Wastelnd: Review - Anguirus 1968 (Movie Monster Series)

Beloved by fans, but forgotten by... well, just about everyone else, the great Anguirus is the true underdog of the Godzilla series; facing, and succumbing to the atomic monster in 1955's Godzilla Raids Again, before eventually returning as his trusty sidekick throughout the late 60s-early 70s, battling the likes of King Ghidorah, Gigan, and MechaGodzilla alongside the king of the monsters - the Robin to Godzilla's Batman.

Following his predecessor's death in '55, the "second generation" Angiurus emerged in 1968's Destroy All Monsters. Bandai's first take on the classic creature was released in 1984, later re-issued with a new deco as part of 1995's Godzilla Memorial Box before being scaled down and included in the Godzilla Island line - once again, redecoed. This version was again redecoed for its 2001 Movie Monster Series rerelease - which is the version we'll be covering. In 2003, the MMS was - guess what - redecoed! - for the Toy Dream Project Raids Again set, before finally seeing its final - ahem - redeco; part of the 50th Anniversary Memorial Box, taking a black and white look inspired by his debut.

Anguirus takes a notably cartoony sculpt; common to many Bandai Godzillas of the time, though probably the most obvious example, as far as mainline MMS go. Though certainly not suit accurate, it's a solid, stylized approximation, with the usual MMS standard for nice detailing.

At four points of articulation - all in the legs - the demon ankylosaurus is about as articulated as one might expect; his dragging hind legs are, appropriately, a bit useless, but you can manage some neat action poses with what's given.

The figure's cartoony vibe is most obvious in it's paint; molded in brown, dark sprays define his head, legs, and belly, with off-white claws, simplistic bold black-on-white eyes, and a great golden hide, leading into his tail. It's all very cleanly done, and looks pretty great. Though I'm not sure it's entirely true to the onscreen design, I especially love that bright, shiny shell.

The only MMS Showa Anguirus for over 20 years, the retro figure was finally succeeded in 2024, with the release of the DREAM5 collection; featuring an all-new, screen accurate take on the monster, much to the elation of his... tens of fans. I initially felt pretty ambivalent towards the figure, seeing it as perhaps a wasted spot on the fan-polled box set, but, comparing the two directly, it's a pretty fantastic redux - immediately and easily outmoding the original.

Anguirus is a unique, if not outdated figure; though, definitely a must-have one way or another, especially if you own his sparring partner, G'68. I'd say you're best off with the pretty DREAM5 reimagining, but, if you've got a soft spot for MMS' older, weirder sculpts, Angy is a standout.