You might wonder who the hell is Tazo Kobayashi. He's more well known as Tanio Kobayashi, the venerable airsoft inventor, and owner of Tanio Koba. His name is well respected among airsoft players who started early on, circa 1980s. He started his career working for the Model Gun Company (MGC), one of the oldest names in airsoft, and the MGC's airsoft gun collection is sought after by classic airsoft collectors. INFO: OptimusPrime's first airsoft gun is an MGC Calico M1000 he got in the 1980s.

Tano Kobayashi especialises in airsoft gas guns, but he started the trend of making airsoft guns more realistic, influencing how airsoft guns are made and faithfully following the external details of real steel weapons. He has various patents under the name of Tazo Kobayashi, and he also designs the Tokyo Marui Gas Blowback  system for airsoft pistols, and you'll notice the power and efficiency of TM's airsoft handgun line, making TM the run-away winner in gas blowback pistols.

Tazo/Tanio will be at the Shooting Games Show 2008 in Paris. This will be on the 28th to the 30th of November 2008 with airsoft presentors from Japan, led by Tanio Kobayashi having their booths there. So here is your chance to know more about the the person, and who is aptly named the "Einstein of Airsoft" given his hair and looks. There will also be booths from airsoft manufacturers and sellers so there might be a chance to get some bargain deals.