Who doesn't love a good treasure hunt at a "secondhand buyback store"? While you're not getting brand-new goods, there's always that thrill of unearthing a rare gem. And in Japan, where these shops are practically everywhere, you can often snag that long-sought-after item for a ridiculously sweet price.
Recently, a Japanese X user hit up the famous secondhand chain HARD-OFF and stumbled upon an ultra-rare VHS tape. They had to do a triple-take to believe it was real! The find quickly went viral on X, with everyone marveling at this miraculous vintage discovery.
A VHS tape selling for just 100 yen (about $0.65 USD)? Talk about a jaw-dropper! Even though the tape was ancient, it still played perfectly!
The legendary find? None other than "The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army" (also known as "Ultraman vs. Hanuman"). This special Ultraman film was a 1974 collaboration between Japan's Tsuburaya Productions and Thailand's Chaiyo Productions Co. Ltd., and its story was even set in Thailand.
So, what makes this movie so wild? "The 6 Ultra Brothers vs. the Monster Army" centers on a Thai boy named Koh. The story kicks off with him getting shot trying to stop some statue thieves! But the Mother of Ultra, taking pity on him, decides to resurrect him as the Hindu mythological hero, "Hanuman," to bring justice to those sacrilegious crooks...
Here's the kicker: in this Ultraman flick, the main hero isn't Ultraman—it's Hanuman! The Ultra Brothers themselves show up super late, practically at the very end. The plot is totally bonkers and steeped in Thai Buddhist themes, completely flipping everything fans thought they knew about the Ultraman series. It's truly a bizarre, miraculous cult classic among fans.
Since this film is no longer available through official channels, this discovery is incredibly precious. Netizens were quick to praise the find, exclaiming, "That price is insane!", "I used to have this tape when I was a kid!", and "This is a legendary, god-tier VHS!"
Seriously, this X user hit the jackpot! Finding something like this in a secondhand store is incredibly rare. So, if you ever find yourself in Japan, make sure to hit up some of these shops—you never know what treasures you might dig up!