Monsters of Monsters

 

Official pictures of some upcoming Playmates Godzilla toys were recently released and I wanted to talk about them a little. Top left is a new Shin Godzilla that looks like a big improvement over the last version Playmates put out in the lines first wave. If anything, it's a nice way to see the improvement of the line from then to now. It really looks good. To his right is Kong as he appeared in Skull Island. Seemingly another use of the Kong figure from the Godzilla vs Kong series that flies off shelves. It's a great toy and comes with the chain weapon used against the giant skull crawler at the end of the movie and one of those classic helicopters.

Bottom left is Godzilla from 2019's King of the Monsters. Specifically in his 'burning' form. I never get tired of Burning Godzilla toys and this one has a great looking new sculpt and a tank. They never come with a bus though. I mean, he could pick it up and put it back down. It really does look great and I hope several variations in different decos come from it. Let's go old-school Playmates, give me translucent glow in the dark Godzilla with a bus. Last but not least to his right is Godzilla's third form from Singular Point known as Terrestris Godzilla. Representing a more juvenile version prior to maturity he's not fully erect and hunched over. Really, it's that sharp color scheme that draws me to this toy. It's a cool design, sure, but that blue!

I'm always ready for more Godzilla and have been a steady fan of the Playmates toys. The new releases coming down the pipe are just exciting. There's nothing like getting one and just being in awe of it for the first time. I'm really looking forward to seeing these at my local stores. Playmates has really been putting out a solid line of Toho Kaiju. Here's looking forward to figuring out how to stick them on a shelf with others. Those tails can really get in the way.

What's New Kaiju?

I've made no secret of my love for the Playmates Godzilla line. It's a fun series of relatively cheap kaiju figures found easily at my local big box stores (formerly exclusive to Walmart, but now available at others). The figures are sometimes re-releases of Bandai figures, or brand new toys that admittedly can be hit or miss. Though they've been mostly hit after the initial batches. Pretty good, actually.

Recently new listings of upcoming toys have been making their way through various kaiju groups. This is pure joy as the new toys are fan favorites and like I said, never Playmates figures have been pretty good. From the list of figures, I'm sure the Jet Jaguar is a re-release of the one from earlier this year. However the rest are all brand new and I'm freaking stoked. Rodan, Mecha King Ghidorah, and original King Kong are the ones I'm most excited for. Though the others aren't too shabby either.

I'd gladly credit whomever found the listing once I find out myself.

Godzilla Burns While Jet Jaguar Isn't King Kong

I happily found Playmates new Burning Godzilla and Jet Jaguar figures while at Target last Saturday. These are part of the 6.5" Godzilla line that was previously exclusive to Walmart. I've been a pretty big cheerleader for Playmates Godzilla toys and happy to see more. Playmates has seemingly improved their work on this line as these are soft vinyl figures closer in detail to a Bandai figure as opposed to the hard vinyl ones from earlier releases. At first glance, I honestly assumed they were Bandai reissues. A big step up from that Shin Godzilla.

Burning Godzilla represents the big guy as he appeared in Godzilla vs Destoroyah. Jet Jaguar is Toho's attempt at an Ultraman like superhero of their own before going with Zone Fighter. Jet Jaguar doesn't get much love here in the states, so I was pretty happy to get this toy. Hopefully this part of Playmates Godzilla line continues as I'd love more stuff like this at my local stores for pretty reasonable prices.

Another Final War For Godzilla

Playmates Godzilla toy line matches the definition of kaiju in that it is a strange beast. You've got a mix of Bandai soft vinyl released through the brand as well as hard vinyl original creations by Playmates. Add in the newer Kong vs Godzilla movie action figure line and you've got a weird mixture of toy types hanging on your Walmart shelves.

I've said before how the hard vinyl figures are visually similar to the soft ones. Aside from varying sculpt quality, you might not notice the difference when they're next to each other. I've chalked it up to a mixture of whatever deal they have with Bandai and Playmates own facilities for the differences in the lines. Admittedly I'm being a nerd about this, but when you collect these things, it tends to be a sticking point. 

I've grown quite fond of the Playmates figures regardless and even find the random sculpt issues pretty funny. It's fun to point out something and just say Playmates. It's just their thing. Then they go and release a soft vinyl figure on their own and we're back to square one. However instead of focusing on that for too much longer, I'm just going to relish in the fact that they made a pretty decent one. 

A little while ago, I talked about Playmates Shin Godzilla figure. This particular toy was subject to a lot of poo pooing in various kaiju groups. Fair enough, despite growing on me, he definitely isn't for everyone. I don't know what the plan was at Playmates, but they swapped him out in newer shipments with a new Final Wars Godzilla figure. A soft vinyl one to boot! I've seen various discussion on the source of the mold and some have speculated it's a laser scan recreation of a Bandai figure. Maybe. There's a little rounding of the edges. 

The only really iffy point is those eyes. I don't mind them as it's different and reminds me of older dinosaur toys. Final Wars may not be everyone's favorite movie, but folks tend to like the movies designs and they find their way to toy form often. Especially with Godzilla, it's a pretty defining look for the gorilla whale. 

It's a pretty good figure of Godzilla regardless of all that nerd stuff I just said. You've got the standard amount of articulation for a figure like this. Shoulders, legs, neck, with a little bit of tail. Don't be gross. 

For me he hit's all the points and like I said, I kinda like the cludgy Playmates vinyl toys. I don't know why either. If you don't like the eyes, I'm sure you could probably fix it with a little paint. I've seen some pretty good fixes on other Playmates toys recently. 

I'm keeping mine stock though.

Gigan The Pointy

In the initial batch of figures of Godzilla and Kong figures by Playmates is Gigan from Godzilla: Final Wars. He went from outright bizarre looking in the Showa era to hardcore space badass while retaining his trademark looks. Like the other new kaiju toys Playmates has made, this is an outright action figure as opposed to the sofubi that I usually prefer when it comes to kaiju toys. Though it fits in with my Bandai Creation vinyl figures. You wouldn't know it's not a sofubi until you touch it. 

I'm quite fond of these Playmates toys as they're coming along nicely and this Gigan is a good reason as to why. They could have went with his classic looks as it's more common place, his 2004 design is literally in one movie (not counting other odd appearances). Since he's more of an action figure, I do find myself wishing his arm hooks swapped out with the chainsaws he sported in the final battle of Final Wars. Though, maybe that will be on a later edition. They're so close to vinyl figures I wonder if they're using those for a basis. 

It's a really cool line for something exclusive to Walmart (here in the states) and a lot more nerdy than I expected. Since they've released some of the Bandai Creations molds in the line mixed with these action figures, I hope future waves will continue to have a mix of reissues and new figures. I'd love to have crazy things like glow in the dark and transparent figures... but if the line just keeps on... I'll be happy.

 

Kong Is King And This Toy Is Pretty Good Too

Playmates new Godzilla and Kong toy line is starting to show up at my local stores. My wife snuck a few of them into my birthday presents last week with much appreciation. Kong here represents his appearance from Skull Island in the standard line, while there is a larger figure available as well (I'm getting that too, no worry). I'm admittedly smitten with the Monsterverse's version of Kong, but dang I love this toy. While the Bandai toys that preceded Playmates line were sofubi figures, these new toys are outright action figures similar to the Trendmasters line from the 90's. I have noticed Playmates reissuing some of the Bandai sofubi toys, so maybe they're doing some distributing for Bandai as well. I'd love that.

Kong is roughly in scale with the standard kaiju figure around 6-7". He has a solid hard plastic body with a more rubbery plastic for his arms, legs, and head. Think of the build used in a 80's He-Man figure and you're not far off. Kong's arms and legs move classic swivel joint style like a Kenner Star Wars figure and now I'm imagining him driving an X-Wing. Not too shabby. His feet also swivel helping to stabilize him while standing. Those long gorilla arms can throw off the weight a bit. His head is on more of a ball joint allowing for a greater range of movement. This may not seem like much, but thanks to his nice head sculpt, it adds a lot more personality when having Kong look around.

I have a hard time not loving Kong or Godzilla as is. I literally feel my chest swell with happiness whenever the subject comes up. The amount of exhilaration I felt as I was playing with this toy, let alone talking about it now, is off the charts. I'm really happy Playmates took over the license. Not that I didn't love what Bandai has been doing, it's because I'm so happy with this toy. I'm excited for the line in general and look forward to more releases. When the Kong Vs Godzilla movie comes out, I might go nuts grabbing figures. I've seen a few leaked pics and man they look great.

Doom Island Sounds Like A Nice Place

I've yet to find the Playmates Godzilla figures at my local stores. To be fair, last years assortments were a little slow to stock as well. I've seen the larger Kong and Godzilla, but not the standard size. When I see folks in kaiju group getting them, I'm reminded a bit of the Trendmasters Godzilla toys of the 90's. Some are similar to the Bandai vinyl toys (some are reissues of those too), some are outright action figures. I prefer the vinyl toys, but I'm not going to complain. Part of me hopes they get features like the weird battle armor and stuff those Trendmasters figures got. Playmates isn't afraid to do stuff like that (see TMNT), so fingers crossed.

Godzilla vs SpaceGodzilla Special Announcement

I got quite a bunch of super cool Godzilla toys for Christmas, including a sweet Space Godzilla vinyl that's got me in the mood to watch his movie! I'll try to do that over New Years Day. Somehow I always take in some kaiju on NEW Years Eve/Day and I think the holiday is better for it.

Godzilla Collection from Kidrobot Out Now!

Godzilla officially kicked off the 65^th anniversary earlier this month, but if you ask him about retirement, you’re likely to get blasted with radioactive flames – because Godzilla is having busiest year ever. After making a historic debut at San Diego Comic Con this year, Toho Studios has partnered with Kidrobot to introduce an atomic-sized Godzilla capsule that celebrates the King of the Monsters 65^th year on our planet. 

The atomic-sized Godzilla capsule includes two 8-inch art figures, one plush, one flat-billed hat, a bomber jacket, and a festive Godzilla City-Destroyer holiday sweater, all in celebration of the iconic lizard’s 65^th birthday. 

AVAILABLE NOW! 

Special Thanks to Rogers & Cowan for providing Zone Base readers with this news!

65th Anniversary 1954 Godzilla Deluxe Vinyl Figure (2019 Convention Exclusive)

From Bandai the 65th Anniversary 1954 Godzilla Deluxe Vinyl Figure (2019 Convention Exclusive) is an authentic recreation of the iconic kaiju that introduced Godzilla to the world in the 1954 Toho film Godzilla.  This highly detailed 2019 Convention Exclusive Godzilla features accurate sculpting in a limited edition translucent flake vinyl with added paint treatments for enhanced realism.  The exclusive package is a displayable window box with premium sleeve.

• 1954 Godzilla commemorating Godzilla’s 65th anniversary
• 6.5” tall translucent flake vinyl Godzilla with exclusive enhanced deco
• Displayable window box with premium sleeve
• Officially licensed by Toho Co., Ltd.

Available at the Godzilla (Toho Co., Ltd./ Bandai America Inc.) booth!

Price: $30

Additional images after the break