Tag: Chogokin

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Soul Of Chogokin 2000

Here are some new additions to Dave’s Collection. The Soul of Chogokin UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 came out way back in 2000. The first one we both had was the Combatler V. Dave found this and a few others in his last trip to Japan in Akihabara. While not as large as we usually like our robots, the Soul of Chogokin makes up for it is superior poseability, actual die cast metal and awesome robot goodness from the 70’s. Grendizer hales  from the anime  UFO Robo Grandizer from 1975 to 1976 which we never got to see here in the US.

 

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Bandai Grandizer Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime Atlas Ufo Robot, Duke Fleed, Goldorak, La Guerra de los Ovnis or Las aventuras de Duke Flint, UFO Robo Grandizer, UFO Robot Goldrake, Yûfô robo Gurendaizâ UFOロボグレンダイザー from 1975 to 1976

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Bandai Grandizer Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime UFO Robo Grandizer from 1975 to 1976

Grendizer is one of the few must have robots for us as he was one of the classic super robots that came over as Shogun Warriors. The Shogun Warriors hold a special place in our hearts. While it is not a monolithic chunk of die cast goodness as the original, the articulation makes it more fun and it is more true representation of the robot from the actual cartoon.

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Bandai Grandizer Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime Atlas Ufo Robot, Duke Fleed, Goldorak, La Guerra de los Ovnis or Las aventuras de Duke Flint, UFO Robo Grandizer, UFO Robot Goldrake, Yûfô robo Gurendaizâ UFOロボグレンダイザー from 1975 to 1976

UFO Robo Grandizer GX-04 Bandai Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime Yûfô robo Gurendaizâ from 1975 to 1976

We will likely never have the original as neither of us wants to fork out the $300-$600 it would take to get the original, but this is an great alternative. After watching an episode on Youtube I realized this was an anime series by Go Nagai. It is part of the same universe that includes Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger.  I always see the original 70’s toys from France and Italy in European packaging on eBay. I appears Grendizer was popular there as well as Goldorak in France and Goldrake in Italy.

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Bandai Grandizer Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime Atlas Ufo Robot, Duke Fleed, Goldorak, La Guerra de los Ovnis or Las aventuras de Duke Flint, UFO Robo Grandizer, UFO Robot Goldrake, Yûfô robo Gurendaizâ UFOロボグレンダイザー from 1975 to 1976

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Bandai Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime UFO Robo Grandizer UFOロボグレンダイザー from 1975 to 1976



More from the Bandai Museum…

More pictures from the Bandai Museum. Here are some pictures for your pleasure. Sorry, Dave took them from his phone so they are not that good. A lot of them are blurry or the focus is off. Other than that, they are still pretty cool to look at.

 

Bandai Museum Combatler V display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Bandai Museum Combatler V display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

This is one of the robots I would love to add to my collection. This Combatler-V has nicer proportions than the DX version Combine Box. On the lower row are the ST Combatler and the little 3 inch Shogun Warrior version of Combatler.

Bandai Museum Getter Robo robot display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Bandai Museum Getter Robo robot display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

The Getter Robo display with the ships on the left that form Getter Liger, Getter Dragon, and Getter Poseidon along the top. On the bottom row are Getter 1, Getter 2 and Getter 3.
Bandai Museum Gaiking Gunbuster robot display Tochigi prefecture Mibu
Daimos ST & DX, Don Hakka,  and Batten Robo Maru at the bottom, Gaiking, Daiku Maryu, and Gunbuster,

Bandai Museum Machine Robo display Tochigi prefecture MibuTank Transer BW-1 and Jet Transer JW-1

Bandai Museum Super Robot display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Bandai Museum Super Robot display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Popy Tin Gaiking, Getter Dragon, Dangard Ace Dia Battle(Diaclone).


Bandai Museum Voltes V Volt in Box display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Voltes V Volt in Box display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Volt-in Box Popy Voltes V

Giant Gorg DX 1984 Takara 1/48 Scale

 

Here is the Giant Gorg DX. The DX robot is actually pretty rare. I hardly ever see this one listed for sale. I bid a few times on this one in a few auctions and it was long time before I ever saw it listed again.

Since it was not the most popular anime, I am thinking this piece came out in limited distribution. I actually watched a few episodes and it was pretty solid. I found review of it online here so I may get around to watching the whole series later. It’s about a boy who makes friends with a big blue robot in the South Pacific on mysterious Austral Island. A large international corporation GAIL pursues them as they search for treasure on the island.

Big Blue is pretty cool. It does not transform, but I really like the idea of a big blue robot aside from Tetsjujin 28. The DX version is so much better than the ST version I have. This ST robot is really disappointing based on the ST versions from Popy which came out at the same time which seem superior to DX versions in many cases. The proportions, detail and, quality really show on this piece. It really makes me wonder if the same company made both of them. Articulation kinda sucks on Gorg, but I really don’t expect much on robots from the 80’s. I just want a good looking robot with die cast metal. Based on what I see. The Giant Gorg DX has it all.

Giant Gorg DX 1984 Takara 1-48 scale styrofoam insert from anime Kyoshin Gorg(巨神ゴーグ) 1984

Giant Gorg DX 1984 Takara from anime Giant Gorg(巨神ゴーグ Kyoshin Gorg?) 1984 1/48 scale

Giant Gorg DX 1984 Takara 1-48 scale front box from anime Kyoshin Gorg(巨神ゴーグ) 1984

Giant Gorg DX 1984 Takara 1/48 scale from anime Kyoshin Gorg(巨神ゴーグ) 1984

Dancougar Godaikin DX GC-30 – 1985

Here’s Dancougar – another one from the Godaikin collection.  Checking the back foot, I see this one was made in 1985.  This was another one I never had. Looking at the old price tag from Kaybee, I see the original price was 44.99 and then was marked down to 24.99. Man, I never saw this at a Toys R Us or Kaybee let alone marked down! Anyway, I briefly borrowed my cousin’s Gigabrain plastic re-issue from the 1987 anime and that one looks better as a robot but it’s not a combiner and it’s all plastic.  I got this Dancougar Godaikin at a really good price – 170 dollars! Whenever I do see this piece, it’s been about 300-400 dollars.  It’s missing the gun, however.

DX Dancougar Godaikin 1985 Bandai America from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ) Dancougar DX Godaikin 1985 Bandai America from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ) Dancougar DX Godaikin 1985 Bandai America from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ) Dancougar DX Godaikin 1985 Bandai America from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ) Dancougar DX Godaikin 1985 Bandai America from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ) Dancougar DX Godaikin 1985 Bandai America from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ) Dancougar DX Godaikin 1985 Bandai America from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ)

Dancougar DX Godaikin 1985 Bandai America aka Popy GC-30 from the anime Chōjū Kishin Dancougar(超獣機神ダンクーガ)



Aura Battler Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan

Watch out for Aura Battler Dunbine, the insect mecha! Friend of your friendly neighborhood Insecticon. Just kidding. These are kick ass robots of the Middle Ages from a dimension far, far away. It’s a land of knights with horses, castles, fairies, and robots with flying transport planes. Really? If you can build robots and planes, why would you still be riding horses? I guess you really have to suspend your disbelief on this one. Still I like the idea, no matter how far fetched it sounds. For me robots are like bacon, they make everything better. Check out the video below if you want to check it out.

Here is Dunbine. He looks nothing like his anime image. Clover could have done a much better job with this robot. They did not last long as a company after this line came out. The image reminds me of the Guyver from the manga series. It would be a cool robot if it looked anything like the Guyver. Still, it is a cool 80’s robot for what it is. Clover loves making clunky heavy die cast metal robots and I love those super alloy Chogokin robots(though this is a wanna be Chogokin). Most Clover robots have a nice heft to them. Dunbine has what looks like an arrow/antennae coming out of the middle of his head and wings.  It’s not pretty, but it is a nice little robot to have in my collection. They are fun as I really do not have any other pieces quite like it in my collection.

Here is the opening of the episode of the anime Seisenshi Dunbine from 1983-1984.

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale back box cover 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale front box cover 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale styrofoam insert 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale loose front of robot 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale side box cover 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Dunbine by Clover 1983 Japan


Aura Battler Dana-O’Shee Clover 1-58 scale 1983

Aura Battler Dana-O'Shee Clover 1/58 scale 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Dana-O’Shee Clover 1/58 scale 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Gotta love those Japanese! I laugh every time I look at the placement of this insect mecha’s “tail’ as it were. Reminds of the Zone of the Enders robot or the trigger on the Shockwave before they made it a Transformer. Do a quick image search and you will know what I mean. LOL, I am dying here. Sorry, I have to figure out how to move on. I have never seen the anime, but after reading the synopsis it makes me think of Vision of Escaflowne. Robots, knights, and fairies in the time of chivalry. Sounds like fun if they set it up right.

Checking out Dana O’Shee, the robot has such an organic feel. Rounded body parts, insect like, its kind of awkward looking for a robot. The legs look like they walk the other way. The design is kind of funky, but it does have character. I can imagine this would have been a great Insecticon if it could transform, but it doesn’t. I got these around 2003-2007 because I was curious and I got a cheap run of them for about $40 each. I had never seen or heard of them before. When I got them I remember being disappointed. Now oddly enough, I am glad I got a few of these, as they have an ungodly amount of die cast metal. It’s a heavy little bugger. They have a satisfying heft to them.

The design, articulation and build are pretty standard for a Clover robot. Clunky poor design, lots of metal, barely any articulation, and does a poor job of representing the anime robot. Now that I know more about theses robots and have watched a little bit of the anime.

Here is the opening for the anime Aura Battler Dunbine from 1983-1984. Fun stuff.

Aura Battler Dana-O'Shee Clover 1/58 scale loose front of robot 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Dana-O’Shee Clover 1/58 scale 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Aura Battler Dana-O'Shee Clover 1/58 scale back box cover 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Dana-O’Shee Clover 1/58 scale 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984


Aura Battler Dana-O'Shee Clover 1/58 scale styrofoam box insert 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Dana-O’Shee Clover 1/58 scale 1983 from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

God Sigma DX – Godaikin 1984

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin GB-18 GB-19 GB-20 from anime Space Emperor God Sigma(Uchuu Taitei God Sigma 宇宙大帝ゴッドシグマ) 1980-1981

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin from anime Space Emperor God Sigma 1980-1981

Here’s God Sigma DX from the Godaikin series. This wasn’t a must have except only in the context of completing the Godaikins collection and I didn’t want to spend a whole lot on it.  I was about to spend 200 on this piece last month, but then decided against it.  Fast forward two weeks later and my cousin saw this awesome listing on Ebay for 80 bucks!  (Thanks cuz!)  This piece went for 80 because the leg on the blue robot (the left leg) is broken but luckily it doesn’t prevent the robot from being combined.  It was also missing a few of the weapons and the box top, but overall, I’m VERY satisfied as you can’t even get the Soul of Chogokin version for this price!

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin Bandai Popy GB-18 GB-19 GB-20 from anime Space Emperor God Sigma(Uchuu Taitei God Sigma 宇宙大帝ゴッドシグマ) 1980-1981

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin Bandai from anime Space Emperor God Sigma 1980-1981

 

God Sigma DX 1984 Bandai Godaikin GB-18 GB-19 GB-20 from anime Space Emperor God Sigma(Uchuu Taitei God Sigma 宇宙大帝ゴッドシグマ) 1980-1981

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin Bandai GB-18 GB-19 GB-20 Popy

Here is the opening of Space Emperor God Sigma!



Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Japan 1983

This is a robot from the 80’s I have only seen online. I knew nothing about this series before I bought it, but I found it when I was searching for the Clover Gundam. It is from an anime series from one of the guys who brought you Mobile Suit Gundam. The Aura Battler Dunbine is a series based on knights  with robots  instead of armor. So if you dig medieval times with dragons and fairies, just throw in some kick ass robots and voila you have Aura Battler Dunbine.

Unfortunately, this is the last batch of toys Clover came out with before they went out of business. These little robots are amazingly heavy and full of die cast metal goodness. Too bad these are a bit clunky when compared to Takatoku’s amazing Valkyrie but this may be part of the reason Clover is not around anymore. The Gundam robots Clover made are really terrible design wise, but they have a heavy die cast metal appeal for me. The Virunvee is one of the better looking robots this line.

Here is the opening trailer. The robots are pretty sharp in the cartoon, not so much as a Chogokin. Looks like it might be worth an episode or two to check out.

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1-58 loose robot image 2 from anime Holy Warrior Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1-58 back cover from anime Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1-58 styrofoam insert from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1-58 side box cover from anime Holy Warrior Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1-58 front box cover from anime Holy Warrior Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1-58 loose robot  from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984 Seisenshi Dunbine(聖戦士ダンバイン)

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983


Battle Fever Soul Of Chogokin 2006

Battle Fever Soul of Chogokin Bandai GX-30 from tokusatsu tv show Team Battle Fever (バトルフィーバー隊 Batoru Fībā Tai) aka Battle Fever J (バトルフィーバーJ Batoru Fībā Jei), 1979-1980

Battle Fever Soul of Chogokin Bandai GX-30

Here’s the Soul of Chogokin Battle Fever that I bought in Japan at Mandarake in Shibuya Oct 2013.  I paid about 50-60 dollars.  The toy is 2nd hand but sure didn’t seem like it. It seemed like it was almost brand new, with complete box, styro tray, uncut tape, manual  and pieces. My cousin has the original 1979 version.  With all the accessories that came with this toy, I was so paranoid of losing pieces(I lost a few pieces the last time I put away my robots). I’ve only displayed him with one sword.

Battlefever6 Battle Fever - Soul of Chogokin GX-30 Battlefever5  Battle Fever Soul of Chogokin Bandai GX-30 from tokusatsu tv show Team Battle Fever (バトルフィーバー隊 Batoru Fībā Tai) aka Battle Fever J (バトルフィーバーJ Batoru Fībā Jei), 1979-1980 Battlefever4 Battle Fever Soul of Chogokin Bandai GX-30 from tokusatsu tv show Team Battle Fever (バトルフィーバー隊 Batoru Fībā Tai) aka Battle Fever J (バトルフィーバーJ Batoru Fībā Jei), 1979-1980 Battlefever3 Battle Fever Soul of Chogokin Bandai GX-30 from tokusatsu tv show Team Battle Fever (バトルフィーバー隊 Batoru Fībā Tai) aka Battle Fever J (バトルフィーバーJ Batoru Fībā Jei), 1979-1980



Battlefever2 Battle Fever Soul of Chogokin Bandai GX-30 from tokusatsu tv show Team Battle Fever (バトルフィーバー隊 Batoru Fībā Tai) aka Battle Fever J (バトルフィーバーJ Batoru Fībā Jei), 1979-1980 Battlefever7 Battle Fever Soul of Chogokin GX-30

 

 

Daimos DX – Godaikin 1984

Daimos1 DX Daimos Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Fighting General Daimos, Fighting King Daimos, Daimos, Starbirds, Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979 (闘将ダイモス Tōshō Daimosu, Brave Leader Daimos)

Daimos DX Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979

Here’s the Daimos DX from the Godaikin line, 1984.  I never had this one as a kid nor did I ever see him as a kid either.  After keeping a casual lookout for him, I could never find him complete for a decent price. So, I was thinking of getting the Soul of Chogokin version thinking it would be cheaper but I was always seeing him for about 250-300 online and besides, he’s not as big as the Godaikin version. I was almost tempted to buy this same robot listed on Ebay for 300 from Taiwan but I decided to wait and my faith was rewarded when I found this one for 166 and to boot, the item was being shipped from the next town over!

I am very happy to have him as I paid a decent price for a robot that wasn’t exactly a must have AND he’s complete!  The ones I was looking at were missing fists, swords etc. Anyway, I’ve reached out to this seller to see if he has other things he might be interested in selling and as well, it would be cool to find another person who shares my interest in these toys.  I’m getting closer to completing the Godaikin collection – Tetsujin 28, God Sigma, and Valvilos are the remaining ones left.

Daimos3 Daimos DX Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Fighting General Daimos, Fighting King Daimos, Daimos, Starbirds, Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979 Daimos4 Daimos DX Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Fighting General Daimos, Fighting King Daimos, Daimos, Starbirds, Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979 Daimos5 Daimos DX Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Fighting General Daimos, Fighting King Daimos, Daimos, Starbirds, Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979 Daimos6 Daimos Godaikin DX 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Fighting General Daimos, Fighting King Daimos, Daimos, Starbirds, Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979



Daimos1 DX Daimos Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime (闘将ダイモス Tōshō Daimosu, Brave Leader Daimos) from 1978-1979 Daimos2 DX Daimos Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Fighting General Daimos, Fighting King Daimos, Daimos, Starbirds, Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979




Daimos anime still DX Daimos Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Brave Leader Daimos (闘将ダイモス Tōshō Daimosu) from 1978-1979

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