MAZINGER Z AD 1901 - Fewture Models Mazinger-1901 action figure

 

I remember seeing this figure a year or two ago (I think it was actually Aflodai from the same line that I saw in a store) and thinking to myself, "What's up with that? That's not how it should look..." and blowing the whole thing off. I tend to be a purist when it comes to my figures, I suppose. I 've always wanted them to look the way they are "supposed" to look. In that sense, I've never been one to appreciate artistic license or reinterpretation of characters I love. So, what changed? I suppose that firstly, I've gotten a little bit older. In my age, I've learned to appreciate things for their uniqueness and creativity. Besides that, and more specifically, solicitation began this year for my single most anticipated figure of 2021: CCSTOYS Shin Mazinger Zero. It's absolutely the most amazing action figure I've ever seen (and I've seen LOTS). And that figure's design reminds me a great deal of this one...

This figure is nearly 20 years old (solicited for sale in 2002), which is shocking considering how amazing it is. The premise is that this was a line of Mazinger-world figures that could have been created prior to the actual Mazinger Z, in 1901. Fewture did a second line called Mazinger 1969, but those figures are mostly die-cast and are insanely more expensive than the 1901 plastic figure line currently is (and even that is insanely expensive). Figures in the 1901 line included Z, BossBorot (I don't think this one ever actually got released), Aflodai, Doublas and Garada. Each was supposed to come with a piece of the Z's scrander, and it looks like the Z and Aflodai figures had multiple re-paint versions. Expect to pay a good deal for any of these (in the $100 range for Mazinger and Aflodai, and upwards of $350 to $450 for Doublas and Garada). This review is taking a look at the "Hong Kong" version of Mazinger Z, meaning black painted forearms, hands and shins, and red breast plates. I have a "Repaint" version, as well, which sports metallic blue for the legs and arms.

The original version looks like it was black with gold breast plates. The packaging is pretty amazing for 2002. The figure is shown off front-and-center, while all of the accessories are easily seen within the angled side panels. There's a display stand and one scrander wing sealed to the back panel, as well.

Mazinger Z comes with one set of alternate "claw" hands (fists on in the package) which have slightly articulated fingers (they can spread apart, and the thumb can swing forward). The knuckles aren't articulated or anything, but it does give you enough to get a new look or two. There's also an interesting gimmick for the forearms. In the package, they have a cap shell on each forearm. These can be removed, and a rocket piece can be installed within. There's a second set of rocket's with iron cutter blades "out" that can be swapped for them. So, we can have a look at the "rocket punch" rockets within the forearms or the iron cutters, depending on what look we want to go with - pretty cool stuff!

The head/face design is, of course, the first thing that will either grab you or turn you off. It's a very evil-looking and sinister take on the Mazinger design. The face plate adds curves that the original didn't have and something about the eyes give it a very organic feel. Pair that with an enormous crown (solid) and extended spikes and you've got something that reminds me very much of the classic Frankenstein monster's look. The upcoming CCSTOYS Shin Mazinger is reminiscent of this wicked face design (though that one will have an opening jaw, which this does not have). The face plate on this figure can be removed to reveal a smaller mouth and chin area underneath but I don't care for the way that looks at all, and I worry that removing the plate will cause it to loosen and fall out of place, so I'm leaving it where it is.

Mazinger Z is a pretty large figure, standing 9" tall. Besides the striking portrait, the sculpt sports plenty of detail in the forms of rivets and panels to add to its mechanical aspects, and the tremendous traps alongside the neck combined with the bulbous shoulder pads give it a sense of imposing strength.

Since the head is solid, there's no place for a traditional pileder to dock. Instead, there are three doors that open in the back of the torso. Fold down the seat inside and the included pilot (Juzo Kabuto) can be pegged into it. The pilot makes you realize that this design is intended to represent a smaller mech (the package says 12 m in height) than the original Mazinger Z would have been.

Articulation is present, and isn't bad for a 2002 figure, but it won't be able to achieve dynamic poses or stack up to today's standards: v-cut hips, slight swivel waist, cuts at the elbows, swivel wrists, ball jointed shoulders, ratcheted knees, toe hinges, and a swivel at the head, and a hinge at the base of the neck. It isn't bad, but the heels are a little curved, and the space between the ratchets in the knees create a problem for me getting this guy to stand at all - he's prone to toppling over. Combine that with a lack of pegs or a support rod in the base, and I've always worrying that I'll find Mazinger Z-1901 on the floor with parts broken off.

One final word really needs to be said here about the extraordinary paint work on this figure. The red isn't red at all, but is a kind of metallic burgundy that works so well! The black is kind of a misty, hazy matte grey and really serves to give the whole figure a sort of ghostly atmosphere. The fine details are excellent, and sharp, with the exceptions of the raised panel fins on the forearms, which sport some very sloppily applied silver along their top edges.

All in all, this is a fantastic and unique take on a classic character. I love its aesthetics, in terms of sculpt and paintwork, it really is outstanding. The accessories are minimal, and the articulation is largely impractical, but for a display piece on a shelf it's a home run! I'm keeping an eye out for more figures from the line, but honestly I don't envision the price point working for me. So, I'll plan to content myself with what I have here, and not-so-patiently wait for my CCSTOYS Shin Mazinger Z to release...