The equipment for the Airgam gladiators looked (conceptually) nicer than the Playmobil. But it's hard to miss how even from the pictures the plastic looks flimsy and faces and bodies are strangely mis-contorted.
But with Playmobil playing so fast-and-loose with the kitsch for the medievals, Romans, and the threat* of Fu Manchu-ed ninja families, it would be great to see a little competition.
Maybe Korea will come to the rescue with a high-quality fake** Playmobil line, like it does with lego.
* I say "threat" but many of my PM brothers and sisters appear to equate this with paradise.
** If the purported Japanese theme turns out to be more like a "Super Ninja Theme", I'm not afraid to go guerrilla. Who knows, maybe North Korea will even rise to the challenge. Kim Jeong-il seems like the sort of dictator who would have his own Playmobil collection that he makes his generals visit and admire.