Toybox REVIEW: Super Robot Chogokin Daizyujin

While releases may be slow, Bandai's Super Robot Chogokin line is doing an excellent job of bringing fans a new form of Super Sentai robo figure that stresses dynamic poseability over size and gimmicks. Although the earlier releases have come from series that aired over the past 10 years or so, the fifth entry in the line stems back from a little further and is perhaps the most recognisable one of all. That's right, Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger's Daizyujin has arrived. This figure is currently the only Super Sentai SRC to receive an American release via Bluefin, boasting slightly altered packaging featuring "Megazord" rather than "Daizyujin" and the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers logo.

The packaging is to Bandai's usual standard for the line, and this is by no means a bad thing. Featuring silver foil writing and a lightning blue colour scheme, the front of the box shows off the great god himself in front of the Zyuranger crest. The back features the figure in various poses showing off the various accessories included, while the right spine features the typical SRC bookspine image. A single tray houses the figure and its accessories.

After taking it out of the box the first thing I found myself doing was admiring just how amazing the sculpt is. Despite being a non-combining figure, Bandai have even included little bits of detail from where the individual pieces would connect (for example, the Tyrannosaurus hands on the back of the legs). From the teeth shaped indent on the chest shield to the tyre detailing on the Sabre Toothed Tiger and Triceratops, there isn't a single detail on Daizyujin that's been missed out. Pick the figure up and the you'll immediately notice the weight on this hefty thing - the legs and hip section are diecast, as is the usual standard with the Super Robot Chogokin line. There's a ton of articulation all over the figure, including double jointed elbows and knees. Even the hands are mounted on a moving wrist joint to give it that little bit of extra movement. A unique addition to this figure is that the backpack pieces are on double ball joints, allowing them to flip over the shoulders and be used as cannons. This never happened in any episode of Zyuranger or Power Rangers, but its an excellent little feature that finally gives that element of the robot design some reasoning.

One word of warning though, many people have opened their Daizyujins and noticed squeaky shoulder joints. If you are concerned about this and would like to avoid any future breakage, follow this simple tutorial to get your figure's arms moving seamlessly and silently. Take care around the feet too, because although its not a widespread problem the teeth and horns seem like they could be rather fragile.

Despite on face value it might not seem like Daizyujin has that many accessories, but he in fact comes with everything you could ever want from him - and even a few unexpected extras that are more than welcome. Included are 3 pairs of hands (closed fists, grabbing hands and open palms), the Mammoth Shield, the Dinosaur Sword God Horn, a lightning bolt effect part for the head and an effect part to recreate Daizyujin's finishing move - the Super Legendary Thunder Slash. The sword effect part sheaths easily over the sword (which features gold detailing), while the bolt part plugs onto the head's centre horn. Given how rarely Daizyujin uses the lightning horn attack (even less so in Power Rangers), its inclusion comes as a very nice surprise.

Previously I've said that Dekaranger Robo was the best Super Sentai entry into the Super Robot Chogokin line, but Daizyujin is every bit as good - if not better. If you can get over the lack of combining gimmick this is easily the best rendition of Daizyujin there's ever been - superb detail, brilliant articulation, every accessory you could want and even a few surprise additions unique to this figure. This really is a figure collectors should not miss.