December 15, 2001 CURRENT RUMBLE Getter Grandeur Tim Brisko 12.15.01 This is a toy experience. Just opening the box was worth the price of the toy. The GX-06 comes in the standard SOC-style box we’ve all become accustomed to. The outer box wraps two full styrofoam trays surrounded by a cardboard liner. Each piece of succulent die cast sits atop a layer of plastic to ensure no paint damage over time. If you were one who was disappointed by the GX-05, you will not be disappointed with this. Just as the Daikumaryu was a departure from what had become the traditional ‘SOC Style’ the GX-06 is a joyful return to the classic robot chogokin. Brilliantly enameled metal comprises a good 70% of this fine toy. With the GX-06, Bandai has truly mastered the solid ‘feel’ of modern day chogokin collectable. While the engineering is incredible, the truly amazing aspect of the set is its sheer toy-like quality, something very uncommon in modern toys. The irony of this is that the GX-06 comes packaged with a disclaimer that states ages 15 and up. Despite the disclaimer, this is certainly the most playable SOC to date. The Getter team just begs to be picked up and played with. Bandai did a superb job of balancing each piece as a stand-alone toy while incorporating gimmicks that demand the combining and recombining of all the magnetic pieces. The engineering is superb, all of the attachment points are solid whether they be mechanical or magnetic. Bandai has incorporated some new features to resolve some of the complaints of the past. A perfect example of this are the improvements in the forearm attachment points, each part attaches not only with magnets, but with a friction gasket as well. The Getters take and hold their poses well. Release buttons are either cleverly hidden or discretely placed in places that do not compromise the clean lines of this classic design. I was a bit concerned about the detachable arms, but they work marvelously. I have removed them dozens of times and the connections are as tight as they were out of the box. Getter 1 Getter 1 is the the obvious pick of the litter. He comes with two heads, one that has two ball-in-socket joints for posing and another that has droopy dog ear gattai action. He is almost completely solid diecast, the only plastic and PVC parts are the head, bib and forarms. He poses well, though the give in the ankle and hip joints is a bit restricted. The painting is excellent, not a flaw in sight. The clean gleam of the ultra glossy red and yellows enamels compliments the opalescent white perfectly. Getter 2 Getter 2 was a real surprise. Not a huge fan of the design, I expected him to be a real shelf warmer. Between the double jointed knees and the overall seventies robot funk he has going, he has really snuck his way into my heart. The claw and drill are incredibly well executed, the electroplating on the drill is perfect. Getter 3 Getter 3 has the most plastic of the bunch. Outside of the rollers, the entire bottom potion of the robot is plastic. I have to say his arm gimmick is the coolest of the lot. I was somewhat skeptical about the articulation, but it is incredibly fun to play way with. It makes me pine for the upcoming Boss Borot even more. All in all, a real treat for SOC collectors, and maybe even a treat for those less inclined to pick up the latest offerings from the Bandai toy machine.  RUMBLE INDEX  |  CURRENT RUMBLE