MAZINGER Z - Soul of Chogokin 50th Anniversary GX-105 figure review

My first reaction on GX-105's arrival was one of surprise - the box is shockingly compact! Beside my GX-70 Mazinger Z packaging, it's positively diminutive both in terms of general dimensions and thickness. My second reaction was that the front box illustration is beautiful. There's something I really like about the way the front is laid out, and I particularly like the colors and pose used in the shot of Mazinger Z. The back shows the standard fare: shots of Z in various poses with the included accessories. I must confess, I pre-ordered this GX-105 more out of obligation than interest: I collect Mazinger Z figures, and a new SOC version is an automatic purchase for me (likewise, I have Garada and Doublas on pre-order). That said, I wouldn't consider myself particularly excited about its release, which seems weird to me. I ought to be over the moon at a new Mazinger, but I think I was figuring it wouldn't be too different from my GX-70. Since its release, I've seen several reviews of the new GX-105, and it does look to be an all-new sculpt. I've gotten more and more excited, and now I can't wait to check this guy out! I do expect it to have fewer accessories than previous releases, but I'm not too concerned about that at the moment, since I tend not to use many of them anyway, and I'm hoping (in the event that I DO want to use something else) that GX-70's can be subbed in here in a pinch. In any event, it's time to check this guy out...

Initial impressions: The first thing that struck me is that the crown on this Mazinger Z is enormous. Especially without the pilder docked, it is simply huge. The figure looks great, with wonderful colors and paint. The accessories? Most striking is that there is no stand included here. I have mixed reactions to this. I didn't find the enormous stands necessary but it was pretty cool to have them, and to be able to store accessories inside of them. I guess there's just not enough here to necessitate such an inclusion? This is a fairly bare-bones version. We get two sets of alternate hands - yup, only two. Closed fists and open palms. One pilder, an alternate stomach piece with the missile launcher open, 3 missiles and the scrander (which needs to be assembled). There are two gimmicks that I'm aware of. First, the forearms include little flame effects at the elbow attachment and these can be "rocket punch" fired by pushing a button. Second, the torso missiles can be launched by pressing a button. I'm not a huge fan of gimmicks like these, as I don't spend much time launching parts at anything else in my space, but so long as they look cool on the shelf I don't care. And that's it. Pretty sparse, but I'm totally fine with it because (like I said) most times the accessories end up staying in the box or stored in the stand anyway. The one part I would normally look to use would be a gripping hand and Mazinger Z's sword, but I'll see if I can get GX-70's over here to this guy if I want to...

The proportions on GX-105 differ greatly from those of GX-70. The lower legs are slightly shorter, the thighs are thicker, the diaper is less rounded, the lower torso is wider, the arms are longer and slightly thicker, and the shoulders sit wider apart. The head is also significantly larger. The overall look is more imposing and substantive, despite the height of the figure remaining about the same across both figures. I think it's more accurate to the anime, but there are times when the head just looks oversized to me.

The scrander is easy enough to attach, as is the pilder, and both look awesome once in place. I do find the articulation to be a bit more limited than in the GX-70, but I will be fine with it, as he'll end up in a basic museum pose on the shelf anyway. 

Overall, GX-105 is an update that's worthy of purchase, in my book. The proportions and overall look are better and it's just a fun figure. Even having GX-70, I don't feel like I've wasted my money in any way, and the three of them look right at home together in my display!

GX-70 and GX-105

GX-70, GX-105 and GX-73 (Great Mazinger)

PANZER WORLD GALIENT - threeZero Robo-Dou Galient (Kelvin Sau Redesign) action figure

Robo-Dou Galient arrived yesterday, and I'm super excited! I'm going to do this opening and review a little at a time over the next several days to 1) see if it's a more manageable way to get this blog going again and 2) savor the figure a bit more. So far, all I've done is checked out the outside of the packaging. It's gorgeous! The front cover illustration of Galient in action is a beautiful painting, done to look like an old oil painting on canvas. There are creases and dappling effects throughout the entire thing - it's really an amazing piece of art. The world of Panzer World Galient is an interesting intersection of medieval and futuristic, with warriors on horseback with swords facing off against enormous mecha centaur-looking things. This artwork, along with the font they've selected for the name Galient really harken back to a Medieval tapestry or something. The back boasts a more contemporary series of images: the three forms that Galient can take. Included are Strike Vehicle, Big Falcon and Panzer Falcon. I'm personally not a huge fan of the two alternate (flying) forms, as they just seem really awkward to me. Combine that with my inability to do transformations without losing my temper, and Galient will probably be remaining in its original form. Tomorrow, I'll open the window flap to check out the figure itself, and maybe pop him out of a package for a quick once-over...

Ok, I couldn't help myself. I opened the flap to take a look. Man, the concept drawing on the inside flap is gorgeous! Unfortunately, the window is really hard to see into - they've wrapped Galient's head in plastic film to keep it pristine, with the result being that it really can't be seen. In this instance, I think it probably makes more sense to just do away with the window. What's the point, if we can't see anything in there? That said, the body looks to have a great paint job. Tomorrow, the tray comes out!

Inside the box are two plastic trays, stacked atop one another. The figure, Galient Blade (sword) and 3 pairs of alternate hands are in the top tray. The tailbone armor piece and backpack are detached in the tray, and lay underneath Galient. The bottom tray holds the shield, rear cannon, assault cannon, Galient Blade (whip form), an alternate right leg cover piece with a hole for a cable, an alternate left leg cover piece with the cockpit open (and a pilot's seat inside!), a handle and an adapter piece for the shield, a cable and a handle for the assault cannon, and an alternate red "belly button" cover (the one he comes attached with is yellow). In all, it seems like a really nice assortment of accessories and they are all well-done. I honestly doubt I'll be using the whip (because I worry once I bend the wire that I won't be able to get it back into its original shape), and I probably won't use the assault cannon. That leaves the shield and rear cannon, which I can imagine using for display, along with the Galient sword. I'm not sure about the alternate leg armor pieces, but I'm inclined to think I won't be using those, either.

On to the figure itself. My immediate initial response to taking the figure out of the package was honestly one of disappointment: it feels so light to me! That's the same reaction I had to the Dancouga ROBO-DOU I acquired last year. I also had some trouble adjusting the feet and legs to allow Galient to stand in a regular museum pose. However, the figure has really been growing on me since then. Galient weighs in at 1 lb. 3.8 oz. once the tail piece and backpack are attached. For comparison's sake, that's 4.7 oz. more than my Soul of Chogokin Getter Arc, who stands about 7.5" tall, as compared to Galient's 9.75" height. It's also nearly a half pound LESS than my ROBO-DOU Shin Getter 1. And I think that's my biggest gripe; my first two figures in the line were Neon Genesis Evangelion's EVA-01 and Getter Robo's Shin Getter 1. BOTH of those figures are heavy and really feel substantial in-hand. For the asking prices at their time of release ($150 for Getter 1 and about $130 for Eva 01) I was really over the moon ecstatic. Dancouga ran over $300 and weighs 1 lb. 3.4 oz, and Galient was $200+. It's a lot more plastic than metal at a much higher price. Granted, both feature engineering for transformation (and in Dancouga's case, we are talking about 4 different forms that these vehicles can take), but still, I couldn't help but feel a bit more ripped off with these last couple of releases.

However, over the past couple of days, I've begun to appreciate what threeZero has done here. The primary quality I look for in my action figure collection is aesthetics. To me, action figures are a form of art. I want to come back over and over again to appreciate their details, paint, and overall look. If I want posing, I'll check out D Amazing. If I want critique, I'll check out Anthony's Customs. For me, most of my figures are in a standard vanilla "museum pose," with few accessories around them. Accessories are ok, but I tend to not use most of them. Light features are usually unnecessary and the batteries just don't last - I'd rather have a stellar paint job that stays "on" all the time. But I've also grown to love die-cast metal content. There's just a different feeling in-hand that really makes me feel like I've spent money on something of quality. Which brings us full-circle back to Galient and the ROBO-DOU line. Here's what I've learned: these are not chogokin. They are not meant to compete with the Soul of Chogokin line. They are their own thing, which means plastic that's been painted to look like it could be weathered metal, and metal joints, for the most part. It's more MDLX Transformers than DLX Transformers (2 other threeZero lines).

I've been comparing these to my CCS Toys figures, which I think (again) is a mistake. Those are just about perfect in my eyes. Huge, heavy, eye-poppingly painted and detailed pieces of artistic expression and creation, they are a very high bar for anything to be compared to.

So, Galient on it's own. What do I think? I think it's beautiful. With the two pieces attached to the back, and the legs (finally!) adjusted properly, it's gorgeous. The paint is impeccable. Two shades of red for the armor, muted yellow trim, flat white to offset with a black wash over the entire thing and some faint silver dry brushing at the sharp edges to add some metallic wear effects. I think the blue gem in the forehead is a separate piece. Overall, it's a terrific presentation. Matched with excellent proportions, it makes for a striking figure on the shelf.

I'm very happy with Panzer World Galient. It's got a unique real-world weathered look, an interesting design, and so much beautiful detail to take in. I really have only one major gripe with the figure: it's advertised as having working rolling wheels under the feet, and the final product just doesn't. In the anime, Galient whooshes around in battle on roller wheels under its feet. It's very reminiscent of Votoms, if one is familiar with that anime. The description of the figure for sale clearly says this figure will have real rolling wheels. Mine doesn't. They are sculpted plastic with no movement. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but it certainly is disappointing. Otherwise, this guy is darn near perfect. Next up in the Robo-Dou line is Voltron. I'm going to lower my expectations for die-cast metal and let it be what it will be on its own merit.

 My first figures of 2023 are scheduled to arrive within the next couple of weeks. First up should be the threeZero ROBO-DOU Panzer World Galient, followed by GX-105 Mazinger Z from Bandai's Soul of Chogokin line. I'm pretty excited for both, but mostly for Galient. I was pretty disappointed by threeZero's Dancouga from last year. It has very little die-cast content, so it feels much cheaper than it's $300 plus asking price. It looks good, but I don't care for the attachment point at the ankles (which I was afraid of, even prior to getting it), so I don't mess with it very much at all. In short, I didn't feel like it got me the asking price's worth, which was a first in the ROBO-DOU line. I'm hoping that Galient is sturdier and easier to handle!

I feel like I've been waiting for Galient for forever. It's not a title I was familiar with, so I placed the pre-order solely on how cool it looked, and on how happy I was with my then-recent threeZero purchases. I did manage to watch the 14-episode show during the past year of waiting, and I was really pleasantly surprised with the entire thing, except the ending. It just seemed pretty rushed and unsatisfying as far as conclusions go. But, the ROBO-DOU figure is on its way to me, and I can honestly say I'm super excited!

The Soul of Chogokin GX-105 Mazinger Z is a little bit of a different story. I'm very familiar with the anime, having watched the Impact version several times, along with Infinity. I already have several Z figures, including the Dynamic GX-70. I think I pre-ordered this more out of obligation to the title than because I really love it, and I had some trepidation that it really won't be much different from the GX-70 version. After watching a few reviews over the past couple of weeks, since its release, I've gotten more excited. It looks like all-new tooling, and despite its lack of a plethora of accessories, I think it's going to be a neat addition to the collection. It will be fun to compare to the older version, in any case. So let the waiting continue...