Facing the limits of production.
Refusing to compromise on consistency.
Released in 2009, the legendary John Ando signature model for YoYoFactory, Protostar, redefined what a plastic yoyo could be.
At a time when metal yoyos dominated the scene, Protostar made a lasting impact as a plastic model capable of true competition-level performance — and its legacy continues to this day.
With the full support of YoYoFactory and John Ando, mowl has spent extensive time developing Protostar ’26 in parallel with Protostar Hybrid Ti, the YoYoFactory®︎ / mowl®︎ collaboration model released in November 2024. From the outset, the goal was to recreate the original design philosophy and feel as faithfully as possible.
Left: Protostar(Original) | Middle: Protostar ’26 | Right: Protostar Hybrid Ti
＜The Manufacturing Challenge＞
Protostar ’26 is not a simple redesign. It was built around the idea of faithfully recreating the original 2009 Protostar.
The prototypes being released do not simply capture the feel of the original Protostar. They also follow its original material concept, featuring PC dome caps and rim construction. Down to details such as the number of parts and the inner rim design, they were recreated to stay true to the original.
At the same time, the balance was carefully refined throughout to deliver the kind of playability expected from a modern yoyo. While keeping the original diameter and weight intact, the body width was increased from 43 mm to 45 mm, resulting in greater stability and easier trick execution.
At the same time, the design also incorporates a number of structures and specifications that are uncommon by modern yoyo standards, resulting in a production process that demanded a far higher level of precision than initially expected.
We produced approximately 1,000 units of this prototype as the first production lot for the retail version. In the end, only around 5% met the quality standard we had set.
＜Our Decision＞
In light of these results, we made the decision not to release this lot for sale. Instead, we chose to review the production process and move forward with a new production run, so the final product can reach more players in the way it was meant to.
To protect the level of quality we believe Protostar deserves — and out of respect for both YoYoFactory and John Ando — mowl founder Okuyama traveled to China and negotiated directly with the factory.
We are now in the final stage of fine-tuning the production process to ensure stable supply, and re-production of the retail version is currently underway.
＜The Few That Remained＞
At the same time, a very small number of units from the first production lot did pass our strict inspection standards. These pieces were born in the space between development and full production, making them exceptionally limited by nature. Rather than position them as part of the finished retail release, we chose to redefine them as something separate — and offer them as Protostar ’26 (Prototype).
Although the lot did not reach the level needed for stable mass production, the individual units themselves are finished to an exceptionally high standard. For those who remember the original Protostar, we believe they offer a rare and deeply nostalgic experience — something truly special on an emotional level.
"Protostar '26" (Prototype)
Diameter : 56 mm
Width : 45 mm
Weight : 66.5 ±0.5 grams
Protostar ’26 (Prototype) will be available in a strictly limited run of 66 pieces. Each unit comes in a dedicated box engraved with its own serial number.
＜Release Color＞
"Protostar '26" (Prototype)
Clear Body / Blasted Silver Rim
The simple combination of a clear body and blasted silver rim puts Protostar’s construction on full display, making the design itself part of the experience. The rim visible through the transparent body is one of the details John Ando cared deeply about, and one of the defining visual elements of the original Protostar. This colorway offers the purest expression of Protostar’s structural beauty.
<About John Ando>
Born in Japan and raised in the United States, John Ando is a bilingual player whose career has had a lasting impact on modern yoyoing. He first picked up a yoyo during the original Hyper Yo-Yo era, and by the 2000s, his talent was already drawing attention in the U.S., the center of competitive yoyoing.
Competing in both 1A and 2A, he quickly established himself as one of the sport’s standout players. From 2004 to 2007, he won the U.S. National Yo-Yo Contest 2A division four consecutive times, setting a record for consecutive titles.
In 2008, he won the World Yo-Yo Contest in the 1A division, the most competitive division in the sport. In October of the same year, he also received the Innovator Award from the American YoYo Association (AYYA), an honor presented only to players whose influence has made a major impact on the industry.
His signature models, including Protostar, have been released worldwide and continue to hold a special place in yoyo history.
In 2009, he joined the yoyo performance team SHAQLER. In 2010, the team won the AP division at the World Yo-Yo Contest in its first appearance.
In 2011, he was selected as the character performer for Bandai’s Ryuuji and spent roughly two years appearing across nationally broadcast television, commercials, magazines, and events throughout Japan.
In 2015, SHAQLER returned to the World Yo-Yo Contest AP division and received both the Grand Prix and Entertainment Award.
Since 2016, John has also been deeply involved in developing the next generation of players, coaching multiple world champions and building an exceptional track record as a mentor.
In 2022, after a 15-year break from the division, he returned to win the U.S. National Yo-Yo Contest 2A division for the fifth time.
He is also widely known for creating original tricks that helped shape many of the foundational elements of modern yoyoing.
Availability & Important Notes
Protostar ’26 (Prototype) Release
Saturday, April 4 — 2:00 PM JST
mowl Osaka
Saturday, April 4 — 11:00 AM EDT
Eastern Time
Notes
- This model will be available exclusively through mowl Osaka and the mowl Online Store.
- Minor cosmetic marks or slight surface inconsistencies that do not affect play are considered within product specification.
- Orders placed for the purpose of resale or redistribution are strictly prohibited. Orders involving suspicious quantities may be cancelled at our discretion.