Daizyujin (Dino Megazord)
Review by Jmann
By SentaiSeiya and Jmann's power combined, he is THE GREAT SEIYAMANN!
In 1992, the sixteenth installment of the long-running Super Sentai franchise was introduced, called Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger! It was fairly popular during its run, but the reason why this show was so noteworthy for us in the states is that it became the basis for the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers! Power Rangers EXPLODED in popularity in the 90's. It is a pop culcure phenomenon that has remained relevant even today! We all pretty much know the story by now: a morphological being known as Zordon recruits 5 teenagers (with attitude) to use Power Morphers to transform into spandex-clad superheroes to defeat the evil Rita Repulsa and her band of monsters! However, when these monsters become supersized, they need a little extra firepower. They need some help. THEY NEED DINOZORD POWER, NOW!
MEGAZORD SEQUENCE HAS BEEN INITIATED!
JM: Alright, so Daizyujin is the newest release in Bandai's Super Robot Chogokin line.
SS: Hoping to boost the sales of the Super Robot Chogokin line by capitalizing on the affinity that western audiences have for the Power Rangers, Bandai released this bad boy, as this robot was very coveted by fans of the orginal series.
JM: So, let's look at his appearance! His proportions are a tad lankier due to the SRC's stylings; however, he still has a great amount of chunk to him that I really like! The sculpt-work is really fantastic and he looks just like I would imagine a giant robot made of other smaller robots would look like! The colors are also really spot on. I've always loved the bright primary colors used on Sentai Robots, and he is the epitome of that.
JM: My only gripe is that there are noticeable seams on his legs, but that's acceptable because of the great amount of diecast! The entire bottom half of his legs are diecast, as is the chest. This gives him some great weight, and really feels like a premium Chogokin!
SS: What he said.
SS: In terms of size, this guy is in line with the other Super Sentai SRC releases, standing at approximately 6 inches tall.
SS: This means that he is much smaller than his combining counterpart from the 90's. But as Jmann mentioned, he is much sleeker and slimmer than the original. His body is also better defined than the original, with its blocky proportions.
SS: Since the SRC Daijyujin does not have to break down into the 5 seperate mecha, the design has also been cleaned up by removing a couple of extra pieces that stood out, like the legs of the T-Rex just hanging out on the back of the figure.
JM: Now, let's look at the accessories! Daizyujin comes with 3 pairs of hands (fists, holding-things hands, and splayed hands), his sword (Godhorn), the Mammoth Shield, and energy effect parts to replicate the LIGHTNING CUT FINISHER and when he shoots energy from his horn.
JM: I was really surprised at how many accessories he actually came with! He comes with everything that he needs to do pretty much anything!
SS: He does come packed with everything you need to recreate your own battles to save Angel Grove. Compared to other SRC Super Sentai mecha, like the Dekaranger Robo and the Gokaioh, he may seem a bit sparse. However, the Daizyujin, being a much older design, did not rely as much on extra weapons and gimmicks.
JM: Now, none of these accessories would mean anything without articulation, and I'm pleased to say that this guy is LOADED with joints! Everything that looks like it should move moves, and I had zero trouble getting him into any pose I could think of. I mean, he even has double-jointed knees and elbows! That's sick! Plus, he has an extra hinge on his hips so he has some Figuarts-style up and down movement. The shoulders are kind of hindered due to the shoulderpads, but they really didn't interfere too much in my experience.
SS: When I first handled the Daizyujin, I focused on his legs and their articulation. I could not help but notice how limited the movement was at his hip. Unlike the Dekaranger Robo, which could pretty much do the splits, the Daizyujin's upper thighs move very little in all directions. However, as Jmann mentioned, Bandai did include thigh swivels, and double jointed knees as a workaround to having the top part of the thighs move freely. Also, after watching a whole mess of Power Rangers episodes, I came to realize that I was perhaps expecting too much of this figure, since it had very blocky movements in the show.
Once I got past my somewhat unrealistic expectations of this figure, I too fell in love with the articulation.
SS: Each of the feet can extend outwards for added mobility. Furthermore, the legs on the Sabertooth Tiger actually move outwards, though I have still yet to figure out what , if any, fuction they have.
JM: Those Tiger legs are for adding a bit of a heel to help balance him out.
SS: There you have it. That is what those are for.
SS: Another neat articulation point is part of the pterodactyl cannons. Each is connected to a socket on the back of the figure by a rod with two balls at each end.This allows the cannons to extend out and be moved in all sorts of wacky directions, but mostly serve the purpose of allowing the cannons to become over-the-shoulder weapons.
SS: As an added bonus, the there is a hole near the buttocks region of the toy, which serves as a conneciton point for a Tamashii stand's peg. This added support can give you some added posing options. Just don't expect the stand to competely suspend the figure in the air, as the weight of the metal in the legs will ground this figure pretty quickly.
Shoryuken!!
JM: If you are a fan of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and want a non-transforming action figure of the original Megazord, then look no further. In fact, why haven't you gotten him yet? GET OUT THERE AND BUY HIM.
SS: What this toy lacks in size, he more than makes up for with his crazy articulation and sleek design. He is a great toy for any fan of Power Rangers or Tokusatsu in general. I for one am glad to have this release of the Super Robot Chogokin line, as it compliments my collection and is the right size to fight the bugmen in my collection.
Comments
23 comments postedOf all the SRCs that I have, which includes all Super Sentai ones so far, Daizyujin is by far my favorite. Not just because of all the nostalgia and stuff, but also because, as a action figure, it outshines the others in almost every aspect (specially, joint stiffness and paintjob).
I hope it sells well, so perhaps Bandai may se a public for older Sentai super robots. It would be nice to see the long losts Battle Fever Robo and Sun Vulcan, shown once as prototypes.
I would buy Battle Fever. Their suits may look like barf, but that is a sick and nasty looking robot! In a good way!
Get the SOC Battle Fever. It is in scale with the SRC and is a freaking amazing figure. Not a lot of articulation but enough to be fun. However, the amount of diecast content on that figure and its weapons is the stuff of legend. I did not know how much diecast was in it when I got it. When it showed up, and I pulled it out for display, I was STUNNED
The SRC Sentai robots seem to be focusing on Power Rangers era Sentai so I am not sure you will ever see anything from before sadly. I would love a Jet Icarus or a Sun Vulcan!
You take that back! Battle Japan's suit is cool in a funky way. The rest of the suits do look like barf.
Actually, I think if the Daizuyjin sells well, we are going to see the exact opposite. Bandai will more likely focus on everything post-Zyuranger because there is a bigger market for those toys. Just look at the recent SRC Sentai reveals. They have shown the Daibouken and the Gekitouja, but no word on the previously mentioned Sun Vulcan Robo or Battle Fever Robo.
Well, the SOC Battlefever Robo is IN scale with the SRC so I doubt we will ever see it for SRC. Besides the SOC is awesome and a must own. All the SRC that have come to market thus far has been Power Rangers era thus far so I agree with you that we probably won't see earlier mecha.
Sad really.
Thanks for sharing! I was not aware that the SOC Battle Fever Robo was in scale with the the SRC line. I have been meaning to get one, but have yet to pull the trigger.
It is sad that Bandai may shelf any plans for releasing pre-Zyuranger mecha in the SRC line, but at least we get some of the cooler recent mecha. I personally cannot wait for the SRC Gekitouja. That is one that definitely deserves a highly-articulated toy!
You will not regret pulling the trigger on Battle Fever Robo. He simply is to awesome.
The great five is a very popular robot if I'm not mistaken.
I wonder if Bandai will reissue them as SRC too.
I think that would all depend on whether or not Bandai continues to make only the mecha that have appeared in Power Rangers. As things are going now, I doubt it. But I would love for them to do other mecha. I would kill for an SRC Jet Icarus.
That makes me as well. The only hope we have was at SDCC , I heard more than myself telling Bluefin that they would like to see earlier mecha. Heck, I would be happy with a OhRanger Robo!
Forget "we" need, "I" need" Dino Mega Zord power now!
Another great review! There is so much cool stuff. I have to get this guy so I can pose him with the Monster Arts Godzilla and Mechagodzilla I don't have :(
Not to mention the cardboard and lego city you haven't built yet.
"JM: If you are a fan of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and want a non-transforming action figure of the original Megazord, then look no further. In fact, why haven't you gotten him yet? GET OUT THERE AND BUY HIM."
YES SIR!
GOOD MAN.
I bit the bullet and just bought one. Actually I also got a Monster Arts Godzilla and Mechagozilla to go with it. It looks like the toys will be in pretty good scale with each other. These were the toys I've been waiting for and I did not want to miss out PLUS I hope this encourages Bandai to bring out the diecast, transforming collectors edition Mega Zord.
Still working on the in scale mini city out of card board ;)
If you are still looking for this guy, amazon.com has him for $52.30 and if you have prime you get free 2 day shipping!
http://www.amazon.com/Bandai-Tamashii-Nations-Chogokin-Megazord/dp/B0087JGGX6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356825427&sr=8-2&keywords=mega+zord
Nice! I too have been looking to get the SH Monsterarts Godzilla and maybe Mechagodzilla to go with my newly acquired Little Godzilla.
I know a lot of people are hoping for a Jet Icarus from Jetman so we may get a few pre-MMPR sentai mecha after all.
Me, I just hope we get the Super Train Megazord.
Oh God, yes.
I just want them to do a SRC for each of the Sentai mecha. I love them.
This robot brings back a lot of memories from my teenage years, I remember how the first Power Rangers were born and the popularity they gained.
One funny thing about the show was when they showed the scenes were the Megazord was holding the sword, you could see the hand of the actor (that was inside the suit) just wearing a glove, instead of the big robot fists.
I'm slightly on the fence about getting one, time will tell.
Thanks for the review.
I feel like Bandai should make articulated transforming mecha. I'm sure it wouldn't be so hard to make transforming SRC's or articulated DX toys.
First: Damnit Bandai, the lightning for this guy's finisher is supposed to be red.
Second: The small size of the SRC figures is actually kind of a nice bonus when one takes something into account: Back in the day, the Power Rangers toyline offered 5" figures of not only the Rangers but also of several monsters and some of the footsoldiers. That means there are monster figures in-scale with the SRC figures, so they actually have something to friggin' fight.
Looking over my rapidly expanding SRC collection it dawned on me that this guy still remains as one of the single best figures in the line. Heavy. Brilliantly articulated. Wonderfully sculpted and painted. One of the collectors "must haves".