This toy has a lot of great things going for it, and I think if you are a Godzilla fan at all, you should pick it up. First off, the toy has a decent amount of metal. It has a nice weight, and deservedly earns the Chogokin name.

Mechagodzilla 2003 (メカゴジラ２００３) hails from the movie Godzilla x Mechagodzilla (ゴジラ×メカゴジラ) released in 2002. In the movie, Mechagodzilla is created from the bones and DNA of the original Godzilla found on the ocean floor. Mechagodzilla fights a new Godzilla and receives heavy damage, but eventually defeats Godzilla in a later battle, the first Mechagodzilla to do so.

This Mechagodzilla is one of many Mechagodzillas that has appeared in the Godzilla series. The original classic MechaG is part of the Showa-era Godzilla series, and has no relation to this model. This version is from the Godzilla Millennium series, a series that was started in 1999, and only uses the first Godzilla movie as part of its history.

This toy has a lot of great things going for it, and I think if you are a Godzilla fan at all, you should pick it up. First off, the toy has a decent amount of metal. It has a nice weight, and deservedly earns the Chogokin name. It stands about 17 cm tall (about 6.5”)

Articulation is not bad, but kind of limited by the design of the character. Sure, there are lots of joints, but they just don’t go far. The neck looks like it could have had more joints, but is pretty static. Mechagodzilla’s Jaw opens; the head turns and moves up and down. Arms and legs have your standard detented joints, and there is no waist joint. The tail has a small bit of movement with only 3 joints.

As far as gimmicks go, there are a few, but this toy is mainly about looks. First, the chest opens up to reveal the Absolute Zero Cannon, Mechagodzilla’s ultimate weapon. The large back pack gives Mechagodzilla added firepower. With the backpack on, it is called “Heavy armed type” (重武装型) and with it removed it is called “High mobile type” (高機動型). Some of the back spikes have to be removed to attach the backpack. The arm weapons are removable, and need to be assembled out of the box. The blades can be removed, and the hoses can be detached.

The only thing I really don’t like about the toy is the tail spikes – they have to be attached when you first take it out of the box, and they have a tendency to fall out. Otherwise, great toy!

GD-45 Chogokin Mechagodzilla 2003 was released on December 12, 2002, and retailed for ¥4,800. A metallic version, GD-45M was released on July 18, 2003, and retailed for ¥5,800.

A couple of weeks back the latest in the long line of Godzilla movies "Godzilla x Mechagodzilla X Mothra: Tokyo SOS" was released in Japan so now seems the ideal time to review one of the toys from last years Godzilla movie (simply "Godzilla x Mechagodzilla"). The DX Mechagodzilla 2003 (超装甲DXメカゴジラ - Super Armor DX Mechagodzilla) is a true kids' toy - it's clearly been built for fun, size and gimmicks are the keywords here.

Standing roughly 12 inches tall MG's size impresses, but pick him up and his lightness is a surprise. Lacking the weight of die-cast alternatives he is however sturdily built and given the size die-cast would have priced him out of his intended market. Joints are pretty straight forward, arms and legs have enough movement to allow a good range of aggressive poses. The lack of any kind of head or neck articulation is something of a disappointment though.

MG comes pre-assembled except for a few accessories and fins. First thing to attach is his tail which clips tightly to his rear and has a reasonable degree of flexibility. Three "AAA" batteries are needed to power the gimmicks - they fit into a compartments in MG's back. Two rubber rail guns fix onto the forearms and the final piece of weaponry is the shoulder mounted rocket launcher. The later wedges onto MG's shoulders, despite the satisfying docking noise when he's powered up I would have liked a firmer attachment. When not wearing the launcher a few rubber fins attach to small slots on the back.

20 years ago he's the kind of toy I would have drained the batteries on in a matter of days and had immense fun in the process. Being a little more... er... mature DX Mechagodzilla 2003 has spent the last year on a display shelf. He's big and stylish enough to display well and the gimmicks add that little bit more if you happen to be showing off your collection. My only reservation is the immobility of his neck, but I wouldn't let that hold you back from tracking this guy down.