January 1999 | Ramble Index | November 1998

12/31/98: New Year's Eve Updates:

Louis Law checks in with a raving Ramble on the SOC Great Mazinger. I couldn't agree with his sentiments more:

i've heard of numerous complaints about this toy, so i wanted to check this out myself. and this is what i found: he is bigger and heavier then the soc mazinger z (i'll put him on a scale at a later date). bandai has resolved the paint problem that was on the mazinger z (tacky paint on any "soft plastic parts" ie. fist, brain pilder...color version only) many hidden bottons (ie. rear fins for flying mode...) cool jet pilder for mazinger z (used in movie version) 2 sets of wings (from the final eps of the tv series) even though you can't bend his head back like mazinger z, i still think it's a great toy! so don't pass it over!! -- louis

Read all about his latest score in the Collection Narrative section of the Gallery of Love. Much thanks to Tom the Greek for the great pics...

I received my 1/35 Votoms Snapping Turtle toy by Takara today. This toy impressed me so much that I thought I would send in a Ramble. The toy itself stands about 4-1/2 to 5 inches tall. The toy comes with a machine gun, a shoulder cannon that shoots missles, a jetpack, lots of attachable armor and two baggies full of extras. It also comes with two pilots, one in a standing position and another that rides inside the chest. The chest opens revealing a chair and control panel for the seated pilot. It also comes with a sticker sheet containing at least 50 stickers. The toy itself is very poseable and jointed. The way the two shin guards attach is very ingenious. Two long rods pass through the shin and attach from behind. The toy is mostly plastic with the exception of a few screws and such. It does however have some weight to it. With all the accessories actually attached to the body, it rivals the 1/24 Scopedogs. For a realtively obscure character in the show, this guy packs a real wallop!!!! -- Tom the Greek

12/23/98: Electroshock!

Thanks to Louis (pics) and Matt (prose) for this collaborative ramble:

"The cover story is 'Predicting the Future of Gundam Models.' Features include shots from a recent Japanese toy show, close-ups of some of the new Takara Microman pieces (which look like bastard lovechildren of a twisted Micronauts, Evangelion, and Beast Wars three-way) as well as the obligatory review of the new Perfect-Grade Gundam kit. For the language impaired, the Microman shown are Robotman, Micromachine, and Acroyear. And yes -- Electroshock reports that the Micromachine is held together by 'Magne-Power!'"

"Pinch me, I'm dreaming!" -- Matt
12/16/98: LD Reissue!

Thanks to Louis and Carlos who sent in pics of the upcoming Mazinger LD. Carlos says,

"Ok. Here is a preview of the Mazinger Commemorative Edition Laser Disc. It is a re-release of the original Mazinger TV series. This first volume includes a few episodes plus a premium which consists of a special Mazinger Z figurine. Volume #2 should follow. I just can't wait to get mine!"
12/15/98: Guest Rambles!

Sock-wielder Roger Harkavy rambles on about the Kaiyodo Victory Action Figure: LED MIRAGE "Manga Spawn, eat your heart out!" "First of all, this toy has to be the only one I've had delivered to me on a Sunday. " "The first thing that strikes you about this baby is the packaging - a striking diamond-shaped white card, featuring the Mirage Knights logo. The figure itself has good articulation, and the plastic is stiff enough so that the head's antenna and crest don't get bent out of shape by breathing on it too hard. A massive shield (with the trademark "mandibles"), sheathed sword, unsheathed sword, and scabbard make up the accessories, in addition to a sheet of roman numeral decals (that's right, DECALS) packaged with it. The detail is top notch, right down to the tread on the soles of the feet and the designs on the handles of the swords." "All in all, a top-notch action figure that looks very slick displayed on my desk. I recommend it." "A variant of the Led Mirage featuring Colus's color scheme is expected in 1999. The packaging at the top lists a few other Mirage variants, including the Cross, Jagd, and Speed Mirage (the FSS analogue of the L-Gaim Mk-II). We can only hope Kaiyodo expands the line in this direction." "An amazing job by Mamoru Nagano (mecha designer) and Akira Tani (sculptor). Kudos to Kaiyodo!" -- ROGER [Alen sez "thanks" to Philippe at HLJ for gracious use of their images!]

Cat-box's Patrick Soffner shares the thrill of his recent big score: "Ever wonder what it would be like to purchase a nice lot of diecast toys? Well I did, and I finally had the opportunity this Thanksgiving vaction (and I went for it). I'd have to admit there was nothing more pleasant,and to top it all off, most of the toys were high on my want list." "About a year ago I decided to concentrate on the Godaikin and Shogun lines of figures, thinking I would gradually buy and trade for new additions to my collection. I was doing pretty good with help from some of the best people/collectors on the net (mainly Alen.) Some acquistions included 2-in-1 Gaiking, Dangard Ace, 2-in-1 Voltes V, Great Mazinger, DX God Sigma, DX Daidenjin, etc. But I was not prepared for what was about to take place." "One thing I have to say before I continue is 'always be good to your friends' for one day you will reap the benefits. My friend happened to know I collected Japanese toys and knowing this told his friend who was looking to sell his childhood collection. The collection this friend had though was boxless. I really didn't mind because I was able to purchase almost the entire lot. Here is what I obtained: DX Combattler, DX Daimos, DX Daltanius, DX Dynaman, DX Godmarz, DX Godsigma, DX Goggle V, DX Laserion (armored), DX Voltes V, ST Godsigma, Ultraman 80, Sheringer Tank, Shogun Dragun (1st), 3" Voltes V "Another down side is that these figures might be incomplete as well, I have to wait for the bags of accessories to arrive in the mail later. None the less, all of these figures range from C7 to around C9 condition. "On an end note, I'd have to say 'don't give up looking, that pot of gold under the rainbow might just be in your own back yard.'" -- PAT

"In a tiny area of Tokyo renowned for warehouses, smog, and an almost total lack of Japan's usual plethora of cheap-ass coffeeshops comes yet another "nostalgic" toy firm: Uni-Five. But are they really that new? Nope. Reading the fine print of their newest ad in Hobby Japan tells the whole story: they're the new character-toy spin-off company of the "Banpresto Group." And Banpresto, as those in the know will tell you, is wholly owned by massive toy-behemoth Bandai.

On the heels of a massive (well, semi-massive, anyway) recruitment effort straight from the back-pages of every geek-fest toy-magazine in Japan, Uni-Five has announced their production of not only the Time-Bokan "Mekabuton," but a repro of the Mazinger Z Jumbo Machinder as well. Yowza. And that's not all. Their ad in HJ dangles the tantalizing hint that they "plan to continue the hits with various pieces such as our popular Robocon cellular-phone straps and the like)...."

What could be next? Only time will tell..."-- Matt

12/03/98: Howdy

Hey -- long time, no Ramble. My apologies to everyone who's been sending in mail and pics: I've been swamped with consulting, and one of my major projects from last year just hit Toys R Us: LEGO Mindstorms!

If you missed the chat on Monday, then you missed Louis sending in this blurry Mulder-esque scan of the new SOC Combattra. It's absconded from the japanese publication AX, available at both Sasuga and Tokyo Kid, so buy it!

He also sends in this report on Magic Box:

UNBELIEVABLE! In what has to be one of the most insane twists in nostgalgic-toy history to date, the famed Tokyo-based toyshop MAGIC BOX has announced a RENTAL AND LEASE system for old toys! Magic Box is well-known for their monthly full-page ads in Hobby Japan magazine, which consist of nothing but toy prices densely printed in what seems to be an almost-unreadable two-point font. Although this new rental promotion is aimed mainly at television-show producers, toy magazines, toy "cameos" for films, and museum displays of old toys rather than being aimed at collectors per se, this HAS to be a first in the world of toy-collecting. Sample prices were not listed, but a toll-free hotline has been set up to accommodate calls. "We handle old models, chogokin, character toys, soft-vinyl figures, built-up garage kits, posters, cards, etc..." -- Matt

January 1999 | Ramble Index | November 1998