Getter 2 + Getmachine Jaguar (Repaint Ver.)

Review by JoshB

Few toy lines inspire such lust as Fewture's EX GOKIN series of diecast toys. To call such an expensive piece a toy is a stretch, but once you hold one and feel the mechanics of one, you can tell that this was created to be the best toy it could possibly be. The price tag is just a reality of the market. This is unfortunate, because it is that price tag that will keep this great toy out of people's hands.

The EX Gokin Getter 2 (Repaint ver.) is the second release in this re-issue series. The first run of Ex gokin sold out quickly and then went for high prices on the aftermarket. Fewture's decision to re-issue these may have angered those who paid too much for the originals, but these new versions are slightly different than the originals.

The toy comes packed in a box worthy of its price tag. The Thick cardboard box is encased in a slick glossy slipcover. The box opens like a gift box, the fit so tight that you create a vacuum inside when you lift it of. Inside is the instruction sheet, and then yet another layer of wrapping, before you get to the styrofoam tray.

Each part in the tray is individually wrapped in plastic. The toy is mostly assembled, but completing it is half the fun.

The toy is phenomenal. Getter 2 has always been the awkward form of the Getter team, but not this time. The traditional smooth and sleek frame of Getter 2 has been transformed into a monstrous beast. Simply put - Getter 2 has been transformed into a Hot Rod Super Robot.

Getter 2 towers above its chogokin counterparts. At 10 inches tall, it's presence is undeniable.

True to the Gokin name, Getter 2 is loaded with metal. Aside from a few functional parts, the entire leg and body assemblies are pure metal. Each click of each joint echoes through its metal body.

Starting with the head, Getter 2 retains its bullet shape design. The main part of the head is one piece while the cowl can be moved down to reveal the skeletal face within.

Like Getter 1, The chest of Getter 2 can open to reveal the generator in the chest. The two removable chest panels are diecast metal, and attach with pegs held in by friction. Unlike Getter 1, Getter 2's chest plate fits tight and is not prone to falling off.

Moving down to the waist, the entire front panel opens up to reveal circular compartment in which you can place either the green canister, or just the cover. The plating on the waist is all metal, and attaches at a hinge at the bottom. The sides are held in place via friction pegs, and seem like they don't want to move at first, but they will.

The hips swivel an swing out clicking at each point on the way. Right where the red part of the legs start there is a swivel joint.

The knees are double jointed and the knee section has some great molded on detail. Again, lots of clicky action.

Small wings attach to the side of the legs, but be careful. If you bump one the wrong way, you could break off a peg in the leg (i did). The fins still will attach, just not as well.

The ankles are odd. They don't seem to tilt forward and back, but do swivel side to side. this is probably a design decision to help support the weight of the top-heavy character. The toes do bend though, so if you need more extreme poses they can accommodate.

Now on to the stars of the show - the arms.

Each arm connects to the body by a joint that both rotates and swivels along the upper torso.

Elbows are double jointed, and separate to allow the attachment of the drill arms. But before that, we must mention the arm blades.

Each regular arm has two giant blades that must be attached when you take it out of the box. These blades can open and close and are made out of plastic. It would have been cool if they were metal. There should be some kind of law that states if that you are ever going to make a toy with some kind of blade, it has to be metal.

The same should apply to giant drills.

Getter 2 comes with a drill arm that has two different attachments. The large yellow drill body looks like a car engine, with exhausts on either side.

The body of the drill is plastic. By default, the drill comes with the thin drill attached. This drill is soft plastic - dare I say vinyl? Luckily it stays straight, but you can bend it fairly easily.

The large drill attachment is simply a hollow vinyl attachment that slides over the existing drill. I guess it has to be hollow and soft for the figure to support the weight, but I guess I was just hoping for sharp metal.

Other accessories included with the figure are variant hands, alternate metal medallions for the back of the figure, stand and Getmachine Jaguar.

The Getmachine Jaguar is a cool addition. It's a big chunk of ABS and metal - solid and glossy. The front panel is removable to reveal a cockpit, and the back engines can rotate and click out. The holes in the engines accept the arms from the main figure, to replicate a stage in the transformation.

Getmachine Jaguar comes with its own stand, and has a circular section cut out so that it can be placed against the stand of Getter 2.

Getter 2's stand looks like a piece of medical equipment.

The circular base has a sliding section in the middle that holds the large metal rod. The rod is expandable, and the knob on the back tightens it into position. The large black plastic part of the stand attaches to the figure by a clamp system. You need to unscrew the top part of the clamp, attach it to the figure, then tighten the screw. The stand holds secure. Other than that the stand is pretty plain looking - it could have benefited from some detail, or even a nameplate.

I really have no complaints with Getter 2, aside from a few missed opportunities with metal content. It is a pricey piece, but it's one of those items that is only going to go up in value. As a plaything it is fun, as an investment it is solid. Buy without regrets.