Mazinger Toy Lines
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Go Nagai , better known by the pen name , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of Japanese science fiction, science fiction, fantasy, Japanese horror, horror, and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with ''Meakashi Polikichi'', b ...
's
Mazinger is a long-running series of manga and anime featuring giant robots or mecha created by Go Nagai in 1972. It introduced the concept of mecha as robots which are ridden by humans and controlled like vehicles to Japanese science fiction (previous ...
related mechas and characters have many different toy lines, developed since Mazinger first appeared in the 1970s. Some of the most well known ones are described here.


Popy Jumbo Machinder

Popy was a classic Japanese toy maker, creator of the
Chogokin is a fictitious material which first appeared in Go Nagai's '' Mazinger Z'' manga and anime and is later adopted by Popy in 1972 as the name of a new line of die-cast metal robot and character toys sold in Japan. The first of these is "GA-01" Ma ...
line of toys, which later folded into its parent company Bandai. When it released its
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 ...
line,
Mazinger Z is a Japanese super robot manga written and illustrated by Go Nagai. It was originally serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from October 1972 to August 1973 and Kodansha's ' from October 1973 to September 1974. ''Mazing ...
was the first character chosen for the line. They were 22-24 inch tall, moderately articulated figures made of polyethylene. Later on,
Great Mazinger is a Japanese anime television series and manga comic book created by Go Nagai and Dynamic Productions. The story is a sequel and direct continuation of '' Mazinger Z'' series after its initial success. The series was aired on Japa ...
and
Grendizer , also known as '' Grandizer'', ''Ufo Robot Grendizer Raids'', ''Goldrake'' and ''Goldorak'', is a Japanese manga and animated television series created by Go Nagai. The series is the third entry in the '' Mazinger'' series, later rel ...
models were made, with similar characteristics. They were also introduced in North America thanks to
Mattel Mattel, Inc. ( ) is an American multinational corporation, multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company headquartered in El Segundo, California. Founded in Los Angeles by Harold Matson and the husband-and-wife duo of Ruth Handler, ...
, who rebranded the line as Shogun Warriors. Some Mazinger Z villains, the
Mechanical Beasts is a Japanese super robot manga written and illustrated by Go Nagai. It was originally serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from October 1972 to August 1973 and Kodansha's ' from October 1973 to September 1974. ''Mazinger ...
, 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 The is a museum devoted to Bandai characters located in Mibu, Shimotsuga District, Tochigi, Japan. It opened on July 19, 2003 as the Bandai Museum at Matsudo, Chiba. It was closed on August 31, 2006 and moved to Mibu, Tochigi on April 28, ...
.


Popy Chogokin

In 1974 Popy launched a new line of die-cast metal robot and character toys. It was named
Chogokin is a fictitious material which first appeared in Go Nagai's '' Mazinger Z'' manga and anime and is later adopted by Popy in 1972 as the name of a new line of die-cast metal robot and character toys sold in Japan. The first of these is "GA-01" Ma ...
(超合金, Chōgōkin, Chō: Super, gōkin: alloy) as the fictitious material which first appeared in Go Nagai's Mazinger Z manga and anime. The first model was "GA-01" Mazinger Z and it had several versions: 1) Popy GA-01 Version 1 – 1974 2) Popy GA-01 Version 2 – 1974 3) Popy GA-01 Version 3 – 1974 4) Popy GA-01 Version 3G - 5) Popy GA-01 Version 4 – 1979 6) Bandai Version 4G Etharnal Masterpiece – 1984 7) Bandai Version 4 Etharnal Masterpiece 6) Bandai Version 4 Etarnal Heroes – 1986 7) Bandai Version 4 Etharnal Masterpiece Reissue (Based on Version 1/2 design) – with additional normal rocket punch fist. 8) Banpresto GA-01 Version 1 reissue – 1999 9) Banpresto GA-01 Version 1 reissue black – 2000 10) Bandai CGA-01/CGA-01G (Gashapon based on Version 4 design) – 2001 11) Bandai The Chogokin GT-01 (Based on Version 4) – 2003 12) Bandai The Chogokin GT-00 (Based on Version 1) – 2004 13) Version 4 Hong Kong Bootleg 14) Version 4 Korea Clove

Popy realized also a model of Hover Pilder, with the code PA-05. It seems that the versions where three, all of them realized in 197

Later Popy realized a model of Jet Pilder, with the code PA-30. Great Mazinger was realized with the code ga-05 Grendizer had the code ga-37. The first version had two different boxes: one for the robot and an other for the saucer. The next three versions were sold in a unique box; but all of them had some difference in the built, colors and bo


Bandai Soul of Chogokin

Soul of Chogokin is a popular line of adult collector's toys produced by the Japanese company Bandai Spirits. The line, which began in 1997, focuses almost exclusively on mecha (robots) taken from various 1970s and 1980s anime series, although the line has di ...
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 Polyvinyl chloride (alternatively: poly(vinyl chloride), colloquial: vinyl or polyvinyl; abbreviated: PVC) is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic polymer of plastic (after polyethylene and polypropylene). About 40 million tons o ...
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 , known as simply ''Tetsujin 28'' in international releases, is a 1956 manga written and illustrated by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, who would also create ''Giant Robo''. The series centers on the adventures of a young boy named Shotaro Kaneda, ...
,
Gaiking is a Japanese Super Robot mecha anime series produced by Toei Animation. For distribution purposes, Toei refers to this television series as ''Dino Mech Gaiking''. It ran from April 1976 through January 1977 and consisted of 44 episodes o ...
,
Getter Robo is a Japanese Mecha anime and manga, mecha media franchise created by Ken Ishikawa (manga artist), Ken Ishikawa and Go Nagai. An anime television series produced by Toei Animation was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 4, 1974, to May 8, 197 ...
and
Neon Genesis Evangelion , also known as ''Evangelion'' or ''Eva'', is a Japanese mecha anime television series produced by Gainax and Tatsunoko Production, and directed by Hideaki Anno. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo and its affiliates from October 1995 to March 1 ...
) 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:


Fewture Models Mazinger 2001

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 (Actually, these two figures finally finished trading and it is currently possible to buy them, although at a rather high price.) 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 is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. The manga focuses on a high school student named Akira Fudo who absorbs the powers of the demon called "Amon" with help of his friend Ryo Asuka in order to batt ...
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 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 sit

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 Yumi This is a list of characters from the anime and manga series ''Mazinger Z'', ''Great Mazinger'', ''Grendizer'', and ''Mazinkaiser'', as well as the ''Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z Hen, Shin Mazinger'' reboot. It lists the main players of the plots a ...
, 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 , also written Kouji Kabuto, is a fictional character featuring introduced Go Nagai's manga '' Mazinger Z''. He is the main character and pilot of title super robot using its powers to defeat the forces from Dr. Hell. He makes a comeback in the seq ...
and
Tetsuya Tsurugi This is a list of characters from the anime and manga series '' Mazinger Z'', '' Great Mazinger'', '' Grendizer'', and '' Mazinkaiser'', as well as the '' Shin Mazinger'' reboot. It lists the main players of the plots as well as minor characters ...
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 1980s. 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 a Japanese company which manufactures 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. King Kong, and so ...
is an
action figure An action figure is a poseable character model figure made most commonly of plastic, and often based upon characters from a film, comic book, military, video game, television program, or sport; fictional or historical. These figures are usually ...
line from the Japanese company
Kaiyodo is a Japanese company which manufactures 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. King Kong, and so ...
. 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 12 cm 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.


External links


Article about the story of a rare Jumbo Machinder Garada K7

Jumbo Machinder reviews, including Mazinger Villains



Soul of Chogokin reviews, including Mazinger models


{{ NavigationBox Mazinger Works based on Mazinger Action figures