I had this book from the 80’s because even back then, I was into Gundam although I didn’t realize how many series it would spawn. I bought this Z Gundam Hand Book at Kinokuniya Bookstore in Japantown 1986.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Hand Book 1 – July 1985 – Publisher AM JuJu 148 pages
Heavy Metal L-Gaim MK-II A-Class HCM #14 1/144 scale Bandai 1984
I bought the Heavy Metal L-Gaim HCM Mk-IIduring my 2004 Japan trip. I had the original HI Metal deluxe version that I had bought during my 1985 visit to Japan and I wanted to compare the two. The HCM version looks a little different but the concept is the same. Of course, the HCM version is much smaller than the deluxe version. I will post the deluxe version once I have dusted it off.
Heavy Metal L-Gaim MK-II A-Class HCM High Complete Model 1/144 scale Bandai 1984 from the anime tv show Heavy Metal L Gaim 1984-1985
Anime still from tv show Heavy Metal L Gaim 1984-1985
Below is Jazz. I did have the original Generation 1 Jazz back in 1984, but I know I traded a bunch of Transformers away for some of the Godaikins I have now. You can tell this is the 2002 Hasbro Commemorative Series III re-issue because the missile launcher is much larger than the original. Still, he’s one of my favorite autobots.
Jazz Transformers 2002 Commemorative Series III Generation 1
Ricochet and Jazz Hasbro Transformers Generation 1 Commemorative Series IX 2003
Here’s Optimus Prime! This one is the Convoy 01 Takara 15th Anniversary Edition re-issue. But I never had the original Optimus Prime as a kid. I bought him in Akihabara during my last trip to Japan. I got him for 40 dollars at Mandarake. Which was a very good deal. I haven’t taken him out of the box but will at some point.
Convoy/Optimus Prime 01 Japanese Generation 1 Transformers – 15th Anniversary Edition Takara 2000
Convoy – Optimus Prime Generation 1
Optimus Prime/Convoy Ultra Magnus
I finally took my 15th Anniversary Edition Optimus Prime out of his box. Check him out next to my Ultra Magnus. I pretty much have all the Generation 1 Transformers I want. You can see them all on Dave’s Collection page on the link above!
I remember I bought Srungle DX in Japan 1985 and I thought “man, is this robot ugly…” but whenever I went to Japan I generally bought almost everything I could get my hands on. Since these toys were not very common in the U.S.. Clover made Srungle and they were not known for the classic robots like say Takatoku Valkyries and the Takara Dougram toys. They put out big clunky metal robots like the first Gundam robots, Dunbine, Tryder and Xabungle.
Gundam MSIA Kampfer MS-18E 2002 from anime Gundam 0080 War in the Pocket
Another MSIA – this time it’s the Kampfer from Gundam 0080 War in the Pocket. Another one bought in the Philippines in 2004. I just couldn’t get enough of the MSIA’s because there were just so many different types of robots.
Gundam MSIA Kampfer MS-18E Bandai Japan 2002 from anime Kidō Senshi Gundam 0080 – Pocket no Naka no Sensō(機動戦士ガンダム0080 ポケットの中の戦争)
Gundam Kaempfer MS-18E
Here’s another Alternator. It is Sideswipe that transforms into a Dodge Viper that I purchased back in 2003. I didn’t realize they had such a varied run as I see there’s about 20 different kinds I am seeing on the web.
Sideswipe Dodge Viper 2003 – Transformers Alternators/Binaltech Hasbro
I bought this one at Target probably 2003. I hadn’t really bought any Transformers after the Generation 1 series, but I really liked the way the Alternators transformed. They looked good as a robot and car.
This one is Smokescreen. The Alternators transform into current model cars, so this one becomes a Subaru Impreza.
Smokescreen Subaru Impreza 1/24 scale – Transformers Alternators 2003 Hasbro
I bought this Zaku digital clock during my last visit to Japan for 3 dollars in a toy store in Akihabara. The eye still lights up but the LCD no longer works as I can’t see any time. Oh well, it was a cheap thrill.
MS-06S Alarm Clock Zaku II Gundam
Gundam MSIA Sazabi MSN-04 Bandai 2002 4.5″ – Char’s Counterattack 1988
Below is the Sazabi from the MSIA series that I purchased in the Philippines in 2004. I remember the exchange rate being crazy good vs the dollar (62pso to 1) and that these averaged about 600-800 pesos each. So, I was paying anywhere from 6-8 dollars for each, which I thought was very fair. So, I remember scouring every Toy Kingdom in Manila as I could to find as many MSIA’s I could get my hands on. If you try to buy the Sazabi now, it’s about 40 dollars. I had the big deluxe version but I sold that to my cousin as he was very passionate about it. That goes for 200 on Ebay.
Gundam Sazabi MSN-04
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