Toybox REVIEW: Revoltech SFX Gigan

With Bandai's announcement of their own highly articulated Godzilla figure line and Kaiyodo's reveal that they can't do Godzilla, MechaGodzilla or King Ghidorah figures, the future might be looking grim for any more kaiju to appear in the Revoltech SFX line. Some that had been planned (Jet Jaguar) have been scrapped and others (larvae Mothra) are in limbo. Before we lament what could have been from a line that really is still only finding its feet, let's have a look at its latest instalment. It also happens to be my favourite kaiju, the cyborg space chicken that is Gigan.

The figure is based upon the Showa era Gigan (so that one that appeared in Godzilla vs Gigan and Godzilla vs Megalon) and while I feel a lot more could have been done with the Millennium redesign of the character (changeable blade/chainsaw hands etc.) it's not worth complaining about. Any Gigan is a good one. As usual the sculpt is of fantastic quality with a lot of detailing - from the wrinkly green skin to the scaly golden chest. There are revolver joints everywhere for a maximum range of poseability (even the mouth has one) and the pincers at the side of Gigan's mouth can also open and close. Much like Anguiras, Gigan's tail is bendable to give it a much more organic feel when posing - and while it isn't quite as effective as Anguiras', it certainly beats a sectioned tail divided by joints. Gigan has a pretty good height - just a tad taller than Anguiras (who's hunched over anyway) and about as tall as Gamera IF you're using the rocket legs on him.

Gigan also includes a few building diorama pieces (something that is now expected from the line if you ask me) and in this case its 3 separate power plant pieces. The added extra is that the tall tower piece of the plant can be removed with a bent and broken piece if you prefer your Gigan to do that little more damage.

While this may be the last we see Godzilla-wise from the line (at this stage its too early to tell) that shouldn't deter people away from Gigan. He is without a doubt the best Kaiyodo have done with kaiju so far and this blessing is also its curse - because it suggests that they'd finally cracked it when it came to these monsters.

Toybox REVIEW: Revoltech SFX Anguirus

Next in Revoltech's sci-fi line and rounding off Godzilla's BFF club is the very first Godzilla foe, who would then go on to become the big G's most trusted ally - yes, it's none other than Anguirus.

Rather than be based on his first appearance in 1955's Godzilla Raids Again (all the other Toho kaiju in the line so far have been based on their original films), Anguirus is based on the design from his second appearance, 1968's Destroy All Monsters. This is not only evident by the overall design of the figure, but also from the packaging and the inclusion of the Moonlight SY-3 spaceship from said film. The spaceship also includes a 'launch' stand, made with a similar effect to Gamera's rocket booster stand.

As is the norm with Revoltech figures, Anguirus has a fair amount of poseability - there are revolver joints in his neck, shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees and feet. The jaw can also be moved via a hinge joint. What is most notable about Anguirus however is his tail - rather than make it out of segments connected by joints at various intervals (like Gamera's), Anguirus' tail is one whole piece made out of soft plastic which can be bent into specific poses. While this still doesn't mean it has a huge amount of poseability, it's still looks far more natural and is a step up from Gamera's. Anguirus' spines are made from soft plastic so they are quite flexible and unlikely to break if a little pressure is put on them. They are still however particularly pointy - a point I found out first hand when resting my hand on them trying to plug in the left arm and leg (which came unplugged in the box in order to fit the figure in the tray)!

It's quite disappointing that Anguirus only comes with a spaceship while the other Toho kaiju have received some pretty neat dioramas, but the figure itself is far from disappointing. Now that Godzilla's core crew of allies have all been represented in figure form, its time for Kaiyodo to bring on the antagonist monsters and hopefully, one day the big G himself.

Toybox REVIEW: Revoltech SFX Rodan

....or Radon if you'd prefer. Yes, the latest in Kaiyodo's SFX (or if you're like me, Kaiju excellence) line is the star of his own 1956 movie and all around Godzilla chum. After my review of Revoltech's Mothra figure, I had to wonder what the super-articulate line could do with a giant pteranodon. I mean, much like Mothra surely the articulation would amount to head, legs and flappy wings?

Well to start I have to say this guy is a lot bigger than I was expecting. What he doesn't have in height he sure makes up for in wingspan (I didn't take a picture, but I'm looking at him now and his wingspan is just over 18 DVD cases in length....note to self: adopt that as a unit of measurement). The wings are also made out of rubbery plastic, making them a lot more light and flexible while attempting to recreate that wing-like feel. Each wing has a tiny hand attached, which is also articulated. For the rest of the body there is articulation in the feet, legs, knees, waist, neck, head and jaw.

Like Mothra, Rodan comes with a stand that's a cut above the basic clear/black ones that come with the Yamaguchi line - this time is a building (that can be transformed into a crumbling building by twisting it in the centre). Rodan can stand atop the building via inserting a rod where no rod has gone before, or the giant monster can be posed stomping through the roof (this pose involves removing the foot and pushing it into a peg hole inside the building - something that is extremely fiddly and I've not managed to actually do yet). An additional extra is a mini mid-flight Rodan, which can be attached to the mini-stand provided.

With HobbyLinkJapan's prices on Revoltech's getting cheaper, fans are starting to get a lot more for their money - and while much like Mothra I wouldn't call Rodan an essential purchase, he's certainly got a lot of character in him. He's poseable, makes a great display piece and is great for any kaiju/giant dinosaur fan. Revoltech have made great figures of the flying Kaiju, so it'll be interesting how they handle biped monsters Anguirus and Gigan - both of whom have figures due out in the coming months.

Toybox REVIEW: Revoltech SFX Mothra

Mothra seems like an odd yet expected monster to receive a figure in the Revoltech SFX line. As the line seems to have a big thing for kaiju, adding arguably the second biggest creature after Godzilla himself is no surprise. But on the other hand, how much articulation can you give a giant moth? Before we get onto that I’d like to take a moment to discuss the packaging – which itself is a work of beauty. Much like Gamera’s, and I’d imagine the rest of the line too, it’s a beautifully designed box which unless you speak a lick of Japanese offers nothing more than a few pretty pictures. Still, its worth noting and as far as boxes go definitely a keeper.

When it comes to the question posed, as expected the answer is indeed very little. Not that Kaiyodo haven’t tried, but it remains that Mothra’s only points of articulation are his head, abdomen, wings, mouth and (tiny) legs. Nevertheless, this is still one of the most articulated Mothra figures to date and a great representation of the monster. Colourful wings, bright blue eyes – it’s all there.

The lack of articulation is made up by the brilliant diorama included with the figure. Recreating the iconic scene from Mothra’s 1961 debut, the figure includes a miniature destroyed Tokyo tower stand, complete with Mothra’s hatched cocoon. The figure itself can be displayed flying over the destroyed tower or alternatively emerging from its cocoon (the hole in which the revoltech joint is connected can be plugged up if not in use). It’s an extremely nice addition and something that really sets the figure apart from any other Mothra toys that have been produced.

In the end, for a kaiju fan this is a necessary purchase – I mean come on, it’s Mothra. But for the casual collector it’s nothing spectacular. That’s not particularly a knock against it, as it was never really going to be a knock out from the start. But from a line that has already brought us Baragon, Gamera and Gyaos and soon to give us Moguera, Anguiras, Rodan and (rumoured) Gigan, Mothra is more than deserving of her place.