Energer 1969

Review by AJProDie-Cast

The EX-Gokin line is made by Fewture Models Inc.. It is a line I both LOVE and hate. I would warn collectors to stay away, because if you get into this line you will be hooked. The EX-Gokin line are 12 inch stylized takes on predominantly the Mazinger and Getter franchises (he EX-Gokin vehicle choices are much more eclectic).

I am addicted to the high diecast content, the wonderful presence/size, and the cool aesthetics of the line. I am getting very tired to the point of hating their steady increase in price, factory design flaws, and the company's failure to fix issues with previous releases. Think of how well Bandai has evolved, versus my recent forum post on the "new" Shin Getter wings being the same other than a new bushing, which have broken in a new area before I even moved them!.

Today's review is of a recent release of the Mazinger-Z 1969 mold reviewed by Josh a while ago. This version is called Energer 1969 and is the Fewture version of the Energa Z that Bandai released as part of the SOC (Soul of Chogokin) line last year.

It comes in the typical brown outer box, black sleeve inner box, and Styrofoam tray.

Energer-Z comes with three sets of fists, "pailder machine"/bike (instead of hover plider), round stand, "Blazing Fire" in both solid and clear, and a back grey plastic ramp.

The color scheme is incredible. The shiny black pops off the flashy white, and the gold accents seem perfect. The red "Blazing Fire" chest pieces nicely complement the white and gold of the body. The diecast content is wonderful with metal in the whole legs, waist, forearms, and chest. Fewture chogokin feel so good when you pick them up! Even the head with the golden horns and blue accents make a "dramatic" statue even that much better... eat your heart out Headless Horseman!

The "pailder machine" bike is just ok, a little thing that does not stand up and has small paint detail. It is nice in the head, pretty pathetic out of it.

The mouth opens like the original that Josh reviewed, and it was actually easier to take the head off the static hold peg to add the bike and position the mouth (the head stays on well, but also comes off easily, not sure if the original did that?).

The robots has diecast forearms that come off and hold in place via magnets (of course I had same issue Josh's had: a magnet in the right forearm came unglued and needed to be re-glued, no big issue, but belays my irritation that they don't fix little things). The removable forearms makes it easy to switch fists. The open hands have a nice wrist tilt feature and the other two fist are just the normal open and closed versions.

The "Blazing Fire" pieces attach to the front via small pegs, weird to know if it is in right, but great looking against the stark black when in correctly.

The back flap folds down and the ramp snaps in. As a plus the ONLY paint flaw on the whole figure was two small chips near the back ramp area (lower left side, last picture).

The stand attaches adequately. You flip up a little flap at the lower back (it does not remove like Boss Borot, big plus), put small part into that hole, and clip large part under the crotch area (notice that the ramp bend also allows you to use the stand with it attached).

The stand holds it ok, but can't bear its full weight for truly dynamic poses.

The waist does not tilt up and down, but does have an owl-like 360 degree turn ratio.

Typical ratchet knee joints.

One weird issue is that the open hands hold well in the arm holes, but the open fists have no tension and if there is anything placed in them to hold they easily spin around.

The aspects I LOVE really hit when next to the SOC version. It is so large, detailed, and commanding in comparison.

It is listed for 19,800 yen (as of today, 256.46 USD). I got mine for 268.68 including shipping, but see it going for more. When I did this review, I expected the magnet issue and the paint was predominately great, so overall I am very pleased with this chogokin. The look adds another jewel to my collection and not some money-wasting Mariner-like dead albatross.

Add a nice accessory from my Enterbay sword set and he is ready to impress.

Sigh... the Love/Hate affair continues... and my wallet weeps.

End Transmission