Shin Getter 2 (Anime-Export Weathered Version) improves on an already fantastic piece.

We've already covered the regular version of the Shin Seiki Gokin Shin Getter 2, but this is the Weathered Version, and in my opinion, far superior.

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The Weathered Version Shin Getter 2 is an Anime-Export exclusive. Anime-Export has an arrangement with Aoshima where they can do exclusive versions of their die-cast toys. And what is cool is that they are not just simple repaints - This toy has amazing detail.

All the parts have been weathered in some way. The gloss white finish has been replaced with a matte finish, with faded grey weathering all over the figure. Although the toy is 90% diecast, the plastic has been weathered as well.

I won't go over all the finer points of the figure itself, that was covered well in Sanjeev's review. But I will say that this is a fantastic figure. I am just blown away with how cool it is. I thought the thing would have trouble standing up but its really solid. Aoshima has included a couple stands that support the drill and the figure, but you don't actually need them.

The arms and legs have that Aoshima extending joint thing, which works really well with this release. The drill arm has a rotating spiked band, and the other arm features an articulated claw.

The toy comes with a variant drill arm that can actually fire an all plastic version of the drill. The drill arm that does not fire is a solid piece of sharp metal.

Also included is a mini figure of Hayato, the pilot of Shin Getter 2.

Shin Getter 2 (Anime-Export Weathered Version) is a really really nice piece. there's just nothing wrong with it and would be a great addition to any gokin collection. You can get yours at Anime-Export.com. It's limited to 1500 peices, so get one before they are gone.

You can get yours at Anime-Export.com.

Gads...Sanjeev's reviewing an actual Japanese robot toy! ;)

Courtesy of HobbyLink Japan, we bring you Aoshima/Miracle House's Shin Getter 2!

Well, it took about seven years and almost 20 SG's to get around to it...but Getter Robo Armageddon fans finally have the next edition of the ultimate machine, Shin Getter 2. Brought to us by HobbyLink Japan, Shin Getter 2's primary feature is no different from the other super robots of the Shin Seiki Gokin line: gobs and gobs of lickable diecast metal! Yup, this thing's a heavyweight, despite it's shrimpy anatomy.

First, let's start with the packaging.

Y'know, it's very easy to overlook packaging when it comes to toys--especially new ones. With vintage toys, one is almost obliged to take it all in--to enjoy every square inch of printed graphics. By the very nature of "vintage", it is rare and limited, so every part of the toy experience becomes special. Not so with new toys. So many new toys' packaging is taken for granted and not shown the same sort of respect given to vintage toys. Afterall, new toys aren't often particularly hard to get or limited in any way. That lack of respect is a shame, too, because some of these boxes are great!

One thing that's always impressed me about Aoshima's super robot offerings was the care shown in developing the packaging. The front of the box features a photo of the toy in the foreground, with a drawing of the robot in the background. Nothing too ground-breaking here--especially since such a layout is fairly common in modern toys--but the simplicity of the formula really works with this toy.

The back of the box features images of the toy, showing off its considerable diecast content and gimmicks. The layout of the back isn't as impressive as the front, but it's good 'nuff.

Upon opening the box, the collector is treated to the only packaging material worthy of heroic chogokin: styrofoam. Okay, there are probably plenty of cogent arguments against the use of styrofoam for environmental reasons, but lemme tell ya, this pretty much beats the dogsnot outta any SoC packaging. The plastic trays we’ve grown accustomed to with most modern toys are just throw-away items, lacking any thoughtfulness or creativity. They just add to the clutter. Aoshima takes us back to the old-school with squeaky styrofoam coffins to house your lustrous, glossy gokin.

Once you’ve freed Shin Getter 2 from its tray, you have a decent, solid figure. The heft is impressive for the robot’s slender physique (remember, check out the back of the box to see what parts are diecast). The head is PVC and the firing drill, claw, and red jets on the back are all plastic.

The sharp bits on the design are hard plastic and are very sharp! No, I’m not afraid of breaking them...I’m afraid of drawing blood! Also one detail of note: the translucent red plastic over the sculpted internal machine bits on the chest is WAY too dark to get a decent view of the stuff underneath...just a minor gripe.

Okay...so, how do the joints hold up?

The answer is meh. Not horrible, mind you...just not particularly great. The ankles are ball-n-socket joints and the hips have a similar range of movement. The knees rotate and bend as expected. All of these joints are okay in terms of tightness. They seem to hold up to a decent amount of posing...but it’s tough to tell if they’ll always remain this way. If they ever wear down and their strength is ever compromised, the whole toy’s boned. There’s just too much weight up top.

Notice that I had to stand Shin Getter 2 on a CD case in some of my pics. My light tent sits on top of a padded card table--way too mushy for this toy to balance solidly in the pose above. This annoyed me at first...but then again, that is a precarious position! As long as the toy’s on a hard, flat surface, it’s all good.

Moving on up, we have the love-em or hate-em classic Aoshima extending elbows! If you’re at all familiar with Mazinkaiser, Getter 1, or some of their other super robots, the actual elbow joints need to be exposed by pulling down on the forearms.

Hey, works for me--and these joints are extremely tight. The left-hand claw is nicely articulated; again, nice and tight. And next, we have the shoulders. These really impressed me: finally, we have actual detents. The detents are big, so we don’t get a super-wide range of motion, but they certainly get the job done. The toy comes with a small silver stand to help support the weight of the right-hand drill arm. I don’t have it pictured anywhere because you’ll never need it! The detents in the shoulders are super-strong--they won't droop even though the drill is diecast!

Lastly, the PVC head sits atop a ball joint. A few more points about articulation...first, the shoulder, while having detents when swinging front to back, actually don’t have any detents when swinging out to the side. Just a friction joint here that has mediocre strength. Next, Shin Getter 2’s red jets on his back are jointed...kind of a nice touch. And lastly, there’s no waist joint. Kind of an odd omission. Oh well.

Next up, we have gimmicks. Well...not much to say here...unless you count the awesome diecast content as a "gimmick"! ;)

Okay...there IS one thing: the drill missile. Again, if you’re familiar with Aoshima’s previous Mazinkaiser offering, you know about the pathetic turbo smasher punch. Basically, you can remove the arms (at the shoulders) and replace them with shooty arms, featuring a gimmick where you basically screw the forearms on to store up rotational energy. When you hit the firing button, the forearms spin really fast as they shoot off...about 4 inches. Yeah. Sucks.

Well, guess what! Shin Getter 2’s drill missile is NO different! You still replace the whole arm, screw in the drill missile, then let 'er rip...about 4 inches. *Sigh*

That accessory’s staying boxed away.

...Which brings us to our last category: accessories! Besides the aforementioned drill missile arm, the toy comes with two stands. The one I noted earlier for supporting the drill arm just isn’t necessary at all. The other one, however, is kinda neat. It fits right up in the robot’s crotch to help it keep balance on your shelf. Yeah, I know it looks uncomfortable, but it’s actually kinda cool. First, it’s a two-part, spring-loaded stand. The top half of the stand can be pushed into the wider bottom half, allowing for more dynamic posing of the toy, while still exerting a decent amount of pressure on his...cyber-prostate...to keep him upright! Also, the stand is actually magnetic so that it actually sticks...all up in there. Poor robot.

Lastly, we have a little, miserably-painted PVC figurine of Hayato, the main Shin Getter 2 pilot from the anime. The sculpt is mushy and lacks definition and the paint application is pretty awful...but really, who cares? Of everyone I know who has any of these toys, none of them even bothers displaying these figurines. ...I’m sure maybe someone, somewhere, gives a crap...

So, in the final analysis, we have a gorgeous toy, well in keeping with the look of the first Shin Getter 1 figure. The joints are subpar, and even a perhaps bit worrisome. Strong, fine detents--like in the Fewture Mazinger toy--would have been welcome in all the major joints of this figure because of its awkward distribution of weight. Still, it’s a good toy...at least alongside it’s more famous brother. And more importantly: this could be a sign that Aoshima is going to make a Shin Getter 3 to complete the set! And let's hope for some heavy diecast Get Machines, too!

Here's a quick vid showing just how stable this guy is...plus dramatic footage of the awe-inspiring drill missile gimmick! ;)

So...not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a Getter fan, you pretty much need this, as there aren’t many quality toys of the secondary Getter robots. Get yours today from HLJ!

Gotta Get this Getter, G!

I’ve always felt that this Getter design was a reaction to the heavy Spawn craze in Japan in the early 90s. Toy collecting was not a huge deal in Japan, at least, not outside of hardcore Otaku. But when the Spawn figures hit, a whole new wave began. People started collecting toys again, and the Spawn aesthetic slowly infiltrated Japanese toys. Its influence can be seen to this day in toy lines like S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin). I can see this influence in the design of Shin Getter 1, from the large black wings to the exaggerated forearm blades.

Shin Getter Robo First made its appearance in a 1993 Manga called Getter Robo Go, but didn’t become animated until 1998’s Change!! Getter Robo (Released as Getter Robo Armageddon). The new modern design gained Getter Robo a whole new legion of fans, while alienating some fans of the original 1970s show.

The design has been made into toy form many times in the past, most notable is the Aoshima / Miracle House version. This diecast monstrosity is practically a weapon, with loads of diecast and sharp details. Howver, with its hefty price tag, this toy is not for everyone.

Kaiyodo throws its hat into the ring with a Revoltech version of the Shin Getter Robo, available from HobbyLink Japan. How does Shin Getter transition to the Revoltech format? Let’s find out.

Shin Getter features a stunning 44 points of articulation made up of a combination of Revoltech joints and traditional cut joints. The large purple wings are connected to the body with Revoltech joints and ship unattached. Other accessories include a 2-piece Getter Tomahawk, Stoner Sun Shine effect parts, four extra hands and a display base.

Articulation is really great, but it is one of those toys that seems impossible to do a neutral pose with. The feet are connected in such a a way that it makes it all but impossible to make him stand up straight. I guess that’s what the stand is there for, might as well use it.

The Getter Tomahawk is large and all plastic. It comes shipped in two pieces and you have to put it together. Shin Getter comes with optional hands so you can hold the tomahawk with one or two hands.

The Stoner Sun Shine is an energy weapon that manifests out of Shin Getter’s palm. Included is a special hand with a hole in it to attach the energy ball to, and then the blast part of the energy attaches to that.

Pay careful attention around the sharp points of this toy. The wing tips and arm blades are very sharp and made out of hard plastic. You could definitely puncture skin with them.

The display stand is your typical Revoltech stand – three parts and a Revoltech joint. The joint attaches at the back of the figure so you can put Shin Getter into flying poses.

In all, it’s a pretty cool figure. I know a lot of you collectors already have a few Shin Getter designs in your collection, but if you are a fan, you should definitely check this one out.

Shin Getter Revoltech is available at HobbyLink Japan.

Shin Getter Revoltech is available at HobbyLink Japan.

The Revoltech Black Getter is basically a remolded Getter Robo with some extra accessories. The chest, upper arms and upper legs are identical. Black Getter sports a new head, hands accessories and color scheme. Make no mistake though, Black Getter is the superior toy.

Black Getter is piloted by Ryoma Nagare. In the Shin Getter anime, Ryoma is on the moon, and creates the Black Getter out of an abandoned Getter Robo machine found there. Ryoma made several improvements to the Getter design, and the robot can now be piloted by one person instead of 3. Unfortunately, Black Getter can no longer split apart into the three getter ships, but he more than makes up for it with his advanced firepower.

The Revoltech Black Getter is basically a remolded Getter Robo with some extra accessories. The chest, upper arms and upper legs are identical. Black getter sports a new head, hands, accessories and color scheme.

Revoltech 035 Black Getter OVA Ver. Is available from HobbyLink Japan

Included accessories are:

• 44 Magnum Shikishima SP
• Strike Gun
• two Getter Tomahawks
• shell holder
• ammo clips
• Getter Wing
• three pairs of optional hands
• display base with a joint arm

Black Getter is of course fully poseable with 30 points or articulation. The design of the feet make getting him to stand on his own tricky, but the included stand makes this a non-issue. Black Getter can easily hold his weapons in either hand.

One set of hands includes the notorious spiked knuckles. Unfortunately, my Black Getter came with 2 right hands! Fortunately I got mine at HobbyLink Japan and they said that if anyone ever has a problem like this to contact them, and they will get the replacement part from the manufacturer and send it to you, free of charge.

Black Getter is an awesome Revoltech - a must-have!

It's official, I have completely lost track of the Getter Robots.

It's official, I have completely lost track of the Getter Robots.

For those of you playing along at home, we have:

• Getter Robo
• Getter Robo G
• Getter Robo Go
• Shin Getter Robo
• Neo Getter
• New Getter Robo
• Black Getter

And now we have this Getter Robo, which I believe is called "New (Change!!) Getter Robo." I haven't seen a Getter anime since Getter Robo: Armageddon, and that melted my brain. This is likely the robot from "New Getter Robo", released in 2004, but who can tell anymore?

Regardless of its origins, Getter 1 is one of the latest releases in the popular Revoltech franchise. Fans have been waiting for the classic super robots to be part of the Revoltech line, but we keep getting teased with the new versions of the old characters. Getter 1 is the closest we have gotten so far. It's not a bad figure, but it's not breaking any new ground.

Getter 1 comes courtesy of HobbyLink Japan

Getter 1 features 16 points of articulation - 10 of which are Revoltech joints. Kaiyodo made some odd choices here in terms of which joints got the revolver joints. For example - those round red shoulders seem to cry out for revoltech joints, but instead are 2 monoshaft joints. There's no swiveling waist joint, but there is a chest joint. The neck you would think would use the dual Revoltech joint, but only uses one (and it's kind of loose).

In terms of accessories, Getter 1 comes with:

• Getter Machine Guns x2
• Getter Tomahawk x2
• Getter Wing
• Open Hands x2
• Gun Holding Hands x3
• Knuckle Hand
• Flat Hand
• Stand (4 pcs)

The Getter Machine guns and Getter Tomahawks fit snugly into the hands. The guns have some nice detail and look menacing.

I found the Getter Wing a bit confusing - there are no instructions as to how to attach it to the figure, and the box art isn't clear. After some playing around I figured out that it basically wedges itself to the back of the shoulder armor.

I was also left clueless about the knuckle fist and flat hand. The knuckle fist is just that - a closed fist with one knuckle out farther than the others. No where does it describe what these are for. Perhaps If I had seen the anime?

And what is up with the two holes on the back - is there any purpose for those? Maybe they get used in the black getter sculpt? They distract from an otherwise beautiful figure.

Make no mistake, Getter 1 is a nice toy. Good quality, good articulation, good play value. It just leaves me scratching my head a little trying to figure out some of the decisions they made. Perhaps I am too critical... The casual fan, and the Getter Robo collector should really dig this figure. You get get your very own at HobbyLink Japan.

One of the most intriguing robots from the Shin Getter Robo OVA series has finally made it to toy form. Aoshima brings us the Shin Seki Gokin Black Getter

One of the most intriguing robots from the Shin Getter Robo OVA series has finally made it to toy form. Aoshima brings us the Shin Seki Gokin Black Getter (新世紀合金 ブラックゲッター).

Three versions of the Black Getter have been released as of this writing:

• Normal Version
• Kawai Co. Metallic Version
• Anime Export Bloodspray Version

The figure reviewed here is the normal version.

Black Getter is 18 cm high and is about 80% metal. Even the spikes on his left arm are metal (the instructions warn to be careful). He comes with a full array of weapons and accessories, including:

• Detachable rubber cape
• 2 Getter Tomahawks
• Fist spikes
• Open Hand
• 2 hands for gripping the Tomahawk
• Ryoma figure.

The figure comes in the typically nice Aoshima box. Inside is a Styrofoam tray, with covers on both sides. One side has the figure and accessories, the other has the cape. Also included is a short instruction booklet. For some reason, this Styrofoam is very crumbly, and when you take Black Getter out, he will likely be covered in Styrofoam particles.

Black getter stands tall and strong. It is not as articulated as some of the other modern chogokins, but that is par for the course with Aoshima. The shoulder joints allow you to spread the arms out as well as up and down. The elbows have the same kind of joint that Mazinkaiser has – where you pull out the lower arms to reveal the joints.

The hands are easy to replace, and the peg they attach to is actually diecast metal. There are several different sets of hands you can choose from. My favorites are the long spiked hands. The spikes need to be attached to the fists, and they are VERY sharp. You also get one open hand, 2 closed fists, and 2 fists that hold the Getter Tomahawks.

There is no waist joint, but the upper legs feature the same kind of pull-out action that the arms do. They don’t come out far, but they do extend a little. The knees have detented joints, and the feet are also articulated, although not as much as I would have liked.

The chest area has three gimmicks, but sadly – no waist joint. The panels are translucent plastic so you can see the details underneath. First off, there is a cockpit in the upper chest that opens to reveal a pilots seat. Second, the Getter Beam opening in the chest can open by pressing the button on the back of the figure. Last, the belt separates for some reason… I don’t remember why.

The cape and scarf really make this toy, but are also the greatest issues of contention. To attach the scarf, simply pull the head off and place the scarf area around the opening. The scarf can be placed on either side. The cape is a bit trickier. First you have to remove the back part of the shoulder panel. The holes on the top of the cape need to be applied to the pegs on the back of the panel. You then push the panel back in. This is all well and good, but unfortunately the cape is too heavy, and pulls the panel off almost instantly. To make this connection tighter, I put a small bit of scotch tape around the central peg of the back panel. Now it is nice and tight.

Also included with the robot is a small figure of the pilot Ryoma. Some people have complained that it looks like he is wearing lipstick – I don’t see it. It’s a decent little figure, but it has no articulation. Different versions of Black Getter have different figures included with them.

In all, I was really impressed with this figure. I have heard reports about loose joints, paint chips, and poor detailing, but my toy had none of these problems. The only issues I have are:

1. The cape is too heavy for the figure, and pulls the panel off.
2. The rubber on the cape may not stand the test of time.
3. No waist joint
4. Could have used better foot joints.

Aoshima's Miracle House Shin Seiki Gokin Shin Getter 1 is such a beautiful toy, I don't know why I waited so long to get it. Maybe I thought I already had enough Shin Getters (I already had the Kaiyodo and Romando versions).

What a fool I was.

This Shin Getter 1 is the best representation of the character, and one of the best toys of 2000. It is both toy and art.

Shin Getter 1 is mostly diecast, and VERY heavy. He's coated with a beautiful gloss paint job and see-through panels that show the mechanics beneath. All joints click when moved, and he has ample articulation. Once you start to play with the toy you can tell how well this was made. The quality is equal to or better than Bandai's SOC line.

All the points that look sharp are very sharp - this is not a toy for kids. You could kill someone with this toy. He's 21cm (8 in) tall, with and even wider wingspan. The wings are sharp, and spring out when you press a lever on his back.

The toy comes with variant hands and an amazing Getter Tomahawk. The tomahawk has a metal shaft that adds a nice weight to the weapon. Due to the weight though, it can become challenging to find a good pose to hold the weapon.

Aoshima released several versions of Shin Getter 1 in their Shin Seiki Gokin line. Here is a handy guide to the versions:

Neo Getter gets no respect in the world of Getter Robo, with all the attention going to his brother, Shin getter. But here's a tip, Neo Getter is the better toy.

Both toys have diecast construction, clicky joints and immaculate paint jobs. But Neo Getter wins with all the cool gimmicks.

First off, Neo Getter has chain fists! That's right. A hollow alternate set of forearms houses a long chain attached to the fist! Pull the fist off and the chain extends. it does not fire, unfortunately.

Neo getter also has a feature that most modern chogokin have been lacking - firing missiles! The two tread banks on the back open up to fire spring loaded missiles. They aren't the most powerful missiles in the world, but they do fire!

Also, Neo Getter comes with a unique energy bolt that he can hold above his head, to replicate the effect in the anime.

Other accessories include an alternate set of hands, and special handshake hands for Shin Getter, so Shin and Neo can shake hands. (Mazinkaiser can shake hands as well. They're awfully friendly).

Aoshima produced several different versions of this toy. Here's a guide to the toys and their differences: