Tag: Chogokin
VF-1A Rick Hunter Valkyrie – Macross 1983
I got this as a present from my parents in 1983. This is the model that Hikaro Ichinose (Rick Hunter in the U.S. release) started out with. He then went onto the J model which was white and red and finally the S model with the skull emblem when Rick Fokker died. I vividly remember seeing this in Japantown and was shocked when they got it for me because it was almost a hundred dollars. I have a picture from Christmas of me opening the box actually…This is the one that started it for me with Macross.
I now have all the original Takotoku and Bandai versions. I finally managed to get the blue/red Valkyries in the early 2000’s when Bandai did a re-issue. They’ve since done numerous re-issues of the various Macross generations but the first Macross is the one I grew up with. The featured image is the box that this toy came in but I’ve long since gotten rid of the box. I wish I had kept them because Takatoku was known for their great art work and the unique texture on their boxes.
Blue Legioss Alpha Fighter – 1985
Here’s the blue version of the Legioss Alpha Fighter from Genesis Climber Mospeada. Like the red one, I bought these from a store called Gemco in Daly City. The site is now home to a Target. I think I bought these as the original US release when it was still the Henshin Robo Legioss Afc-01H. They were released later as part of the Robotech toys from Robotech: The New Generation.
Bismark DX made by Popy in 1985 GC-22
Here’s another toy that I bought on a Japan trip in 1985. This one’s called Bismark DX. He transforms into a spaceship but I have never transformed him. I basically would buy the toys, take them out of the box and put them on the shelf. My one regret wasn’t being able to keep the boxes or instructions since I was traveling and it was sooo heavy carrying these boxes. On my ’85 trip I bought so many toys, I had to freight a box home. I remember we had to get a box from JAL and pay an extra fee.
Shogun Warriors ST collection – 1970’s
Here’s my small collection of Shogun Warriors ST robots from the 1970’s. Unfortunately, I traded for these from my cousin’s friend who was kid and of course, he played with his toys and lost pieces. As you can see, almost all of them except Dragon are missing fists. Still, I treasure them as I had these as kid myself – fists or no fists.
As info, Dragon, Poseidon, and Raider are part of the Starvengers. Any one of them could combine to form the different vehicles as each robot had different weapons i.e. Raider had the drill arm, Dragon had the dual axes (a complete Dragon will have an ax that fits into his right fist) while Poseidon had shoulder fired missiles.
Below are the toys and the cartoon stills that are associated with each of them.
Golion DX Godaikin – 1984
I bought the Popy Golion DX GB-36 in Hong Kong in 1985 for 24 dollars. On that trip, we went to Japan and Hong Kong. I went back to Hong Kong in 2011 and I saw nowhere near the amount of toys I recall as a child. I mean, I remember I would go to the malls and there’d be toyshops everywhere and that these toys were relatively in my price range. Fast forward to 2011 and I only saw about 2 toystores and I went to a bunch of malls. I guess the robot toys of my youth are an adult hobby these days…
Here’s Golion aka Voltron and the cartoon image. He’s got a massive sword which I understand was not included in the Matchbox version, but was in the Bandai Godaikin release.
Dairugger Clone – 1985
I have no idea where I got this…I’m going to guess I traded for this or got it at some fair. I’m not terribly fond of this Dairugger Clone as it has no metal whatsoever. I do know it says “Taiwan 1985” – so it’s definitely a bootleg of a Dairugger. It only attained significance once it was introduced as Voltron III. I picked it up around when Voltron came out.
Sunvulcan DX – 1984
Here’s another Super Sentai robot. This is my Sunvulcan DX introduced under the Godaikin line. I’m pretty certain this was another one that I purchased in Japantown in 1984-1985. According to my notes on an old price list, I got the Sun Vulcan for 50 dollars. I recall Toys R Us sold these for a time and I may have purchased one or two there. What kills me is that these toys would sometimes get blown out (since kids at the time had no idea who/what they were – (although I NEVER saw those prices…)) for cheap (like under 20 dollars or so). Fast forward 30 years later, these toys are now worth hundreds.
Laserion DX Godaikin Bandai 1985
Another super robot from the Godaikin line. I never got into this one as a kid. I borrowed this DX version from my cousin. I put the tea bottle next to him to reference his size. He is quite a hefty robot and he’s got a unique look to him. I have seen a few of the cartoons but didn’t really get into the story. Once I’ve cycled through my Transformers and Gundams, I will display the Godaikins.
Goggle V DX Godaikin
Here is my Goggle V DX. Another Super Sentai robot introduced as part of the Godaikin line in the 80’s. I never had this one as a kid but my cousin was kind of enough to get me this loose one for my birthday a couple of years ago. He has a lot of wear on the legs and body and the arms are loose and don’t stay up anymore. Still, I like having him since it fills my collection. I am surprised they do not have a Soul of Chogokin version of this guy though…
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