ULTRAMAN TARO: GREAT MONSTER THE 30 (Bandai, 1991)

 

Here is an item that took me by surprise.  You may recall that we reviewed both the ULTRAMAN and ULTRASEVEN "Great Monster the 30" figure sets, a while back, but I didn't know this existed!

So these are 30-figure sets that are basically "keshi," a category of soft rubber, gashapon-type Japanese figures (sometimes even including erasers). Each set includes the hero Ultra, and 29 kaiju from his series.

To American eyes, these are highly reminiscent of the awesome M.U.S.C.L.E. 28-packs that we had over here (and hey, those were connected to Bandai too, so there you go):

Back to our set at hand, here is the back of the box:

While the previous two sets included a die and a colorful game board, enabling you to play a board game with the figures (because Japan), this one does not, and instead gives you a heavy sheet of die-cut labels:

Interestingly, there isn't very much "Taro" content in the stickers...in fact, all of the kaiju pictured are from other shows.  There is good reason for this, because by this point in the lineage, the shows were beginning to show some fatigue, and the enemy designs were starting to suffer.  There were still some high points, but some were just forgettable. Lots of feathers and dangly things.

Here are the contents of the set.  How many can you name? The answer for me is, "precious few." And I will admit it!

After puzzling over these, I went to the booklet for the blu-rays, and then realized lots of the spellings are pretty knackered up, so I resorted to correcting as many of these as I could via online sources...so here are the names:

So my main take-away from this is:  does this mean there is a RETURN OF ULTRAMAN set (Jack, that is) that exists somewhere? If so, sign me up.  The first three shows were the best. It makes me wonder how many of the classic shows had sets in this line.  It's extremely hard to find any information online about these, but I am digging away.

As you can probably tell, I have sort of a love-hate relationship with the last few classic Ultra shows.  They tend to be hit-and-miss sometimes.  With Taro, it seems like he is always having to be rescued by his mama. I was still very happy to discover this one, though.  I will always take more classic Ultra!

SHOGUN WARRIORS GODZILLA Instruction Sheet Variations (Mattel, 1978- )

 

Quite simply the greatest toy ever made--or very close to it--Mattel's giant Shogun Warriors Godzilla enjoyed a few years on store shelves and in Christmas catalogs, alongside the rest of the Shogun Warriors line.  Because of this, there are at least three variations to the included (and very rare) instruction sheet!

Let's look at these in the order I have put them in, and I will explain why as we go:

Version 1 (front)  Measures 7.25 by 5.5 inches, and has artwork of Godzilla from the waist up, facing the left.  You will notice there is no blurb for the Godzilla Game, which tells me it wasn't quite released yet.

Version 1 (back)  On the reverse, we have Raydeen, Great Mazinga, and Dragun. Fine print says "PRINTED IN JAPAN," which tracks, because the first version of the Shogun Warriors Godzilla was produced in Japan for Mattel.

Version 2 (front)  For some reason, the next instruction sheet is a full-sized page, at 8.5 x 11 inches.  Now Godzilla's artwork has been changed to a full-body image (adding tail instructions), with him facing the right.  There is also now a box promoting the awesome Godzilla Game, so the Warranty information has been moved to the left side.

Version 2 (back)  The back of the sheet looks unchanged, except for the fine print, which now says "PRINTED IN U.S.A."

Version 3 (front)  Now the size of the sheet has reverted back to 7.25 x 5.5 inches.  The front looks identical to Version 2.

Version 3 (back)  The reverse side is where we see new information:  Daimos has been added to the line-up, in place of Dragun.  This figure was the last addition to the line in America, and was added in 1979, so it makes sense that this version would come last, chronologically.

Now, is it possible there is a fourth iteration out there, somewhere? One thing I have learned over years of collecting is, anything is possible...so if something turns up, it will be included here, and added to our Godzilla Guide as well!

Video Game Board Games [part 4]: PAC MAN MAGNETIC MAZE (Tomy, 1984)

 

While this one isn't technically a "board game," per se, it IS an attempt at replicating the arcade experience in a toy that you can enjoy in your own home! Also, this is simply one of the most unique games you will ever see (again from Japan, because of course), and it's worth a look just for that!

I am ashamed to admit that I had no knowledge of this as a kid, and I was completely obsessed and consumed with Pac-Man at that time.  I have no idea how it slipped by me, but I'd like to think it wasn't advertised very well, and flew completely under the radar! I would've eaten it up, though.

This game was made by Tomy (by the way, You Tube people, it is NOT pronounced "Tommy"), who brought tons of cool toys over to the U.S. during that time (think RUN YOURSELF RAGGED).  The idea is to recreate the experience of playing Pac-Man by using a joystick-controlled tilt-table, characters with roller-balls built in, and magnets! You read that right!

First off, here are the included characters:  Pac-Man, a blue ghost (Inky of course to us), and a red ghost (who we know as Blinky).  Each has a marble-sized metal ball-bearing underneath, allowing them to roll freely.  The fruit targets (which the instructions refer to as "Power Pills," here we go again...) also have large flat magnets beneath them.

The gameboard includes three metal wickets, like you would see in croquet.  One very cool thing about this game is that it is customizable, and you can place these metal wickets wherever you want.  The above configuration is what the instructions indicate.  Once you place these, you attach the fruit beneath them, where they are held on with the magnets.  

Next, set the timer.  This game would have been plenty of fun without it, but suddenly PERFECTION memories come flooding back!

Now, using the joystick, guide your Pac-Man along the maze, picking up the fruit targets and bringing them back to your home base area (where they are removed and placed in an area to the left of the joystick).  He has a magnet in his head, which will allow him to pick up the fruit! Try to keep going, and acquire all of the fruit, but don't let a ghost catch up or run into you (they have side magnets, which was a pretty devious touch)! It can be pretty challenging, especially with the timer running.

Here is what it looks like under the board--the yellow receptacle holds the center of the board, and is tilted around by the joystick.

Overall review: This game actually succeeds in recreating the mechanics of playing Pac-Man, but in your own home.  It shows how far companies were willing to go to do that very thing.  It also allows some customization, which can give you some different playing experiences (and I guess you don't always have to start everyone on their spaces if you don't want to).  If you are after one, hold out for one that is totally complete!

Lastly, here are the instructions for the game:

THE GODZILLA LIVE Complete Set (Banpresto, 1993)

Here is a set of small plushes that have been on my want list for many a year now! THE GODZILLA LIVE is a series of 5 plushes (each around 6 inches tall) made by Banpresto in 1993, as "UFO Catcher" (claw machine) prizes.  

Before we look at them in detail, here is the tag:

First up is Rodan, who in the above card art is the smallest, yet in reality dwarfs his bandmates!

This one must've been quite difficult to win and hook with the claw (unless you grabbed him by the drums, maybe).  He has a giant, bulbous  head, and a stern expression, showing he takes his rhythm-keeping quite seriously.  It's very difficult to find an example of him today that has the drumsticks; they are prone to breaking loose.  His bass drum has the logo for the band:

Up next is Gigan, and this one just may be my favorite of the group.  His simplified design accomplishes volumes. Just look at that shredding pose! Both guitars in the band have three strings, so he can be the bassist if you prefer.

The big G may look familiar to you; this is a design that Banpresto used a lot in their UFO Catcher plushes, especially.  He is rocking here with fierce determination!

Mothra is adorable, but be advised that she does not stand.  It's too bad she didn't include something to prop her up.  As it is, you need to lean her against a fellow band member in as unobtrusive a way as you can come up with. On the tag, she is shown with shades on, but the plush just has large, uncovered eyes.

However, Mothra pales in comparison to King Ghidorah.  First of all though, let's take in the wonderfulness here.  Keyboards. AND. .....Vocals???!! Do two of the heads play the keys? One of them is holding the mic, so...let's not think about it too much.  11 out of 10 for charm, hilarity and originality, but....1 out of 10 because this thing WILL NOT STAND no matter what you do.  It's a round lump, like trying to stand a pillow.  Now, the details are done well--check out the tails:

And here is a better look at the keyboard(s) from a top view:

You can prop Mothra up, but there is absolutely no way Ghidorah is going to be upright without extra equipment.  If he sat on a plastic ring of some sort, it  would make a huge difference!

Before we conclude though, a bit of history--I tend to think that the inspiration for this supergroup came from the artwork for a 1972 promotional single entitled, "The Bride Of Godzilla:"

Both sides of the cover reveal: Godzilla on guitar and vocals, Gigan just singing (?), King Ghidorah as an entire horn section (and a flute), Angilas on saxophone (that's the best thing I've typed today), and....Godzilla again, as his own drummer? Astounding!

More Vintage Menko Cards (part two)

 

And now, the conclusion of the treasure trove of vintage menko cards that I recently acquired.  This first group has the same manufacturer (and backing style) that our entire last post had, except these cards are super-thick, which you'd expect from menko cards. Right off the bat, we see Gamera, Godzilla, and Gappa...although I have to admit I am stumped on the bird-headed hero in a couple of the cards, and I haven't been able to discern his identity, so please leave a comment and let me know! Oh, don't miss GOLDAR from SPACE GIANTS sneaking into the bottom row! This is an all-star group for sure.

And here are the card backs!

This next group is super cool, beginning with King Ghidorah, and moving on to Bemular and Antlar from the first year of ULTRAMAN, and finally, a very cool Mechagodzilla, who apparently has sunk the Titanic.  The lizard at the end of the top row would make an awesome album cover.

All of these cards are super thick, too, but apparently have different manufacturers.  All menko cards seem to incorporate Rock/Paper/Scissors, but some even feature playing cards on their backs.  The ones at bottom left seem to want you to draw your own artwork in the space provided--which seems like a missed opportunity--while the last group actually features SPECTREMAN of all things!

Lastly, we return to some old friends, and even the "umbrella yokai," which was a surprise.  The "Godzilla vs. UFOs" card is awesome, and the Ghidorah card at bottom left is not a repeat, because this time the art is overprinted with metallic gold ink, which unfortunately doesn't show up in the scan very well.  The back is completely different, too.  I was going to say something about Ultraman fighting Godzilla again, when I finally realized the other monster was Daigoro from DAIGORO vs. GOLIATH! Holy crap! Next we have an awesome, almost tribal Ghidorah image, then a card obviously based on ULTRA Q, and finally, our bird-headed friend again.

Here are the backs, which are much more varied than earlier styles we have seen.  The "TV" ones are pretty funny (note Zorro in the upper-left....Zorro?) Also note the military hardware--early menko cards were heavy on this sort of thing, before tokusatsu and kaiju films gave them a higher calling and true purpose for their artwork.  

I hope you have enjoyed looking at these awesome cards. As you can tell, I love these things.  The kaiju-based ones don't come up very often anymore, so you have to wait for a good deal.  But, they are out there.

More Vintage Menko Cards (part one)

We have looked at cool vintage menko cards on this site in the past, which were Godzilla-themed ones that used photographs, but now here is a large lot of vintage kaiju-related ones featuring paintings!

Just in case you don't know, menko is a very old game played in Japan (with variants all over the world), where the objective is to flip over your opponent's cards by skillfully throwing yours at them (then you get to keep your winnings)! 

These cards are all from the 60's and 70's, and many are most likely unauthorized, and can therefore be a little dodgy in their depictions of characters. As you can see in this first group, it's heavy on ULTRA Q and the first ULTRAMAN (and maybe AGON THE ATOMIC DRAGON there in the lower left corner?).

Here are the backs of this first group.  I've tried to group all of the cards together with similar reverse artwork, since I have no way of telling you anything about their manufacturers.  I can tell you that all of these we will see in this first part are thinner than the normal menko cards, these being about as thick as the backing cardboard on a note pad.  Also, it seems to be a tradition for nearly all menko cards to include "Paper/Rock/Scissors" on their backs...I always figured it was the way that kids determined who took the first turn!

What I can't figure out, or find information about anywhere, is the significance of the string of numbers on the backs of most cards.  If anyone knows, please leave a comment!

This second group is interesting.  It starts off with a pseudo-MARINE BOY, then goes back to Ultra-kaiju (by the way, the Gomora in the bottom left is the same artwork from the first group, but has a completely different back as we will see), then gives us GAPPA, and for some reason,...IT CONQUERED THE WORLD!

And here are the backs. To say these are crudely cut is almost an understatement!

And here is the last of this group.  Once again the duplicate cards have completely different backs.   

Next time we will look at another great batch of menko cards, by a variety of manufacturers, featuring even more guest stars, from Gamera to Goldar!

SHOGUN WARRIORS Promotional Iron-On with Godzilla & Rodan (Fall 1979)

 

While catching up on my reading, I came across this full-page ad in a Marvel Comic dated November, 1979.  The artwork (incidentally, done by Herb Trimpe) shows something that had never gotten my complete attention before, for some reason...here is a bigger look:

By sending in proofs of purchase from Shogun Warrior items, fans would receive this awesome 5" x 7" iron-on transfer, including Godzilla and Rodan! Which got me to thinking...did it exist? Did anyone ever order it? And if so, are there any unused, anywhere?!?! (This is an item that will have to be added to our Vintage Godzilla Guide for U.S. items, for sure.)

For those who weren't there, unlike today, where we just buy a T-shirt with anything we want on it, in the 1970's, you bought the IRON-ON and applied it to the T-shirt of your choice! The idea was the same, but you--or your mom--did all the work. 

Wouldn't it have been awesome to walk around sporting that shirt, and be the coolest guy you knew? 

Never let it be said that we don't take care of you around here.  The image has been scanned at 600 dpi, and painstaking trimmed out of the ad, so all you have to do is add it on the website of your choice. Which is exactly what I am going to do! Enjoy!

PLEASE NOTE: T-shirt sites will often need a PNG of a certain size, which I have added to my Google Drive here.

ULTRASEVEN: GREAT MONSTER THE 30 (Bandai, 1990)

 

So here is the OTHER of the two Bandai boxed sets, and it follows the exact same path as the Ultraman one:  30 figures, a die, and a gameboard, all in a box of awesomeness.

The back of the box is more accurate this time as well (the last one showed enemies that weren't in the set)

ULTRASEVEN is, without a doubt, a magical high point in the long lineage of Tsuburaya's flagship franchise.  We could discuss why all day, but every time I revisit it, I am overwhelmed by the feeling that something special was going on, and everybody involved was aware of it.  I have a particular fondness for the third series (THE RETURN OF ULTRAMAN, later to be named JACK), but somewhere in the middle--or possibly just after--it, the original golden age of Ultra concluded.  You could argue that the limit should be extended all the way to the more natural original ending point of ULTRAMAN TARO, but admittedly by then the series was in a major repetitive rut (not to mention the many outside forces affecting the quality and production of the show, such as oil crises and kaiju falling out of fashion).

But back to our boxed set--the show gave us many innovative creature designs, and several that have stood the test of time.  How many enemies can you name?

Once again, I pretty much failed and had to cheat, so here are the answers:

Like last time, there were some major favorites that didn't make the cut, such as:

Crazygon, the giant car-eating robot (who's probably hard to make a figure of), Miclas (who is not a foe, but actually a helper to Ultraseven), and--the design of all designs--my hero, DINOSAUR TANK.  

Bandai doesn't appear to have continued these boxed sets, which is really too bad, as there was definitely more ground to cover.  

MUCH LATER EDIT: In re-reading this post, I realized I left out the gameboard that is included with this set! Here it is, in all its glory: