That is, until 2024, with the release of "Phantom Color" Ghidorah 1964; a unique deco spin based on an unused design seen most prominently in his debut film's poster. Soon later, Ghidorah proper was revealed as the star of the DREAM5 collection; a box set featuring five fan-polled wish list characters.
Tonight, we'll be looking at both the DREAM5 release, as well as a bootleg Phantom Color variant - cool, huh?
So, first and foremost - fixing the wings. For those unaware, most Ghidorahs seem to be... well, "flattened"; their heads and wings smushed together, very unlike the promotional image. Though the DREAM5 box somewhat combats this - a small cardboard wedge placed between the wings - I think it's ultimately a deeper issue with how the figure itself was designed. Or something. Either way, fans across the globe joined forces to solve The Ghidorah Problem; concocting techniques varying from spreading the toy out beneath heavy school textbooks, threading stiff plastic wires through the heads and wings, and even - perhaps most disturbingly - stuffing the damn thing full of stiff tin-foil. I promise you, I actually saw someone do that to poor Ghid-O.
With a broad, majestic wingspan, Ghidorah '68 is an immediately striking, attractive figure, with an awesome presence; albiet, a figure that - I hate to say it - doesn't quite hold up to the ideal MMS standard. It's not a bad sculpt; more than effectively capturing that general "Showa Ghidorah" - just one that's a bit obviously flawed. Compare it to similar figures such as one of his onscreen rivals, Godzilla '68 - himself, a really amazing example of MMS' screen accuracy - or, really, any past MMS Ghidorah, and the issues are apparent.
Ghiddy's not the first of the post-2014 lineup to have this particular "blurry" aesthetic - hell, the DREAM5 MechaG he's packed with has very similar issues. Just look at figures such as the MUTO, or Megalon. It's nothing new, but it's all the more apparent, and even disappointing, on such a long-awaited key character.
I've seen many fans scrutinize the likeness of the heads, but, I'm a lot more forgiving. It's, again, all too blurry, and do I think there's something off around his brow, and eyes, but overall, I think they totally got his artfully carved, demon puppet-y look down, in soft, sofubi fashion. Nicely decorated, from crescent crown to forked tongue, and maniacally evil. 
While I would've preferred a flatter, flimsier approach to the wings - something like the older Ghidorah '91 - their fancy concave curvature is really grand, and I love their breadth when properly positioned. Sadly, though, the wings' lack of detail is garish, and obvious - probably the most blatant miss of the whole toy. Just compare it to Gigan's beautifully sculpted sails. The figure's further varieties of shingled scales, reptilian ribbing, and decorated odds-and-ends are, luckily, all nicely done - really emphasized by that golden deco - it's just a shame such a significant part of the monster was, shall we say, "Half-Assed".
I think my simple solution's best, and, hopefully, will help fans properly re-position their figure. It's easy; just tie the wings to the heads with a rubber band, or hair-tie - apply heat, and time - boom! I find it's best to stretch the wings and necks out as much as possible, without damaging the vinyl, or the wings' glue seals; it might look a little extreme, at first, but the toy will settle to a more natural position more closely resembling the promotional image (see below!).
Did I tie the figure together in the most scatterbrained, sloppy manner possible? Yes. Is it a bit bonkers ridiculous this is even necessary? Yes. Not much more to add.
Though I overall like the figure, Ghiddy's sculpt is simply not to the usual level one would expect; feeling more akin to a stylized late 90's MMS, or one of the better Bandai Creations figures, than what you'd expect of MMS proper. Though a wicked centerpiece, and a pretty satisfactory representation of Monster Zero, his totally untextured wings, odd body proportions, and sort of gummy finer detailing - peep them thicc horns - are hard not to pick up on.
...And yet, I still think the effort's clearly there, and overall, he's pretty sweet. Because he's, again, been such a highly coved MMS over the years, I figure he's worthy of a hyper-specific analysis; so, from the top down...
I mentioned his body proportions are strange, and really, I think that's pretty obvious to any fan with a solid familiarity with the character; so, I'll let the photos speak for themselves on that one. Ignoring finer issues with the body, I wish the figure had a more lurched stance; though it's ostentatious pose works coolly in-and-of itself, the monster onscreen almost always stood with a forward hunch - it may sound like a small difference, on paper, but it's one I feel could've massively improved the overall look and better sold the character.
Well, enough nitty-gritty - let's move along. Ghiddy comes in at only two points of articulation; that being, both legs. No wing, head, or tail movement here - though, as we'll see as we come to the bootleg, at least some of that poseability seemingly should've been possible.
Ghidorah is coated in a warm, shiny gold; well capturing the light, and giving the figure a nice, sort of premium physical feel. His heads feature very sharply done black-on-red eyes - with teeny-tiny little golden spaces, giving them a cute shine - a red tongue (where applicable), and a dusty brown mane. I definitely think more sprayed shadows could've improved the figure's overall appearance, particularly in the wings; effective paint detailing could somewhat make up for their smooth sculpt. All in all, though, it's all there, it's all clean, and it looks pretty wicked.
In the end... it's a tough figure to talk about. In some ways, I feel I've been to hard on the poor guy - but then, you just know MMS is most certainly capable of better. Still, it's best to appreciate what's here, rather than what could be; and I think for what it lacks in detail, and overall accuracy, the figure succeeds in portraying the character, which is, ultimately, the most important aspect of a figure. Maybe it's just because I've wanted a Showa Ghidorah for so long, but I think he's pretty cool - plus, he looks really nice with his bros.
Cashing in on the hype, bootleg Ghidorahs - surprisingly, specifically replicating the elusive Phantom Color variant - soon sprung up; a pretty unique, and collector-minded pick for a bootleg, considering it's limited official release. I actually very much regretted not going for the Phantom version, as many of the figure's issues are, I feel, overruled by that creative deco - so, paired with being a bootleg lover - and a sub $20 price tag - I was all over this strange lil' release.
Phantom Ghidorah feels about the same to the touch as any other MMS; though, compared to Ghidorah himself, he's a lot lighter, and more malleable, seeing as he isn't covered in that golden paint layer. It's worth noting, the bootleg is extremely susceptible to warping; if the official toy already has these issues, just imagine how bad it can be with the Teemu edition. My figure was not only flattened, but shifted heavily to the left, causing his right leg to pop out easily. Should you track one of these down, this almost certainly will affect your figure, one way or another. As such - plus, since he's a K-O, not some special box-set guy - I went a bit more extreme with my wing/neck modifications; I think it looks really sick - though it might be all a little overextended, it gives you an idea of what you'd like to go for, should you modify your Ghiddy as well.
The figure's sculpt is pretty much 1:1 with the real deal; the only significant difference being its randomized heads, presumably differing figure-by-figure. This time around, Ghiddy features six points of articulation - plus, both wings... though, they're only really capable of loosely flapping around their sockets. In short - anything glue-sealed on the official figure is now free, and posable. As simple as it is, the ability to move each head, as well as his tail - all glue sealed on the official figure - offers so much life to the ostentatious, but still very static figure. You can even spin around his tails to emulate his flying pose.
The real attraction here is Ghidorah's funky deco, which was, as previously mentioned, based on an early, unused design - hence, the whole "Phantom" thing. The bootleg does a pretty darn solid job replicating and matching the official figure's complex paint job, including fairly specific intricacies such as his soft gold chest; though, there are clear problem areas, such as the wings - which aren't quite as smoothly faded as the real-deal - and the heads - most obviously, their gloppy, pupilless eyes. There's a bit of further slop, including some stray paint strewn across certain parts of the figure, but for what it is, the paint job is overall very nicely done. In spite of it's expected limitations, it's all very colorful, and fun! It's a really fantastic deco, and I'm happy to say the bootleg conveys its appeal just as well as the MMS.
The great King Ghidorah; finally gracing us with his otherworldly presence, in mass-produced, merchandised form. The big-bad he is, any fan worth their salt will likely be going after this guy; and, though I've pretty thoroughly illustrated my nitpicks concerning the figure, I'd still recommend it as a very cool, satisfying take on the classic Kaiju.
Wishful thinking. Either way, if you ask me, I'd most suggest hunting down the (official) Phantom Color version; though the standard will soon be very widely available, with its inevitable mass market rerelease, the Phantom makes up for the figure's shortcomings in a very exciting way that's sure to get any dedicated Showa nerd going.
King, or Phantom, whichever demonic space-diety you choose, let us rejoice in his cackling, gravity-beaming, three-headed glory...
Ghidorah is coated in a warm, shiny gold; well capturing the light, and giving the figure a nice, sort of premium physical feel. His heads feature very sharply done black-on-red eyes - with teeny-tiny little golden spaces, giving them a cute shine - a red tongue (where applicable), and a dusty brown mane. I definitely think more sprayed shadows could've improved the figure's overall appearance, particularly in the wings; effective paint detailing could somewhat make up for their smooth sculpt. All in all, though, it's all there, it's all clean, and it looks pretty wicked.
In the end... it's a tough figure to talk about. In some ways, I feel I've been to hard on the poor guy - but then, you just know MMS is most certainly capable of better. Still, it's best to appreciate what's here, rather than what could be; and I think for what it lacks in detail, and overall accuracy, the figure succeeds in portraying the character, which is, ultimately, the most important aspect of a figure. Maybe it's just because I've wanted a Showa Ghidorah for so long, but I think he's pretty cool - plus, he looks really nice with his bros.
Phantom Ghidorah feels about the same to the touch as any other MMS; though, compared to Ghidorah himself, he's a lot lighter, and more malleable, seeing as he isn't covered in that golden paint layer. It's worth noting, the bootleg is extremely susceptible to warping; if the official toy already has these issues, just imagine how bad it can be with the Teemu edition. My figure was not only flattened, but shifted heavily to the left, causing his right leg to pop out easily. Should you track one of these down, this almost certainly will affect your figure, one way or another. As such - plus, since he's a K-O, not some special box-set guy - I went a bit more extreme with my wing/neck modifications; I think it looks really sick - though it might be all a little overextended, it gives you an idea of what you'd like to go for, should you modify your Ghiddy as well.
I can understand sealing pieces of the figure which would warp the vinyl if articulated, such as the wings, and tail - but why glue the heads? Though I think most would've preferred a joint at the base of each neck, Ghidorah's mindless mania is pretty effectively captured just by twisting his little heads all crazy-like - such a clear missed opportunity. Very weird.
The great King Ghidorah; finally gracing us with his otherworldly presence, in mass-produced, merchandised form. The big-bad he is, any fan worth their salt will likely be going after this guy; and, though I've pretty thoroughly illustrated my nitpicks concerning the figure, I'd still recommend it as a very cool, satisfying take on the classic Kaiju.
That being said, considering Bandai's hyperactive output these days, I wouldn't be too surprised if something like a "Ghidorah 1972", or otherwise "2.0" edition, is just around the corner; on one hand, it took 'em this long to do a Showa Ghidorah... but, on the other, he's a pretty important monster, and if weirdos like Cybot Godzilla can inexplicably get something of a 2.0 just about a year after release, why can't Ghiddy, too?
King, or Phantom, whichever demonic space-diety you choose, let us rejoice in his cackling, gravity-beaming, three-headed glory...
Check out my previous MMS reviews:
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