Just look at another one of these wacky Japanese TV shows I used to watch as a kid. Is it any wonder why I’m such an odd one these days? It’s my review of Akumaizer 3 as re-imagined for the Super Imaginative Chogokin line by Bandai.

From Wikipedia :

“Akumaizer 3 ( Akumaiz Sur) is a Japanese science fiction tokusatsu television series, created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei Company. The program follows the adventures of three mutant superhero-refugees from the "Akuma Clan" ("Devil Clan", in English), a vast empire that exists below the surface of the Earth, and their efforts to stop the Akumas from attacking the surface world. The three warriors are Zabitan, a half demon swordsman, Iberu ("evil"), a somewhat vain and foppish sharpshooter, and Gabura ("gobbler"), a slow-and-dim-witted strongman wielding a mighty mace. Together, they make up the superheroic team of the show's title.”

The TV series was 38 episodes long and aired between 1975 and 1976 in Japan. I very vividly remember the characters of Akumaizer 3 as they where in that mix of shows that I was first exposed to on Channel 13 (KIKU-TV) in Hawaii when I was 5 years old.

Everything you could possibly need to know about this fantastic show can be gleaned from the clip below.

So enough about the show it self, let’s talk about these toys. Super Imaginative Chogokin is a line from Bandai that takes tokusatsu characters and re-imagines them with newer, edgier designs.

The three figures come in a cardboard box with window and are all packed in a vacuum formed tray with all the various accessories arranged neatly in the tray below the figures. The figures are each in the 8 inch tall range so when the box arrived it was much larger than I had expected.

For a series that is called Super Imaginitive Chogokin there sure isn’t much in the way of Chogokin here. While the figures feature excellent design and decent articulation there is very little metal on these. Diecast is designated to some of the tiny bits like the belt buckle and hip decorations as well as the hilts of the weapons. That’s it. The rest of the figures are all plastic.

Despite that shortcoming the figures really are very solid with a very high level of detail on each and every one in the set.

Zabitan was the central character of the show and in my opinion the coolest looking of the three. The redesign emphases his demon heritage more than the original character making him look edgier and darker.

In the original show Zabitan’s helmet/face would crack when he was presented with a talisman of his demon heritage.

Bandai includes several alternate heads which strike me as a direct nod to this little piece of show history.

You get a normal standard head, a head that has cracking happening in it and finally a full on demon face.

Ibiru was the sharpshooter in the group. His sword would transform into a gun and his aim was never off. Again the redesign here brings out the edgier, darker look of the character.

Like Zabitan, Ibiru has several different heads...

...a normal head

...a slightly more menacing head

...and a full on demon head as well.

Gabura is the big, hulking blue guy. In the show he was a bit more of the comic relief as well as the “strong man” of the group. He, like the other characters comes with a sword but favors his ball spike and hammer; instead of a hammer we get a HUGE axe. Unlike the other figures in the set he doesn’t have alternate heads. But if you open his mouth he looks equally menacing as the other two with their demon heads. Of all the characters in this set he looks most like his original design.

So in addition to the alternate heads and weapons I’ve shown so far you also get a copious amount of alternate hands and weapons. Everything included in the box is:

• 2 additional Zabitan heads
• 2 additional Ibiru heads
• 4 additional hands for Zabitan
• 4 additional hands for Ibiru
• 3 swords
• 1 gun
• 1 ball and chain
• 1 axe

It’s a nice set that any fan of the original series will like. While it doesn’t contain much in the way of diecast (despite the toy lines name) the sculpt detail is above average and the figures pose beautifully. I suggest you go get yourself a set if you liked the original show and for everyone else it’s a worth while investment if you dig the character design. Just don’t expect much diecast.

Included is a video review as well.