Category: Popy

I always thought this was an ST version of Daidenjin, but I stand corrected. It is the Daidenjin DX version. That’s why it comes with all the cool stuff and it actually transforms into a space ship. I don’t think any of the ST’s tranform. So it’s not the GB-15. This is a good heavy piece chock full of die cast metal and it has a nice build, but I can’t say I like the big D on his chest. Most of the parts are very square or rectangular, so the designers hardly used any imagination when making this guy as a robot. But the design is light years better than say Sun Vulcan. The transformation is not great but at least it does more than my old Shogun Warriors did.

I noticed these robots remind me of the my old Shogun Warriors from the 70’s. Now I know why. They were made by the same company. Originally the Shogun Warriors were issued as Popy Super Robots in the GA series. So the reason the design, die cast metal heft, and shooting fists(don’t Daidenjin’s fists look like Daltanias DX large fists?) were all so familiar is that they came from the same company. This one was issued in the Popy GB series.

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from tokusatsu show Denshi Sentai Denziman 1980-1981

When transformed it becomes Denjin the space port. The robot hails from the Denshi Sentai Denziman TV series 13 years before the Power Rangers ever made it out here. Nope, never watched it, but I like the robot. I don’t really have the space to display my robots, but this site works out well as a virtual display case.

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from live action show Electronic Squadron Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from tokusatsu show Denshi Sentai Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from live action show Electronic Squadron Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from tokusatsu show Denshi Sentai Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984 from live action show Electronic Squadron Denziman 1980-1981

Daidenjin GoDaiKin Bandai 1984

Think this is a reissue of the original Popy GC 28 which has a red shield. The five Super Sentai guys pictured on the cover kinda look like cops. They are from Dengeki Sentai Changeman. Even though I am not a fan of Super Sentai, I still like the robots. Change Robo is one of them. I try to only collect the 70’s and 80’s chogokin robots. I couldn’t fit the sword in the fist because it was so tight, but it was fun shooting the head off. The fists do not shoot off with much zing and the robot is a little light in die cast metal, but I really like this ST robot which fits in well with my Godaikin collection, but the DX robot looks really good too. My copy is missing the 5 little plastic Changeman Sentai figures.

Plastic Changeman figures from the Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

The DX robot came out as a late release Godaikin in 1985 or 1986. Change Robo is pretty rare as Godaikins go. I have only seen him a few times on auction and lost every time. The ST is a Popy robot as it has the Popy label, though I did not know it at the time I purchased it. So it’s one of the only  two Popy robots I have.

The robot’s design reminds me a lot of Goggle V robot. It is a simple but solid design, that you can change into a decent looking jet, car and helicopter(the Jetchanger, Helichanger, and Landchanger). The only real difference between Goggle V and Change Robo is in color scheme. A few tweaks to the design & color and you would have Goggle Five which is a good thing. It is a lot like the Generation 1 Transformers that all used the same molds like Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Prowl . If I ever display these two, I would have to put them right next to each other.

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo and accessories. Lightning Sword, Change Shield, propeller and head missile

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai instructions

Change Robo GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985 from tv show (電撃戦隊チェンジマン Dengeki Sentai Chenjiman) 1985-1986

Change Robo (チェンジロボ Chenji Robo) GC-28 by Popy Bandai 1985

Change Robo(チェンジロボ Chenji Robo) GC-28 robot toy by Popy Bandai 1985 from Super Sentai tv show 電撃戦隊チェンジマン Dengeki Sentai Chenjiman 1985-1986

First thing I noticed about Daitetsujin 17 is that it is so heavy. A majority of this robot is metal  which is awesome. You can see it in the pictures. Daitetsujin 17 ‘s a pretty cool robot, not so good as a flying fortress. After watching the movie, I actually prefer the toy robot to the one in the show. I tried shooting the fists and the stomach missile and they got some pow going 5 feet. I have all the parts and it looks mint. I would have transformed it if I wanted too. But it didn’t look like it was worth the time. I like the blue and red color scheme and overall it is a nice looking robot. My only beef with this robot is that they could have made the arms a little more proportional to the body.

I really don’t have that many Godaikins to go to complete my collection. Too bad the last ones I need are so expensive. This robot hails from a live action “tokusatsu” show like Godzilla and Ultraman in 1977 all its cheesy goodness. Watching the intro seems amusing enough. I listened to the movie below and occasionally watched while I was writing this post.

The movie Daitetsujin 17(大鉄人17)below appears to be a dubbed movie. The dub is so funny! OMG. The narration seems like something from Rocky and Bullwinkle. You should definitely watch this! Enjoy.

The open chest compartment and shooting chest missile.

The foot compartments and robot legs.

Daitetsujin 17 GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka DX GA-81 1977 by Popy

Back view of robot and wings

Daitetsujin 17 GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Daitetsujin 17 DX GA-81 1977 by Popy

Daitetsujin 17 GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Daitetsujin 17 DX GA-81 1977 by Popy

Popy gave these to us first as Golion GB-35 in 1981. This is the iconic robot from the 80’s. I don’t have anything bad to say about this robot. Golion has a great design and is a great ST version with the sword and shield.

I have the Voltron version. I wish the Voltron versions had a sword. The DX and ST Voltron from Matchbox and do not have the sword or any of the Golion accessories and I have both. Guess I know what I will do if I ever get a 3D printer. I did not realize this one had never been opened. The tape and tie to hold it to the styrofoam are still there. Guess it’s opened once now, but as mint as it will ever be. Seems like the legs and the chest are die cast metal(only the head and arms are plastic) so it’s a pretty heavy robot likely making this one from its Chogokin line or roughly translated Super Alloy. If you notice, I mention that a lot. I am a fan of the old toys they made with metal. They seem more sturdy and substantial, like American cars from the 70’s. My little cousin clocked me in the head with an old metal Tonka truck I had and that one time, I wish it was plastic.

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

The American version of the cartoon for this robot was pretty lame, but I can only say I liked a few robot anime. Getta Robo, Dangard Ace, Gaiking, especially Macross and Gundam. Not the American versions. Hate Matchbox for depriving us of swords for Voltron, bastards.

Anyway checked out a couple of the original Japanese Golion episodes and it was a much better. Seems like they made a lot of changes to the plot and removed the violence.

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 Lion Instructions Super Alloy or Chogokin

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

Voltron III Matchbox Miniature Lion Space Robot 1984 from cartoon Voltron Defender of the Universe 1984-1985

I heard the anime for GoLion was edited for violence, so I am definitely watching the Japanese version. Enjoy!

The Machine Robo line came out in 1982 in Japan as Popy robots and later from Bandai itself when they were absorbed back into the parent company in 1983 as robot sales fell. These robots came out as Gobots from Tonka in the US a couple of years later.

These are easily some of my favorite robots. I love the packaging they come in. You can take them out, transform them, then put them back in and they take up so little space. They are so easy to transform and they are the same size of Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars so they can be run on their playsets and tracks. They are by far superior to the Mini Vehicles that came out for Generation 1 Transformers in 1984 and even the Transformers Generation 2 Go-Bots line that came out 1995.

These are great little robots. It is a shame that Bandai has not seen fit to re-issue these amazing little robots. I have been looking to pickup a few more of these, but my cousin could not find them in Japan and some of them are so expensive on eBay. With a little luck, I will get one or two more.

I bought at least 6 of these in the 80’s when I went to Japan in 1984 or 1985, because they were pretty much the only ones I could afford. I remember paying 600 yen for them. I think that was around $6 at that time. That’s why I picked up Albegas in Singapore. For $40 it was the biggest, cheapest big robot I could afford at the time. Though it was definitely not my first choice. There were a bunch of awesome Popy DX robots just out of my price range at $80 a pop(which was pretty much my whole budget).  The first line of Machine Robo came out in 1982 running out to 1985.

I have been meaning to watch the Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos anime that came out in response to the Transformers cartoon coming out. I have watched the first episode below which interesting and so much better than the GoBots cartoon here in the states. A newer cartoon in 2003 aired called Machine Robo Rescue came out with in intriguing line of combiner robots that I am considering adding to my collection. The robots combine into robots that look like they came from the first series. I would love to add more of these to my collection. I will try to get some pictures of the individual robots later.

Here is the first episode for Machine Robo: Revenge of Cronos anime that ran from 1986-1987.

Machine Robo Popy Bandai 1982-1985

Machine Robo Popy Bandai 1982-1985

Machine Robo Popy Bandai 1982-1985 vehicle side

Machine Robo Popy Bandai 1982-1985

Machine Robo Popy Bandai 1982-1985

Machine Robo Popy Bandai 1982-1985

Machine Robo Popy Bandai 1982-1985 robot side

The Hi-Metal L-Gaim is one of my favorite pieces. I have always wanted it since I first saw it on my cousin’s shelf in the 80’s.  Except for the yellowing on the plastic, L-Gaim is robot perfection. The detail and quality of the L-Gaim is amazing for the 80’s. I never knew anything about this robot, but I wanted to have one. This is definitely a must have for any Chogokin collectors. The box art is great. As far as I can see, this is the last Popy robot before they remerged back into Bandai. Popy meant high end quality robots and the the Hi-Metal L-Gaim is it! I can’t say enough about this robot.

The thing is, you can usually find the robot for a good price. I usually see it listed around $120 which is amazing for a robot of this quality from the 80’s.  Unfortunately, this white plastic is prone to yellowing like your old SNES(Super Nintendo Entertainment System). You can see what the actual color should be on the metal parts.  Dunno if its cheap plastic as they just did not plan to have these around that long.  I love the articulation and detail this figure has for an old 80’s robot. I can’t really think of any robot that matches its articulation an poseability from the 80’s. I am missing a gun, and I think I have a loose one of these hanging around somewhere.

I have a loose one as well. The brown plastic cable around the joints are broken off on the ends. I would say that is the main problem with this robot as they break pretty easily and I often see those broken when they are on sale,  but not really a deal breaker considering these are 30 year old robots. For me the cherry on the icing is the leg compartments. They open up and have some really nice detail.

Hi-Metal L-Gaim 1/100 Scale Popy Bandai ST 1984 from anime Heavy Metal L Gaim 1984-1985

Hi-Metal L-Gaim 1/100 Scale Popy Bandai 1984

Hi-Metal L-Gaim 1/100 Scale Popy Bandai 1984 from anime Juusenki L-Gaim (重戦機エルガイム) 1984-1985

Hi-Metal L-Gaim 1/100 Scale Popy Bandai 1984 Japanese instructions

Hi-Metal L-Gaim 1/100 Scale Popy Bandai 1984 from anime Juusenki L-Gaim (重戦機エルガイム) 1984-1985

Hi-Metal L-Gaim 1/100 Scale Popy Bandai 1984 from anime Heavy Metal L Gaim 1984-1985

Made in Japan Product of Popy

Heavy Metal L Gaim(重戦機エルガイム) Episode 1, anime tv show from 1984-1985

So my Vavilos has never been taken out of the styrofoam. I can tell as I never took the twisty tie thing off. This is a robot from the Space Sheriff Shaider series which is very much like the Power Rangers(Is that show still running in Japan?). Godaikins were a bunch of robots from various anime series with no cartoon tie in to back it up here in the United States. This is likely the reason they were not that popular. I think if they had released some of these anime here, we would be remembering them as nostalgically as Voltron.

Design wise, Vavilos would look much better with a larger more defined head and arms that are proportionate with the rest of its body. It is the main reason this was not a must have robot for me. But it is nice to have. The rest of the robot looks ok. The legs are similar in design to Goggle V and Dyna Robo. The chest is a bit blocky like Sun Vulcan, like a cube with a triangle on top. Its decent in ship form, in fact I prefer it. That is likely why I have never pulled it out to transform Vavilos. Overall it is a decent robot, but it is on the lower end of what Bandai released in their Godaikin line. More yellowing white plastic from these old 80’s robots. Guess these toys discolor after a while.

Check out the first episode of Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu show from 1984-1985. The cheesy 80’s tv music on this video was just killing me along with all the cheap special effects!

Vavilos GoDaiKin DX Bandai from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

I have a post on the Vavilos ST as well. I should post a picture of them both the Vavilos Godaikin DX and Vavilos ST together later.

Vavilos GoDaiKin DX Bandai from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Vavilos GoDaiKin DX Bandai from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985