Model builders delight?

It's not too often that a secondary support ship is as recognizable as the lead ship, but the Cosmo Zero from Space Battleship Yamato is one of those exceptions. In the USA we recognize this ship from the anime Star Blazers.

Today, I will be reviewing The Cosmo Zero from Space Battleship Yamato, from Taito's Super Mechanics line of UFO catcher prize toys.

Removing the ship from it nicely illustrated box and assembling is a snap. You only have to add the wings and the stand. Ship is made entirely out of plastic.

In my opinion, If you are a modeler and you like to customize your toys then this toy will be a big hit for you. As for myself I was disappointed with the lack of paint detail on this model. Unlike other releases in this line you can find this one easily and relatively cheap.

This is the original inspiration for Space Battleship Yamato.

The powerful, fearsome and famous, Imperial Japanese Navy Yamato.

Some people may not know this but, this ship was the inspiration for Leiji Matsumoto's Space Battleship Yamato.

IJN Yamato’s keel was laid down on November 4th 1937. She was built under secrecy in a specially built dry-dock at the Kure Naval Shipyard. IJN Yamato, and her sister ship IJN Musashi were the largest, heaviest, most powerful battleships ever built. Both these ships bested even the famous German battleship Bismarck.

Today, I will be reviewing the IJN Yamato. This will be my fifth entry into Taito's Super Mechanics line of UFO catcher prize toys.

Like most entries in this line of toys so far, IJN Yamato does not disappoint. Packaging is the usual familiar window box. The box has a few nice illustrations of the IJN Yamato.

Unlike other toys in Taito‘s Super Mechanics line-up, IJN Yamato has no assembly, Just remove from the box and display.

Yamato is a full 35cm long. That’s almost 15 inches from the gold bow medallion to it’s stern aircraft catapults. The IJN Yamato is well made and sturdy. Comprised from quality plastic and ABS.

One of IJN Yamato’s really cool features are its five rotating adjustable turrets. Another cool feature is the details, just look at those four bronze screws (propellers). Check out the realistic looking deck planking. You can clearly see all the deck hardware down to the anchor chains.

When IJN Yamato is displayed with Space Battleship Yamato you can really see how the sleek modern profile of the IJN Yamato was an inspiration for Leiji Matsumoto.

I really like this toy. It is a really nice display model without all that pain of assembly, glue and paint. As with Space battleship Yamato, its getting even harder to believe that Taito's IJN Yamato, costs only $15.00 USD. IJN Yamato is out now and can still be bought cheaply. Get it before the price goes up.

And the hits just keep on coming!

Captain Harlock, has always conjured images of swashbuckling space pirates with facial scars and eye patches. Captain Harlock, is probably one of the most popular of Leiji Matsumoto's space operas, second only to Space Battleship Yamato.

Today, I will be reviewing, the Galaxy Express 999 movie version of Captain Harlock's Arcadia. This will be my fourth entry into Taito's Super Mechanics line of UFO catcher prize toys.

Like Taito's TV version Arcadia, this version of Arcadia does not disappoint. Packaged in the now familiar window box, you will see a striking illustration of Captain Harlock himself as well as the Arcadia.

After Arcadia is removed from its box, some very light assembly is required (wings and display stand). Then, and only then, will you truly appreciate the detail and beauty of this toy.

Arcadia is a full 35cm long. That’s almost 15 inches from it's Jolly Roger flagged stern, to the skull emblazed bow. The Arcadia is well made and sturdy. Comprised from quality plastic and ABS.

One of the Arcadia's really cool features is rotating adjustable turrets, including a belly mounted turret and a miniature pilot's helm with ship's wheel.

The included stand does not take away from the side profiles ominous upswept appearance. As you can see, the classic skull and crossbones really standout on both port and starboard sides.

Even with the above mentioned flaws I must profess that I really like this toy. As with Taito's Yamato, its hard to believe that this version of Arcadia, originally cost only $15.00 USD. Consider yourself lucky if you can acquire it at that price now.
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Queen Emeraldas or Hindenburg? You be the judge.

Anyone who is familiar with the works of Leiji Matsumoto, has surely heard of Galaxy Express 999 the movie. One of the characters in this movie is Pirate Queen Emeraldas. She appears in this movie along with Captain Harlock, another well know Matsumoto character.

Today, I will be reviewing, the movie version of Pirate Queen Emeraldas flagship, ironically named the Queen Emeraldas. This will be my third entry into Taito's Super Mechanics line of UFO catcher prize toys.

The Queen Emeraldas comes packaged in the now familiar window box. As usual Taito has done a great job on the packaging. You can always count on Taito using vibrant colors and detailed illustrations on their boxes.

After getting the Queen Emeradas out of its box, you have to install two small wings on the left and right sides, hardly a challenge.

The Queen Emeraldas ship is much smaller than Taito’s Yamato and Arcadia. It’s length being only 30cm or about 12 inches. The ship is comprised from quality plastic and ABS.

Unlike previous entries in this collection, Queen Emeraldas really lacks paint detail and gimmicks. However, it does have a small 17th century pirate ship slung underneath it's hull.

I have to say that I was expecting a little more "bang for the buck" from this toy. I know, I know, its a prize toy, but I was not impressed with it. It is really nothing more than a fixed pose model with no actual play value. I truly had high expectations after reviewing Taito's Yamato. Its hard to believe that this is from the same Super Mechanics line of toys. My opinion, at the original cost of $15.00 USD, its hardly worth it. I would pass on this “Hindenburg” unless you are a really dedicated fan of Leiji Matsumoto.

Ahoy Matey! Captain Harlock's Arcadia, off the starboard bow!

In my mind, the name Captain Harlock, always conjures images of swashbuckling space pirates with eye patches. Captain Harlock, is probably one of the most popular of Leiji Matsumoto's space operas, second only to Space Battleship Yamato.

Today, I will be reviewing, the TV version of Captain Harlock's Arcadia. This will be my second entry into Taito's Super Mechanics line of UFO catcher prize toys.

Like Taito's Yamato, Arcadia does not disappoint. Packaged in the now familiar window box, you will see a striking illustration of Captain Harlock himself.

After Arcadia is removed from its box, some light assembly is required (wings, front knife, and front 2 ailerons). Then, and only then, will you truly appreciate the detail and beauty of this toy.

Arcadia is a full 40cm long. Thats almost 16 inches from it's Jolly Roger flagged stern, to the tip of the bow mounted knife blade. The Arcadia is well made and sturdy. Comprised from quality plastic and ABS.

One of the Arcadia's really cool features, is the paint detail. Notice, the deck planking and stern, are painted to give the authentic look of wood. Other cool features included are, rotating adjustable turrets, wing mounted missiles, and a miniature pilot's helm with ship's wheel.

The included stand does not take away from the side profiles ominous appearance. As you can see, the classic skull and crossbones really standout on both port and starboard sides.

I really like this toy. As with Taito's Yamato, its hard to believe that Arcadia, originally cost only $15.00 USD. Consider yourself lucky if you can acquire it at that price now. Even if you pay a little more, it will certainly be cheaper than the Shin Seiki Gokin version made by Aoshima. If Taito keeps this up, I'll have to buy the whole line.

Arrrgh! Get this hidden treasure! Before it be gone!
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A home run from Taito? A bargain you can't afford to miss!!

Almost everywhere you go in the world, people will recognize this anime icon, Space Battleship Yamato. Here in America, we know the anime as Star Blazers, and the ship as Argo. I just know it as my first experience watching a Leiji Matsumoto "space opera".

Today, I will be reviewing Space Battleship Yamato, from Taito's Super Mechanics line of UFO catcher prize toys.

I know many people would think, that when you use the term "prize toy", you would be referring to some lame piece of garbage. Well in this instance, many people would be wrong.

As soon as you remove the Yamato from its window box, you will be impressed with its detail and size. The Taito Yamato, has real shelf presence at a whopping 40cm, thats almost 16 inches! The ship is constructed of quality plastic and ABS, making it very sturdy yet lightweight.

Unlike Bandai's expensive BPX-01 SOP Yamato, you don't have to worry about playing with Taito's version. Its not very fragile and at 1500 yen, about $15.00 USD, you wont be too upset if you drop and break it.

Despite its cheap price, you'll be surprised at some of the feature's of this toy. Such as, extendable wings, swiveling turrets, and gun barrels that can be raised and lowered.

If the price and features listed above don't impress you, the detail and classic original anime styling will.

In my opinion, a home run is the only way to describe Taito's Yamato. With its sheer size, features, and detail at only $15.00 USD. How can you go wrong? Go ahead, pick one up, while you still can.