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UFO Robo Grendizer

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1 comment posted
oh, here come the PAIN!!

I kid, I kid!

Those who know me well know of my nigh-irrational hatred of SoCs...especially the ones of characters for whom there is already a perfectly fine vintage counterpart. The GX-04 CLEARLY falls into this category for me.

True enough, this is the toy that got me "officially" into toy collecting as well. And at first, I did love it. But then again, at first, things like "anime-accuracy" were paramount to me. I found most vintage toys quaint and silly in their proportions.

I got better.

Since then, I've learned quite a bit more about collecting and my tastes have evolved(!). "Collector" toys for adults are now vastly less interesting to me than most real toys for children (which, it so happens, are mostly the vintage kind).

As for the GX-04, well, it's certainly got its flaws...but many vintage-lovers I know still swear by it. Not to be a *total* hater, myself, I happen to love the Spazer design for the most part. It seems very light, but the Grendizer figure fits very easily and perfectly in mine (symmetrical and everything), which makes me think Nekrodave's was maybe a lemon. The hinged piece that locks him in at the waist is a bit odd (certainly not in the cartoon), but it gets the job done. Similarly, I like the telescoping legs--smart idea to get the design to work. Lastly, the diecast content isn't bad.

Still, I may just sell mine. I know, I know: sacrilege coming from a Grendy-nut. The thing is that he just SITS there on the shelf and I *never* have any desire to pick him up and fiddle with him. Sure, with a big collection, I don't get much facetime with many of my toys, but I at least pick up and fly most of them around from time to time. I *never* feel like doing that with the GX-04. The GA-37, on the other hand, is the COMPLETE opposite. I can't take my hands off the thing! ;) There's a reason for that: it's a simple, fun, lovable toy.

Anyway, clearly, your mileage may vary. If they happen to release an "R" version of the GX-04, I may give it a whirl. Afterall, I like the GX-01R significantly more than the GX-01. The face sculpt was decent enough (looked cool anyway) on the -01, but with the -01R, it looked DEAD-ON to the cartoon. The other features were pretty much the same, but the added size and improved sculpt made me spring for the -01R.

If they happen to go for a GX-04R, I could sure go for an improved face sculpt. Again, the -04 isn't bad...it just doesn't look much like he does in the cartoon. More importantly, however, I'd want SEVERAL modifications/improvements...

On the Spazer, the Spin Drills and Spin Saucers are pretty pitiful for such signature weapons. The opening flaps don't flatten out to form a proper-looking buzzsaw, so the Spin Saucers are pretty much out. The Spin Drills are passable, but they don't even shoot. That's weak. The rage-inducing curly Screw Crusher blades, Dave has mentioned...along with the poor articulation below the belt. I hate the rubbery Double Hariken staff--I mean, it even looks bendy in the pic above. The curvy Shoulder Boomerangs that fit onto the body are just dumb; they should have just made do with flat, proper-looking Boomerangs that fit on the body, could be removed, and ultimately attached to a decent Double Hariken staff. The neck joint needs to be stiffer--a slight breeze throws his head off at a weird angle, making him look like a puzzled canine. And for the love of Duke, Bandai, could ya maybe engineer arms that didn't have to be swapped just to make the fists shoot? Pretty please??? I mean, there's already an absurd amount of accessories and kibble with this toy...I feel like I need an accountant present when I play with it...swappable elbows DON'T help...

Yup. They'll make me one o' those. Yup, Bandai's listening. Yeah...and I'm a Chinese jet pilot.

--
Sanjeev

Sanjeev's picture
Posted by Sanjeev on 24 May, 2007 - 13:31