Godzilla Against Mothra (Action Figure, NECA, 2019)

Is it possible that NECA has gotten even better? I'm no NECA shill, and I'm not one of those sites that gets free figures to review, either. When something's crappy, I am pretty forthcoming about it.  But the newest Godzilla figure from NECA has again beaten its more expensive Bandai counterpart.

And we just got the KK vs. GODZILLA suit this year! Can we just keep going, chronologically?

Not long ago, NECA abandoned their "blister pack" packaging for their Godzilla line, in favor of boxes. The genius of it is, not only is the original Japanese movie poster art is on the front, but you can re-pack the figure when you are done with it! The old packaging was a little unwieldy, and of course required that you completely destroy it.  Going forward, reissues will all be in this format--which is both good and bad, because the most eager of us scarfed these up in the old packages....also, in some cases, they are including the "Atomic Breath Effect" piece, where it originally wasn't included, like the 1954 Godzilla, for example.

Just LOOK at the backdrop that's included! Oh--as the kids say--"the FEELS!"

So yes, the box is amazing, but how is the figure itself? Well, it's astounding, and here goes:

The likeness is fantastic. The articulation matches previous figures, as does the tail, but--and I think I said this last time--they have done a glorious job making the tip of the tail more blunt, as is accurate. The figures now come with a small instruction sheet recommending that you now use hot water to assemble the tail! (I think I first saw this with the KK vs. G figure as well.)

Now, the eyes are obviously more yellow than Bandai's, and it's a matter or personal preference, but I don't think they look bad. In the film they come off as pale yellow, maybe...again, it's an eye of the beholder thing (ouch, I didn't even mean to do that).

I always like to compare these figures to other figures or vinyls, and unfortunately, my SH Monsterarts 1964 Godzilla is at the front of a glass case that loads from the back, and I just can't get my hands on him for this review...but here is Bandai's "glamour shot":

As you can see, a lovely figure, tons of detail too...but quite a bit more than 20 bucks!  One of the biggest drawbacks is, it's basically a 5" scale figure.  I am pretty sure this was done because all the other figures they had done by the time of its release were all more modern Godzilla suits, which were representations of Godzilla that were supposed to be much taller.  Not so with the NECA 1964 though, he is fully as tall as the other Godzillas in the line.

With what's been announced, we are up to 20 action figures in this line now, so I think it's time I start a checklist page, which you'll be able to access from the left-hand menu once it's done!

King Kong vs. Godzilla (Action Figure, NECA, 2019)

They did it again.  Just when I was miffed at NECA for doubling down on Shin Godzilla, and wasting time on spurious anachronistic repaints (seen here), their next release more than makes up for it.  Originally slated to come out last fall, the release date for this figure was mysteriously pushed to Spring 2019, to line up closer to some Hollywood movie...hmm...anyhow, the entire front of the box is the Japanese poster, so you know you can't go wrong.  Let's look a bit closer...

Just like the NES Video Game Godzilla figure from 2015, this new figure has a fancy window-box packaging that is quite nice.  The front is held by a velcro (TM) tab, and behind the transparent tray is another backdrop of Mt. Fuji.  I neglected to take a photo of the back of the box, but it's also amazing, with large Japanese text pointing out features (with translation beneath), almost like a vintage Toho trailer.  All in all, very fun packaging. I can't imagine anyone throwing it away! It'd be blasphemy!

This Godzilla suit is well-beloved among fans from both sides of the ocean.  For many Americans, this thick-thighed, frog-headed wonder was their first taste of Japanese kaiju delight--and in color, even.  For the Japanese, this famous suit excitedly dared to challenge the American Kong, with a box-office record that still stands unmatched today among Godzilla films.

The figure is hefty, as it should be, and looks great. It's weird, the eyes on my figure looked completely right until I took this photo, from this angle. I don't think there's any paint variance weirdness going on; just an anomaly of view.

I didn't compare bodies, but it doesn't appear that NECA reused anything in making this unique Godzilla suit.  Even the tail is blunter than usual (again, as it should be)! He's just lovely.

He has all the posability of the previous figures (by the way, this is figure #12 if you are counting).  What I wonder is, will he be available at Target stores? The second Shin Godzilla was said to be an "exclusive," and still ended up there. We shall see.  With the film coming up, I would bet money on it.

A couple of figures ago, NECA began to include atomic breath "beam-ray" effects, which is a nice touch.  The best part about this one is that it has a semi-circular end that fits into the back of the figure's mouth.  This holds it in place, but the figure doesn't look dumb without it.  The worst part about this piece is the completely white coloring...it would be a good spout for any whale dioramas you happen to be working on.

In summary, this figure is a must-have, must-buy essential.  I can only pray that NECA will stay in this vintage territory they've ventured into, and after that, give us a beautiful Godzilla 2000.

Shin Godzilla Atomic Blast (NECA, 2018)

It's been a long while since there has been a new NECA Godzilla figure, but this year's Toy Fair (or was it ComicCon? Does it matter? There's one every other week now) showed that there would be two in the near future, the second of which is much more interesting than this one:  KING KONG vs GODZILLA 1962 G!

I'm not anti-SHIN.  I was completely in the middle about the film; it was enjoyable--at its best interesting, at its worst, talky and stilted--but I'm not entirely sure it merits two action figures.  I haven't compared, but I'm assuming most of the sculpt has been re-used here.  There are two beams packed behind the figure, looking like a complimentary pair of chopsticks: one for his mouth, and the other for his tail (if you just did a double-take, then you haven't seen the film, apparently).  Since mine isn't open, here is a better look at what you get:

I know, I know.

My main problem with this figure was the bizarre way that it was offered.  Here is the course of events:

1) Two new Godzilla figures are revealed at some convention somewhere.

2) Soon after that, the 1962 Godzilla is available for pre-order (which I quickly did).

3) About a month ago, news hit some major toy sites that NECA had released the "Shin Godzilla Atomic Blast" figure, and that there were two ways to get it.  Either you could order it directly from their "NECA Ebay Store," or from Amazon (where the shipping was lumped into the price, if you were a Prime member...which is supposed to be the whole point of being a Prime member).  

Now, they never said explicitly that these two ways were the only choices, but they sure acted like it, and the way the chain of events played out made it look that way (no pre-orders).  With TRU gone, it definitely made me think this was the distribution plan for a figure whose sales would probably be brisk at best.

I say all that to tell you, I was extremely surprised to see this figure at Target on Friday night!  I knew they were carrying NECA products (also because of the TRU thing), but certainly not this one.  He will probably end up on clearance, but to be honest, I didn't want to pay the $11 shipping for this weighty figure, so I picked him up. Also, I have read several reviews mentioning terrible paint problems, so that's another vote for buying in person.

Godzilla 2001 Atomic Blast (NECA, 2017)

Welcome NECA Godzilla figure #10 to the world...was anybody reporting on this? I apologize if I missed it, but, I don't think anybody was reporting on this....but, there I was in Toys [backwards "R"] Us the other day, and this exists.

Is this a TRU exclusive? Who knows. All you need to know is, it's a repaint.  To be precise, it's a repaint of NECA's excellent Godzilla 2001 figure, but more importantly, it is the polar opposite of their last repaint (NECA figure #8), the abomination known as "Reactor Glow Godzilla" (which you can see in this article).

How is it the opposite? Well, first of all, this is something that actually happened in a film. Moreover, they included an accessory that we didn't previously have, namely, the beam.  If you are going to do a repaint--if you absolutely have to--then this is the way to do it.  

He may be shipping with Shin Godzilla, because there was one of each figure on the shelf. I say this every time, but I sure hope this line continues.

Shin Godzilla (NECA, 2017)

Collectibles from SHIN GODZILLA in the United States were, let's face it, non-existent, unless imported.  I suppose we were lucky to get to see the movie at all, even in the very modern arrangement of short-term, special-event showings.  In the old days, that never would have happened.

Anyway, it was very nice of NECA to add the new design to their roster of wonderful action figures.  By the way, this makes #9 if you are counting.  What happened to #8, you ask? Well, you really shouldn't ask, but since you did, it was a "Loot Crate" exclusive, one of those monthly subscriptions for boxes of random junk...excuse me, collectibles, and it was called "Reactor Glow Godzilla."  It was a direct repaint of the 1995 "Burning Godzilla," except the "burning" spots were now glow-in-the-dark green.  Trust me, even though the secondary value will remain high due to its limited distribution, it's just dumb. And I'm a completist, that is, until the thing I'm trying to complete becomes something that never happened in the life of the character (here, the actual Godzilla films), and feels like a shameless cash-grab.  Then, I skip it. Which I did.

See?

Back to Shin Godzilla, I haven't even had time to open the package, but he's a weighty sucker.  Also, his tail is going to be nice and long, because there are two segments to attach instead of the usual one.  If anyone's wondering, I found this at ToysRUs, and boy was I surprised.  They had him and the previous figure (2001 Godzilla) on the shelf.

2001 Godzilla ("GMK, Giant Monsters All-Out Attack") NECA, 2016

The seventh figure in NECA's Godzilla series has arrived!  NECA has slowed down from the speed that began this series, but thankfully, it is still alive.  Here is their production so far:

2014 - Three figures (beginning in June of that year)

2015 - Three figures

2016 - One figure

If I recall correctly, Shin Godzilla is going to be next, but I'm sure it will be in 2017, at this point.  Here's a halfway-decent look at the new figure:

It's another stunning sculpt, and the bulkiest Godzilla so far, and that even counts 1985's thunderous thighs.  This figure's are actually bigger, and to my quick comparisons, everything is newly-sculpted.

Also, the biggest feet so far.  This Godzilla has huge, thick feet, and I think that's accurate to the design.

I decided to make a comparison to Bandai's version of this Godzilla, from their line of American vinyls (credited to Bandai Creation, of course).  You can see the major difference right away:  NECA's 2001 can't stand up very straight.  It's really true for all their Godzillas.  

Now, this really isn't a deal-breaker.  It's just the way it is.  In the first unboxed photo above, that is the absolute straightest he will stand and still have both enormous feet on the ground.  Sure, you can lean him forward more, but his heels will be off the ground.  You'll notice Bandai's posture is very rigid in comparison, and it just comes down to what you prefer for a given display situation. 

Of course, Bandai's 2001 isn't super-articulated, and this figure has all of the great design elements of the previous six, including the jaw.

Oh, and points for the tail, which has a lovely, blunt end, as well as the usual bendable wire.  (The point of the tail was a complaint of mine in reviewing previous figures.)

Overall, NECA's 2001 has a wider stance, a more impressive bulk, and nice-looking texture to the folds and scales of the sculpt, achieved with a dark wash.  Originally pushed back to September--and then again to October, until finally arriving in November--I ordered mine from Entertainment Earth, thinking they would never show up on store shelves.  However, I was surprised to see several of this exact figure on the shelves of my local Toys [backwards "R"] Us the other day, so you just never know.

Happy Halloween from Phunny Godzilla

This is a new plush Godzilla called "Phunny Godzilla," that is about 8 inches tall.  It's made by Kidrobot, which is actually NECA.  I happened to have my Bandai buildings out when he arrived, and this happened.  Happy Halloween!

1954 Godzilla ("Gojira/Godzilla, King of the Monsters") NECA, 2015

Here we have the sixth figure in the NECA line, and quite simply, they have outdone themselves.  Rather than prattle on, let's get right to it!

Okay, NOW it's time for prattling.  Ladies and gentlemen, the 1954 Godzilla.  This figure is beautiful.  They NAILED the face, and they NAILED the stance.  Nothing was phoned in.

Articulation is similar to the five figures that preceded it, with some new touches.  (Oh, and the paint details that lend an air of black-and-white, even!)

Chunky newly-sculpted legs, and big swiveling feet, complete with gray toes!

Articulated fingers (together as a set) for grasping!  

The body, arms, and neck have similar articulation to its earlier cousins, and the tail has the usual built-in wire.  Here's a comparison to what has been (until now) my go-to 1954 Godzilla:

On the left, the Bandai Japanese vinyl from 1999.  There is an improved version of this in their American line (Bandai Creation), and you can probably still find it in stores.  It's a fine figure, with the Bandai Creation one being even better, but it has now been surpassed.

Since I need to say something critical to make this a review, rather than a paean of praise to NECA...which this pretty much is...I will say that NECA's tails always end in a point.  They never seem to capture any bluntness.  I believe this tail end is a new piece; it's much shorter than the usual ones (that you have to attach to a ball joint, out of the package), which allows for a shorter portion of wire-tail, and a longer portion of the jointed part (if that makes sense).  I would just like to see a rounded end, if I had to be picky!

Back of Package

Okay, so now, we are up to six figures (sounds like a good salary)...so what's next?  To my knowledge, nothing has even been announced!  Okay, NECA, it's time to make vintage suits, going forward from the 1954! And then we can start mixing in--dare I say it--friends and enemies??!?!

I certainly hope this line is planned to continue.  I know I have enjoyed it even more than I suspected I would, and NECA keeps raising the bar. Here are the package inserts:

Can a 1962 be far behind? Or even a 1968 (squeal)?

If you can't tell, this is a figure to order!

In fact, he is now ready for his scene as a guest star!

Video Game Godzilla (NES "Monster of Monsters") NECA, 2015

I'll be honest, when this figure was announced, I thought "wha?"...I'd seen NECA's Batman NES figure, which is clogging shelves at TRU.  I understood what they were trying to do, and thought it was neat, but it just didn't grab me.  But, as time passed, I became more excited for the release of this figure, and it's a definite first.  It's new territory for Godzilla figures.  This is the fifth Godzilla in NECA's ongoing series so far, so let's take a more in-depth look at how they did!

We will look closer at the back in a moment!

 

You can't get off the ground without noticing the packaging, which is "11" on a 10 scale.  Like the Batman figure I mentioned, NECA has made sure to replicate the original 1989 NES box art (albeit much thicker, but that's a necessity), which is fantastic.  I like the NECA emblem in place of where the Nintendo Seal was.  The front is held in place by Vel-cro, and when opened, there's a lovely full-sized image of the map from the original game.  Over the window for the figure is information from the top of the screen! Well done!  This is one box you will not throw away.

But wait, there's more!  Inside the box is a lovely backdrop, which is a typical background from the game (where Godzilla fights his way through planets containing various monsters under the control of aliens from Planet X...and was actually quite difficult!).  So now, we are way, way off the charts for amazing packaging.  It's just simply superior.

And now to the figure!  Everyone pretty much knew that this was going to be a repaint of the 1985 Godzilla when it was first shown, but it's not a STRAIGHT repaint.  NECA has not phoned it in here.  Although, in reality, there's nothing wrong with using the 1985 design, as it was the newest, current Godzilla when the game came out. 

I do like the attempt at simulating pixels with the paint deco.  I don't think the Batman has those, and it's a novel approach.  It was one of those things I didn't appreciate months ago, and now I can't imagine the figure without them.

"Where you going, Tiny Fin? Tiny Fin, Tiny Fin!! Ha ha ha!!!"

Right away, the first thing that becomes obvious is that they have made the dorsal plates accurate to the game...which are huge!  In fact, here is a better look at a sprite from the game, from the back of the box:

 Here are a few more from the game itself:

One more change that was made was to the legs.  The 1985's legs were really bowed (so much so that he can perfectly ride a 6"-scale speeder bike, but that's another story), and while I haven't compared, these are either brand-new legs, the 1994 ones, or something in between.  They didn't have to make this change, or go to the trouble, but it really works in favor of the figure.

Obligatory Leg Shot

His posability is equivalent to the other figures in the line.  The bendy part of the tail comes separated, and is attached by a ball joint. There is apparently a swivel at the knee, but I can't figure it out.  Mine seems stuck on both legs, and I really don't want to force them.  Extra attention was definitely paid to paint, because it would have been easy to get sloppy with the pixel decos, but mine looks sharp and clean.

In short, another great figure, and one of the most unique Godzillas you will have in your collection.  Coming next from NECA is the 1954, which I am very wound up about...hopefully this will mean many more vintage suit designs in our future!