Yamato had a very small presence at Toy Fair this year, occupying a small space at the Blue Fin Distribution Booth. Almost everything they had on display we have seen before. What was great though is that we finally get an explanation of all these different robot lines Yamato is putting out.

Renowned for its Macross, Votoms and Megazone mecha marvels, Yamato once again pushes the bounds of toy engineering with its new line of super robot action figures: The GN-U. Meaning "Band of Brave Warriors", the GN-U is Yamato's tribute to the classic super robots of Japanese Animation, authentically re-created with contemporary styling in three distinct series: GOU, HAGANE, and DOU.

GOU = COMBINATION

Drawing upon Yamato's time-tested experience through the development of countless high-end transformable toys, the GN-U GOU is the culmination of intensive manual labor, the latest in CAD design, and the manipulation of ABS material for sharp, precise detail to fully express the image of each individual Super Robot as it appears in the original anime without sacrificing any play value. While faithfully maintaining proportions and details, the GN-U GOU maximizes playability through an ingenious method of transformation through the combination of interchangeable parts. The GN-U Gou, a perfect marriage of form and function.

• Galaxy Cyclone Braiger - Available now / MSRP $168.00

HAGANE = STEEL

When we think of Japan's Super Robots, we imagine massive metal creatures thundering through the universe. In the pursuit to express the massiveness - the pure weight and volume of these characters, the GN-U HAGANE introduces die cast (Gokin) material to an already impressive design for one hefty line of figures. The GN-U HAGANE, You will feel the quality.

• Grozier X (Anime Version) - Available now / MSRP $158.00

DOU = MOVEMENT

For larger than life action that fits in the palm of your hand, Yamato presents the GN-U DOU. With the GNU-DOU, Japan's Super Robots spring to life as never before through a new innovative internal frame design for maximum movement and posing, while outer coverings express the unique look and feel of each character. A three size system further conveys a sense of scale as well as the enlarged, powered up versions of individual characters as they are seen in the original anime series for an unprecedented line-up with maybe a few surprises. The GN-U DOU, a new revolution in action figures.

• Goshogun - due July 2008 / MSRP $35.00
• Braiger - due July 2008 / MSRP $35.00
• Baxinger - due July 2008 / MSRP $35.00

But wait, theres more...

Yamato is producing a line of figures based on non-Japanese fantasy artists. The line is called Yamato Fantasy Art Collection.

The first entry in the line is "Akira" by Dorian Cleavenger. This will be an original sculpture designed by an American artist and then sculpted by Japanese artists. The thing looks fantastic. Yamato will also be selling a Giclee print of the artwork the figure is based on.

Finally there was a sneak peek of a poseable Motoko Kusanagi figure from the new Yamato VMF line, due Summer 08. This design is based on her appearance in Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex