DX Robo

I have no idea where I got this…I’m going to guess I traded for this or got it at some fair.  I’m not terribly fond of this Dairugger Clone as it has no metal whatsoever.  I do know it says “Taiwan 1985” – so it’s definitely a bootleg of a Dairugger.  It only attained significance once it was introduced as Voltron III. I picked it up around  when Voltron came out.

Dairugger Bootleg – 1985 from anime Armored Fleet Dairugger XV from 1982-1983

Anime Armored Fleet Dairugger XV (機甲艦隊ダイラガーXV Kikō Kantai Dairagā Fifutīn) from 1982-1983

Here’s another Super Sentai robot. This is my Sunvulcan DX introduced under the Godaikin line.  I’m pretty certain this was another one that I purchased in Japantown in 1984-1985. According to my notes on an old price list, I got the Sun Vulcan for 50 dollars. I recall Toys R Us sold these for a time and I may have purchased one or two there.  What kills me is that these toys would sometimes get blown out (since kids at the time had no idea who/what they were – (although I NEVER saw those prices…)) for cheap (like under 20 dollars or so).   Fast forward 30 years later, these toys are now worth hundreds.

Sunvulcan DX Godaikin 1981 – Popy Chogokin GB-32 from Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan 1981-1982

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan still of Sun Vulcan Robo in Action 1981-1982

Here is my Goggle V DX. Another Super Sentai robot introduced as part of the Godaikin line in the 80’s.  I never had this one as a kid but my cousin was kind of enough to get me this loose one for my birthday a couple of years ago.  He has a lot of wear on the legs and body and the arms are loose and don’t stay up anymore.  Still, I like having him since it fills my collection.  I am surprised they do not have a Soul of Chogokin version of this guy though…

Goggle V DX Godaikin 1984 – Popy Goggle Five Cross in Box GB-70 from Dai Sentai Goggle V 1982-1983

Dai Sentai Goggle V TV show from 1982-1983

Voltes V DX Godaikin 1982 aka Popy Volt in Box 1977

My first experience with Godaikin robots was in the Philippines in 1983.  A friend of mine had the Voltes V DX  toy and I was in awe of it. It was a big hefty die cast metal robot.  I went to look for it, but these toys were not readily available in the Philippines. It was because of him that I got into collecting robot toys.

Fast forward a few years later and I managed to trade a bunch of Transformers for the loose version I have here.  He’s very top-heavy and doesn’t stand well without leaning against the wall.  I never had the sword – I managed to get a sword from another Godaikin.  In the cartoon, the red emblem on his chest forms the base of the sword.

Voltes V from anime Chōdenji Machine Voltes V 1977-1978

Here a taste of the first episode in the Philippines. Gotta love those Filipino accents.

Voltes V DX Volt Machine Volt In Box 1977 Popy

Voltes V DX Volt Machine Volt In Box 1977 Popy

Voltes V DX Godaikin 1982 aka Popy Volt in Box 1977 Bandai America

Voltes V DX Godaikin 1982 aka Popy Volt in Box 1977 Bandai America

Voltes V could be purchased in separate pieces as Popy PB-04, PB-05, PB-06, PB-07, PB-08, Volt-In-Box as one release, or as Voltes V the Bandai Godaikin US version of the Chogokin.

Here’s another Godaikin Super Sentai robot that I bought on my Japan trip 1985.  I’m pretty certain I bought the Bioman DX at a department store, either Matsuzakaya or Mitsukoshi. That was one of my favorite trips. So this has to be the Bioman Deluxe Popy GC-13 release in 1984. The Bioman Bio Robo is mostly metal in the body and legs giving him the heft of a real Chogokin. It is one of the better Super Sentai robot designs.

Bioman DX Godaikin – Popy Bio Robo GC-13 1984 from tokusatsu Choudenshi Bioman 1984-1985

Bio Robo from tokusatsu tv show Choudenshi Bioman 1984-1985

Gardian DX Godaikin 1982 aka Popy GB-09,GB-10, and GB-11 in 1979

I bought the Gardian DX toy in 1984 from Japantown, San Francisco.  I remember they had a Godaikin display case and it was cool to see all of them displayed.  This was the first Godaikin I purchased.  There’s supposed to 3 guys – the main Gardian (blue), #2 a red one that goes inside the blue guy, and #3 a white robot (which I no longer have).  I think I paid about 80-90 dollars in 1984.  The left fist has broken off but I was able to glue back in.  I’m torn between leaving the fists (and risking breakage) or leaving them off (but risk losing).

Gordian Warrior still from the intro. The anime ran from 1979 -1981.

Gardian DX Godaikin 1982 This image shows the nesting feature

This one is Inferno – a Japanese fire truck.  I bought this in Japan during my trip 1985, so this is the Takara Generation 1 version instead of Hasbro like most of my G1 Transformers. I lost one of the fists as it probably shot off somewhere. I’ve included a pix of his “brother” – Grapple.  Grapple is a crane and he is a re-issue that I bought in the mid-2000’s.  I now have both of the same molds.

Inferno Transformers Generations 1 1984 Takara

Inferno & Grapple came out in 1984 & 1985 as part of Generation 1 Transformers. Inferno was retooled to make Grapple.