Mazinger Toy Lines
Encyclopedia
Go Nagai
's Mazinger
related mechas and characters have always been popular among anime and manga fans, and because of this many different toy lines have been developed since Mazinger first appeared in the 70's. Some of the most well known ones are described here.
line of toys, which later folded into its parent company Bandai. When it released its Jumbo Machinder
line, Mazinger Z
was the first character chosen for the line. They were 22-24 inch tall, moderately articulated figures made of polyethylene. Later on, Great Mazinger
and Grendizer
models were made, with similar characteristics. They were also introduced in North America thanks to Mattel
, who rebranded the line as Shogun Warriors
.
Some Mazinger Z villains, the Mechanical Beasts
, were also ported to this line, though they didn't have the same format as the hero robot, being only 19-21 inches tall and made of soft vinyl. Originally intended only to be store displays, very few specimens of these evil mecha have survived and have become a coveted (and expensive) collector's item due to their rarity. At some point, it even remained unclear if some of them had ever actually been produced. The known produced models include:
Most of the models were distinctive for having variations from the original characters, specially in their color schemes and weaponry. Many of the rescued models can be seen at the Bandai Museum
.
Soul of Chogokin
is a popular toy line released by Bandai in 1997. Focusing mainly on classic mechas, these adult collector oriented toys are made mostly of diecast
metal, with plastic parts, usually PVC
or ABS
. They embody the spirit of the vintage Popy and Bandai Chogokin toys of the past. The line began as Bandai was winding down their Hi-Complete Model line. The last figure in the line was meant to be Mazinger Z, but they decided to turn that prototype into the first entry of the new Soul of Chogokin line.
Among its items (that include Tetsujin 28, Gaiking
, Getter Robo
and Neon Genesis Evangelion
) some of the most popular ones are those related to Mazinger, associated with the "GX" prefix (the "PX" prefix is from the Soul of Popynica Series). These include:
This line includes Mazinger Z, Aphrodite A ("Aflodai") and Garada K7. Promotional images including Boss Robot and Doublas M2 surfaced, but never saw release due to the cancellation of the line. Released in 2001, it was meant to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Mazinger's birth. Other notable models from the same manufacturer are those related to Devilman
and Getter Robo.
Designed by Taku Sato and Yasushi Nirasawa, these 12 inch models made of ABS and PVC had an exquisite level of detail, inspired in retro-styled, steampunk aesthetics, as if they had been conceived at the beginning of the 20th century, and represent a departure from the more classic representations of the robots. The Mazinger and Aphrodite models featured versions in their regular colors as well as repainted versions.
Like the Soul of Chogokin models, these were fully poseable, included a stand and several accessories. Little figurines of the pilots were among them, and interestingly Garada's pilot was Dr. Hell
.
Planned for release from Fewture are the following robots:
- No.5 Boss Robot (Mazinger series)
- No.6 Doublass (Mazinger series)
- No.8 Mazinger 1969 (Mazinger series)
- No.9 Great Mazinger 1969 (Mazinger series)
Prototypes of No.5 & 6 were on site http://artstorm.co.jp/ex_gokin_series.htm as well as renderings of the rest, but photography of these items was prohibited. Release dates for No.5 & 6 couldn’t be given, though Fewture is hoping for an autumn release for No.8 & 9.
, Jun Hono
and Maria Fleed, showing them in their pilot suits. These figures include a stand and each character's helmet.
They have also released resin kits of both Koji Kabuto
and Tetsuya Tsurugi who, like the girls, are in their pilot suits. Both of these are extremely rare as they were only sold at a special event in Japan some years ago.
The first one to be made was Mazinger Z, and it featured launchable fists and a separate Hover Pilder. Subsequently, mechanical beasts Belgas V5, Brutus M3, Grengus C3 and Gelbros J3 were added to the line. These shared Mazinger's body but with different paint work and the particular traits of each mecha. Grengus C3 for example, didn't have fists but its characteristic black orbs, and these could be launched just like Mazinger's fists. Gelbros J3's left and right heads were fully articulated, and had claws instead of hands.
Aphrodite A was also included, and was probably the model that stranded the most from the original mecha. Her body was specially made and was completely different from the "male" mechas. She featured 3 pairs of breast missiles that could be fired thanks to a mechanism in her back. Jet Scrander was produced later, and also a Great Mazinger doll, which was a modified Mazinger Z.
Nowadays is quite difficult to obtain most of these toys in good conditions, since they were so fragile and had a number of accessories that could easily be lost.
line from the Japanese company Kaiyodo
. The main selling point of the line is the 'Revolver' joint, which all of the figures utilise. This gives the figures a high degree of poseability, allowing for many dynamic and varied poses. The Revoltech version of Mazinkaiser stands 12cm tall and comes with two Kaiser Blades, a Kaiser Sword, Kaiser Scrander, and four optional hands. A display base is also included, which allows the figure to simulate a flying position.
Go Nagai
, better known by the penname , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z in the 1970s. In 2005, he became a...
's Mazinger
Mazinger
is a long running series of manga and anime featuring giant robots or mecha. The name can also be pronounced "Mazinga", as it is has been known in several countries, including in the United States of America.-Series:The series in order:...
related mechas and characters have always been popular among anime and manga fans, and because of this many different toy lines have been developed since Mazinger first appeared in the 70's. Some of the most well known ones are described here.
Popy Jumbo Machinder
Popy was a classic Japanese toy maker, creator of the ChogokinChogokin
is Japanese for "Super Alloy" and is a fictitious material which first appeared in Go Nagai's Mazinger Z manga and anime. It was later adopted by Popy in 1972 as the name of a new line of die-cast metal robot and character toys sold in Japan...
line of toys, which later folded into its parent company Bandai. When it released its Jumbo Machinder
Jumbo Machinder
Jumbo Machinder is the name of a series of large-scale plastic robots sold by Bandai's character toy subsidiary, Popy in the 1970s. Although a trademarked brand name, in common usage Jumbo Machinder is often applied to any large-size robot toy roto molded out of polyethylene terephthalate , a...
line, Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z
, known briefly as Tranzor Z in United States, is a Super Robot manga and anime series created by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later continued in Kodansha TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974. In...
was the first character chosen for the line. They were 22-24 inch tall, moderately articulated figures made of polyethylene. Later on, Great Mazinger
Great Mazinger
is a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series...
and Grendizer
Grendizer
is a super robot TV anime and manga created by manga artist Go Nagai. It is the third entry in the Mazinger trilogy. It was broadcasted on Japanese television from October 5, 1975, to February 27, 1977, and lasted 74 episodes...
models were made, with similar characteristics. They were also introduced in North America thanks to Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
, who rebranded the line as Shogun Warriors
Shogun Warriors
The Shogun Warriors were the central characters of a line of toys licensed by Mattel Inc. during the late 1970s that consisted of a series of imported Japanese robots based on the then popular anime shows featuring giant robots...
.
Some Mazinger Z villains, the Mechanical Beasts
Mechanical Beasts
The Mechanical Beasts , also known as mechanical monsters or mechanical brutes, were the antagonist mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. Almost all of them were created by Koji Kabuto's nemesis, Dr. Hell...
, were also ported to this line, though they didn't have the same format as the hero robot, being only 19-21 inches tall and made of soft vinyl. Originally intended only to be store displays, very few specimens of these evil mecha have survived and have become a coveted (and expensive) collector's item due to their rarity. At some point, it even remained unclear if some of them had ever actually been produced. The known produced models include:
- Garada K7
- Doublas M2 (labeled as Dabulas M2 or Dagulas M2)
- Grengus C3 (or Gren-Ghost C3)
- KingDan X10
- Rockron Q9 (Rokuron Q9)
- Spartan K5
Most of the models were distinctive for having variations from the original characters, specially in their color schemes and weaponry. Many of the rescued models can be seen at the Bandai Museum
Bandai Museum
The is a museum devoted to Bandai characters located in Mibu, Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. It opened on July 19, 2003 at Matsudo, Chiba, then closed on August 31, 2006, then moved on April 28, 2007 to Mibu, Tochigi where it features exhibits on Ultraman, Gundam, Godzilla, Super Sentai,...
.
Bandai Soul of Chogokin
Soul of Chogokin
or "Soul of Super-alloy", is a popular line of adult collector's toys produced by the Japanese company Bandai.The line, which began in 1997, focuses almost exclusively on mecha taken from various 70's/80's anime series, although the line has diverged from this on a number of occasions, most...
is a popular toy line released by Bandai in 1997. Focusing mainly on classic mechas, these adult collector oriented toys are made mostly of diecast
Die-cast toy
The term die-cast toy here refers to any toy or collectible model produced by using the die casting method. The toys are made of metal, with plastic, rubber or glass details. Wholly plastic toys are made by a similar process of injection moulding, but the two are rarely confused...
metal, with plastic parts, usually PVC
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride is a plastic.PVC may also refer to:*Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor*Peripheral venous catheter, a small, flexible tube placed into a peripheral vein in order to administer medication or fluids...
or ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is a common thermoplastic. Its melting point is approximately 105 °C ....
. They embody the spirit of the vintage Popy and Bandai Chogokin toys of the past. The line began as Bandai was winding down their Hi-Complete Model line. The last figure in the line was meant to be Mazinger Z, but they decided to turn that prototype into the first entry of the new Soul of Chogokin line.
Among its items (that include Tetsujin 28, Gaiking
Gaiking
was a Japanese Super Robot mecha anime series produced by Toei Animation.It ran from April 1976 through January 1977 and consisted of 44 26-minute episodes. Gaiking was notable for being one of the few super robot series to take place in real places outside of Japan, and for being the first Super...
, Getter Robo
Getter Robo
is a Super Robot manga series created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa, as well as an anime series produced by Toei Animation. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 4, 1974 to May 8, 1975, with a total of 51 episodes.- Plot :...
and Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise
The franchise is an umbrella of Japanese media properties generally owned by the anime studio Gainax. It has grossed over 150 billion yen since 1995. The central works of the franchise feature an apocalyptic mecha action story which revolves around the efforts by the paramilitary organization...
) some of the most popular ones are those related to Mazinger, associated with the "GX" prefix (the "PX" prefix is from the Soul of Popynica Series). These include:
| Code | Model | Release date |
| GX-01 | Mazinger Z | 1997 |
| GX-01 | Mazinger Z Iron Castle Ver. | 1998 |
| GX-01B | Mazinger Z (Black version) | 1998 |
| GX-01R | Mazinger Z (Renewal Version) | 2002 |
| GX-01RB | Mazinger Z (Black Chrome Renewal Version) | 2003 |
| GX-01RG | Mazinger Z (Gold Renewal Version) | 2003 |
| GX-01X | Mazinger Hangar | 2000 |
| GX-02 | Great Mazinger | 1998 |
| GX-02B | Great Mazinger (Black Version) | 1999 |
| GX-02R | Great Mazinger (Renewal Version) | 2002 |
| GX-04 | Grendizer | 2000 |
| GX-04B | Grendizer (Black Version) | 2001 |
| GX-04S | Grendizer King of Space Set | 2002 |
| GX-04X | Drill Spazer & Marine Spazer | 2002 |
| GX-07 | Mazinger Z OVA Version | 2001 |
| GX-08 | Aphrodai A Aphrodite A is a female mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. It was the first giant robot in the genre to resemble the female anatomy.She was named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.... |
2002 |
| GX-08MA | Aphrodai A (Mazinger Angels Mazinger Angels -Releases outside of Japan:The manga was also released in Hong Kong and Taiwan by d/visual taipei and in Italy by d/visual.-Toys:Besides the manga, a series of toys from the Soul of Chogokin line from Bandai have been released. The main robots from Mazinger Angels are available as part of the GX... ) |
2004 |
| GX-08MAW | Aphrodai A (Snow White Version) | 2005 |
| GX-09 | Minerva X Minerva X Minerva X is a fictional mecha from the anime and manga series Mazinger Z, created by Go Nagai. Within the story, Minerva X was designed by Professor Juzou Kabuto, but its plans were stolen and it was built by Doctor Hell... |
2002 |
| GX-09MA | Minerva X (Mazinger Angels) | 2004 |
| GX-09MAB | Minerva X (La Sirene do Noir) | 2006 |
| GX-10 | Boss Borot Boss Borot ' is a fictional mecha from the anime and manga series Mazinger Z, first premiering in episode 48. Within the story, Boss Borot was created by three engineers from the Photon Power Laboratory and piloted by Boss and his cohorts Mucha and Nuke... |
2002 |
| GX-10B | Boss Borot (Black Version) | 2002 |
| GX-11 | Dianan A Diana A is a female mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. It was the successor of Aphrodite A after its destruction.She was named after Diana the Roman goddess of hunt.- History :... |
2002 |
| GX-11MA | Dianan A (Mazinger Angels) | 2004 |
| GX-11MAM | Dianan A (Marine Blue Mermaid) | 2007 |
| GX-12 | Venus A Venus A is a female mecha from the Great Mazinger anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. She plays the traditional role of the lady robot that helps the mazinger robot fight the enemy. She was named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty.- History :... |
2002 |
| GX-12MA | Venus A (Mazinger Angels) | 2004 |
| GX-12MAG | Venus A (Queen of Gold) | 2006 |
| GX-25 | Garada K7 | 2004 |
| GX-26 | Doublas M2 | 2004 |
| PX-01 | Hover Pilder | 2000 |
| PX-01X | Mazinger Head | 2000 |
Fewture Models Mazinger 1901
Devilman
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai which originally started as an anime adaptation of the concept of Nagai's previous manga series, Demon Lord Dante. A 39 episode anime series was developed by Toei in 1972 and Nagai began Devilman as a manga in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen...
and Getter Robo.
Designed by Taku Sato and Yasushi Nirasawa, these 12 inch models made of ABS and PVC had an exquisite level of detail, inspired in retro-styled, steampunk aesthetics, as if they had been conceived at the beginning of the 20th century, and represent a departure from the more classic representations of the robots. The Mazinger and Aphrodite models featured versions in their regular colors as well as repainted versions.
Like the Soul of Chogokin models, these were fully poseable, included a stand and several accessories. Little figurines of the pilots were among them, and interestingly Garada's pilot was Dr. Hell
Dr. Hell
Dr. Hell is the main villain of the fictional robot anime Mazinger Z. He is a brilliant, cunning and evil scientist, obsessed with world domination through his creations, the armies of Mechanical Beasts.- History :He was a colleague of Dr...
.
Planned for release from Fewture are the following robots:
- No.5 Boss Robot (Mazinger series)
- No.6 Doublass (Mazinger series)
- No.8 Mazinger 1969 (Mazinger series)
- No.9 Great Mazinger 1969 (Mazinger series)
Prototypes of No.5 & 6 were on site http://artstorm.co.jp/ex_gokin_series.htm as well as renderings of the rest, but photography of these items was prohibited. Release dates for No.5 & 6 couldn’t be given, though Fewture is hoping for an autumn release for No.8 & 9.
West Kenji Figurines
A line of three 18 cm PVC statuettes of Sayaka YumiSayaka Yumi
is one of the heroine of Go Nagai's manga and anime Mazinger Z. She was a bit hot-tempered and tomboyish, and had a habit of clashing with the story's hero, Kouji Kabuto even though she had a romantic interest in him....
, Jun Hono
Jun Hono
is a fictional character featured in the works of Go Nagai. She is the Heroine character in the Super Robot series Great Mazinger and pilots the title female robot Venus A.- History :Jun Hono showed up in the first episode of Great Mazinger...
and Maria Fleed, showing them in their pilot suits. These figures include a stand and each character's helmet.
They have also released resin kits of both Koji Kabuto
Koji Kabuto
', also written Kouji Kabuto, is a fictional character featuring in the works of manga artist Go Nagai. He is the main character and pilot of super robot Mazinger Z. He makes a comeback in the sequel series Great Mazinger where he helps defeating the Mycenaean Empire...
and Tetsuya Tsurugi who, like the girls, are in their pilot suits. Both of these are extremely rare as they were only sold at a special event in Japan some years ago.
Play Ful Mazinger Z
As in many other countries of Latin America, Mazinger was extremely popular in Argentina in the 80's. Because of the demand for merchandising, in 1985 toy manufacturer Play Ful obtained a license from Toei Animation to produce a line, but unlike other franchises (more popular in the U.S.), there were no moulds available to produce the toys, and so Play Ful had to develop their own. The resulting dolls were made of PVC and very fragile, but held a decent level of resemblance to the original characters, sometimes modifying the colors.The first one to be made was Mazinger Z, and it featured launchable fists and a separate Hover Pilder. Subsequently, mechanical beasts Belgas V5, Brutus M3, Grengus C3 and Gelbros J3 were added to the line. These shared Mazinger's body but with different paint work and the particular traits of each mecha. Grengus C3 for example, didn't have fists but its characteristic black orbs, and these could be launched just like Mazinger's fists. Gelbros J3's left and right heads were fully articulated, and had claws instead of hands.
Aphrodite A was also included, and was probably the model that stranded the most from the original mecha. Her body was specially made and was completely different from the "male" mechas. She featured 3 pairs of breast missiles that could be fired thanks to a mechanism in her back. Jet Scrander was produced later, and also a Great Mazinger doll, which was a modified Mazinger Z.
Nowadays is quite difficult to obtain most of these toys in good conditions, since they were so fragile and had a number of accessories that could easily be lost.
Revoltech Mazinkaiser
Revoltech is an action figureAction figure
An action figure is a posable character figurine, made of plastic or other materials, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, video game, or television program. These action figures are usually marketed towards boys and male collectors...
line from the Japanese company Kaiyodo
Kaiyodo
thumb|320px|Kaiyodo Figure Museum Kurokabe is a Japanese company dedicated to figurines and garage kits. Its headquarters is in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture. While the company mostly focuses on anime related characters, it recently has acquired other licenses, e.g...
. The main selling point of the line is the 'Revolver' joint, which all of the figures utilise. This gives the figures a high degree of poseability, allowing for many dynamic and varied poses. The Revoltech version of Mazinkaiser stands 12cm tall and comes with two Kaiser Blades, a Kaiser Sword, Kaiser Scrander, and four optional hands. A display base is also included, which allows the figure to simulate a flying position.
