Another cheap, ugly knockoff that me and like 3 other people care about...

Unfortunately, no official full sized Jumbo Machinders were made of the Machine Blaster robots (Robo Kress, Blue Caesar, Sandaio and Boss Palder). Mattel Italy released their "Astro Robot" Jumbos that were based on the characters, but those toys used primarily parts from existing Jumbos with new heads and weapons. Takemi did make a line of 16" toys called "Big Robo", though. These were repeatedly copied and released in Italy and both the originals and the subsequent knockoffs have become commonly known as "Junior Machinders". All sorts of robots combinations were made, many of which used the body of the Takemi Robo Kress. The arms in particular are often used on various Junior Machinders, such as Dangard Ace and Pegas, to name just two. There is at least one toy that is nearly identical to the Takemi version and then there is this.

This toy uses the same mold as the Takemi toy, but is greatly simplified. As you can see, it's cast entirely in cheap, squishy blue polyethylene with just some stickers slapped onto it for "detail", if you can call it that. All firing fists and missiles have been removed.

Robo Kress stands 14" tall and is articulated at only the shoulders. It came packaged in a clear plastic bag, but with no header card. It was just tied off with a twisty tie. There are no manufacturer markings on it, but it does share some stickers (the "UFO" and black dots) with a very cheap and VERY ugly Combattler toy that I have. That toy did come with a header card and appears to have been made by a company called "Galba", so I think it's a good bet that this one was, too.

Ok. You may be thinking that this toy, and by extension this review, is not worthy of attention. But just be glad I didn't show you the Combattler! UGH....

Machine Blaster was your standard "ancient civilization attacks the surface world, with a crazy professor making giant robots out of their advanced technology that are somehow superior to the civilization they came from" anime.

Boss Palder comes from the anime series Blocker Gundan Corps Machine Blaster ( ブロッカー軍団ＩＶマシーンブラスター) which ran on Fuji TV from 1976-1977.

The show was your standard "ancient civilization attacks the surface world, with a crazy professor making giant robots out of their advanced technology that are somehow superior to the civilization they came from" anime. Professor Yuri created the four Machine Blocker robots to battle the Mogul invasion.

Like any super robot show of the 70s, Machine Blaster was largely created to sell toys, and many different companies got the license. Along with Takemi, Marushin and Bullmark also produced Machine Blaster Toys.

Takemi created all four Blocker robots as part of their Bigger Gokin (ビッガー合金) line. These toys were large funky chunks of metal, and were competitors to Popy’s GA line of chogokin.

Bigger Gokin Machine Blaster Boss Palder Blocker IV (ビッガー合金 マシーンブラスター ボスパルダー ブロッカーフォー) is one of the easiest to find out of the four, but should not be overlooked due to its availability. Consider it the gateway drug to Takemi diecasts.

Boss Palder comes secured in a Styrofoam tray that is wrapped snugly in a beautiful box. Also included is a nice product catalog. Included with the toy is 4 fists, missiles, 2 clubs attached with a chain, and hat.

The hat is actually a ship called Freedom IV that can magnetically attach to the head. I love how it is reminiscent of a cowboy hat. I wonder what was with the Japanese fascination with US cowboy culture during the 70s. All those tassels on the jackets… but I digress.

Each arm has a trigger that enables you to fire the fists, clubs or missiles. The launcher has a hair trigger, and I had to go through three of these until I found one that would not shoot off spontaneously. The fists are nothing more than red dull claws, and they can also hold the clubs.

The black clubs are what sold me on this toy. Each club is connected by a metal chain. Takemi loved to use chains and springs, and I love them for it. Chains instantly make a toy so much better.

The missiles can be shot out of the arms, but they also fit into the chest missile launchers. Flip the black door on the chest down and insert the missiles, push the button on the back to fire.

This toy doesn’t have the sharp lines that a Popy or Takara toy would, but instead has more charm. It feels like it was made by old ladies in a cabin in Japan, and probably was. The large amount of metal and the bitchin’ design is why I originally purchased this piece, but I really love the innocence or naiveté of the design. It comes from a different time, a time I wish some companies would get back to.

Silver warrior is a copy of the Bullmark Robo Kress (junior)from the series Machine Blaster. It is composed of Die-cast metal. The main feature is a spinning propeller. You insert a mouthpiece on the back, and blow into it, causing the propeller to spin and fly off.

Silver warrior was manufactured by KIDCO, a division of UNACO, INC, Elk Grove Village, Illinois. It is made in Hong Kong, so it is likely an unauthorized product.
: