large size Sofubi prize items from Banpresto

These Banpresto Big Size Sofubi are actually crane game prizes. How big "big size" is isn't exactly sure, but i'm thinking about 12 inches.

Is that a Space Battleship in the tub or are you just happy to see me?

Andromeda (アンドロメダ) is more formally known as Earth Defense Force Flagship Andromeda (地球防衛軍旗艦 アンドロメダ / chikyuu boei gun kikan andoromeda). It hails from the Japanese show Space Cruiser Yamato, which was better known in the USA as Starblazers.

This toy is a prize toy, meaning it could only be won from a Game machine (UFO Catcher) or purchased in shops specailzing in Prize merchandise. It was released in 1999, alongside a Yamato toy.

This particular toy is a wind up bath toy. Wind it up, place it in the tub and it scoots around in the water. Just watch out for that propeller!

Banpresto cranked out dozens of cheap toys from their Super Robot Wars video game series. Usually it's some kind of SD character or non-poseable gashapon, but this time they decided to put out a fairly articulated figure.

Raideen comes unassembled and blind boxed. What that means is if you are opening a brand new, sealed box, there is no way of knowing what version you are going to get. To complicate things, there were often several different color versions, in addition to the regular version. I know that for Raideen, there is a white, blue, grey, red and maybe even a black version, in addition to the regular color version. The regular color, the one everyone wants, is the hardest to find.

There seems to also have been a version that came with extra parts to transform into the Godbird. I'm not sure of this, but I get the impression that it was a mail away or something like that.

The toy goes together pretty easily, but pay attention ot the little joint connectors. There are actually 2 different sizes, so make sure you use the right size for the right part. The plastic is soft, and some parts, like the shield blade, are bent from storage.

He's only about 3.5 inches tall, but he is a pretty cool little figure.

This is one in a series of toys designed for UFO Catcher machines. It came in a box that was to be picked up by a crane claw.

The figure comes partially assembled.

The figures in this series were:

1. RX-78
2. Char's Zaku
3. L-Gaim
4. L-Gaim Mk 2
5. Galliar
6. Xabungle

RX-178 MK II (Titan) Action Gokin
By Banpresto

Action gokn is a line of articulated diecast figures released by Banpresto (a subsidary of bandai). They were originally designed as UFO catcher toys, prizes in a crane game machine.

In 2000, Banpresto Released 5 Action Gokin From Zeta Gundam TV to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the series. They originally cost 1500 Yen each.

The RX-178 MK II (Titan) is about the same height of a MSIA figure, but with slimmer proportions. It includes a removeable shield, but sadly, no gun. It comes packaged in a white box with a blister carded figure inside.

What's remarkable about this figure is that its almost entirely metal. The hands, head, and joints are plastic. Thats it. It's very heavy. Even with the metal, it is extremely poseable.

The detail is not too great on the figure. There are no markings, or panel lines, just solid color. Still, it is a great addition to any Gundam collection.