Stormtrooper

Review by NekroDave
We're here at last...
Technically, this toy was only two years in the making, but for anyone who was a child of the 1970s, this is 30+ years of childhood fantasy finally come true. For many of us, our thoughts in the late 1970s were dominated by two things… Star Wars and the Shogun Warriors. Star Wars was (and remains to this day) a phenomenon of science fiction/fantasy escapism, huge with kids everywhere, while the Shogun Warriors, imported robots from Japan based on the popular Jumbo Machinder toys, were simply HUGE in a literal sense. Two feet worth of huge, far larger than any other toys at the time, or since. Although we loved our Star Wars toys, the figures were less than four inches tall, and it's a good bet that most kids then probably thought at least once... "What if....?"

Enter Super7.
The San Francisco based company is headed by lifelong Star Wars and Japanese toy fan Brian Flynn, who, when given the opportunity to work with Lucasfilm and make a Japanese style Star Wars toy, knew immediately what he needed to do. He needed to answer that lingering question... "What if?"
What if Star Wars had a Shogun Warrior?

The first thing you should know about these types of toys is that they are expensive; expensive to make, expensive to ship, expensive to store. And every company that's ever made them has ultimately decided it was not a good idea from a business standpoint. In the past, however, they've almost always been marketed towards children, and parents simply don't want to pay a price that will make these profitable, assuming they even want toys this big in the home at all. On top of that, they are made from sturdy blow molded polyethylene, a process simply not used for toys anymore. These factors combined have resulted in this limited edition (only 1200 made) adult collectible whose price tag ($299) may scare off some prospective buyers. The hope around these parts is that the collector can see the reasons for the price and realize that to get something this unique, and hopefully more like it in the future, the financial sacrifice must be made.
So, what exactly do you get for your money? Well, these toys are traditionally simple by nature, but Super7 has tried to give you as much bang for your buck as possible, while still remaining faithful to the old style.
For starters, you get two boxes. That's right, TWO boxes. The toy features not only a traditional box, but also an outer shipping container. Both boxes are inspired by traditional Jumbo Machinder boxes, going so far as to even include Japanese writing. The outer box pays homage to the simple cardboard boxes that vintage Jumbo Machinder villains were packaged in and is reminiscent of the box for the Unifive Garada K7 toy, while the inner box combines elements of both Jumbo Machinder hero boxes as well as Shogun Warrior boxes, which differed from their Japanese originals.
Outer box
"Stormtrooper" and "Star Wars" written in Japanese! Inner box
"May the Force be with you" in Japanese along the left side!
To give you an idea of what influenced this style, here is a look at the Stormtrooper box compared to several other vintage boxes.

Where the Shogun Warrior influence comes in is in the writing along the sides proclaiming such things as:
- Rocket Punch!
- Blaster with movable stock!
- Head turns!
- Arms raise and lower!
- Leg rollers!
- No batteries!
- No electricity!


For people unfamiliar with Shogun Warriors, this may seem a little hokey, but it's really a great treat for the fans who grew up with that sort of thing. Other nods to vintage packaging abounds, in the form of a small sticker similar to those seen on vintage Japanese toys, here denoting the collaboration between Star Wars and Super7 by saying "SW/S7 2010". The vintage Star Wars logo is used (in shiny metallic foil, no less!) and a "Proof of Purchase" is even included on the side as well.
The only thing about either box that I don't care too much for is the placement of the shipping label. It's designed to be placed there, but I sort of wish it were on the back where it wouldn't be seen while on display. I'm currently debating whether or not I'll try to remove it.
Of course, eagle eyed readers will have already noted the two things about the box that are really exciting. The label indicating that this will be a series, and the teaser image of what character is next!
#1 in a SERIES!
Boba Fett!!
Even the interior packing is consistent with the vintage Jumbo Machinder style, while also providing for safe transport of the toy. When you open the shipping box, small pieces of cardboard used to protect the corners of the box are seen.
Once removed, you can slide the box out and you'll see that it's been wrapped in tissue. Opening the box, the toy is covered with a protective piece of cardboard and is packed with cardboard inserts and enclosed in a plastic bag. Accessories and paperwork get their own bags, too. Everything is nice and secure.
OK, now the figure is out of the box, so what about it? Well, the first impression you get is that Super7 must also be big Spinal Tap fans because this thing definitely goes to 11! You keep getting just a little bit more. It's a little bit bigger, a little bit heavier (actually, a lot heavier!). The feet are filled with resin making the toy weigh in at a whopping 7lbs!! The toy retains the iconic Stormtrooper design while adding Shogun Warrior style and functionality.
The first thing that jumps out at you is the gun. The E-11 Blastech Laser Blaster is exquisitely detailed and features a movable stock and removable clip. At the end of the gun is an orange cap, likely included for legal reasons. Don't like the cap? A very slight twist and a yank and its gone, with no harm done. It’s VERY easy to remove (one person said his actually simply FELL off!), but personally, I think I'm going to leave mine in, as its bright orange coloration is evocative of classic toys and adds a fun factor that I like. You mileage may vary.




The gun is easily slid in and out of the right hand of the Super Shogun, and here lies my one and only complaint with the toy. From the moment I heard that there was going to be a trigger finger extended from the rest of the fist, I didn't like the idea. It basically renders the toy almost undisplayable when the gun is not in his hand. Traditional Machinders have had holes in their hands to hold weapons in the past, but always just a hole in a clenched fist. I'm not sure why this change was made, but I don't care for it.


The second feature that is less obvious, but perhaps even more awesome than the gun, is the spring loaded rocket punch fist. For the uninitiated Star Wars reader, most Jumbo Machinders/Shogun Warriors had a launching fist, even character that, by all rights, should NOT have, such as Godzilla. So if you are wondering why in the world your Stormtrooper can fire his fist off, it's a classic feature of the toys this is based on. It's insane, but all the better for it. Fortunately, if such a thing is too far out for you, the button to fire the fist blends in very well with the rest of the arm. You might not even notice it if it weren't pointed out to you.

Unlike traditional Machinders, the fists on this toy are made of soft vinyl. Polyethylene does not take paint very well so the change was made to accommodate the two colors of the fist. This worried me initially on two levels. First, I was afraid that when the fist was fired, the impact would scuff the paint on the fist. Fortunately, it appears as though it is molded in black vinyl so there is no paint at the point of impact. Secondly, I wasn't sure how the vinyl fists would latch into the arm and was afraid it might be something that would weaken and tear over time. My fears in this regard were also eased when I saw that the firing pin is still made of polyethylene and is simply inserted into the fist. This not only ensures that the tabs on the pin likely will not break, but it has the added benefit of giving the figure wrist articulation! That's something that I don't think I've seen on another Machinder.


While I'm on the subject of articulation, both wrists turn, both arms turns and both arms raise and lower, and of course, the head can be turned as well. Other than that, it's a pretty static figure, but here’s another surprise for the Star Wars fan...it has wheels on the feet! Leg rollers or roller skates, whatever you want to call them, they are a staple of some of the earliest Jumbo Machinder toys and when this project was first announced, fans asked two things: "Will it shoot a projectile"? and "Will it have wheels on the feet?". Check and check!

In keeping with the tradition of Japanese toys, the name of the toy and the manufacturer information are on the bottom of the left foot, as well as the unique hand written number assigned to the toy. Mine is number 937.

Two last things to touch on and both will endear this toy to fans of the vintage toys. Included in the box is a very retro instruction sheet, with artwork and styling based on the classic style of the Shogun Warriors, and a sticker sheet. Two stickers are included, one saying "Stormtrooper" in English, the other in Japanese (ストームトルーパー). You can choose which one you prefer and apply it on the lower chest. I think the toy looks fine without either so I think I'll leave mine blank, or maybe I just can't decide which is better. Maybe I'll have to get two more and display them all three ways...



I think that's about it. So, does this toy fit in with vintage Machinders? Decide for yourself...


Comments
36 comments postedI've got the gun's magazine on backwards. It's supposed to be pointing outwards, not inwards...
"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....
I see neither red nor blue nor green nor yellow on this thing, therefore it CANNOT CANNOT POSSIBLY be a Machinder of ANY sort, I deduct one million points from your score, you LOSE, you get NOTHING, good DAY sir.
(Kidding. But seriously--red/blue, green/blue, red/yellow, blue/yellow, blue, yellow, green...and here's Troop-kun all severe black-and-white...eh?)
--
"All the dogs in this sector have turned into red monsters!...don't tell me that it's impossible!"
I absolutely love it. While for some reason I missed out on the machinders as a kid (Im sure my mom hid me from them in fear of me wanting them) I love the fact that it combines 2 things I like together- Star Wars and old robot design. Being a chogokin fan, I actually prefer this over a diecast Stormtrooper release although I wouldnt mind that :)
I caught the Boba Fett on the side box...nice. I hope I come across some cash soon so I dont miss out on the Trooper
I actually really like how it isn't totally restyled to fit in with vintage Machinders. Its overall appearance is halfway between the style of Popy Chogokins and other vintage Japanese items, and the style of the Kenner Star Wars toys. In fact, the proportions and detailing really resemble some of Takara's original Star Wars items, like their diecast Darth Vader... and that's the perfect look for this thing. The box graphics as well are reminiscent of the Takara SW toys in some ways. The overall feeling, to me, matches what an actual vintage Jumbo Stormtrooper would've looked like, if produced with an eye for both the American and Japanese markets.
I really appreciate all those close-ups of the blaster rifle, because there is a lot going on there, detail-wise.
*screams at monitor*
KILL IT WITH FIRE!!!
^^Clearly a Star Trek fan.^^
Hahahaha!
--
Sanjeev
^^Clearly not a Jumbo Machinder fan.
Though I wouldn't say no to Fort Max if I could get my hands on it at a decent price.
A Fort Max is clearly not a Jumbo Machinder.
"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....
There are so many things done absolutely right with this toy. The sculpt is pretty much perfect, it's ridiculously heavy, and the spring loaded fist is really, really powerful.
My minor gripes would be that the construction of the gun feels a lot cheaper than the rest of the toy, and the pointing finger is really kind of an eyesore. I don't know if this is just my specimen, but the arms are not especially tight. He'll keep his arm up while holding the gun, but any movement and it sinks downward.
But then I fire the fist and none of that matters.
Oh, man. First a stormtrooper, then a fett? Enough with the dudes in armor. Throw us kaiju/robot fans a bone! Give us ackbar or IG88! I realize they have to make the most iconic characters to sell the most pieces, but come on.
You're going to complain about getting a toy that people have been dreaming about, in their wildest fantasies, since 1978?
And you're going to ask for two characters that historically have been incredibly slow sellers? What, do you want to kill the line already?!? The ROTJ Ackbar was available on the shelf until 1989... and IG-88 was one of the worst selling figures in 1997-era... Maybe you'd like a Jar Jar Binks Jumbo, or maybe that ramndom guy from Episode III... jeez. While an Ackbar jumbo would be fun (I collect everything and anything Ackbar) ...beggars can't be choosers. I'll be happy with the trooper, Fett, and Vader.
The Stormtrooper Jumbo is the toy equivalent of marrying a super model, hitting the lottery, having a number one movie, novel, and album, AND getting a free set of every Popy diecast ever made MISB... all on the same day.
I don't know, I thought I was just...expressing an opinion. About a toy.
I love how people here now just post stupid things just to comment, then when called out for it, say "it's only a toy." Are we going to start getting "FIRST!" comments on every review now?
Why not be happy with the good stuff when it comes out, than complain about everything like a 14 year old?
This is the 1st real Jumbo in decades. A big, big deal for jumbo fans... I for one have much respect for S7 for even trying to do it, let alone pull it off; and wouldn't think to complain that they should make that guy who looks to the right in the cantina as a jumbo first.
Big R, settle down.
Jack's active member of the toy collector community with ties to several boards other than this one...boards where he regularly posts *real* content...not just vitriolic fanboy comments that are more about ego and politics than toys. You won't get far by comparing fellow site members to "complaining 14-year-olds"...not to mention how offensive that is to ACTUAL 14-year-olds.
--
Sanjeev
No, Big R's right.
"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....
Et tu, Nekro? ::collapses, bleeding, into the arms of a mon calamari babe in a bikini::
It's all in the wording. If you had said something like "I know it's not feasible, but I would prefer Ackbar and IG-88", that would have been fine because the statement is all about you and clearly shows you have some understanding of how things work, even if you wished things worked differently. But when you start making demands of a company ("enough with..", "throw us...", "give us..."), particularly when those demands are so completely and obviously ludicrous that they seem intended just to get a rise outta someone, I have no problem with you being called out, even harshly.
"You can't sell it until you get it from him, but you gotta sell it to pay him to get it to sell it".
---Jerilock, talking about me trying to raise the money I need to pay for the toys I already bought....
C'mon Sanjeev... really?
I wouldn't call "where can I buy on Y!J" or "great job!" as *real* content. Esp not what I was commenting on. If I insulted your friend, sorry,
but I don't base people's worth on post counts, or what board they post at, or even the toys on their shelf. If you think my comments are ever about ego or personal politics then you don't really read them do you?
Take a second look at JS's posts and tell me that isn't the silliest thing you've seen on CDX in a long time. C'mon man.
I think we can agree that my pointing out that "It's just a toy," is a logical fallacy in the context of theargument. I got a D in my logic course, so I couldn't point out exactly which fallacy it is. However, I think that Dave is right in pointing out that it's all in the wording. All I was saying was that I would prefer obscure characters. I never actually said that I felt they should have made an ackbar INSTEAD of a stormtrooper. If you look at my first post, I acknowledge the practical necessity of an iconic character. I can see how my first statement can be considered silly. However, I see nothing wrong with that. I also see no point in getting angry over anything on the internet.
Yeah, really.
You're right: I don't count "where can I buy", "great job", and "+1" comments as real content. And for the record, post count means little to me...and while we're at it, I've never met Jack.
Do I agree with Jack's post? Not really. Do I think it's silly? Absolutely. But these are toys...they're *meant* not to be taken NEARLY as seriously as the vast majority of comments (not just yours, R) on this website have come to suggest in recent times.
If you can't see how attacking a fellow site member, personally, for posting a light-hearted comment about a fun toy is wholly and completely f-ed up, then I really don't know what to tell you. I'm sad for the future of this website...and bs like this burns me out on the "hobby", as a whole...
--
Sanjeev
i want a chewbacca :3
rraaaaaaaagh <3
Why not act like an adult instead of tossing ad hominems at anyone who expresses an opinion that differs from yours? I never said I thought the toy was bad, I just don't care for the character. Respect your collection dx brothers, enjoy your stormtrooper, and don't poop on me just because I want a Muftak jumbo.
I wouldn't poop on you for wanting a Muftak Jumbo.
I'd be right on line behind you.
I wouldn't poop on you anyway. Ackbar is a great idea, and I usually like and agree with 90% of what you say on TBDX and here. Maybe you forgot that on your way to the "Post comment" button.
But here, you posted a very silly response, "it's just a toy"- which to me is the ultimate cop-out way out. It's the idiot's way out, and you're not an idiot, are you? And it does sound very childish, you have to admit.
See Dave's comments above for how I feel as well. He put it better than I ever could.
Again, if I offended you, sorry... but you can't post stupid stuff about a toy people have been waiting 30 years for, and expect to get a free ride.
Great review, paint apps look pretty darn good on this thing.
That's a sweet looking figure, I just wish it weren't so damned expensive otherwise I'd pick one up in a heartbeat. I love the details on the thing and how they molded details on the helmet (the grey part next to the eyes and the lines on the "cheek") that on both replica (full sized) and screen used helmets are only decals. It's funny that those parts are actually molded on a, relatively small, toy in while on a many times larger real deal they're only decals; of course that might not please the hard core Star Wars costumer but I really appreciate that sort of attention to detail even if it's not really screen accurate.
Super 7 Did a great job on this. Toys don't manufacture themselves so taking a couple of years to figure out how to make a JM having never made one before is fine by me. When I talked with them at Designer Con last year they said they should of waited when they were closer to production before they announced that it was being made. This is also their first Licensed item as well and I'm sure there was a learning curve with getting a licenses from one of the biggest in the industry, Lucas Films.
The toy is brilliant but I really love that box and the small detail of folding cardboard to keep the figure in place like the original is a nice touch. And the graphics are great! A true throwback to the 70's and Japan manufactured toys.
The next product after Boba Fett? They need to do a small run of official Italian Bootleg Stormtrooper version in funky Yellow/Blue/Red colors with some Boba Fett parts thrown in to keep in spirit of an Italian Bootleg. Just my 2 cents!
Awesome job and glad they finally got it out to the masses! Hopefully this will get Bandai off their arse to get some classic JM made again!
Leonardo Flores
CollectionDX Staff Writer-West Coast Bureau
Though shown in the first image, Dave neglected to mention the Stormtrooper's best feature. Phantom legs.
I don't care for Jumbos, never was a fan of Star Wars... But I really, REALLY want this for some reason.
Macross, Gunpla, Gunpla, Macross... Heck, let's go with both.
Bobba Fett!
I suggested the next should be Bobba and someone listened!
Akbar! Sheesh, all he ever did was sit in a swiveling chair!
IG88, come on! Too skinny! Didn't even move in the movie!
Great choice (and predicted by me *pats own back. thank you, thank you)!
The Spice must flow.
Yeah, IG-88 kind of sucks, but Ackbar is awesome. He's monstrous poetic comedy from the heart of an alien sea. He would just a cooler costume than what he had in the movie. Ackbar wearing Ming's robe from the 1980 Flash Gordon movie would be the greatest jumbo since astro mu bread.
everytime i read the words stormtrooper and shogun i think of that awesome samurai stormtrooper XD
i'm pretty sure i'm one of the younger site members here but i think this guy looks fantastic!, he's a kinda out of my price range(and by kinda i mean totally)but he's really nice to look at
makes me wonder if some crazy dude will ever army build these! (hey you never know it might happen XD)
It's an amazing creation, but I'll need to read a few more reviews before I can justify buying this over any number of pricey vintage toys (Kenner Alien? Bionic Bigfoot?)
What I'm most concerned about is QC. Are these arms holding a proper jumbo flying pose or not?
Otherwise it looks like a grand slam.
I've been thinking a lot about this guy since he's gotten such a huge reaction on this site. I think this piece raises a number of interesting questions about this hobby and why it is that we collect. First of all, this is a piece that nobody has any nostalgia for -- it did not exist when we were children. Yet it appeals to nostalgia by mimicing the form of these beloved machinders that were part of so many of our formative years. In short, the toy is a simulation of a machinder, designed, somehow to create a kind of simulated nostalgia for both a form and a character that we remember from our youth.
That got me thinking about the broader hobby of collecting vintage Japanese toys. It seems to me that there is something very similar in our collecting the obscure toys. For example, I recently picked up a vintage Bismarck ST Chogokin. I have no nostalgia for this particular character -- I'd never even heard of the character before. Instead, this toy bore a resemblance to the Shogun warriors of my youth -- it appealed to a kind of sympathetic nostalgia for something I never knew existed. In buying something that resembles the object of nostalgia, we are able to re-create the joy of the new that we felt as children. I'll never forget the first time I saw a Dragun Jumbo, or a Daikumaryu Shogun Warrior over at my cousin's house, or the first time I saw Force Five. Finding Japanese toys that resemble these characters (or brand new American toys that mimic their form) perhaps provides some fraction of that initial joy and wonder.
Just a thought.
I'm surprised they didn't go with Darth Vader. That seems like an obvious choice, even over a Stormtrooper. A jumbo Darth with a vinyl cape and big lightsaber? Yes please.
the stormtroopers are adorable man
It would be awesome if the darth had the same lightsaber gimmick as the first wave of action figures, where the arm had a collapsible saber inside.