Author: Dave

I just bought this from a guy who had originally bought these for his nephews but they were no longer interested in them.  I had originally bought this, I believe in Target back in the early 2000’s. I sold it to my cousin (along with the big Sazabi) as he really wanted these.  I’ve since gotten back into Gundam ever since my last trip to Japan and I lucked out when my cousin found the guy’s Craigslisting. I really love the size and heft of this toy.

Deluxe Gundam GP-02 Bandai America 2001 from anime Stardust Memory Gundam 0083 in 1991

This is the Gundam GP-02 model which was stolen by the Zeon forces and was nuclear-capable (unlike the GP-01). You can see him in action in Gundam 0083 Stardust Memory.

Deluxe Gundam GP-02 Bandai America 2001

This is where it all began – the original RX-78 Gundam. I bought this guy from Toys R Us back when there were a bunch of Gundam cartoons on tv on Cartoon Network as part of Toonami. The Gundam RX-78 Bandai the original Gundam version of this toy was from Clover, 1979.  That version is mostly diecast but pretty rare as the company went out of business sometime in the early 80’s and Bandai has since taken over the production run. The 2nd image is a life size replica in Tokyo. Gundam has become such a cultural icon that Japan decided to build a life size version to honor it.

Gundam MSIA RX-78 Bandai 2000

Life Size Gundam Statue RX-78

Gundam MSIA RGM-89 Jegan 2003 Bandai from anime Char’s Counter Attack 1988

Another mecha from the MSIA series, the RGM-89 Jegan is the “grunt” of the Federation forces.  I’ve added the cartoon image from Char’s Counterattack.

RGM-89 Jegan from Char’s Counter Attack

Haro – Gundam Mechanical Mascot from the Gundam Cafe in Akihabara

Since I love Gundam, I had to buy Haru – the Gundam mascot. I purchased him at the Gundam Cafe in Akihabara during my last trip to Japan. If you open him up, he has candy inside.

Haro Gundam Mascot filled with Haro Crunch Choco goodness from Akihabara

Gundam MSIA Geara Doga AMS-119 Rezin Schnyder – Char’s Counterattack 1988 Bandai 2002

Below is the Geara Doga in blue. This is a commander’s version. It also comes in a green model which I just got as a loose piece.  I really love the Gundam MSIA line because there’s an endless variety of mechas – especially on the Zeon side.   This was one of many I bought on a trip to Japan and the Philippines in 2004.

Gundam MSIA Geara Doga AMS-119 Rezin Schnyder – Char’s Counterattack 1988 Bandai 2002

Prowl Transformers G1 Commemorative Series IV 2003 Hasbro Autobot

This is a re-issue that I purchased in the early 2000’s. It is the Prowl Commemorative Series IV which was a Toys R’ Us exclusive in 2003. I’ve added a still image from the Transformers cartoon. I remember this would come on right after Star Blazers and I would make sure to hurry home so that I could watch these shows.

Jazz and Prowl cartoon still

Prowl Transformers Generation 1 Commemorative Series IV 2003 G1 Hasbro

Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Prowl Transformers G1 Autobots

Tetsujin 28 is one of my favorite robots.  I bought the Tetsujin 28 ST on Ebay 2003 for 200 dollars which I thought was steep for and ST sized robot. But fast forward 10 years later and Tetsujin 28 rarely comes up for sale at any price and if they do, they’re easily 1000+ for the DX version.

Actually, I had never seen this ST version.  Although I had wanted the Popy or Godaikin DX version, I’m quite happy with having some sort of representation of this robot.  The current re-issues unfortunately are either plastic OR look like the original cartoon back in the 50’s instead of the robot from the new anime The New Adventures of Gigantor or New Tetsujin-28 that came out in 1980-1981.

New Tetsujin 28 ST 1980 Popy GB-23 from anime New Tetsujin-28 1980-1981

New Tetsujin 28 ST 1980 Popy GB-23 from anime Taiyo no Shisha Tetsujin 28-go 鉄人２８号（新) 1980-1981

Tetsujin 28 ST GB-23 by Popy 1980 from anime New Tetsujin-28 1980-1981