Author: Con

Machine Blaster Bull Caesar by Takemi 1976

Marushin Toy Machine Blaster Bull Caesar Takemi 1976 from anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster タケミ ビッガー合金 ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ブルシーザー

Marushin Toy Machine Blaster Bull Caesar Takemi 1976 from anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster

This is the Machine Blaster Bull Caesar by Takemi in 1976. I paid $38 for each of these(Bull Caesar and the Robo Kress) whenever I bought these.  I could not figure out what these two robots I picked were. The box and catalog were all in Japanese. The internet was not nearly as fast as it is now, so it took hours(forever) to do the research I can do in a few minutes now.  So I never really bothered until I setup this site. The seller I picked these up from had no idea either.  These were likely listed as die cast metal Japanese robots.

Marushin Toy Machine Blaster Bull Caesar Takemi 1976 from anime タケミ ビッガー合金 ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ブルシーザー accessories, fists, shooters

Marushin Machine Blaster Bull Caesar Takemi 1976 Accessories

When I got them, I thought they were ugly, cheap, poorly made pieces of metal. Maybe even bootleg versions of some cool anime. I was spoiled by the quality of other Japanese toy companies like Bandai, Takara, and Takatoku robots. I was so disappointed with these, that I promptly stuck them in a box and did not look at them till I took this picture three years ago. When I finally found a little more about them, I was a little intrigued. This is the 5″ Machine Blaster Bull Caesar by Takemi from their Bigger Gokin series. Its from the  anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster(ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ) in 1976-1977. It is an early super robot, so I could forgive how crudely these were made and give them a little leeway.

Marushin Toy Machine Blaster Bull Caesar Takemi 1976 from anime タケミ ビッガー合金 ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ブルシーザー front box

Marushin Toy Machine Blaster Bull Caesar Takemi 1976 from anime タケミ ビッガー合金 ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ブルシーザー back box

The anime was popular in Europe and especially in Italy, so you can find the robots there too. These robots have a beefy Gokin heft. There is plenty of diecast metal in each robot. The Machine Blaster robots came out around the same time as the Shogun Warriors 5 inch robots, so I am little sad they did not put more thought into the design and quality of these. When I look at them, they remind me more or cheap Taiwan knock offs of the time. That being said, these are nice little time capsules of early super robots before Popy put out the Chogokin we reminisce about today.



So I finally updated the images on this post. This is the old image below. The yellowness really seems to come out on my old iPhone 4 pictures.

Bull Caesar 1976 diecast metal robot from Takemi from anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster 1976-1977 (ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ) aka Astrorobot Contatto Ypsilon in Italy (Army Corps IV) Machine Blaster Bull Caesar

Bull Caesar 1976 diecast metal robot from Takemi from anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster 1976-1977 (ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ) aka Astrorobot Contatto Ypsilon in Italy (Army Corps IV)

Toy Planet East Urawa Store

My cousin Dave and I finally went on a trip to Japan together to go robot hunting. The first place we made it to after going to Midori Sushi in Tokyo was Toy Planet. The East Urawa store was an hour out of Ikebukuro Tokyo by subway. It was the closest location to us. I have no idea how my cousin found it as we had to transfer trains to get there and he cannot read kanji. Toy Planet carries a wide assortment of toys like a Toys R’ Us for used toys or Goodwill(except well organized and clean).  So old video games from the Super Famicom to the current generation of systems, Tomy cars, a lot of trains including Thomas, Super Sentai robots from the last 5-7 years, a wall of Gunpla, dolls & dollhouses, baby toys, anime figures, a few Soul of Chogokin, etc.

A couple of years ago my cousin found me a Hikaru Bandai 1/55 scale Origin of Valkyrie with armor, some loose DX Sentai robots, and my Aura Battler Billbine. Toy Planet is a big box store for Japan, but it is outside of Tokyo.

Toy Planet East Urawa Store used toy store with cousin Dave

Toy Planet East Urawa Store used toys, hobbie and video games. This is a huge store for Japan.

 

The selection of robots is mostly current toys or from the last few years. There were only a few older pieces from the 1980’s. They had a few Chogokin pieces that were way out of my price range like the Popy Godsigma and Daltanious. Behind the counter they had a 1991 Bandai Hi Metal Super Valkyrie on layaway. I was tempted to pick up a Takatoku Macross Block System SDF-1 from 1983 for $40. But it looked and felt really cheaply made. I picked up a Destron Laserwave(Shockwave) Masterpiece Transformer, some Japanese PlayStation 1 games and Machine Robo Baikanfu which I found by accident as we were about to leave. The Baikanfu was a real find. I honestly did not think they would have and robots from the 1980’s I could afford. Dave picked up a Mushagundamcloth which came out in 1989. He found this store on a YouTube video. Go figure.

Here is a link to their site if you plan to make it out to one of their 7 branches. Google Translate helped read about them a little bit. They may have more branches but it does not look like they have updated the site since 2007 based on the copyright date on the bottom of the site. If you are in Japan for a little toy hunting, its not a bad little 4 hour day trip.

http://www.toyplanet.jp/index.html

Toy Planet East Urawa Store used toy store with cousin Dave

I think they need a bigger sign.

Here is what I picked up. I will add Dave’s later when I have the picture.

Machine Robo DX Baikanfu Series C Bandai 1987

Machine Robo DX Baikanfu Series C Bandai 1987

Transformers Masterpiece Destron Laserwave MP 29 Takara Tomy 2016

Transformers Masterpiece Destron Laserwave MP-29 Takara Tomy 2016

Realtype Mushagundamcloth DX Bandai 1989 Japan Samurai Gundam cover illustration by Yoshiyuki Takani

Realtype Mushagundamcloth DX Bandai 1989 Japan

Laserion Godaikin 1984 by Bandai aka Laserion ST Popy GC-15

Laserion was one of the easier Godaikins to pick up. I guess he was not as popular as the others. I often see the ST and DX versions of the Laserion Godaikin at affordable prices on the auctions site. Laserion was from the Anime Video Warrior Laserion  a show about virtual reality, a boy and a robot that ran for two years 1984-1985. This is the 5 inch ST version. I love the heft of this thing. They made these robots with quite a bit a die cast metal.

I would have loved to see Anime with all of the Godaikin robots in them, it would be fun to see them duke it out(but I guess I can do that already by playing Super Robot Wars). I really was not a fan of these Laserion robots until I got one. I thought it was a really generic, plain, boring, boxy looking robot. I really wanted a robot with more of a face instead of just a helmet with two eyes. Initially I thought it was so blocky and not very creative.

Now that I have one I feel it is one of my better pieces. The body on the robot is great, he has a thick solid build, the paint application on the chest/body is great and does not have any issues standing. I like the color scheme and it has some nice detail on the leg etchings and arms. Still, I would like a little more detail on the head.

It is a pretty good representation robot in the cartoon. I may just have to check out the Anime on the web some where. I have the DX version of Laserion. I lent it to my cousin as he loves to display these things. I hope he dusts it.

Here is the opening credits on the anime. It does not look like much, but it is starting to grow on me after seeing the third time.

Here is an episode for Video Warrior Laserion anime 1984-1985

ST Laserion GoDaiKin 1985 by Bandai aka Laserion 1984 Popy GC-15 from the anime Video Warrior Laserion 1984-1985 back cover other names El Super Láser, Juegos de Guerra Electronicos, La Espada Laser, Lazerion, ビデオ戦士レザリオン

Laserion ST GoDaiKin 1985 by Bandai

Laserion ST GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai aka Laserion Popy GC-15 Laserion GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai aka Popy GC-15 from the anime Video Senshi Lezarion 1984-1985 styrofoam insert other names El Super Láser, Juegos de Guerra Electronicos, La Espada Laser, Lazerion, ビデオ戦士レザリオン

Laserion ST GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai




Laserion ST GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai aka Laserion Popy GC-15 cover from anime El Super Láser, Juegos de Guerra Electronicos, La Espada Laser, Lazerion, ビデオ戦士レザリオン 1984-1985

Laserion ST GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai aka Popy GC-15 from the anime Video Senshi Lezarion 1984-1985

 

Since I have the Laserion Godaikin DX and ST version, I can pop in a picture of both of them together into this post later. Pop in a comment below and I will get to it a little quicker. ***


Hero Universe Super Robot

Hero Universe Super Robot is made by Color Baby at Colorbaby.es. It is another bootleg from the sunny shores of Spain. The closest match is a Gundam robot. It has an RX-78 body, similar color scheme and a samurai or Gundam like head. The illustration on the back of the box is definitely a Gundam in a Space War sequence and so is the illustration on the front.

Hero Universe - Super Robot Gundam bootleg Action Boldness No. 218-1 Space War New Style

Hero Universe Super Robot Gundam bootleg

The print on the box sounds like it was made by someone using Google Translate. Engrish at its best. Found this at a dollar store in Burgos, Spain. It is a decent robot. It lights up and makes some noise. Watch out for the Action Boldness. It’s kinda cool, but not 10 euros cool, lol.

Hero Universe - Super Robot Gundam bootleg Action Boldness No. 218-1 Space War

Hero Universe Super Robot Gundam bootleg

Power Rangers Limited Black Edition Legacy Dragonzord

Toys R’ Us is running a few exclusives. I have seen several Power Rangers black and gold versions which look pretty nice. While I am not a Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fan, the Black Edition Legacy Megazord looks way better than the original. This TRU Exclusive I found at the local Toys R Us . The Power Rangers Limited Black Edition Legacy Dragonzord by Bandai. I do not really like this piece but it is kinda cool that you can combine the Megazord with the Dragonzord to make the Dino Megazord.  I saw the Megazord a few months ago, and it is a nice looking black and gold robot. So if you are a fan, I recommend picking up these pieces.

Power Rangers Limited Black Edition Legacy Dragonzord 2016 Toys R Us Black & Gold Version by Bandai

Power Rangers Limited Black Edition Legacy Dragonzord 2016 Toys R Us by Bandai


 
 

Power Rangers Limited Black Edition Legacy Dragonzord 2016 Toys R Us Black & Gold Version  by Bandai

Power Rangers Limited Black Edition Legacy Dragonzord 2016 Toys R Us Exclusive by Bandai

Hawk Overlord Polyfect Toys 2013

Long time, no post. Its been over a month since my last on. When I found this at the local store and decided I just had to put it up.

Here is a knock off of a Bandai robot from the 90’s. Its the Jet Icarus from the tv show Chojin Sentai Jetman in 1991. The Hawk Overlord Polyfect Toys figure is only $7.99 at your local Tuesday Morning if they have them. It’s the cheapest way to pickup a Jet Icarus figure aside from getting a Soul of Hyper Figuration figure on Ebay. Otherwise a 8″ plastic 1990’s version will run you $140 – $200.

If you don’t mind a cheap plastic robot that does not have the quality of Bandai made product, it’s not bad. The store also had a  “Change Robot” that was of even lesser quality. Now that was an ugly robot. I should probably put it up with the other bootlegs I have posted. Sometimes the uglier it is , the better it is to gawk at. Anyway, the Hawk Overlord looks pretty decent for what it is. Polyfect puts out a decent looking bootleg. It looks like one of the nicer robots from this line, like the Voltron and Constructicon knock offs they put out. Based on the instructions on the back, it looks like it actually transforms! I am tempted to pick one up for fun. I am curious to see how well they transform and get a closer look at the finish and quality.

Hawk Overload Polyfect Toys 2013 is a knock off/bootleg of Jet Icarus Jetman ko

Hawk Overload Polyfect Toys 2013


 

Hawk Overload Polyfect Toys 2013 is a knock off/bootleg of Jet Icarus Jetman ko

Hawk Overload Polyfect Toys 2013


 

Jazz Action Masters 1990 Hasbro

The Generation 1 Jazz Action Masters figure by Hasbro in 1990 is another attempt to make a figure that is more true to the cartoon. It does a pretty good job. It’s not amazing, but it is a nice try. I think the size at 3.75 inches limits how accurate the figure is to the source material and  the manufacturers were forced to  limit the proportions/size based on packaging constraints. If the figure were made half an inch to an inch larger, they could probably have added much more detail and gotten the proportions right.  So all the figures from the Transformers Action Masters line are almost exactly the same size and proportions. Shockwave is my favorite robot from this line. The Jazz figure is just another solid addition. Like the previous post for Wheeljack, Jazz lacks the correct proportions if you really want to capture the cartoon, but this appears to be the style of line.

Jazz Action Masters 1990 Hasbro Transformers Autobot Generation 1 G1 front side of robot

Jazz Action Masters 1990 Hasbro Transformers Autobot Generation 1

 

Jazz Action Masters 1990 Hasbro Transformers Autobot Generation 1 G1 back side of robot

Transformers Jazz Action Masters 1990 Hasbro Autobot Generation 1


Wheeljack Action Masters 1990 Hasbro

Here is the Wheeljack Action Masters in 1990 from Hasbro. The Action Masters line did for the first time, what no other line had done so far. Not only did they not transform, but they also reintroduced several of the core Generation 1 robots. It was nice to see these robots again in another form.

I am a big fan of Wheeljack, but not for this figure. I really wanted to like this one, but for reason it just does not look or feel right to me. The proportions seem really off when you compare him to the cartoon. He should have a wider chest and have more bulk all the way around. He looks too skinny for me. While the Action Masters line is meant to reflect how the robots look in the cartoon, they really missed on this one. The newer figures from the Classics line do a better job of depicting Wheeljack than this one. This is still a solid representation and seems to be the style of this particular line, but this is just ok for me when I really wanted it to be amazing.

 

WheelJack Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Transformers Autobot Generation 1 G1 front side

Transformers WheelJack Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Autobot Generation 1

WheelJack Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Transformers Autobot Generation 1 G1 back side

Transformers WheelJack Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Autobot Generation 1

Shockwave Action Masters 1990 Hasbro

The Shockwave Action Masters is a robot in the line of Transformers that does not transform(weird right?) and is meant to look like the robot in the Generation 1 cartoon. The nice thing about these robots is they really do look as close as any toys to their source material. Many of the Generation 1 robots look nothing like the cartoon. The Megatron figure comes to mind. The Hero Mashers Transformers line in 2014 reminds me of the Actions Masters, except the Mashers are larger and more posable. Shockwave is about 4 inches and looks like he just jumped out of the cartoon. Some of the colors are off, but it really does not hurt this figure. This Shockwave is a bit beat up, so no poses as it can barely stand. It is leaning on the back of the cabinet. I need a nice minty new one so I can see if they can pose and stand without issues.

I picked up Shockwave at a local comic book store. They had a bunch of loose Transformers and I had never seen the Action Masters before. They looked super cool and I really liked the idea. I am surprised it took them 5 years to get around to it.

Transformers Shockwave Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Decepticons front side of loose figure

Transformers Shockwave Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Decepticons

Transformers Shockwave Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Decepticons back side of loose figure

Transformers Shockwave Action Masters 1989 Hasbro Decepticons



Machine Blaster Robo Kress by Takemi 1976

I bought these old clunky robots 10 -15 years ago and they were pretty cheap. I really had no idea what they were. I do not think the seller did either. They were listed on Ebay with the most generic terms. Probably something like die cast metal Japanese robot. I was curious and they were listed around $15-25. So I figured what the heck. When I received them, I was so put off, I promptly stuck them in a box and did not look at them till I took these pictures in 2013.

Over the years, I finally found a little more about them. This is the 5″ Machine Blaster Robo Kress by Takemi which is an odd little robot from their Bigger Gokin series. Its from the  anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster(ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ) in 1976-1977.  The anime was popular in Europe, so you can find the robots there as well. If you like your diecast metal, this one has plenty. They feel like they are completely made of metal based on their weight. They remind me of the Shogun Warriors 5 inch robots of the 70’s, but so crudely made. The design and finish are pretty poor. They are like the ugly cousins of the Clover Dunbine robots I have.

I took these pictures way back when I first created the site. The quality was so bad and the pictures were so yellow that I decided not to use them. But, since I have been too lazy to post anything. Well, here it is. I used a photo editor but these are still really bad. These are pictures from when I used my iPhone 4 for pics. I promise to put up better pictures when I find these again.

Machine Blaster Robo Kress 1976 diecast metal robot from Takemi from anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster 1976-1977 (ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター ) aka Astrorobot Contatto Ypsilon in Italy (Army Corps IV)

Robo Kress 1976 diecast metal robot from Takemi from anime Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster 1976-1977 ブロッカー軍団Ⅳマシーンブラスター


 
 

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