DX Robo

My Collection – Big O, Zaku, Valkyrie, Sasuraiger, Dancougar, Dougram, Soltic, Godaikins, Raydeen, Mirage, Jazz

Here a pix of some of my collection. You will see a Sasuraiger Batrain ST from 1983, which was my first robot. There is also an alternate color in the DX form. As info, the cartoon showed the bright green color. Also of note is a Dynaman ST from 1984, a Takatoku VF1A from Macross (which I received at Christmas in 1983), along with a Dougram (received from my cousin when they went to Hong Kong in the 80’s) and a Soltic armor from the same series. I also have a loose Mirage G1 (which I understand was never re-issued due to the molds no longer existing/lost) and Wheeljack G1.

My Collection – Leopardon, Soundblaster, Battle Fever J, Gundam RX-78, Laserion ST, Bioman ST, Dynaman ST, Raydeen, Mirage, Jazz

Diapet Diarobo(ダイヤロボ) transforming robots by Agatsuma

Here’s a picture of Diapet Diarobos(Daiyarobo) that I bought in Japan.  I bought everything I saw in the store but apparently, there are several more than what I picked up. They’re like the Gobots (Machinerobo series in Japan) small and easy to collect as they’re very reasonably priced at 6-8 dollars each. The packaging, however, isn’t as nice as the Machinerobos as they are just on cardboard backing. But they are nice little cars that transform into robots.

Here is the Vavilos ST. I really don’t know why, but the ST versions of these robots are often better than the DX versions. This is definitely the case in this robot. Vavilos is from the live action ‘tokusatsu’ show Space Sheriff Shaider. So think Power Rangers.

Vavilos does not have a great design. I definitely would have liked a little more detail on the head and maybe if it was a little bigger it would feel right. But the head is more proportionate, than say the arms which are a little puny and insignificant. It is like a Tyrannosaurus Rex, big body, teeny weeny arms. Oh well, if T-Rex can kick ass, then maybe Vavilos wouldn’t get the crap kicked out of him. The robot transforms from a space ship to a robot and giant gun as well, in this case I prefer the V Spaceship form. He comes with 6 yellow missiles which shoot out of the chest. The build of the legs remind me of the Dyna Robo, Goggle Robo or Change robo. The main body of the robot is just blocky, Seems like the transformations were more important in the design than the actual robot.

That being said, I like having both the DX and ST Vavilos. It fills out my Godaikin collection which is my favorite line of 80’s robots. Though if I had to be more specific, I have a big soft spot for the Popy ST line. Check out the Vavilos DX!

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Space Sheriff Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Space Sheriff Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Here are a few fun videos from the tv show Space Sheriff Shaider!!!

I recently added Vavilos in the Bandai Godaikin packaging which is nice. So now I have some missiles to test out! I swear that is about my favorite part.

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Vavilos GoDaiKin ST by Bandai GC-16 from Uchu Keiji Shaider tokusatsu tv show from 1984-1985

Here is Goggle Five Chogokin. It’s nice to have the DX and ST versions of this robot. I will have to do a group picture for my GoDaiKins and the DX versions with their little brothers. ***

Wow, this thing is heavy. It earns the Chogokin name by far. The chest and legs are definitely metal. I can’t find the year on this thing, now I wish I could read Japanese. This is probably one of my older Popy robots. You can’t have a Popy robot without the shooting fists, sword and shield. The design as on most ST robots is fabulous. As usual they get the proportions right. I love this thing. Goggle Five is an 80’s Super Sentai robot from the series Dai Sentai Goggle Five in 1982.

I wish American toys came in this type of packaging. Storing is a breeze with all my Japanese robots. Even when I have a boxed Hasbro Transformer it is harder to store once you have opened the box.

Popy Goggle Five Chogokin GB-76 Japan ST

Goggle Five Chogokin by Popy GB-76 Japan ST 1982

Goggle Five Chogokin by Popy GB-76 Japan ST 1982

Goggle Five Chogokin by Popy GB-76 Japan ST 1982

Goggle Five Chogokin by Popy GB-76 Japan ST 1982

Goggle Five Chogokin by Popy GB-76 Japan ST 1982

HCM’s are great little robots. The YMS-09 Dom is by far one of the better ones. I got tired of the white original Gundam armor so the Prototype Dom is a welcome relief. I like the Zions armor as they have more variety. They look more like tanks, heavy armor. More sinister. I love picking up these HCM”s from the 80’s. I eventually want to pick up the Vifam or Neofam HCM’s. Not sure if they are Gundam robots, but I like them.

High Complete Model YMS-09 Zions Mobile Suit Prototype Dom Gundam by Bandai Japan 1984

High Complete Model YMS-09 Zions Mobile Suit Prototype Dom Gundam by Bandai Japan 1984

High Complete Model YMS-09 Zions Mobile Suit Prototype Dom Gundam by Bandai Japan 1984

High Complete Model YMS-09 Zions Mobile Suit Prototype Dom Gundam by Bandai Japan 1984

Albegas was the Voltron we never got to see over here. One would hope Voltron II would be better dubs than the vehicle and lion Voltron cartoons. Due to the popularity of the GoLion Voltron and the lack of interest in Dairugger vehicle Voltron, the Albegas version was canceled so they could focus on new Lion Voltron cartoons.

I plan to watch the Japanese versions as they have edited out all the violence in the US versions for kids. I have already seen one GoLion episode and it has more promise than Voltron at this point.

The Albegas Gamma Robo is from the Victora line. These are cheap plastic versions of the Popy line that could be sold at train stations without tarnishing the Popy name. I was disappointed initially that these were all plastic and smaller, but I got them cheap so what can I say. After opening them up to work with them, they are not bad and have about the same functionality of the metal versions. Only thing missing are the swords which would have been nice to have.

Kousokudenjin Albegas Gamma Robo ST Victora Popy 1983

Kousokudenjin Albegas Gamma Robo ST Victora Popy 1983

Kousokudenjin Albegas Gamma Robo ST Victora Popy 1983

Kousokudenjin Albegas Gamma Robo ST Victora Popy 1983

Kousokudenjin Albegas Gamma Robo ST Victora Popy 1983

Check out the intro to Albegas, the Voltron that could have been.

I will have to watch a few of these!

Victora Albegas and Gamma Robo 1983

I love displaying my robots except for all the dusting. What a pain. The HCM packaging is ideal for taking a robot out and putting it away for display purposes. Small box, instructions, decent size and pretty good detail for someone like me who really does not want to have to build one of these from scratch. Been there, done that. None of them came out very good. Even my cousin built one and he is super anal. It did not come out very well, but I think Gundam models are harder to build than they look.

Here is my MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon Zion’s Mobile Suit. I can’t tell if these are the original HCM’s from the 80’s or the 2002 reissue.

Just used a magnifying glass on the back of the robot and it says Bandai Made in Japan 1984. I am going with 1984. Sweet! For what I paid I was sure it was a reissue.

High Complete Model MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon Zion’s Mobile Suit Bandai Japan 1984

High Complete Model MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon Zion’s Mobile Suit Bandai Japan 1984

High Complete Model MS-14C Gelgoog Cannon Zion’s Mobile Suit Bandai Japan 1984