Showing posts with label Godzilla. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Godzilla. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Review - Anguirus 1968 (2024 Version) (Movie Monster Series)


2024's DREAM5 box set brought a fun array of previously unseen, or otherwise outdated kaiju to the modern MMS line; Anguirus '68 falling into the latter category, having first seen an MMS release in 1997 - itself, using a sculpt dating all the way back to 1984 - which saw regular reuse up until as recently as 2005. Pretty crazy. A mere 20 years later, Godzilla's oldest adversary finally saw a well-deserved, full-on redux with the DREAM5 set, hitting mainline MMS a year later. 

I initially felt the new Angy was a waste of a spot, seeing the older, Y2K figure as a solid good enough - boy, was I wrong; the new Anguirus is an MMS masterpiece, really proving Bandai's ability to nail a scuzzy Showa sculpt when they really want to - in my opinion, the nicest figure of the DREAM5 set, a modern "must-have" for any classic Godzilla nerd. Hell, any Godzilla nerd, really.

Anguirus perfectly captures not only the unique '68 likeness, but the rugged feel of the suit itself; its excellently tactile grit really bringing the figure to life, from his sharp, spiny carapice, to heavy, gnarled scales. The figure is so rich in detail, even the "white space" between his spines is appropriately textured - just stellar.

Something about it all reminds me of the suit's later... more waterlogged appearances, specifically as seen in 1972's Godzilla Vs. Gigan - easily his finest hour, if you ask me.

Angy features a solid five points of articulation - including a rare tail swivel. Neat. His lively tail and dragging back legs can aid in some vaguely dynamic poses... but, generally, what you see is what you get. Still, that alone is better than usual for present day MMS, no? Particularly useful or not, I'll always take more articulation over less, and this guy delivers.

With a sort of dusty, desaturated color scheme (that was for some reason kinda tricky to capture on camera?), Anguirus takes a grey-brown base, with warm tan horns, white teeth, very well detailed brown-on-white eyes, grey claws, and a bony off-white carapace. Very cleanly done, great variety of color - again, well above the modern day MMS standard. I especially love those mean little peepers. Killer.

That said, a little nitpick - I totally miss the wicked golden carapace present on the original Anguirus figures! Not sure how screen-accurate it really was, or anything, but what a cool, toyetic look, y'know? Oh well. Speaking of the original figure...

So, as mentioned before, the original original MMS Angy dates all the way back to 1984, as part of Bandai's 8" Godzilla Collection. Jeepers. Best I can offer is the previously reviewed 200x 6" edition; one of the earliest scaled-down reissues of the figure, and probably the best.

There's really no contest between the 200X, and 2025 Anguiri - and, I mean that in the best of ways; the original figure has always been one of my favorites, and, now, Bandai's improved upon themselves ten-fold. Both are unique, snappy takes on the character, with their own distinct charms - the original carrying that flashy, old-skool Bandai style, while the redux more deliberately, dedicatedly aims for screen-accuracy, beautifully capturing the feel of a vintage kaiju via sofubi vinyl. More attuned to modern collector's tastes, I think most fans will gravitate towards the 2024 version - but hey, don't sleep on the classics.

Maybe my favorite of the DREAM5 collection - and, again, certainly the "nicest" - Angy is a wicked cool and well done figure; an excellent, fresh take, certain to become a common sight among MMS collections. Definitely a must-have if you're into classic Godzilla and foes. 
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Saturday, December 6, 2025

Review - Godzilla 2004 (Movie Monster Series)


The then "grand finale" to Godzilla as a franchise - and, to this day, the last Godzilla picture created using traditional suit effects - 2004's Godzilla: Final Wars is certainly among the series' most controversial, yet iconic installments - beyond it's many faults, an infinitely memorable explosion of Kaiju madness, redefining many classic characters for the modern age, while dutifully sending off the storied and celebrated King of the Monsters... least, for a good ten years, or so.

Bandai's Godzilla 2004 was first released beside the film in the 8" scale - along with various redecos, such as the monochromatic HMV exclusive - before seeing a 6" reissue the following year. We'll be looking at the 6" version. 

Godzilla is wicked dynamic - sharply detailed - and all around, just a real banger of a figure. It's hard to say much, when a sculpt is so spot-on - perfectly capturing Godzilla's iconic Final Wars likeness. I especially admire how they've captured the design's uniquely slim, compact build. One of the quintessential MMS Godzillas - Simple, effective, but also sort of beautiful, and really fun. 

With a solid, striking base pose, Godzilla features five points of articulation; though he's mostly tied to that base stance, he's reasonably agile, and, again, fun. I always dig elbow swivels, let alone neck - adds lots of personality, which I find the figure is very rich in.

Molded in a lighter grey, Godzilla's spines are sprayed vibrant white, with bright yellow claws, bone teeth, a bold red tongue, and fiery orange-on-black eyes. I love it's snappy, toyetic style, really appealing to that "sofubi" sensibility; though, it's obviously not typically screen accurate, and I do wonder how a darker take might look. 

In 2006, American Bandai counterpart, Bandai Creations, released their own take on G'04 as part of a Final Wars themed wave of figures. To keep things brief, as we'll dig deeper in his dedicated review; while there are certain nuances to the design I find the BC figure captures more effectively than the MMS... the MMS is just better. Still, a cool alternative. 

In 2023, an updated version of the MMS G'04 was released, featuring an ever so slightly different, or otherwise, modified sculpt; most identifiable by its purple, rather than red, tongue. It's hard to explain exactly what's different between the two, without having both in-hand; but, I'd definitely say the original is the one worth hunting - of course, they're nearly the same, so it doesn't make a huge difference, but something about the initial version just looks that much nicer.

Godzilla 2004 is one of the best MMS figures - a total must-have. Though finding the original 2005 version specifically can be tricky, he's, thankfully, pretty common - I remember nabbing mine mint at Spooky Empire 2014, the same convention where I met the original Godzilla himself. Crazy, right? Plus, for what it's worth, much of my praise can be said of the more readily available 2023 redux, as well. Definitely among my all-time favorites - the star of the Final Wars rogues gallery!

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Saturday, November 29, 2025

Review: King Ghidorah 1964 + Phantom Color King Ghidorah (Movie Monster Series / Bootleg)

The psychotic, planet-killing Showa-era King Ghidorah is among the most famous classic Godzilla kaiju; the King of the Monsters' true arch nemesis. Though an iconic, beloved version of the character, the original Ghidorah had been quietly excluded from Bandai's Movie Monster Series for years; barring the related 8" Godzilla Collection Ghidorah - himself, last released all the way back in 1989.

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. 

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. 


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.

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.

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.

...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'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 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.

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 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.

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? 

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 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... 


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Saturday, August 23, 2025

Review - Viras 1968 (Movie Monster Series)


Viras, the six-armed leader of an eerie squid-alien race, is one of many evil, telepathic, Japanese-speaking Kaiju invaders terrorizing the nightmare that is the Showa Gamera world; capturing who else but a pair of small boys in his odd quest to overtake Earth, much to the chagrin of the hero to all children, the Great Gamera. One thing leads to another, and... colossal Kaiju calamari.

Viras first joined the Bandai lineup in 1993 with the Gamera Series; later being ported from 8", to 6", as part of 1999's Gamera Memorial Box. 

Bandai's Viras is simple, but effective - a pretty solid MMS take on the character; true to the onscreen monster with intricate, suit-replicating details, a nice scale, and very solid paint work. It really plays to his funkyweird design - the lanky space-age squidward definitely standing out among the crowd. It's texturing is especially striking - really perfectly capturing the heavy painted rubber look of the real deal. I especially like how they've stayed true to the design by incorporating his unsubtle "tentaclegs", revealing the performer inside. Kinda funny to see a standard scale Guy among the MMS.

I do think he could've used more width, and life; more squiddy, and sprawled-out, with some tangible motion to those static arms. The X-Plus does its pose very well, for example. Still, simple as it ultimately is, it's Viras!

At only two points of articulation (with a crookedly glue sealed neck, a weird shared trait between the Memorial figures), there's not exactly a lot you can do with the figure - especially with those aforementioned very lifeless arms - but, either way, that tactile sculpt and bold deco carry. 

Sadly, I don't (currently) own the original Gamera Series release; though, they're about the same, with the only actual difference being scale, and specifics in paint. I will say, I dig the slightly more accurate face on the '92 version - the MMS' face is cleaner, and more defined, but the Gamera Series' take just looks more... right. Still, they look about equal - I imagine most will be after the 6".

I don't think anyone expects All A's from "Viras"; and, being fair, this is a pretty standard, middle-of-the-road MMS - for better, or worse. These further, more obscure classic Gamera enemies really deserve the "2.0" treatment. Still, there is some real quality to this figure; well capturing the charmingly strange Kaiju - and, even beyond that, making for a perfectly weird little sofubi creature. There's a certain fun to that itself! What you see is what you get - whether you like the character, or even just scary little Japanese collectible dudes, Viras is solid.

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Friday, August 15, 2025

Shin Godzilla VS The SmogMonster (Now In 4K)

The stone-cold classic Shin Godzilla has returned to theaters after nine years; and, by some stroke of luck, my local run-down hell-hole of a cinema scored! So, naturally, I made my way downtown - just as the mysterious Vanessa Calrton foretold- to once again catch one of my all-time favorite films. 

The day started with a ton of rain, the lawn outside my apartment practically flooding - fitting, right? IYKYK. Sometimes I worry it'll reach our doors - my Godzilla doormat was drowned. Shocker I'd own that, right? I got a couple eddies next door, as well as a couple real snacks from the dollar store, and I was off. And yes, the edibles did, in fact, melt into an unholy brick in the car.

Sadly, not my photo. X_X
I first saw Shin Godzilla on it's original US run all the way back in 2016 - though, since it was with a friend I've since lost touch with, seeing it on its second run is sorta like reclaiming a memory. Hard to believe it's basically been ten years - the build-up to Shin was unbelievable. I wasn't exactly old enough to get in on the Godzilla 2014 hype, so it was my first time actively anticipating a Godzilla film. I posted tons and tons of odds and ends I'd find across the Japanese side of Twitter and Instagram to the Toho Kingdom forums; I even remember the first glimpse at Shin himself, a little silhouetted water bottle given to extras. In fact, there were a couple seemingly fake leaks floating around the forum that later proved true once the film's conceptual materials dropped, such as the two-headed Shin, or the odd, living spawns of gory flesh. Anyone remember "Godzilla: Resurgence"?

Anyhow, it was a pretty great experience! There were only three groups in the theater, counting Shin and myself - specifically, the Monster King Series 12" vinyl, released just after the film. One couple arrived 45 minutes late - gotta assume they just had time to kill theater-hopping, I don't know how you could miss that much context in a film such as this, let alone one in a foreign language. The behavior of Theater Goers can be a serious mystery. 

I'm not usually one to care about, let alone notice 4K, 4-D, Super-Magic-Ultra-Graphics, but I did occasionally notice some difference in clarity, especially during the effect sequences. Slightly different level of contrast, more visible grain and gnarl, etc. I've also read there are some improvements to the translation/subtitle work, though nothing particularly dramatic as far as I could tell. 

What a spectacular nightmare of a movie. Really unbelievable horror, perfectly enhanced by a juxtaposed realism that can really shock in it's absurdity, yet believability. I know that's an overly wordy mouthful, but man, is it true. I'll spare you all the full Jay Sherman review, but it truly is a masterpiece; the scariest, most traumatic Godzilla film outside of the original.

It's very exciting to live in an era where the Godzilla franchise can exist both in its home country - with unusual, striking films such as Shin, or the recent Minus One - as well as Stateside - with the very fun, adventurous Monsterverse - proving just how versatile and creative the core concept of a big radioactive cartoon dinosaur can be. It's a great time to be a fan.

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Saturday, August 2, 2025

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, like 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, kinda.

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 - 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, fans are 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. Even though he's Ugly.

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