Mammoth Ranger

Review by JoshB

This is a knockoff of the Bandai "Shine Chogokin Mammoth-Ranger" (ひかる超合マンモスレンジャー)

The box looks very official, with Japanese text and even the Chogokin logo. But you'll notice the lack of the official Bandai seal.

Then there's the giant MADE IN TAIWAN sticker.

Inside, it's missing the front armor part. The front armor part may never have been included on the bootleg.

Despite it being a bootleg, it does not skimp on the diecast. The entire chest and upper legs are metal.

The main gimmick of the "shine" is basically a light-up belt light. Press the button on the back, and the belt lights up. At least it would if I bothered to but batteries in it. So who knows if it actually works.

In the early 90s, flea markets were littered with knock off Power Rangers merchandise. The real figures were so hard to find on their initial release that knockoffs and forgeries were everywhere. I imagine this phenomenon was not limited to the US, and knockoffs like this spread through the asian markets.

You can see here the armor that clips on the back, but no front armor is included.