Mat has been working with different Showa oyagoi. At the harvest last Fall, there was a lot of discussion about how well the Showa were turning out. The number of Showa in the 555 event sale seems to reflect that. Previously, Kohaku and Sanke dominated the offering.
The first one you posted is very interesting. At first glance, the shape of the Hi on the head gives the impression it is fading... retracting back from the eyes. If you look closely at the Hi, you can see tiny glistening sparkles across the body. It isn't ginrin. It's lustre cells in the skin. That's a good sign. A Sanke tosai I got a couple of years ago had something of a similar look. The Hi expanded, rather than contracting. So what is this one doing? Is the Hi still coming together? Is this Hi that will thicken? Wish I had a guaranteed 100% answer to that. I don't. I'd guess that Mat thinks the Hi will be fine or he would not have given it such prominence over the thousands of tosai Showa at the farm. But, he is not clairvoyant. For a 7-8 inch tosai, it sure has a lot going for it. Since I recommend getting the insurance so satisfaction is guaranteed on any of the tosai, from my way of thinking there is no economic risk. Still have the risk of a broken heart if it does not turn out... or an awesome Showa if it does.
By ignoring the other two you posted, I don't mean to imply anything. I just find the first one so very interesting.
Have fun pondering it.