Collecting MechaGodzilla

7.2.2020 (updated 7.5)

The last couple of weeks I’ve been thinking about MechaGodzilla because the X-Plus Gigantic MechaGodzilla 1974 has been released. From many accounts it appears to live up to all the hype. If it was not already the most significant MechaGodzilla figure release, it got even better when it was shown to have points of articulation. MechaGodzilla is a fan favorite. Waiting for its arrival has taken down memory lane remembering the significant MechaGodzilla items in my collection.

In 1984, I purchased my very first Bandai figure and it was not Godzilla, but rather MechaGodzilla 1974. Philadelphia-based Rocketships & Accessories had a big Godzilla 30th Anniversary celebration. It was my first visit and I was blown away by all the Godzilla, Ultraman, and Japanese toys on display. I was in heaven! I had $10, just enough for one Bandai figure and it chose MechaGodzilla 1974 over the Godzilla 1964. I had never seen a MechaGodzilla figure. And it was so perfect. I had to get before it was gone. I loved the Bandai card (which is still attached until this day). It was one of the few color photos I had of MechaGodzilla.

Not long after, I acquired the Bandai The特撮Collection MechaGodzilla model kit. Inside is a wonderful double-sided poster of the original box art by the legendary artist Yuji Kaida and 360°photos of both MechaGodzilla I and II on the back side. The poster edges are worn from hanging on my bedroom walls when I was growing up.

My MechaGodzilla collection, although small, was growing one piece at a time. The Yamakatsu figures came next. They are small 6-inch figures. I love Mecha’s hand missiles and his overall shape and curved and simple edges characteristic of the figures in series.

Rocketships & Accessories was the first of several local collectible shops in Philadelphia that made it possible for me to build the foundation of my Godzilla collection. Most of my toys, books, and collectibles from the 70s through the early 2000s were bought from these shops. One item was the Movie Comic Godzilla Series Terror of MechaGodzilla (Movieコミックスゴジラシリーズメカゴジラの逆襲). It contains the movie dialogue withe stills in the familiar comic books layout. Before there were VCRs, this is all I had to relive the movie over and over again.

Bandai figures were everything back in the day. Only a few had access to resin and vinyl kits. We cherished our Bandai collections and looked forward to new ones. In 2002, Bandai released a 6-inch line of figures called the Movie Monster Series (ムービモンスターシリーズ). These were well detailed and painted. I love the MechaGodzilla 1975 because this was its first most representation in my collection.

In 2003, Bandai released the GD-56 Chogokin MechaGodzilla 1974 (超合金メカゴジラ1974) followed by GD-98 Chogokin Mechagozilla 1975. Later, the GD-56M Cho Alloy Mechagozilla 1974 (Plated Version) was released. MechaGodzilla 1975 comes with a piece of space titanium.

In 2014, I discovered X-Plus and my MechaGodzilla collection was never the same again. I had outgrown my Bandai collection and I want more screen accurate representations of Godzilla and Toho kaiju. And X-Plus delivered. The X-Plus 30cm MechaGodzilla 1974 was one of my first X-Plus figures. It quickly became my favorite Mecha figure. Soon after, I acquired the 25cm MechaGodzilla in his secret alien base.

The X-Plus 25cm MechaGodzilla 1975 was so difficult to find. But in early 2016, X-Plus and RMC Plus released this beautiful resin light-up MechaGodzilla II.

Over the past five years, I have found various MechaGodzilla collectibles such as this model kit from the Godzilla Classic Box Set and this cool bust.

godzilla-vs-mechagodzilla-model-classic-box

I’m all about the books and Shogakukan Monster Series Definitive Godzilla Books 5: Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla! (小学館の怪獣シリーズ決定版ゴジラブックス5 ゴジラ対メカゴジラ!) was a great find.

Shogakkan Monster Series Definitive Godzilla Books 5 Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla! cover

By far the best MechaGodzilla book published, Showa MechaGodzilla Steel Picture Book (昭和メカゴジラ鋼鉄図鑑), to date was released last year. It even includes the scripts for both Showa films. This is a must for every MechaGodzilla fan. I love it so much I have two copies.

Showa MechaGodzilla Mook Book 昭和メカゴジラ鋼鉄図鑑

The crown of my MechaGodzilla collection was my own contribution with this box art created for the X-Plus Toho Daikaiju Series MechaGodzilla Soft Vinyl Assembly Kit (エクスプラス少年リック東宝大怪獣シリーズメカゴジラソフビ組立キット) in collaboration with Jeremy Soles of Summit Kaiju International. Beside the box is the 25cm MechaGodzilla figure used to create the art courtesy of X-Plus. Thank you X-Plus!

Next week, I hope to welcome the latest and perhaps the ultimate MechaGodzilla figure, the X-Plus Gigantic MechaGodzilla, into my collection. This guy has been highly anticipated since last year. I had the privilege of seeing the prototype at New York Comic Con last year. I can’t wait to blog about this one! I hope your collection is full of MechaGodzilla and will be home to this new one!