Raideen (also sometimes spelled "Reideen" or "Raydeen") must have been produced in great numbers.

Brave Raideen (勇者ライディーン) aired from April 1975 until March of 1976. The Jumbo Machinder was released in 1975. Other Jumbos released that year were the Getter G team, Getter Dragun, Getter Liger and Getter Poseidon and all three toys were packaged in boxes featuring strikingly similar artwork. Although Raideen has no other connection to those robots, it seems almost like they are a set unto themselves due to this similarity.

Raideen (also sometimes spelled "Reideen" or "Raydeen") must have been produced in great numbers because it remains one of the most easy to find Jumbo Machinders from the whole line, along with the first two releases, Mazinger Z and Kamen Rider V3. There are always loose specimens on Yahoo!Japan auctions and I think practically every shop I went into on my last trip to Tokyo had at least one, many with the boxes. It's been said that this toy even had a limited release in the US, which seems likely since it does show up on ebay from US sellers occasionally.

The original Japanese version of the toy (Raideen was released by two other companies, Mattel in the US and Europe and Jugarama in Mexico) is by far the best one to get. It's proportions are much nicer than any of the subsequent releases and the bow fist is a favorite among fans who grew up with the much less attractive Mattel Shogun Warriors version.

Popy Raideen

Mattel Raydeen

This guy sure seems enthusiastic about the toy!

Reideen comes with wheels on it's feet, removable hands and winged missiles that it shoots from it's stomach. This missile is unique to this Jumbo. This missile is usually yellow, but JoshB (who owns the specimen pictured in this review) has seen at least one missile that was cast in blue.

In the anime, Raideen could transform into a flying "God Bird" mode and you can represent this by turning the robot on it's side. Ok, ok, you gotta use your imagination a bit for that one..

Besides being released by Mattel and Jugarama, this main body sculpt of the Raideen Jumbo Machinder was also used on other toys. The Mazingger Z jumbo from Argentina uses the torso while the Argus toy from Brazil uses both the torso and the head. There is also a very cheaply made Mazinger Z from Mexico that uses the entire body of the Raideen Jumbo but replaces the head with a crudely sculpted Mazinger Z head. Truly, toy makers got their money's worth out of this mold!

As I said before, this is a pretty easy find as far as Popy Jumbo Machinders go. You can probably get a loose one in decent condition for as little as $100 while a deadstock example might be around $400-600.

It was only after I had made my purchase that the realization hit me:

How am I going to get this thing home?

This is another find from the 2006 Tokyo trip with Nekrodave. We were hitting all the stores in Akihabara and one of our last stops was Toys GoldenAge.

It was there that I found this Raideen Kite. With my Raideen obsession in full swing, I couldn’t pass it up. Sure the box was a little beat, but it was only 1,500 yen! It was only after I had made my purchase that the realization hit me:

How am I going to get this thing home?

Turns out I had to hand-carry it onto the airplane and store it in the overhead compartment. Customs even put a sticker on it. It was such a pain to carry around, but now I consider it well worth it.

First off, the box art is simply gorgeous. The pink background with the sunburst just screams 70s. There is a small die-cut window at the top that allows you to see the attached figure.

The kite itself is similar in design to a Tahara fighting kite. The rectangular kite is supported by 2 tubes on the top and bottom and one running down the center. A metal frame is attached to which you hang the small Raideen toy who then acts as if he is “Hang Gliding”.

I could never get my sofubi Raideen to attach to the kite, and just this year I found out why – the toy included with my kite was the wrong one! No wonder it was only $15 bucks. The following images are from a Yahoo Japan auction and show the proper toy.

I’ve never actually flown the kite, but maybe next summer I will…

Popy's final Getter Robo G Jumbo, Poseidon gets more love here than in it's homeland.

Following up on the success of the Getter Robo anime, Getter Robo G (ゲッターロボG) aired for 39 episodes on Fuji TV from May 15, 1975 to March 25, 1976 and spawned a great many toys in Japan. Furthermore, the show was adapted for American audiences and retitled as "Starvengers" when it was included in Jim Terry's famously popular "Force Five" cartoons. Just like it's predecessor, Getter Robo G featured three vehicles that could combine to form three different robots. This time around, the robots had slightly more interesting names, being called Getter Dragon, Getter Liger, and Getter Poseidon(ゲッターポセイドン).

The third robot form, Getter Poseidon, is probably the least popular. The Jumbo Machinder is considered one of the easiest releases from Popy to get and as such is often one of the first that is acquired by US collectors. (It was my first Popy Jumbo.) The toy is not particularly popular in Japan, however. It has a very simplistic form that some may find uninteresting, but there are a couple of features that are unique.

Most obviously, the lower legs are molded in the shape of two tank treads and can be folded down to mimick the Caterpillar Tread from the show. Unfortunately, these treads do not actually roll. Instead there are two sets of wheels embedded in the plastic for this purpose. This means that while standing, Poseidon has wheels on the outside of his calves. Though a neat feature for play value, the whole setup gives the toy a very ungainly look below the knees that may turn some collectors off. From the knees up, it's a beautiful toy, though.

The second unique feature is the missile launchers which are screwed into the back of the toy. Hollow yellow missiles (6 included) are placed on top of the launchers, while accordion-style compressors are attached below. Using these to pump air through the tubes sends the missiles flying. And man, do they fly! Of all the jumbos I've had, Poseidon definitely wins the award for having missiles that fly the furthest when launched. It's an interesting system that isn't used on other jumbos. Perhaps Popy decided consistency was more important than distance when it comes to launching missiles. Sometimes this system loses some functionality if they air is not properly held in or if the missiles are pushed down too tightly.

In addition to the folding tank tread legs, you can raise and lower Poseidon's arms, turn his hands or remove them entirely to swap them out for a separately sold accessory fists. Also, the blue collar on the neck can be turned to simulate the Getter Cyclone weapon, but it honestly doesn't move very smoothly. It would have been nicer if it actually spun.

Though the toy's design is pretty simple, upon closer inspection it's evident that it contains more parts than would be obvious at first glance. The torso, head, arms and missile launchers were cast in dark orange polyethylene, with black poly for the hands and treads. Light blue poly comprises the legs while the collar is a darker blue poly. The yellow missiles are also poly, but the blue parts connecting the treads and legs is dark blue plastic. I'm not exactly sure what the compressors on the missile launchers are. They feel like a very soft, flexible poly, the same sort that some of the cheaper carnival machinders are made from.

This is one of the few jumbos whose head is not made of painted soft vinyl. Instead, like Getter 3 it has stickers for details. Some blemishes you may find on the Jumbo Poseidon is some oxidation on the silver stickers on the waist and I've also seen several specimens on which the stickers were actually applied crookedly. In fact, my own had the black "V" sticker on the pelvis all out of whack. I had to carefully remove it and straighten it out. Typically, I wouldn't mess with my vintage toys like that, (especially a jumbo), but man, it really drove me nuts!

Poseidon stands the typical 23.5" tall when upright, but only 19.5" with the Caterpillar Treads folded down. It seems to pretty consistently sell for about $700 in mint in box condition. While this Popy toy is generally considered a fairly easy acquisition, the version produced by Mexican toy makers "Jugarama" is very hard to track down.

GETTER ROBO G:

STARVENGERS:

Of all the Getter Robo Jumbos, I like this one the best.

Following up on the success of the Getter Robo anime, Getter Robo G (ゲッターロボG) aired for 39 episodes on Fuji TV from May 15, 1975 to March 25, 1976 and spawned a great many toys in Japan. Furthermore, the show was adapted for American audiences and retitled as "Starvengers" when it was included in Jim Terry's famously popular "Force Five" cartoons. Just like it's predecessor, Getter Robo G featured three vehicles that could combine to form three different robots. This time around, the robots had slightly more interesting names, being called "Getter Dragon", Getter Liger (ゲッター ライガー), and Getter Poseidon.

While Getter Dragun may be the most popular of the three toys, Getter Liger is easily the hardest to get and quite desirable in his own right. It has a real sleek design that stands out from the pack and the color scheme, while simple, is quite alluring. The small bits of yellow on the shoulders and wingtips really add a lot. Like Dragon, Liger has "Getter Robo G" in Japanese on his stomach, with his name just beneath that.

Upon seeing the yellow tips of the wings, new collectors sometimes think they these parts might launch. While that would have been a great gimmick, unfortunately it is not the case. However the left hand does have a firing mechanism to launch his "Liger Missiles". Liger comes with 3 big red missiles for this purpopse. It should be noted as well that these missiles appear to be the same as those that come with the ZZ-06 accessory set, but are smaller and not compatible.

Probably the best part about this toy may also be the worst part. The left "pod arm" looks really beautiful, but the plastic here is thin where it connects to the arm. It's very common to see this toy with these parts broken off. So far mine is still intact, but it's something I worry about every time I touch the toy.

Getter Liger is the standard 23.5" tall and has wheels on his feet. The arms raise and lower and the head can be turned side to side. The wings on the back are held securely in place by four screws. The feet each have 3 white protrusions made out of rubber. These provide a bit of added detail, but the toy would probably be just as cool without them. Lastly, the box art is similar in style to the other two Getter G Machinders and also features the original prototype.

Even though Liger is the rarest of the Getter Robo G set, relative to the Jumbo Machinder line as a whole, it's still a fairly easy acquisition. Just getting it complete, in the box and with that pod arm unbroken is the trick. If you find such a specimen, expect to pay somewhere between $800-1200 for it. But this one comes with my highest recommendation. It's a really beautiful jumbo and makes a great set with his two brothers.

GETTER ROBO G:

STARVENGERS:

The original Japanese version of the popular Shogun Warriors toy.

Following up on the success of the Getter Robo anime, Getter Robo G (ゲッターロボG) aired for 39 episodes on Fuji TV from May 15, 1975 to March 25, 1976 and spawned a great many toys in Japan. Furthermore, the show was adapted for American audiences and retitled as "Starvengers" when it was included in Jim Terry's famously popular "Force Five" cartoons. Just like it's predecessor, Getter Robo G featured three vehicles that could combine to form three different robots. This time around, the robots had slightly more interesting names, being called "Getter Dragon"(ゲッタードラゴン), Getter Liger, and Getter Poseidon.

Popy released all three robots in Jumbo Machinder form in 1975, but two years later Mattel would create their line of imported "Shogun Warrior" toys and one of the most popular of the jumbos they released would be Getter Dragon (renamed simply as "Dragun"). It was also one of the most highly produced of the bunch and it is arguably the easiest to get today. In fact, though the original Popy version is not that hard to get in Japan, here in the US, the Shogun Warrior version is EVERYWHERE! It's probably the most common jumbo out there and one of the first most collectors get when they are just starting out. Though Mattel released four different versions of the toy (for more on that, please see John Eaton's Shogun Warriors Dragun Page), the first version released was identical to the original Popy toy, repackaged in a new box.

There isn't too much to say about this toy that isn't either commonly known, or detailed in the link above. It's 23" tall with wheels on the feet. The saws on the arms spin and he can hurl axes from his left hand. Although the Shogun Warriors version comes with a "star shooter" accessory, the Popy version did not include it. In typical Jumbo Machinder fashion, the toy's colors are inaccurate in comparison to the animation.

One interesting thing about it that you might not know is that even though Getter Dragon would likely be considered the "leader" of the Getter Robo G team, in Jumbo Machinder form, he is actually slightly shorter than his two partners. Also, in additon to the Popy and Mattel releases, at least two other companies released Jumbos of Getter Dragon. The first was released in Spain by a company called "Nacoral" and was called Robot Nacoral Lanza Discos. The second was released in Venezuela by a company called "Famosa" and was called "Robot Lanza Discos". Both toys are rare, but it's much harder to get the Famosa version.

As I said before, getting the Getter Dragon Jumbo is pretty easy, but the Popy version is more of a challenge than the Mattel. Most collectors aren't too picky about which they get, but for me, I really wanted to have a Popy version since it would display better with the Getter Liger and Getter Poseiden Jumbos. All three toys feature similar artwork on their boxes, which looks good together. (You might notice that the box features an image of the prototype, which appears to include a vinyl cape, much like the one on the Getter 1 Machinder!) The Popy Getter Dragun usually costs around $500 mib, though you may see prices higher or lower than that. Typically, it will be less in the US than in Japan since there are so many Shogun Warrior versions available as an alternative for American collectors.

GETTER ROBO G OPENING:

STARVENGERS OPENING:

The very first DX chogokin - Raideen. This review features the rare first version with white legs.

Portions of this review are taken from my Super7 article about Raideen.

I can trace the obsession back to Christmas of 1978. I had discovered comic books, and my favorite was the Marvel Shogun Warriors comic. I had begged my parents all year long for a Shogun Warriors toy. I didn't care which one; I just had to have one. On Christmas morning my wish was granted. I tore open the wrapping paper to find my very first giant robot: Raideen. It was the Raideen Jumbo Shogun Warrior. It was the third version, but I wouldn't know that until years later. My dad instantly took it out of my hands and cut off the sharp point of the shield with toenail clippers. I was five years old, and the only kid I knew with a Shogun Warrior. I ruled the neighborhood with a shooting fist.

Years went by, and Raideen got burnt, painted, buried and eventually lost. As a teen I ignored my toys and all but forgot about him. After college I began to get into toys again, and once I got online I decided to look for my favorite childhood toy again. I discovered Alen Yen's ToyboxDX, and through them, eBay. It was all downhill from there.

Raideen's original name was Brave Raideen, or Yuusha Raideen. The Japanese TV show aired from April 4, 1975 to March 26, 1976, and ran for 50 episodes. Produced by Sunrise, Brave Raideen told the story of Akira Hibiki, who pilots the giant robot to fight against the Devil Empire. Akira would ride his 'œSupercar' motorcycle off of a cliff and yell 'œfade in!' as he entered the dormant Raideen.

Yoshiyuki Tomino, the creator of Mobile Suit Gundam, directed the first 26 episodes of the show. He quit and was replaced with Tadao Nagahama, who also directed Combattler V and Voltes V. The mechanical design of Raideen was done by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko and Suzuki Yoshitake. Originally, Raideen was intended to be green, but Mr. Yasuhiko changed his mind about this. The show was also the first to incorporate mystical or supernatural elements into the super robot genre.

Popy produced the very first Raideen toys. Raideen was the ninth toy in the Popy GA series of die cast robot toys, known as Chogokin. It has a place in history as being the first Popy toy with the DX label, and the GA-09 is commonly regarded as the first transforming die cast robot.

The GA-09 Raideen is a work of art. In robot mode, it features firing fists and weapons that attach to the arms. Transformation to Godbird is simple - close the face plates, fold the wings back over the arms, fold down the shoulder pads, bend the legs at the knees and move up, and finally swing the landing gear out from the back. Simple and beautiful.

The story of the Popy GA-09 is a complicated one. The first version (shown) of the GA-09 came with white legs and later versions would have chrome. The GA-09 was reissued in the 'œEtarnal Heroes' (yes, that's how they spelled it) series, and again in the mid 80s in a blue and white box. Raideen was also released in 1978 as part of the Shogun Warriors 'œ2-in-1' line by Mattel.

Popy also issued an extremely limited black version of the GA-09, officially known as Super Metal Black GA-09, which has become very expensive over the years. It came out three years after the original, and was sold in limited quantities and intended for older fans. It is not know where the idea of the black version came from, as it does not appear anywhere in the show. The Super Metal Black GA-09 was the very first black version toy, starting a trend that continues to this day. In the mid 1990's, there was also a re-release of the Black Raideen, along with a Black ST Combattler and Black ST Godsigma. Unlike the original, this black version has no gold trim. Rumor has it that these were made by the molding company without Bandai's consent. The boxes have no markings, and the toys are less detailed then the originals, due to the degradation of the molds over time.

In 1999, Bandai released the GA-09R, a re-tooling of the original Popy toy. Over an inch taller, the reissue featured an entirely new sculpt and paint job. Some of the notable differences are red wings instead of white, and metallic gold horns instead of yellow. Although it looks similar to the original, it is an entirely different toy. Bandai also created a limited gold version of this toy, available only at the Tokyo Toy Festival in February 2000. Only 1000 were made, and they were completely sold out.

The Raideen shown here is a first version toy, but the box is a second version. I do not know if some first version toys got placed in this second version box, or if this was done by a collector later on.

Although most fans know this toy as Rydoto, from the Shogun Action Vehicles line, it was originally released as Bluegar from Popy's Popynica line. It is also known as Bluger Tank.

Although most fans know this toy as Rydoto, from the Shogun Action Vehicles line, it was originally released as Bluegar from Popy's Popynica line. It is also known as Bluger Tank.

Bluegar comes from the anime series Brave Raideen. The Bluegar was a support ship for Raideen, and it launched a small vehicle called the Spit Fighter from its nose.

The toy is only about 4 inches long, and it is made out of diecast metal and plastic. There are 2 main gimmicks to the Bluegar. First, the front section opens to reveal a small, silver Spit Fighter. When you press the button on the top, the Spit Fighter launches off. The second gimmick involves the "wings", or whatever you want to call those red segmented banks on either side of the back. Push a button on either side of the tail and the wing sections pop out. There are also metal wheels on the bottom.

A cool little toy, great for fans of Shogun Warriors or Popynica.