Month: September 2013

I picked Giant Gorg up because I had the DX version. I have been meaning to take pictures of all my DX and ST robots together to see how they look. I am a big fan of most of the ST models and like to compare them to their DX brethren. Giant Gorg is not one of them. This is the only one I have seen so far where the ST version is so badly inferior to the DX.  The Gorg ST is not very detailed even once you put the stickers on. They didn’t even bother to make the gun out of gray plastic. If you like the Giant Gorg, the big blue DX version is the way to go. The DX really shines in comparison to this one in detail and quality.

The robot is definitely is made of metal as it has quite a heft for a little bugger, but it’s nothing to write home about. Basically it is a big blue chunk of metal and plastic. There is almost no detail. It would have been nice if they painted a little detail on Gorg here. But it was cheap so I really can’t say too much. The anime must have been pretty bad or the anime was not that popular, because I was able to pick this up at a pretty cheap price. After a little more thought, this ST is so easy to pick up as it is just a crappy piece.

Giant Gorg ST 1/100 Scale Takara 1984 Japan from anime tv show Giant Gorg 1984

Giant Gorg ST 1/100 Scale Real Proportion Model Takara 1984

Giant Gorg ST 1/100 Scale Takara 1984 from anime tv show Kyoshin Gorg 1984

Giant Gorg ST 1/100 Takara 1984 from anime tv show Giant Gorg 1984

Tune in to the next

The same GORG time. The same GORG channel.

Had a good laugh about the Batman inspired text at the end of the Giant Gorg episode. So I watched a few episodes on YouTube and I kinda enjoyed it. It really is aimed at kids, but most of the anime for robots I have see really are. But this one more so than others. Think 13 year old boy and humongous effing robot. It’s like hanging around with ET who can kick everyone’s ass. Found a thoughtful review on the show here.

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

My cousin Dave bought Mugen Caliber for me in Japan in the 80’s. So I was a little disappointed back then because I wanted one of those big ass Chogokin robots he had. I appreciate having this now. It’s a nice piece. Much better by far than the Ovelon Gazzette from the same anime.  I am hoping to add the 1/55 Bonaparte Tulcas tank or 1/55 Mugen Caliber which is a little bigger than the one I have from the Dorvack line to my collection. Mugen Caliber was released in Generation 1 Transformers as Roadbuster. Mugen Caliber has a realistic look to the robot that I appreciate compared to most robots that were pulled into the Transformers line. I can actually imagine it as a real robot.

My cousin is going to Japan next month. Maybe he can pick it up for me on the way back. I am glad I still have the box, he threw away most of his so he could pack as many robots into his suitcase as he could.

I never watched the anime as it was never brought to the US. Here is the intro for the anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984. It’s nice to see Mugen Caliber and Bonaparte Tulcas in action. What I have seen so far is pretty good. I will have to dig around for more episodes.

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

The Japanese as always pack the robots with a lot of accessories which is always fun. This one comes with armor, guns, some rounds and jetpack. The orange and yellow color scheme is pretty nice. I can imagine it as a realistic desert camouflage. It gives me a break from the standard Super Sentai robot colors of blue, red, yellow and silver.

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

Mugen Caliber Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan

Mugen Calibur Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku Toys 1983 Japan

Mugen Caliber Variable Vehicle VV-54AR 1/72 Scale Takatoku 1983 Japan from anime Special Armored Battalion Dorvack 1983-1984

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

Combat Armor Dougram Takara 1984 1/72 scale from anime tv show Fang of the Sun 1981-1983

Dougram Dual Model is another cool little 80’s robot. With all the plastic add on armor, the Dougram reminds me of the HCM line from Bandai. It still packs enough die cast metal to make it a Chogokin robot. I really wish this one came with the shoulder armor. I thought it would not be a big deal, but you can see it looks off without the shoulder pad. It is pretty much the only missing piece. Oh well. You have to watch what you are for bidding on in eBay. That being said, Takara came out with another quality line of robots in the 80’s besides Transformers and Votoms.

I gotta watch the anime for Fang of the Sun Dougram some time. The robots are pretty cool. It’s not a wannabe Gundam. I love the packaging. It looks like a book, its compact and easy to store, but I wish it had a styrofoam insert.
Here is a taste of the anime Fang of the Sun Dougram 1981-1983.

You can see the quality in the robot as you pop in each plastic piece onto the base robot in the diagram below. It is like a detailed model without having to use paint and glue.

Combat Armor Dougram Takara 1984 1/72 scale from anime tv show Fang of the Sun Dougram 1981-1983

Combat Armor Dougram 1/72 scale Dual Model Decal Takara

Combat Armor Dougram Series-01 Mechanic Manual Takara from anime tv show Taiyou no Kiba Dougram 1981-1983

Fang of the Sun Combat Armor Dougram Instructions

Combat Armor Dougram(太陽の牙ダグラム ) Japanese Instructions

Combat Armor Dougram Takara 1984 from anime tv show Fang of the Sun Dougram 1981-1983

Fang of the Sun Combat Armor Dougram Takara 1/72 scale robot toy Made in Japan for Takara Toys 1984

Combat Armor Dougram Takara 1984 from anime tv show Fang of the Sun Dougram 1981-1983

Voltron is one of the robots that started it all for me. Where we fell in love with our big metal robots. The Golion DX as a Godaikin is the one my cousin Dave had. It came with a huge amount of accessories, like most DX Popy robots. Damn Matchbox for not providing Voltron with his sword. Voltron was all about his sword in the cartoon. Man, that is one terrible cartoon, ain’t it? And the dubs are terrible too. I wish I could unwatch those. Maybe if I watch them in Japanese they will be better. Hmmmm…

Matchbox Voltron III Defender of the Universe The Deluxe Lion Set

Anyway I have a lotta love for this robot. This robot has 5 lions that tranform into one of the best robots out there. Even the lions forms are excellent. I will have to pop him into robot form later for this post. This robot has been very popular over the years, so there have been a lot of releases. Lets see, Popy, Bandai America, Matchbox, Trendmasters, and now Toynami. I figure they will release it again within the next few years, so maybe I can try picking up a new one with all the accessories or even the Lionbot set made from the original molds(but vastly inferior paint applications!).

Matchbox Voltron III The Deluxe Lion Set from the anime Voltron: Defender of the Universe tv show from 1984-1985

Matchbox Voltron III The Deluxe Lion Set from the anime Voltron: Defender of the Universe tv show from 1984-1985.

See that styrofoam? Not a single accessory! The Popy and Godaikin versions had the full arsenal of missile launchers, daggers and a huge sword! I picked up Voltron III as an adult and I was really disappointed in the castrated Matchbox Voltron.

Matchbox Voltron III The Deluxe Lion Set from the anime Voltron: Defender of the Universe tv show from 1984-1985

I gotta admit there is a bit more violence in the Beast King GoLion, than in Voltron. The story works a little better and I am actually enjoying the first episode. Checkout the anime tv show from 1981-1982.

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