Tag: Chogokin

Here are some new additions to Dave’s Collection. The Soul of Chogokin UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 came out way back in 2000. The first one we both had was the Combatler V. Dave found this and a few others in his last trip to Japan in Akihabara. While not as large as we usually like our robots, the Soul of Chogokin makes up for it is superior poseability, actual die cast metal and awesome robot goodness from the 70’s. Grendizer hales  from the anime  UFO Robo Grandizer from 1975 to 1976 which we never got to see here in the US.

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Bandai Grandizer Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime UFO Robo Grandizer from 1975 to 1976

Grendizer is one of the few must have robots for us as he was one of the classic super robots that came over as Shogun Warriors. The Shogun Warriors hold a special place in our hearts. While it is not a monolithic chunk of die cast goodness as the original, the articulation makes it more fun and it is more true representation of the robot from the actual cartoon.

UFO Robo Grandizer GX-04 Bandai Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime Yûfô robo Gurendaizâ from 1975 to 1976

We will likely never have the original as neither of us wants to fork out the $300-$600 it would take to get the original, but this is an great alternative. After watching an episode on Youtube I realized this was an anime series by Go Nagai. It is part of the same universe that includes Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger.  I always see the original 70’s toys from France and Italy in European packaging on eBay. I appears Grendizer was popular there as well as Goldorak in France and Goldrake in Italy.

UFO Robo Grendizer GX-04 Bandai Soul of Chogokin 2000 from anime UFO Robo Grandizer ＵＦＯロボグレンダイザー from 1975 to 1976

More pictures from the Bandai Museum. Here are some pictures for your pleasure. Sorry, Dave took them from his phone so they are not that good. A lot of them are blurry or the focus is off. Other than that, they are still pretty cool to look at.

Bandai Museum Combatler V display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

This is one of the robots I would love to add to my collection. This Combatler-V has nicer proportions than the DX version Combine Box. On the lower row are the ST Combatler and the little 3 inch Shogun Warrior version of Combatler.

Bandai Museum Getter Robo robot display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

The Getter Robo display with the ships on the left that form Getter Liger, Getter Dragon, and Getter Poseidon along the top. On the bottom row are Getter 1, Getter 2 and Getter 3.

Daimos ST & DX, Don Hakka,  and Batten Robo Maru at the bottom, Gaiking, Daiku Maryu, and Gunbuster,

Tank Transer BW-1 and Jet Transer JW-1

Bandai Museum Super Robot display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Popy Tin Gaiking, Getter Dragon, Dangard Ace Dia Battle(Diaclone).

Voltes V Volt in Box display Tochigi prefecture Mibu

Volt-in Box Popy Voltes V

Here’s Dancougar – another one from the Godaikin collection.  Checking the back foot, I see this one was made in 1985.  This was another one I never had. Looking at the old price tag from Kaybee, I see the original price was 44.99 and then was marked down to 24.99. Man, I never saw this at a Toys R Us or Kaybee let alone marked down! Anyway, I briefly borrowed my cousin’s Gigabrain plastic re-issue from the 1987 anime and that one looks better as a robot but it’s not a combiner and it’s all plastic.  I got this Dancougar Godaikin at a really good price – 170 dollars! Whenever I do see this piece, it’s been about 300-400 dollars.  It’s missing the gun, however.

Watch out for Aura Battler Dunbine, the insect mecha! Friend of your friendly neighborhood Insecticon. Just kidding. These are kick ass robots of the Middle Ages from a dimension far, far away. It’s a land of knights with horses, castles, fairies, and robots with flying transport planes. Really? If you can build robots and planes, why would you still be riding horses? I guess you really have to suspend your disbelief on this one. Still I like the idea, no matter how far fetched it sounds. For me robots are like bacon, they make everything better. Check out the video below if you want to check it out.

Here is Dunbine. He looks nothing like his anime image. Clover could have done a much better job with this robot. They did not last long as a company after this line came out. The image reminds me of the Guyver from the manga series. It would be a cool robot if it looked anything like the Guyver. Still, it is a cool 80’s robot for what it is. Clover loves making clunky heavy die cast metal robots and I love those super alloy Chogokin robots(though this is a wanna be Chogokin). Most Clover robots have a nice heft to them. Dunbine has what looks like an arrow/antennae coming out of the middle of his head and wings.  It’s not pretty, but it is a nice little robot to have in my collection. They are fun as I really do not have any other pieces quite like it in my collection.

Here is the opening of the episode of the anime Seisenshi Dunbine from 1983-1984.

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1/46 scale 1983 Japan from anime Aura Battler Dunbine 1983-1984

Dunbine by Clover 1983 Japan

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin from anime Space Emperor God Sigma 1980-1981

Here’s God Sigma DX from the Godaikin series. This wasn’t a must have except only in the context of completing the Godaikins collection and I didn’t want to spend a whole lot on it.  I was about to spend 200 on this piece last month, but then decided against it.  Fast forward two weeks later and my cousin saw this awesome listing on Ebay for 80 bucks!  (Thanks cuz!)  This piece went for 80 because the leg on the blue robot (the left leg) is broken but luckily it doesn’t prevent the robot from being combined.  It was also missing a few of the weapons and the box top, but overall, I’m VERY satisfied as you can’t even get the Soul of Chogokin version for this price!

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin Bandai from anime Space Emperor God Sigma 1980-1981

God Sigma DX 1984 Godaikin Bandai GB-18 GB-19 GB-20 Popy

Here is the opening of Space Emperor God Sigma!

This is a robot from the 80’s I have only seen online. I knew nothing about this series before I bought it, but I found it when I was searching for the Clover Gundam. It is from an anime series from one of the guys who brought you Mobile Suit Gundam. The Aura Battler Dunbine is a series based on knights  with robots  instead of armor. So if you dig medieval times with dragons and fairies, just throw in some kick ass robots and voila you have Aura Battler Dunbine.

Unfortunately, this is the last batch of toys Clover came out with before they went out of business. These little robots are amazingly heavy and full of die cast metal goodness. Too bad these are a bit clunky when compared to Takatoku’s amazing Valkyrie but this may be part of the reason Clover is not around anymore. The Gundam robots Clover made are really terrible design wise, but they have a heavy die cast metal appeal for me. The Virunvee is one of the better looking robots this line.

Here is the opening trailer. The robots are pretty sharp in the cartoon, not so much as a Chogokin. Looks like it might be worth an episode or two to check out.

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983

Aura Battler Virunvee Clover 1/58 Scale 1983

Daimos DX Godaikin 1984 Popy Chogokin GA-85 from anime Battle Commander Daimos from 1978-1979

Here’s the Daimos DX from the Godaikin line, 1984.  I never had this one as a kid nor did I ever see him as a kid either.  After keeping a casual lookout for him, I could never find him complete for a decent price. So, I was thinking of getting the Soul of Chogokin version thinking it would be cheaper but I was always seeing him for about 250-300 online and besides, he’s not as big as the Godaikin version. I was almost tempted to buy this same robot listed on Ebay for 300 from Taiwan but I decided to wait and my faith was rewarded when I found this one for 166 and to boot, the item was being shipped from the next town over!

I am very happy to have him as I paid a decent price for a robot that wasn’t exactly a must have AND he’s complete!  The ones I was looking at were missing fists, swords etc. Anyway, I’ve reached out to this seller to see if he has other things he might be interested in selling and as well, it would be cool to find another person who shares my interest in these toys.  I’m getting closer to completing the Godaikin collection – Tetsujin 28, God Sigma, and Valvilos are the remaining ones left.