The first figure I'm unboxing is Hakaider, the popular villain/antihero from the classic "Kikaider" TV series. He also was so popular he starred in his own movie, called Mechanical Violator Hakaider where he plays the dark defender in a post-apocalyptic future. The boxset is a 4 figure set from Medicom released exclusively for Toys 'R' Us Japan. The figures included are Gill, Red, Blue, and Silver Hakiaders that all stand 9" in height. All the figures have the superbly articulated body mold and cloth costumes, that help to give it that ultra realistic 70's look. Each character's clothing comes with a tiny little zipper on the back if you feel the need to change their outfits.
Accessories wise each figure come with interchangeable pairs of gloves that just click on. Weapon-wise each character can interchange weapons also. There's a crossbow, gun (Hakaider shot), two bo staffs, a spike thing that fits on the end of one of the bo staffs, and a whip.
These guys can be poised in many different positions with ease. You can maybe even have them fight one of the other Hakaiders that come in the box. The paint (which there's very little of) compliments the overall figures. Exposed brain circuitry on the top of the head covered by a translucent gives it a cool factor of 10. The only real differences I can tell between these figures overall is that each one has a different symbol or letter on it's chest plate. One glaring difference is that Gill Hakaider comes with a cloth cape.
Overall this boxset is well worth the $50 dollars I paid for it back in 2006. The artwork on the box is also great on Japanese toys and it nestles in all the goodness. You get not one, but four kick ass Hakaiders. Finally this is a talking point for a collection, not many people in North America even have a clue about this character let alone his toy counter part.
If you enjoy this guy, I suggest searching out Mechanical Violator Hakaider on Youtube. It's a great introduction to Japanese hero movies, but be warned it at some points gets pretty violent.
Moving right along to our next robot we have another classic Tokusatsu hero named Robot Detective (Robotto Keiji). This show which was produced by Toei ran for 26 episodes. The hero of this series Robot Detective K (or K for short) had only a robot form, but in battle he would be dressed up in human clothing. He also has a human-like personality (Think A.I).
The figure I'm reviewing is Bandai HG Gashapon Figure Ultimate Solid, standing 12 centimeters (just under 5 inches) tall. It was produced in 2007 and was part of a long line of Tokusatsu heroes. This little guy has no articulation as he snaps together from pieces, it makes up for having no pose ability with an amazing paint job. From head to toe he is everything his TV counter part is. The robot face is spot on (a tough task for such a small character). Put this little Keiji on your shelf and watch him exude 70's goodness.
If you can find an episode of this I highly recommend it, if for nothing more to see a Robot all dressed up to fight evil. Check an episode out here.
We've covered the robots so now let's cover some monsters. First up is the lovable Baby Godzilla (Minilla). His lovable self first appeared in Toho's 1967 film called Son of Godzilla. Minilla is a friendlier Kaiju (giant monster) to humans than other monsters. He is most notable for his ability to breathe atomic smoke rings. This Bandai Japan 6" figure (2005) is from their Toho Movie Monsters series. Minilla has shoulder, hip and head articulation and great poseability. The sculpt is perfect, close up you can see the wrinkles in his arms, legs, stomach, and knees. There's scale like markings on the top of his head. Running down his back he has small dorsal fins. His tiny human like head is what really makes this guy so cute. He's got a grin and ultra Innocent eyes, he seems to be looking for a hug. He can loosely be called a monster, but not all monsters are evil and scary. I always have this guy up and centre in front of the Godzillas and Gameras.
Bandai Japan released a Gamera 6" 2006 Movie Monsters series figure based off the 2006 reboot called Gamera the Brave. In this new Gamera movie, it starts with Gamera newly hatched and in his infant stages. Baby Gamera is highly detail and very colorful, this figure has 6 points of articulation. Again like Baby Godzilla there's a get sculpt on this soft vinyl figure. There's turtle wrinkles around his neck, his turtle shell is dandy and very realistic. Brewing in his stomach is red fire waiting to be expelled. Looking inside his mouth you can see two rows on individually painted teeth, with a large pink tongue surrounding said teeth. Two large teeth sit on either side of Gamer's mouth telling would be attackers to stay away. Now onto his eyes, these don't say innocent like Baby Godzilla's eyes, but he has a more reptile look to them. Overall this is a great representation of the film creature.
He's all the fire-breathing, prehistoric species of turtle he is in the movies. The last Gamera I'm including is the one that kicked it all off. This is the Bandai Japan 1965 6" 2006 Movie Monsters series reissue (in conjunction with the Gamera the brave 2006 figure). This figure has less detail than the others and falls in suit with the Gamera from the movie. Only having five points of articulation,it makes this guy not as much fun as his baby counter part,but he is a classic. Sculpt is great like all Bandai figures in this line. This Gamera looks more like a turtle than baby Gamera. There's giant white claws on the end of all his appendages. His head sculpt look pretty menacing with a wide open mouth sharp teeth and giant tusk like teeth on either side of the mouth opening. He has a large hard well detailed shell, with scaly spiked on it. His eyes are much the same as Baby Gamera's although these ones have no good intentions behind them.
This is my celebration of the Japanese figure and culture, I hope you enjoyed, Now run......Here comes Godzilla, EH!!
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