Busou Shinki (武装神姫) is an action figure line from Konami that has an on-line element. Each figure comes with a code, that when entered on the official website, will enable that toy in the virtual world. From there you can customize your figure and battle other figures. The on-line game started September 7, 2006.

• official Busou Shinki Website (Japanese)

Chogokin (超合金) is Japanese for "Super Alloy" and is a fictitious material first appeared in Go Nagai's Mazinger Z comic. It was later adopted by the Popy toy company in early 1970s as a new line of die-casted metal robot and character toys sold in Japan. While Bandai, the parent company of Popy toy owns the trademark to the brand, the term is generally used to describe any Japanese diecast robot toy made from zinc alloy.

Chogokin toys were generally produced in ST and or DX sizes. ST meaning standard and usually in the range of 5" tall. The DX versions were deluxe and usually much larger. In addition to the larger size, the DX versions usually came with more features such as separating parts and more complex weaponry, usually with launching projectiles. (Wikipedia)

Dinozaurs (AKA Prehistoric Warriors, DinoZone (ダイノゾーン) in Japan) is the name of a show which is a combination of Japanese anime and computer animation. It follows the similarities to Transformers, except the heroes were born on Earth.

It is explained in the story that it has been 1,000,000 years since the Dino Knights had last defeated the Dragozaurs. The Dragozaurs have returned, a boy named Kaito has reawakened them. The battle between the Dino Knights and the Dragozaurs begins once again as the Dino Knights prevent the Dragozaurs from stealing Earth's life force.

Bandai America released toys for Dinozaurs from 1999 - 2001

A character roll-out with a difference

In the case of Digimon, Gundam, and the Power Rangers, the TV programs were launched first, helping to stimulate the popularity of the toys. In the case of Dinozone, however, things are going to happen the other way around, with the merchandise launched before the TV programs.

Dinozone is a toy that comes as a set comprising dinosaur action figures plus a cartoon video introducing the dinosaur's world using computer-generated backgrounds. It was launched in Japan in 1998 and has become popular chiefly with children aged three to eight years. Based on the Dinozone toy, Bandai America worked jointly with Sunrise Inc.-the member of the Bandai Group responsible for the planning and production of the original animation-to create "DinoZaurs", a TV cartoon combining 2-D and 3-D animation. This has not yet been released in Japan, but it is scheduled to be broadcast on Fox Kids Network in the US. Bandai's bold experiment will reverse the usual order of things by releasing the merchandise before the cartoon, and in the US before Japan. (from a Bandai Japan press release)

EX 合金

• http://artstorm.co.jp/ex_gokin_series.htm

On the Sentai Mountain, humans work side-by-side with intelligent robots in mines. They use large excavation machines to dig out, gather, and transport mined rock to the surface. Unfortunately, an error occurred in one of the machines, and it sparked a vicious rebellion. Robots turned on their human masters, and through the fighting a series of mysterious explosions blasted the mountain into two halves. The robots were eventually driven deep into the newly-formed canyon far below.

Peace was restored, and the humans began building long bridges to span the two halves of the tall mountain. But deep underground, the robots came together again, and grew quietly; rebuilding their mining machines into powerful Battle Machines with armor and weapons. Their surprise return ignited another furious war, which allowed them to take control of half of Sentai Mountain. The robots were about to take on the second half when they were halted by a secret human project: Exo-Force. The humans had quickly assembled a team of warriors, and built their own Battle Machines to counter the robots.

For larger than life action that fits in the palm of your hand, Yamato presents the GN-U DOU. With the GNU-DOU, Japan's Super Robots spring to life as never before through a new innovative internal frame design for maximum movement and posing, while outer coverings express the unique look and feel of each character. A three size system further conveys a sense of scale as well as the enlarged, powered up versions of individual characters as they are seen in the original anime series for an unprecedented line-up with maybe a few surprises. The GN-U DOU, a new revolution in action figures.

Drawing upon Yamato's time-tested experience through the development of countless high-end transformable toys, the GN-U GOU is the culmination of intensive manual labor, the latest in CAD design, and the manipulation of ABS material for sharp, precise detail to fully express the image of each individual Super Robot as it appears in the original anime without sacrificing any play value. While faithfully maintaining proportions and details, the GN-U GOU maximizes playability through an ingenious method of transformation through the combination of interchangeable parts. The GN-U Gou, a perfect marriage of form and function.

When we think of Japan's Super Robots, we imagine massive metal creatures thundering through the universe. In the pursuit to express the massiveness - the pure weight and volume of these characters, the GN-U HAGANE introduces die cast (Gokin) material to an already impressive design for one hefty line of figures. The GN-U HAGANE, You will feel the quality.

Godaikin – An Innovative series of Super Robots

The Godaikin brand was developed by Bandai America in 1984. Bandai had gotten word that shops were selling imported Japanese Chogokin toys in America, and they thought there would be a market in the US for these giant robot toys. The toys were metal and plastic, some transformed, and some shot missiles. Each was unique, and like nothing else seen at the time.

Aside from the packaging, the Godaikin versions of the toys are identical to the Japanese releases. The toys actually came in their original Styrofoam trays, and were re-packaged in the states.

Due to the high price tags and fragility of the toys, the line did not last long. Some of the toys retailed for as much as $80.00, and that is in 1984 dollars. The market was also crowded with many other transforming toy lines, such as Transformers and Go-Bots.

Godzilla's Gang was a little known toy line from 1978 mannufactured by Japanese toy maker Popy and sold in the USA by Mattel. These figures were sold bagged with header cards and retailed for about a dollar.

Ironically, only the Godzilla figure itself was from the Godzilla franchise. The remainder of the figures were all Ultraman Villians.

• King Joe
• Bemustar
• Godzilla
• Noko-Girin
• Micras
• Eleking
• Ikarusu Planeter
• Muruchi

SS850691

• http://www.megabloks.com/

Artist Junko Mizuno of Japan has many underground fans all over the world. Her art is well-known for her cute yet sexy characters and unique use of colors.

Some of her favorite characters, the girls of Miznotic Fantasy each display Junko's unique style. Each doll comes with it's own sexy costume and various original accessories. A cute display stand and Junko Mizuno's mini comic book is featured with your doll.

• Official Web Site

Kaiyodo's line of action figures featuring the Revoltech Joint system, distributed by Organic Hobby.

Shogun Warriors were a line of toys, licensed by Mattel during the late 1970s that consisted of a series of imported Japanese robots all based on then-popular giant robot anime shows. They were originally manufactured in three sizes, the 24 inch plastic versions, the 3.5 inch diecast metal versions and the slightly taller but much more detailed and articulated 4" diecast versions. There were later offered special versions of the more popular robots that could be manipulated into an alternate configuration. Shogun Warriors included the following:

• Raideen
• Getter Dragon from Getter Robo G (AKA Dragun)
• Dangard Ace
• Mazinger
• Great Mazinger (AKA Mazinga)
• Gaiking
• Getter Poseidon from Getter Robo G (AKA Poseidon)
• Combattler V (AKA Combattra)
• Grendizer (AKA Goldorak - "jumbo" form is rare as the Mattel version was only distributed in France)
• Godzilla (only in "jumbo" form)
• Rodan (only in "jumbo" form and rare)

The most attractive features on these toys were the spring loaded launcher weapons such as missiles, star shuriken, and battleaxes. Some robots were able to launch their fists. The later diecast versions of these toys were also attractive for the ability to transform into different shapes. Grandizer, for instance, was changeable into a saucerlike spaceship. These "convertable" editions were the precursors to the "Transformers" line of toy robots but unlike the later toyline it was not unusual for minor dissasembly to be required to achieve the secondary form. Also the second form was not always an apparently useful one, a "giant skull" for instance.

The Silverhawks action figure line by Kenner was based on the animated television series and was first released in 1987. Each figure was packaged with a companion bird and had an action feature of some type. The second series of figures are generally harder to find than the first with Ultrasonic Quicksilver being the most difficult. The MonStar with Laser Lance, Copper Kid with Laser Discs and the Copper Racer vehicle were not produced but were shown in the 1988 Kenner toy catalog. The series 1 Hawk Haven Fortress was never produced either due to the high production costs it would incurr. (Wikipedia)

Souchaku Henshin (装着変身 - lit. Armor Transformation) or SH is a line of toys created by Bandai Japan. The line features poseable action figures with removable armor. The armor is usually diecast metal, and hence is part of the Chogokin line.

• Zinc Panic Souchaku Henshin page
• Bandai's official Souchaku Henshin page
• Yahoo! Japan search for Souchaku Henshin

Soul of Chogokin (超合金魂) or SOC, is Bandai's high end line of collectable robot toys. They embody the spirit of the vintage Popy and Bandai Chogkin toys of yesteryear. These toys are not meant for children, rather they are aimed at the adult collector with disposable income, looking to recapture a bit of their youth.

The line began as Bandai was winding down their Hi-Complete Model line. The last figure in the line was meant to be Mazinger Z, but they decided to turn that prototype into the first entry into the new Soul of Chogokin line. The line debuted in 1997 and was met with critical acclaim. As the line continued, Bandai refined their process and went back and re-did certain entries in the line, resulting in R or Renewal versions.

Soul of Chogokin toys come from a variety of shows and different eras in robot history. Some of the defining characteristics are that they all have a number (GX), all have some sort of metal content, and all represent the spirit (or soul), of the original character.

Spiral zone is a futuristic cartoon syndicated in 1987 involving the world's five most elite soldiers fighting a renegade scientist who has invented a mind-control bacteria and taken over half of the world with bacteria-infested spiral zones.

Spiral Zone was actually created in Japan by Bandai in the mid 80s as a line of extremely highy-detailed figures with futuristic military technology. Later, in the United States, Tonka took the name Spiral Zone and created a less-articulated and less-detailed line of figures and toys for the US market and sold them with the marketing support of a TV series. (Wikipedia)

Empire Toys was a subsidiary of a toy company called Empire of Carolina (formerly Carolina Enterprises, Inc.). Empire was a publicly traded toy company in the 70s and 80s that dealt with plastic toys and holiday goods but also had a habit of riding the coattails of the fads of the day.

Seeing as how Diecast robot toys were all the rage in 78, Empire decided to cash in. Somehow they came up with Star Mites, a line of diecast metal toys that was a mix of vehicles from Shinsei’s UFO Commander Series, and Yonezawa’s Astekaiser series. While a majority of the UFO Commander series came through unchanged, Astekaiser was used as the basis for an original line of figures. Astekaiser himself was never released as part of the line.

Star Mites had four figures based off of the Astekaiser mold.

All Star Wars toy lines, including those by Kenner, Hasbro, Galoob and more.

More Than Meets The Eye!

The Transformers toyline was developed by Hasbro after they met up with Takara representatives at the 1983 Tokyo Toy Show and proposed to combine and re-brand Takara's Diaclone and Micro Change toylines into the Transformers for release in the United States. Thus began a long and successful collaboration between Takara and Hasbro on toy development for the Transformers line, a collaboration which has grown increasingly close. Nevertheless, the actual manufacture of virtually all the transforming toys continues to be controlled by Takara, producing the toys for Hasbro to market and sell internationally, while Takara sells them in the Japanese market. (Wikipedia)

Victora Gokin (ビクトラー合金) was a line of cheap metal toys made by Victora, a sub company of Popy

Popy’s World Hero (ポピー ワールド ヒーロー) line is a line of 3 ¾” action figures released in 1980. The line started as a way to distribute Kenner’s Star Wars action figures in Japan. The first 15 figures were boxed Star Wars figures from the Empire Strikes Back era. The line proved so successful that Popy continued the formula with its own Japanese properties – namely Ultraman, Denjiman, and Kamen Rider. Along with the figures, Popy released 3 carrying cases, similar to the Darth Vader carrying case by Kenner.

Star Wars

S-01 Boba Fett
S-02 Darth vader
S-03 R2-D2
S-04 C-3p0
S-05 Luke Skywalker (bespin)
S-06 Han Solo (Hoth)
S-07 Chewbacca
S-08 Luke Skywalker
S-09 Han Solo
S-10 Snow Trooper
S-11 Death Star Droid
S-12 Rebel Soldier
S-13 Luke Skywalker (X-Wing)
S-14 R5-D4
S-15 Stormtrooper

2037 AD, A massive meteor shower fell from the sky and brought all known human civilization to an end.

Years later, inside Hong Kong's enormous crater, some surviving scientists discovered a large meteorite hovering in the air. From the mysterious meteorite, dubbed "Zero Metal", the scientists were able to extract the enormous energy that they desperately needed. The incredible finding led to the building of a massive life support system. The news traveled quickly and survivors flocked to the crater. Millions of refugees quickly depleted the limited resources, and stretched the life support system to the breaking point. Eventually the Neo Hong Kong island blocked off its borders and no new refugees were allowed to set foot.

2067 Neo Hong Kong island founded the "Gang Dao" Government body. A police force equipped with the Z.M.D.C. armor was assembled to execute the will of the new government.

Angered and fearful, refugees outside of the walled city of "Gang Do" band together to fight for their own survival.