven traces his obsession from Ninja Turtles, Goosebumps, vintage masks, and early sofubi discoveries in New York to partnering with longtime friend and turning their monster ideas into Japanese vinyl.
We talk about:
• Discovering sofubi at the Mishka store • Collecting NAG, Super7, masks, VHS, and sneakers • Photography, tattoo shops, and creative influence • Living with anxiety and agoraphobia • Launching M.U.D. Toys • Creating Barfy, Grim Bones, and Grim Oni • Hand sculpting vs. digital sculpting • Collaborations and community support • Clothing and accessories for toys • What M.U.D. Toys is making next
This episode is funny, honest, and packed with monster-toy energy. Steven proves you do not need to have everything figured out, or be the loudest person in the room to make something unforgettable.
On Instagram: @m.u.d.toys
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!
Empire Blisters: If you are looking for blisters for vintage toys or new bootleg figures head over to https://www.empireblisters.com and use code TOYSONTAP10 for 10% off
Subscribe and Follow Along
Instagram:@toysontap
Linkedin: Abraham Musto
Facebook:@toysontap
Youtube:@Toysontap

In this episode, Andrew, also known as Spaceboi, returns to Toys on Tap to talk about the evolution of Space Boi and the growing universe around the character.
Since his last appearance, Spaceboi has expanded far beyond one figure. What started as different versions of Space Boi has grown into Space Girl, Space God, plushies, resin toys, sofubi, vehicles, mechs, blind bags, and large-scale booth displays that feel like their own world.
We also dive into the realities of being an artist in a changing economy. He talks about shifting toward plushies, keychains, small resin toys, and useful accessories while still pushing bigger creative ideas forward. He also discusses the importance of trusted artist communities, honest feedback, and learning how to separate your ego from your work.
All of this episode leads us to the upcoming Space God custom show at Indie Toy in Alhambra, featuring custom sofubi pieces from over 25 artists, new Space God colorways, blind bag plushies, and a full shop takeover.
If you have ever wanted to see world building in action. Look no further!
On Instagram: @spaceboidega
Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMVsuiDuwYxfqoUY4G4ekQRm8lDREEhQ43xRmjH0H_2lv-Jw/viewform?usp=header
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!
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Linkedin: Abraham Musto
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In part two of this conversation, Quang Le shares the story behind the creation and evolution of Creature Bazaar.
After years spent collecting toys, building relationships, and learning the industry from the inside, Quang and Brandon turned an idea into one of the most recognizable names in the sofubi community. Quang discusses traveling throughout Japan to meet artists where they lived, launching Creature Bazaar, navigating the challenges of the pandemic, transforming into a web store almost overnight, and eventually helping grow events like SummerSlime into community staples.
More than anything, this episode explores what it means to build something that lasts. Rather than chasing growth for growth’s sake, Creature Bazaar has focused on relationships, history, and creating experiences that bring collectors and artists together.
Whether you’re a toy maker, collector, or creative entrepreneur, Quang’s perspective on community building, adapting through change, and playing the long game offers valuable lessons far beyond designer toys.
On Instagram: @photosalaquang
On Instagram: @creature_bazaar
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!
Subscribe and Follow Along
Instagram:@toysontap
Linkedin: Abraham Musto
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Youtube:@Toysontap

Quang Le joins the show for part one of a two-part conversation about collecting, creativity, and the foundation that eventually led to Creature Bazaar.
Before Creature Bazaar and SummerSlime, Quang was a lifelong toy collector shaped by Ninja Turtles, Transformers, Japanese robot cartoons, Asian market imports, punk shows, D&D, photography, fashion, and underground art culture.
We talk about his early connection to toys, touring with The Aquabats, working in photography and fashion, discovering Japanese soft vinyl through Giant Robot and Super7, and eventually finding himself surrounded by artists, collectors, and makers who would help shape the modern sofubi scene.
This episode is about community before business, collecting before creating, and the relationships that quietly build something bigger.
On Instagram: @photosalaquang
On Instagram: @creature_bazaar
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!
Subscribe and Follow Along
Instagram:@toysontap
Linkedin: Abraham Musto
Facebook:@toysontap
Youtube:@Toysontap