Wastelnd: Review - Godzilla 2001 (Bandai Creations)

One of my favorite Godzillas is the evil, undying demon of 2001's Godzilla, Mothra, and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack - better known as GMK. So far, I've looked at both the original 8" MMS figure, as well as its 2024 6" reissue; though, between these similar versions, was an original take by American Bandai subsidiary, Bandai Creations - a sub-series featuring unique figures inspired by, but often quite distinct from MMS - released in 2005, as part of BC's third wave.

BC's Godzilla 2001 is a pretty representative example of the sub-series' earlier works; generally true to the intended design, but oddly exaggerated in small, but substantial ways that throw the overall likeness. The figure looks a bit like if you took the Japanese figure and threw it through the Content Aware Scale; very strange, questionable proportions - such as the clownish feet, mitten hands, and bowling pin head - though still carrying the character's core "look" somewhere in there. As an aside, as a kid, I actually didn't recognize this guy as GMK specifically - I assumed it was some odd, generalized spin on Godzilla '54. It's just so... wonky.

I think the figure's strongest aspect is it's face; from some angles, they did a pretty solid job capturing GMK's evil snarl, and serpentine hunch - though, from others, he's like if Willie Tanner morphed into a Godzilla. The body somewhat captures the incarnation's massive build - even that beer belly - yet also, gives him this warped, anemic look, as if GMK went on Ozempic. Another one of GMK's defining characteristics - his huge, misshapen spines - are very rounded down, and undefined; sculpted into long, unbroken "chunks", with filled-in blank spaces between each spine, which themselves are angled upward very unnaturally - a quirk you'll find across various MMS-types of the time.

There is a certain awkwardness to the overall figure, between it's wafting arms, perfectly straight tail, and weird proportions - though, I'd be lieing if I said it doesn't capture GMK at all. It's nowhere near the accuracy of the MMS, but, I can reasonably see the vision. I'll even add that the figure's detailing is pretty solid, covered in a tactile variety of wrinkles, scales and bony grooves - credit where credit's due. Though one would assume it's based directly on the MMS predecessor, it's so off, I almost wonder if it could've been referencing some specific concept art, or illustration? Whatever the case may be, points for trying it's own thing, but, unfortunately, it just doesn't come together.

GMK features six points of articulation, just like the MMS - neck, both shoulders, both thighs, and tail. As mentioned before, his arms are sculpted in a sort of lifeless "wave" - though, you could also see it as a vague action look, lending themselves somewhat to creative posing.

Cast in black, solid whites define GMK's eyes, teeth, claws and spines - sprayed just before the midpoint of the tail - with a light maroon tongue. Straightforward as it may be, the figure's paint is very cleanly applied. Not a whole lot to say.

Directly comparing him to his Japanese counterpart(s)... no contest. I could go into specifics, such as the differences in paint, proportions, et cetera, but I think the photos really speak for themselves. At best, the BC GMK is a uniquely stylized take - at worst, it's just very, very off.

It's worth mentioning the BC figure was the only 6" scale GMK until the 2024 reissue of the 2001 original - so, for many a fan, he probably filled that niche well enough. Still, even in that very specific case, I think anyone would agree he just doesn't hold up to standard.

BC's GMK is an odd little guy - not terrible, but not especially good, either. Things just really fall apart from the neck down. These days, there's not much of a reason to hunt him down in particular, what with the aforementioned MMS reissue; though, many a fan is quite nostalgic for the figure, being so readily available across most retailers at the time. I'd imagine most who want, or own him fall into this category - myself included. While there's not much draw to the toy, it's a unique take on the character, and it's got it's own oddball appeal.