Tag: Popy

Sun Vulcan Godaikin 1982 by Bandai aka Sunvulcan DX Popy GB-32 1981

 

I am not a big Sun Vulcan fan. The design is a little too boxy for me, but all the accessories and the big ass sword make up for it. It’s kinda like the Megazord before they came up with it. Big, clunky, dorky. That is the Sun Vulcan Godaikin in spades. Hmm, checking out the design a little more, the top part is ok, only the legs need a redesign to make this a cool looking robot. This one has the standard red, yellow and blue color scheme as many of the Super Sentai robots have from the 80’s. Based on what I have read, this is the first Sentai combining robot.

I got this in mint condition. I don’t this thing has ever made it out the box as the tape is still on it. Guess the previous owner was not a big fan either. Still, it’s better than Abega or Machine Dolphin. The Sunvulcan DX came out first as a Popy Chogokin robot GB-32 in 1981. We got it here in the States in 1982 in the Godaikin line.

Though it would be nice if this was more than a rectangle chunk of plastic with arms, legs and a head. It’s kinda like a Rubik’s cube with a head and some arms. That being said, it is nice having a Godaikin in mint condition.

 

Sun Vulcan Godaikin - Popy Sun Vulcan Robo GB-32 from Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan 1981-1982 insert 太陽戦隊サンバルカン Taiyō Sentai San Barukan or Solar Squadron Sun Vulcan

Sun Vulcan Godaikin – Popy Sun Vulcan Robo GB-32 from Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan 1981-1982




Sun Vulcan Godaikin - Popy Sun Vulcan Robo GB-32 from Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan 1981-1982 box cover 太陽戦隊サンバルカン Taiyō Sentai San Barukan or Solar Squadron Sun Vulcan

Sun Vulcan Godaikin – Popy Sun Vulcan Robo GB-32 from Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan 1981-1982

Here is a funny video of Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan from 1981-1982 playin with their own toys.



Machine Dolphin Godaikin 1984 by Bandai aka Machine Man PC-43

Machine Dolphin was one of those borderline purchases for me. The robot was not very good if you can call it a robot, but light years better than my Abega purchase. Like Abega, I find I like it better as Dolphin Jet or as a car. The only reason I have this is because it is part of the Godaikin line.

To me, Machine Dolphin is a really large Gobot. It was designed as a car, looks good as a car, but not so good as a robot. It is a cruddy Gobot. That being said, I am a big fan of the Gobot/Machine Robo line up. Just not too fond of Machine Dolphin. To me, this is next to the worst Godaikins out there.

This robot is from the Super Sentai series Machine Man in the 80’s.

I have to figure out how to get his arm stickers to stay on. Might have to whip out the Gorilla Glue to see if I can fix that.

Machine Dolphin GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai aka Machine Man PC-43 from live action show Seiun Kamen Machineman 1984 back box cover other names 星雲仮面マシンマン Seiun Kamen Mashinman, or Nebula Mask Machineman

Machine Dolphin GoDaiKin 1984

Machine Dolphin GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai aka Machine Man PC-43 from live action show Seiun Kamen Machineman 1984 styrofoam insert other names 星雲仮面マシンマン Seiun Kamen Mashinman, or Nebula Mask Machineman

Machine Dolphin GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai

Machine Dolphin GoDaiKin 1984 by Bandai aka Machine Man PC-43 from live action show Seiun Kamen Machineman 1984 front box cover other names 星雲仮面マシンマン Seiun Kamen Mashinman, or Nebula Mask Machineman

Machine Dolphin GoDaiKin 1984

 

I can pop in a picture of the robot out of the box into this post later. I am still putting up the rest of my collection. Pop in a comment below and I will get to it a little quicker. ***

 

Seiun Kamen Machineman from tokusatsu 1984


Goggle V Godaikin 1984 aka Goggle Five Cross In Box DX GB-70 Popy 1982 Japan

 

What can I say about Goggle V? It’s almost everything I want in a robot. Near robot perfection. This is one of the better Godaikins. Lots of great accessories, all metal for the most part, well designed and in pretty good condition. The design is solid and does not look out of proportion like other DX Super Robots say Daltanias DX(skinny arms big chest), Sun Vulcan(a block with thick chucky legs and a head),  or Combattra(narrow waist, overly top heavy) It does not have some of the silliness of many Sentai robots like Senpuh-jin, OhBlocker, or MaxRyuuOh. Clunky, clumsy looking, robots that represents most of the Sentai robots from the 90’s on. Let me sum up those robots in one word. MEGAZORD. You know what I mean.

Darn the fact that it is Super Sentai. That kinda ruins it as I was never an Ultraman or Power Rangers fan. Ultraman was my first exposure to tokusatsu shows, but I never really got into it. Anyway, doesn’t matter. I still love this robot. I just won’t watch the show (doh, maybe just one just to reinforce why I should not watch these shows)Dai Sentai Goggle V, but I would have loved to see anime on this guy here.

Gotta admin they did make some pretty good robots in the 80’s and early 90’s(but like all 80’s robot, there is almost no poseability or articulation). Can’t say the recent Super Sentai shows have really produced any robots I want to purchase. But some the the 80’s stuff I still wouldn’t mind adding to the collection like Live Robo, Turbo Robo, Great Five, and Change Robo.

 

Goggle V GoDaiKin 1984 aka Goggle Five Cross In Box DX GB-70 Popy 1982 Japan from Dai Sentai Goggle V 1982-1983 insert other names 大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu, or Great Squadron Goggle Five

Goggle V GoDaiKin 1984

Goggle V GoDaiKin 1984 aka Goggle Five Cross In Box DX GB-70 Popy 1982 Japan  from Dai Sentai Goggle V 1982-1983 styrofoam other names 大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu, or Great Squadron Goggle Five

Goggle V GoDaiKin 1984

Goggle V GoDaiKin 1984 aka Goggle Five Cross In Box DX GB-70 Popy 1982 Japan from Dai Sentai Goggle V 1982-1983  front box cover other names 大戦隊ゴーグルファイブ Dai Sentai Gōguru Faibu, or Great Squadron Goggle Five

Goggle V GoDaiKin 1984 aka Goggle Five Cross In Box DX GB-70 Popy 1982 Japan from Dai Sentai Goggle V 1982-1983

 

Since I have the 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. ***

Dai Sentai Goggle-V from 1982-1983



Dynaman Godaikin 1983 aka Dyna Robo DX GB-96 by Popy

Dynaman is another great Godaikin. It is from a Super Sentai series. I will have to watch one before I pass judgement on this series. Like many Super Robots it incorporates a red, white, yellow, and blue color scheme, it has a solid build, and it stands well. You wouldn’t think that was important. But when you want to display it, it sure helps. The colors remind me of Combattra, Daidenjin, Voltes V, Daitetsujin 17, or Sun Vulcan. It seems like so many of them incorporate the same colors. The only real design flaw I see, is the head seems a little small for the body. I would have made it a tad bit bigger, but this is one of the better builds for a DX Godaikin. I noticed the feet and legs are almost identical to other robots, like say Vavilos, Goggle V, or Machineman. It makes sense since those Why reinvent the wheel if you already have a solid foundation?

I sure wish my Dynaman Godaikin came with the sword. It’s a little cheaper to pull off Ebay if they are not complete. Maybe I can pop in the sword from my Protector Self Separation(the Gardian clone) into his hands. I don’t really think many would be able to tell the difference anyway.

Dynaman Godaikin 1983 aka Dyna Robo DX GB-96 by Popy from Kagaku Sentai Dynaman 1983-1984 inset  科学戦隊ダイナマン Dainaman Scientific Squadron Dynaman

Dynaman Godaikin 1983 Bandai America

Dynaman Godaikin 1983 aka Dyna Robo DX GB-96 by Popy from Kagaku Sentai Dynaman 1983-1984 front box cover 科学戦隊ダイナマン Dainaman Scientific Squadron Dynaman

Dynaman DX Godaikin 1983 Bandai America

 

Since I have the 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. ***

Here is a the intro for Kagaku Sentai Dynaman from 1983-1984 also listed as Kaizoku Sentai Dynaman. I would have added the spoof from USA Network, but the quality of all of the videos were terrible. But they were pretty funny. Check them out on Youtube.

Abega Godaikin by Bandai 1984 aka Super Abega DX PC-39 Popynica 1983

I picked up Abega because it was a Godaikin and it was cheap. Can’t say I care for any of the robots, They don’t combine or look good as robots. Definitely some of the worst robots I have ever seen. The jets themselves look much better. The Gamma Jet is not too bad and I actually like the Alpha Jet and the Abega as the combining super spacecraft are its saving grace. That being said, this is the worst or least favorite Godaikin I own because of those horrible robot forms.

I guess they had a hard time selling these. They were released as initially as Godaikins and re-released as Robo Machine by Bandai in the early 90’s based on the sticker on the box.

Abega GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Super Abega DX PC-39 Popynica 1983 back cover from anime Kōsoku Denjin Albegas from 1983-1984 Arbegas, Arbegas: el rayo custodio, Light-Speed Electro-God Albegus, 光速電神アルベガス

Abega GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Super Abega DX PC-39 Popynica 1983

After a little more research, it looks like this was part of the Albegas cartoon which was supposed to be released as Voltron II in the US. Now I can see why Albegas was released as part of the Voltron pantheon of toys. Got this info thanks to CollectionDX. Those guys know their stuff. I may just have to dig up the cartoon for some late night viewing. I watched a bit of Golion and the story was much more watchable then the old Voltron anime. I am sure Albegas will be an interesting watch.

Abega GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Super Abega DX PC-39 Popynica 1983 styrofoam from anime Kōsoku Denjin Albegas from 1983-1984 Arbegas, Arbegas: el rayo custodio, Light-Speed Electro-God Albegus, 光速電神アルベガス

Abega GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Super Abega DX PC-39 Popynica 1983

Abega GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Super Abega DX PC-39 Popynica 1983 front box from anime Kōsoku Denjin Albegas from 1983-1984 Arbegas, Arbegas: el rayo custodio, Light-Speed Electro-God Albegus, 光速電神アルベガス

Abega GoDaiKin by Bandai 1984 aka Super Abega DX PC-39 Popynica 1983

 

I may need to revisit these with pictures of the robots, the jet combined and some pix of Super Abega with his buds Gamma Robo and Albegas. ***

Sadly, we never got to see Voltron II in the US. Here is the opening for what could have been.


Gardian Godaikin by Bandai 1982 aka Gardian by Popy 1979

Gardian GoDaiKin by Bandai 1982 aka Gardian by Popy 1979 from anime Toshi Gordian 1979-1980 styrofoam box insert Champion Gordian, Fighter Gordian, Gordian el Guerrero, Gordian et la Panthère d'acier, 闘士ゴーディアン

Gardian GoDaiKin by Bandai 1982 from anime Toshi Gordian 1979-1980

Gardian GoDaiKin by Bandai 1982 aka Gardian by Popy 1979 from anime Toshi Gordian 1979-1980 box Inside Champion Gordian, Fighter Gordian, Gordian el Guerrero, Gordian et la Panthère d'acier, 闘士ゴーディアン

Gardian GoDaiKin by Bandai 1982 from anime Toshi Gordian 1979-1980

Gardian GoDaiKin by Bandai 1982 aka Gardian by Popy 1979 from anime Toshi Gordian 1979-1980 front box Cover Champion Gordian, Fighter Gordian, Gordian el Guerrero, Gordian et la Panthère d'acier, 闘士ゴーディアン

Gardian GoDaiKin by Bandai 1982 from anime Toshi Gordian 1979-1980

Gardian is one of my favorite Godaikins. It was one of the first I saw in the 80’s in Singapore and my cousin had the Bandai Godaikin. This was my intro to big ass diecast robots. For me this is one of the classic 80’s robots. I loved the nesting feature for Garbin, Delinger and Protesser which makes it pretty unique, but it made the robot a little fragile. When I tried to put a robot inside Garbin some plastic inside the knee snapped off. That is why I haven’t pulled it out for a picture outside the box. That and some laziness on my part.

I love that you got 3 robots for the price of one, even though the smallest one Protesser  seems like a bit of an afterthought.  Protesser  is my favorite robot of the 3, but I wish it  was bigger. Actually the little yellow guy that goes inside Daigo Otaki, now that is an afterthought. Its nice to display the 3 of them side by side. Not much flexibility if any in posing these robots, except for bending the arms. I wouldn’t mind picking up a remake of these robots that had some articulation.

I always thought the Godaikins were a bit on the expensive side. It was hard to shell out the $40-80 for a one of these toys when you are a kid. But I found out they basically shipped these from Japan, pulled them from the Japanese Popy boxes and put them in their US Godaikin boxes which was an added expense. I have heard these were on clearance in the late 80’s and early 90’s at Toy’s R Us and KayBee Toys, but I never saw them on sale.

As always, the DX Godaikins have great accessories. Two swords, the laser screw, an axe, clint and a shield. I love the big swords on all of these Popy robots. It was always a party of the appeal of these robots to me.

Saw another cool robot that is very similar to this one named Baikanfu. It is from the Machine Robo line and it is a red robot that is a bit stockier. So it does not look as fragile. I have been looking for a nice one, but it has been a while since I have seen it. I usually only see the Taiwan knock off version.

Here is a intro for the anime Gordian Warrior. It ran for 73 episodes which is pretty long for most anime series.

The Protector Self Separation is from Hong Kong. The quality and paint finish on these are not nearly as good as the original Japanese versions. Especially around Garbin’s mouth grill, the paint application seems kinda burnt in. Guess Bandai or Popy sold the molds to another company when they no longer needed them. I bought this piece because I was worried I would break my Godaikin Gardian as it was a really brittle. When I tried moving the Garbin on the Godaikin Gardian for pictures, the white plastic in the knees cracked a little and I was worried about the arms being fragile. I wanted a version I would feel comfortable displaying and combining so I would not have to worry about it breaking it. Protector Self Separation was the robot for the job. ***

Protector Self Separation - Gardian GoDaiKin clone from Hong Kong

Protector Self Separation – Gardian GoDaiKin clone from Hong Kong

Protector Self Separation - Gardian GoDaiKin clone from Hong Kong box inside

Protector Self Separation – Gardian GoDaiKin clone from Hong Kong


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