Wastelnd: Review - Gamera 1996 (Theater Exclusive) (Movie Monster Series)

Following 1995's Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, Gamera re-re-turned with 1996's sequel, Gamera 2: Attack of Legion; where the titular turtle faces a Japan-wide infestation of insectoid alien creatures.

In his decisive attack on the invaders, Gamera summons Earth's spiritual energy, glowing with power as a beam of pure mana blasts from his chest - obliterating the Legion.

8" vinyl figures of Gamera and Legion were released alongside the film, with Gamera receiving a "Plasma" theater exclusive variant replicating the finale.

Taking a fierce, battle-ready stance, Gamera features a very detailed, and unique, though somewhat dated sculpt. Every carved groove, warped wrinkle and little gruff intricacy is present and accounted for, and though it's slightly unwieldy - his tail wanting to stay elevated, with both feet crooked to very particular positions - I totally dig that aforementioned pose; well capturing the supermonster's heroic determination, and really making the figure stand out - if that deco didn't already.

Though moving at six points, the figure's articulation is very limited by its dynamic, but specific sculpt. There's not much more than one pose he looks good in; though, I'm not really complaining - I'd rather have too much articulation than too little, and even if that articulation's a bit awkward, at least the pose carries. I applaud the extra effort, which Bandai tends to avoid these days. Foreshadowing!

Though it altogether looks pretty slick, there is a certain softness to the sculpt - nothing terrible, considering it's a 30 year old toy - but, certainly typical of MMS-types of its era. That being said, I always think it's a great look - as sculpts get cleaner and cleaner, dedicatedly accurate to their respective movie monsters, the distinctly toyetic style of Bandai's earlier works really appeals to me.

Cast in translucent orange, a blend of hot reds and sparkling golds emanate from his belly, draped by a vignette of deep blue skin. It's a real eye-catching look - paired with the sort of stylized sculpt, it very much reminds me of high-end Kaiju art toys, such as Marusan, or CCP. There's so much to like - the gentle fades between blue, red and orange defining the figure, that shiny gold-turned-green highlighting his face, claws, shell, and tail - even it's translucency works well, giving Gamera a simmering internal glow beneath his navy hide.

In 2022 - only 26 years later - Bandai revealed a new take on Gamera '96, finally inducting him into the 6" scale, and MMS proper. Though it's a beautifully done figure, certainly, and expectedly beating out the old sculpt, it's notably lacking in one recurring problem area - articulation. Whereas the original is poseable, but limited, the reimagining is a real statue; with only its legs, and tail articulated.

Though I see them as more-or-less equals, each with their own merits, if you ask me, the 2022 version is better; but, especially with this variant, the original figure has so much more character, really standing out among the same-old, same-old, roaring and stomping crowd. My only real complaint would be that pose - on one hand, it's awesome, but on the other, it's, again, a bit awkward, struggling to find a real center of gravity, and not making much use of its articulation.

If you're a Gamera psycho like me, or just dig the look, this figure's definitely worth seeking out. Now that the standard 6" exists, there's not much of a draw to the sort of plain normal 8" edition; so, all the more reason to go for the wicked theater exclusive - it's a really sick variant, emphasizing that distinct pose with killer paint work, making him one of, if not the most unique Gameras MMS has put out.