When a toy is marked down by nearly $40, are you getting a great deal or a piece of garbage?

Read the review, and watch the video, to find out....

The Manticore Megazord was released in 2006 and comes from the show "Power Rangers Mystic Force". I decided to take the plunge and pick one up when seeing on clearance at Toys R Us, marked down from $49.99, all the way to $10.98. I figured that at those savings it was worth a look. But unfortunately the reason it was on sale was simply that it's not a very good toy.

The Manticore Megazord is the result of the combination of a Phoenix Zord and a Lion Zord. Taken on their own, each Zord is really pretty boring and neither has much individual play value.

Phoenix Zord

Lion Zord

It is only when they are combined do they start to get even a little bit interesting. The Phoenix Zord is able to sort of "dock" with the Lion Zord and connect to it's back via three magnets.

Believe it or not, I actually prefer displaying the toy in this fashion instead of in Megazord mode. That does not bode well for any toy when it's main attraction is not shelf worthy.

Now, when you want to transform to Megazord mode, the toy features a battery operated "Auto-Morph Action". Basically, this means it transforms by itself. To do this, you have to turn the wings of the Phoenix Zord down so that it can stand upright, allowing the Lion Zord to roll along the ground until they connect. When they do, the tail of the Phoenix Zord will compress a small button on the Lion Zord, alerting it to stop rolling and start transforming.

Phoenix Zord prepared for docking

One of the biggest problems with this feature is how difficult it actually is to get the two toys to line up properly. Bandai included a thin cardboard placemat that you can use a starting reference point, but even with it's help, the transformation does not always work. Of course, that doesn't stop the toy from continuing to roll along, knocking over the Phoenix Zord and running into it on the ground and basically being a pain in the neck.

So, it's difficult to do. But even when it works, the robot does not completely transform. You still have to rotate the Lion Zord's paws into order to reveal the robots fists. And then you have to remove the Phoenix Zord's tail and transform it into a weapon.

Of course, perhaps the most visually obvious downfall of this gimmick is how badly the Manticore Megazod ends up looking because of it. Everything beneath the waist is just one big lump of plastic, with no articulation or play value whatsoever. Frankly, it just looks AWFUL. So the main featured gimmick barely works, doesn't work completely and makes the toy look terrible. Great. Just great.

I know I would give up an action feature in favor of a nicer looking design and some poseability. The only thing on the Megazord that can be posed is the arms. They move up and down and side to side (a little).

The completed weapon is pretty stupid, too. The robot really can't even hold it. Instead, it holds a small handle that is connected to it and the bottom rests on his right foot, often falling out of the hole it's meant for anyway. The weapon does spin around when the Manticore Megazord rolls forward.

When finally completed, the Manticore Megazord has a big space in between it's head and chest. There is a small black panel that you can use to fill in this space, but when it's in place, you are unable to transform it back into the separate Zords. So I just leave it down. You barely notice the emptiness from the front anyway. The lion head can also be pulled out and placed onto the separately sold Titan Megazord to form the "Ultimate Titan Mode".

The black panel on the inside front rotates up

So, what exactly does this toy have going for it? Well, it's colors are sort of unique for a robot. And....uhhhmm... that's about it. Unless you are just a total Power Ranger or Sentai completist, I can't recommend that you buy this one. Even for the $11 I paid. $11 will get you a large cheese pizza in most places. And if I could swap this thing for a large cheese pizza right now, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

(Thanks to Eva_Unit 4A", for reminding me of a couple of features I forgot about!)

Another unique sculpt for the US market, MechaGodzilla is a bargain for the kaiju collector.

The second of Bandai Creation's 12" Classic Godzilla vinyls is MechaGodzilla and this time, he stands a legitimate 12" tall. At first glance, it's a more impressive looking toy than the Godzilla, but I think that after owning both for a few days I've come to like the Godzilla just a bit better. Most of that may have to do with the fact that I have about 10 other Bandai Godzillas of various sizes and styles and am now displaying them all as a group, which looks pretty cool. But it is also because MechaGodzilla is molded with his left foot placed out in front of his right. It looks sort of awkward to me and there is no joint at the hip you can use to correct it.

I think if it weren't for that, it would definitely be the better looking toy, especially if you happen to like this version of the character, which hails from the 2002 film "Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla".

This soft vinyl toy has 5 points of articulation, at the waist, neck, shoulders and tail. It looks like there is a second joint in the tail, but mine does not move at all.

I wish I had more to tell you about this one, but it's just a big, vinyl MechaGodzilla. The pictures tell the whole story really. Like the Final Wars Godzilla, this is on clearance at Toys R Us now for $15.99 and at that price, any kaiju fan should grab it.

Not as big as advertised, but this large size Godzilla figure from Bandai Creation is a real bargain.

Bandai Creation has released quite a few 6.5" figures from the Godzilla universe in the last couple of years, but 2008 marks their first foray in 12" kaiju. This Godzilla comes from "Godzilla: Final Wars", a film from 2004. I guess in the grand scheme of things it might be a bit weird that you should see merchandising four years after the fact for a movie that really didn't get a wide release in the first place, but you won't find me complaining.

Other than it's increased size, this toy is not really any different from the previous offerings by Bandai Creation. It's a unique sculpt for the US market and is made entirely of soft vinyl. Good old soft, squishy vinyl.

"Final Goji" here has 8 points of articulation, with 3 of those coming in the tail. The neck, hips and shoulders also turn. The paint job is simple but effective, with the best effect being the blending of the black and yellow on the claws.

Although advertised as a 12" figure, this toy actually only reaches about 10.5" in height. I don't wanna hear anyone complaining though. This is a substantial Godzilla figure that you can pick up for very cheap money. Although I tried to list as accurately as possible it's original release price (only thing I could find online was $26.95 from Amazon), I got mine on clearance at Toys R Us for just $15.99. I recommend that you hurry out and get one before they are all gone. Look for the 12" MechaGodzilla while you are there, too.

As she was ready to leave, she pulled a tattered VHS tape out of her purse and handed it to me. It was a well-worn copy of the original black and white Rodan movie...

Rodan occupies a special place in my heart. This Rodan is not the Rodan of my childhood, but I guess I will talk about it here.

I haven't seen my Mother in years. She's around, somewhere, but we travel in very different circles. Every once in a blue moon we connect, but the occasions are few and far between. The circumstances of our situation I will keep to myself, but let’s just say it affects me to this day.

On one such meeting a few years ago, I had my mother over to see my new baby. It was the first time I had seen her in a while. It was an emotional time, but this wasn’t about us, it was about the baby. As she was ready to leave, she pulled a tattered VHS tape out of her purse and handed it to me. It was a well-worn copy of the original black and white Rodan movie. She said “I saw this at a flea market and thought you might like it. I remember you watched it on Creature Double Feature when you were little”.

And then she left. We’ve crossed paths at funerals and such over the years, but that was the last time we ever had a moment. That stupid Rodan tape. I don’t really even remember watching Rodan as a kid. Each time I see that tape, or anything with Rodan it in, I remember that moment.

For better or worse.

This Rodan, from Godzilla Final Wars, is my first Rodan toy. I like to think that buying this toy means that I have been able to let go, to move on, but I am not sure. It means SOMETHING, but what that something means I don’t know.

I gave this rodan toy to my kids, and they play with it often – it resides on the shelves that are OK to play with. My hope is that my kids will have a much different connection with Rodan than I did.

Here's a surprise. Unlike most other Bandai Creation vinyl kaiju, this Hedorah is a significantly different toy the the regular Japanese Bandai release.

Normally I don't bother with these Bandai Creation Godzilla vinyls. Don't get me wrong, they're a great value and it's awesome to see Japanese soft vinyl kaiju available cheaply here on US shores. But the fact is that I happen to live in an area where some stores carry the original Japanese versions for not much more money. The US and Japanese releases are quite similar, but the Japanese ones tend to be better quality, in my opinion. But when I stopped at a KB Toys last weekend and saw Hedorah on their shelves, I could immediately tell that the Bandai Creation version was VASTLY different from it's Japanese counterpart.

At first, my impression of it was that it was much, much worse than the other, but I gotta tell you, I've really warmed up to it since. It's got a more massive frame that makes it stand out more than the Japanese version, and it's significantly taller too. I like how the arms point straight down too. Somehow it reminds me more of the old school vinyl style, while still retaining a movie accurate sculpt.

Another minor advantage that it has is that the tail curls back around to the front. This would make it easier to display in a group since it's less likely that another vinyl behind it will have to stand on it's tail.

It does, however, have one really bad flaw. The seam that connects the top and bottom parts of the toy is really unsightly. And it's really quite pointless too, because the toy has exactly ZERO points of articulation. So there's a big ugly seam and you can't even turn it there anyway.

Still, this is a great deal. A decent Hedorah vinyl for about $10 and easy to get. Besides KB Toys, I've also seen this line of toys sold at Toys R Us and even CVS. Maybe soon you won't be able to go anywhere without feeding your habit!! HAHA!

Newsapalooza! Not safe for Dial-up! New items from Yamato, Bandai Creation, CM's Corps, Marmit, X-Plus and more!

1/60 Perfect Transformation YF-19 25th Anniversary Model

From Yamato - 18,800¥ ABS/PVC/DIECAST due December

1/48 Perfect Transformation VF-1S 25th Anniversary

From Yamato - 14,800¥ ABS/PVC/DIECAST due December

Nightmare Frame Action Gloucester Cornelia Use

Completed toy from the anime Code Geass. By Megahouse, due late november for 3,480¥. 10cm tall.

Art Works Monsters GODZILLA

450mm tall (about 18 inches) by Megahouse. 19,800¥, due late November

Bandai Creation Godzilla

Believe it or not, Bandai Creation is coming out with yet ANOTHER run of Vinyl Godzilla figures. This series will include:

6.5" scale

• Godzilla 1968
• Hedorah
• Godzilla Millennium
• Destoroyah

12" scale

• MechaGodzilla
• Godzilla - Final Wars

Pics here (Thanks Sanjeev!)

Yamato Grozier X

From Yamato, 200mm tall, made of ABS/PVC/DIECAST. Due December for 15,800¥

Yamato Megazone23 PART II Proto Garland

250mm tall, 1/15 scale, due December for 17,800¥

X-Plus Daikaiju Series Eleking

PVC figure from Ultra Seven. Due November for 6,800¥

X-Plus Daikaiju Series Dally

PVC figure from Ultra Seven. Due November for 6,800¥

More Marmit Yamato Ships

First off is the great news about the Daigokin Andromeda!

Check out the prototype of the next gokin warship: Deslar's Ship!

This will be 23cm long, all diecast (minus antennae) and will be out end of the year. Marmit also has 3 more ships in production.

CM's Corps Brave Gokin Sankan-Oh?

Slipped in with the promotional pictures of the Brave Gokin Gyakuten-Oh - is this a Brave Gokin Sankan-Oh?

This Jumbo Megazord was the last to prominently feature parts of animals in the design. That combined with a lack of gimmicks and Jumbo fans had already become disillusioned with these toys by this point. Although two more would be produced, it often feels like this line really died with this release.

The Jumbo Thundersaurus Megazord was the fifth entry in Bandai Creation's line of Jumbo sized Power Ranger robots and the first from the Dino Thunder series. It followed previous releases the Wildforce Megazord and Isis Megazord from the Wild Force series and Storm Megazord and Thunderstorm Megazord from the Ninja Storm series. In my opiniion, it's one of the weaker entries in the line, possibly the weakest. I tend to flip flop on whether I like this or the Wildforce Megazord the least.

I think I would like it more if it didn't have those silly patterns within the gold on the legs and shoulders. I just tends to remind me of bad wallpaper. Also, there's something about a robot with toes that just seems off to me. Also, the right hand looks kind of awkward to me. I can't quite put my finger on it.

The giant drill/tail for a left arm doesn't bother me that much like it would many other Jumbo collectors. I've heard some people complain about it, but no one complains about the drill arm for Getter 2. I think it might just be an anti-sentai sentiment at work. The arm on this toy can turn, but it doesn't actually spin unfortunately.

I do quite like the sculpt of the head, even though it tends to remind me of Dancougar.

I'm not quite as enamored of the head that sticks out from the chest. It sticks out a bit too far for my liking. It really seems seems out of place on what is otherwise a very thin robot.

Both heads are made of soft vinyl and need to be attached when you buy the toy. Another plastic handle for the back is also included again. As is the case with some of the other toys in this line, some of the paint applications are a little bit spotty.
Again, the box can be displayed either landscape or portrait style.

As a fanatic for anything Jumbo, I'm glad I bought this guy. But I suspect that if you were collecting when this came out and didn't get it then, then nothing will change your mind about it. There are no hidden surprises with these things. Basically, either you like the way it looks or you don't.

An impressive Jumbo with a MASSIVE wingspan. Good luck finding room to display this guy!

The Jumbo Isis Megazord was the second of Bandai Creation's Power Ranger Jumbos to hit the market, following on the heels of their Jumbo Wild Force Megazord. In terms of pure size, it might be one of the most impressive Jumbos ever. Not only does it stand approximately 23" tall, but it boasts an impressive 35" wingspan! Among toys considered to be in the Jumbo Machinder family, only the World's Greatest Monsters Rodan can claim to have a bigger set of wings.

Obviously, such a large toy would not come pre-assembled so you have to attach each wing into the back. The piece it attaches to has what looks like a hinge, but unfortunately the wings do not move at all. The eyes in the wings are stickers that need to be applied. This is the only Bandai Creation Jumbo with stickers, which is a shame as it really helps recapture that old school toy feel when you have them.

In addition to the wings, the soft vinyl head needs to be inserted over the knob on the neck and the handle placed into the back. As usual, I've not put the handle on mine because apparently once in, they don't come out.

I really like the design of the head and the chest but where most Jumbo fans lose interest is again in the animal based design. This piece in particular is a bit frustrating because it doesn't have anything even remotely resembling hands. And I think the feet look pretty awful. It's always been my biggest complaint with the toy. They lack symmetry and detail in my eyes. They look much better on the DX version

The box for this toy measures approximately 22"x18"x9". One of the things that I've always thought was pretty cool about the Jumbo Megazord boxes is that they can be displayed two ways. You have both portrait and landscape images to choose from. The problem though is that the boxes are so large that, in addition to large shipping costs, it's just simply hard to find room to actually display them. And perhaps because of their size and cumbersome nature, I find that it's been surprisingly difficult to keep them a tip-top condition, despite the fact that they are made out of stronger cardboard than vintage boxes.

Now I liked these toys from the beginning. I felt that even though their sentai designs were drastically different from classic super robots, a $30 Jumbo that you could walk into a store and buy was worth having. But lately I've even warmed up more to the sentai aesthetic. Seeing JoshB's collection and even having recently been given a box of incomplete DX Megazords has helped, but I really think it might have been seeing the displays at the Bandai Museum that did it for me. Seeing the sentai stuff alongside the super robots, kaiju and tokusatsu items seems to have lent legitimacy to them in my eyes. Man, I HATED Power Rangers when I was younger. And while I still wouldn't watch the show, I'd kill to have more of these toys being made today.

Another talking Power Ranger Jumbo, no better or worse really than the others.

I must have been asleep at the switch, so to speak. Somehow a Jumbo Ranger was released and it completely flew under my radar. Actually, not just mine. Nobody I know actually saw this one in stores and I only recently came across it on Ebay. The Jumbo Red Legend Power Ranger comes from the "Mystic Force" show, same as the first Jumbo Ranger. I'm not really a Power Ranger fan so I have no idea why there is more than one Red Ranger in the show. Maybe this is some kind of "power up" version?

Once again, Bandai Creation uses the same generic body like they also did on the Mega Red Power Ranger from "Operation Overdrive". The only differences from the original Jumbo Ranger is that the hands and feet are now white, the head has a sort of "wing" on each side and he wears a removable covering over his upper chest and shoulders. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be some sort of armour in the show, but on the toy, it's a shiny "pleather" with a velcro strip on the back.

The talking feature is back again, this time saying "It's Morphin' Time!" and, *I think*, "Galwit Mysto Ranger!", when you press the button on his belt. You'll need two AAA batteries to make it work though.

I messed up a bit in my previous Ranger reviews by accidentally listing polyethylene in the material section. Force of habit, I suppose. But so far as I can tell, these are made entirely of hard plastic for the torsos and soft vinyl for the head and limbs.

I can't help but include these in the "Jumbo Machinder" category. Sure, they are totally different, but the initial 7 Jumbo Megazords are generally accepted as true Machinders and these toys are clearly an extension of that line. Like it or not.

Who wouldn’t want a golden three headed dragon on their toy shelves? King Ghidorah is the ultimate Godzilla villain. If you have Godzilla, you need King Ghidorah.

This version of King Ghidorah (キングギドラ Kingu Gidor) is from the 2001 tokusatsu movie Godzilla Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack. Although King Ghidorah has appeared in several Godzilla movies, this sculpt is based on the version from this particular film.

This toy is probably a reissue of a Japanese vinyl that was commonly hung by a tag in toy stores. Bandai Creation imported several of these standard vinyl figures for their American Godzilla line. In America, these toys were sold attached to cards, instead of hung from tags.

King Ghidorah is a large 8” vinyl figure with three heads and two tails. The only articulation on this figure is in the wings, and one joint in the tail.

What King Ghidorah lacks in articulation, it excels in just looking damn cool. Who wouldn’t want a golden three headed dragon on their toy shelves? King Ghidorah is the ultimate Godzilla villain. If you have Godzilla, you need King Ghidorah.