​大怪獣シリーズ ジャイアント ギャンゴ

​JAPAN RELEASE: AUGUST 2011

​SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES

​MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL

​FROM: “ULTRAMAN”, EPISODE 11 “THE RASCAL FROM OUTER SPACE”, 1966
ウルトラマン 宇宙から来た暴れん坊

​HEIGHT: 11 INCHES / 27.94 CM

​WIDTH: 6 INCHES (FRONT ARMSPAN) / 15.24 CM

LENGTH: ABOUT 13.75 INCHES / 34.92 CM

​ARTICULATION: NONE

​REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI

Gyango is probably one of the most recognized ultra kaijus from the orginal Ultraman series, no doubt in part to his appearance as a silhouette during the show’s opening sequence. X-Plus created a great likeness in this entry into the Giant Series.

Probably one of the more ‘interesting’ ultra kaijus, Gyango is a hodge podge of parts sprung from the imagination of a two-bit gangster coupled with the power of a mysterious rock from outer space. Made from the remains of the Bemular suit, the very first kaiju to appear in Ultraman, Gyango sported an unusual array of features including metallic clamp hands, winding antennae ears and a splash of tribal-like shapes down his belly.

The X-Plus Giant Series Gyango is an awesome likeness. It’s broad range of features and textures are faithfully represented from diamond-shaped scales to spikey areas on his back. The only thing that bothers me sightly is that the right arm is a bit too “rounded”. The right arm, however, almost gives you the impression that there is a suit actor’s arm in there with subtle bends and bulges.

​The head is very well done with a mouthful of individually sculpted teeth. The ears are amazing; where other figure lines would skimp out on the finer detail, X-Plus individually sculpted every single spoke. (This is why we collect X-Plus!) On a side-note: the ears are made of a very soft squishy material.

​It’s no secret that X-Plus sculpts their figures based on the actual suits rather than idealized or stylized versions. And Gyango is a perfect example of this as a silver zipper runs down the back and neck. The colorful totem pole shapes were added with a thin layer of material no doubt to act as a guide for the painters. Where these shapes occur over the belly a bit of the scale detail is lost.

​There are two seams very well hidden around the middle of the head and base of the neck which are virutally invisible. The arms look like they may rotate at the shoulder but I’m afraid to try and force them to find out. They look best where they are anyway. The feet rotate at the ankles and you may need to tweak these in order to get the figure to stand properly balanced. The Ric Boy version of this figure comes with 2 sets of ears and so it may be possible to remove or rotate them on the standard version, but again, I’m afraid to try as they are so soft and may be glued. Finally, if you want to nitpick, the ears and hand “claws” have subtle flange lines on them from the mold, something I would expect to see only on a plastic model kit. Overall, though, good show!

The pose is typical of Gyango and looks best from a front angle. The side and rear views are unexciting.

The base coating of brown is pretty standard and uneventful without any shading or highlights. The front neck and chest were well down with desaturated totem pole colors of which Gyango may be most known for. The inside of his red mouth is surround with a pink lower lip and a dull metallic blue upper lip and snout. The feet are a dull silver which have a sandy tan paint texuring. There is also silver on the claws and ears (which is particularly shiny on the ears.) Nice job!

At 11 inches tall, the X-Plus Gyango scales somewhere in its own range. It’s taller than the Large Monster Series yet shorter than the 30cm series Godzilla figures. If you’re a collector who buys from multiple vinyl figure makers, then the discrepancy of scale likely doesn’t bother you in the least. But X-Plus obsessive scale freaks like myself and (Hi, Ryan!) may be a little disappointed.

But there is good news…

The Giant Series Gyango is a perfect match for the X-Plus Ultraman vinyls! Gyango is taller than Ultraman (seen here beside the X-Plus Ultraman C-Type Standing figure) and he should be! What matters the most is that the shoulders on Gyango and Ultraman are level with each other, just as were likely the shoulders of the actors who wore the suits.

​The figure comes nested in a plastic shell and wrapped in a blind box that’s twice as large as it needs to be. A single tie keeps the figure in place.

The X-Plus Giant Series Gyango is an awesome addition to the collection of any Ultraman fan and I am overly pleased to finally add him to my shelves. He was a bit hard to find but the search was worth it!

By John Stanowski Originally posted June 17th, 2013​ on Kaiju Addicts.

大映30CMシリーズ 「ガメラ（1995年版）」

​JAPAN RELEASE: MAY 2013

​SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES

​MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL

​FROM: “GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE”, 1995
ガメラ 大怪獣空中決戦

​HEIGHT: 9.75 INCHES / 24.76 CM

​WIDTH: ABOUT 11 INCHES (NOT INCLUDING TAIL) / 27.94 CM

​LENGTH: ABOUT 13.75 INCHES / 34.92 CM

​ARTICULATION: NONE

​REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI

In 1995, director Shusuke Kaneko (Death Note, Azumi 2, GMK) released the first of the Heisei Gamera trilogy, arguably some of the very best kaiju films of all time. X-Plus follows up the 2012 release of the 30cm series Gamera 1996 vinyl figure with this new, 1995 version.

X-Plus released their first 30cm series Heisei Gamera vinyl figure (from 1996’s Attack of Legion) just last year, so it was a total surprise for me when they announced another less than 12 months later. And a fine job they did!

​Once again X-Plus has produced yet another excellent vinyl figure that looks just like its movie counterpart. And similar to its ’96 predecessor, the 1995 Gamera is a myriad of sculpted textures from reptilian skin, intricate breast plate patterns and turtle shell ridges. The fine detail around the head is amazing from the ridges running over his cranium to the super fine wrinkles radiating around his eyes.

Gamera’s hands are particularly impressive… and expressive. You can almost feel his blind rage and urge to dig his claws into a Gyaos. The inside of his mouth looks crazy real and organic with flaps of pink flesh unfolding as he roars.

The sculpted detail on the back of the tail is utterly amazing with overlapping plates of… tail scales(?). I suspect though, and I’ve checked three times already, that the tail came from the same sculpt as the 1996 version released last year. The tail plates are virtually identical.

I also feel confident saying that X-Plus also double-dipped with the feet which are virtually idential sculpt-wise as the ’96 version. Finally, I’m compelled to “suspect” the shell itself was also borrowed but I can’t really tell if that’s the case. The shells on both the ’95 and ’96 figures have the same number of segments in all the right places though the later is a lot smoother. The new 1995 figure does have a curious “kink” around the edge of the shell near the shoulders that looks like it was forced into a new shape. Either way, who cares? If that’s how it was with the actual suit, then it’s fine with me.

​The post is pretty standard but Gamera manages to pull it off really well. ‘Nuff said. (Click on the photo below for a larger version.)

​There are no joints on this figure which were intended to be used as articulation. The tail is the only joint which isn’t glued and you need to attach that yourself. And when you do you’ll find that the seam between the two parts is an utterly perfect match!

There is a seam which runs across the chest and over the shell but can’t be seen unless you look for it. The elbows and knees have glued joints and are somewhat noticeable depending on how you look at the figure. For the most part they are hidden in the sculpt. Finally, I’m sad to say that there is an obvious seamy line running around the base of Gamera’s neck.

​The X-Plus Gamera 1995 vinyl figure is enveloped in a light black (really?) that is very similar to the color used on the X-Plus 30cm Series Godzilla 2001. (Coincidentally they’re both Shusuke Kaneko’s kaijus.) The breast plate seams to have the same black as a base but with subtle brown highlights. The shell is a dull yet vibrant dark green much brighter than the 95’s dark olive green. The claws are a brighter-than-usual off white with brownish shading. The inside of the mouth is vibrant with fleshy pinks and oranges which gives it a really organic and eww! look.

The Gamera 1995 vinyl figure demands more space on the sides due to his wide stance and large feet. He’s almost 14 inches long from nose to tail but you only need to consider his feet when putting him on the shelf. Unlike the 1996 version, this figure can actually face completely forward on a standard shelf, though it may be precarious having his center of gravity so close to the edge. But you can do it.

This figure scales just fine with other 30cm series figures. Yes, it’s true that he is shorter than the rest, but he’s a turtle! He’s supposed to be shorter, rounder and stockier. He makes up for his lack of height with his bulk.

Gamera 1995 comes in a blind box with the usual awesome box art and a tray inside in which rests the main body and the tail piece.

At first glance, the biggest difference between the two is the pose. Where the X-Plus Gamera 1996 lurches menacingly forward, the 1995 version stands tall.

The next thing to notice is the difference in head size. I never really noticed a change in this from Guardian of the Universe to Attack of Legion, but going by these figures the ’95’s head is noticeably larger and somewhat reminiscent of the Showa design.

The ’96 has webbed fingers and elbow “spikes” where the ’95 does not. The paint scheme is almost the same with the exception of brigher claws and a more vibrant green on the shell than the ’96’s dark olive.

I don’t know… is there room for two Heisei Gameras in the same collection? Hell, yes.

By John Stanowski Originally posted June 11th, 2013​ on Kaiju Addicts.

​東宝30CMシリーズ 「ゴジラ （ゴジラ ファイナルウォーズ 2004版）」

​JAPAN RELEASE: MAY 2013

​NORTH AMERICAN REISSUE: MARCH 2017

​SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES

​MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL

FROM: “GODZILLA FINAL WARS”, 2004
ゴジラ ファイナルウォーズ

​HEIGHT: 11 INCHES / 27.94 CM

WIDTH: ABOUT 8.5 INCHES (NOT INCLUDING TAIL) / 21.59 CM

​LENGTH: ABOUT 12 INCHES / 30.48 CM

​ARTICULATION: KNEES

​REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI

The Godzilla Final Wars suit is not often a favorite among many fans… but this is one hell of a figure!

You don’t need me to tell how good this guy looks. The X-Plus Toho 30cm Godzilla 2004 vinyl figure is a dead ringer for the actual suit. From every single angle the sculpt and pose combine to make a fantastically faithful reproduction.

I never noticed a purple tongue and gums in the movie, but I’m sure it’s accurate. The purple appears really vibrant in this close-up photo, but have no fear: on the shelf it appears much darker and unsaturated. The teeth look great in their off white, almost tan color. There’s a ton of great detail in this guy’s maw including folds on the tongue and ridges on the roof of his mouth.

The eyes have incredible detail. Black pupils fan out over a ring of yellow and then red. Unfortunately the eyes really can’t be appreciated with the naked eye and need a camera to reveal them. But it’s nice to know the detail is there! From a distance the eyes appear mostly dark red.

All of the claws have the added detail of ridges reaching out of the cuticles along with dark tan or brown shading brushed in. Lookin’ good!

​This figure’s right knee rotates and I found I had to do so in order to make his foot fall flat on the shelf. His left knee does NOT rotate so don’t forget which is which or you might break a glue seal.

I’m pleased to report there are no unsightly panty lines on this figure. There are seams at each elbow and knee but they are well hidden. And the tail is a pretty close fit to the body, too!

The pose is dynamic, more so than usual. It reminds me of a scene in which Godzilla had just run past a kaiju foe and then whipped around for another strike. There are so many great angles to this figure that you may find it difficult to decide how to display him.

​The tail on this figure makes a hard turn to its left making for a nice fit on most shelves. So many long tails force us to display figures at angles because of walls and the backs of bookcases, but you might actually get this guy to face forward. The arc of the Godzilla 2004 tail makes it possible to place another figure fairly close to him.

At first glance this figure seems to scale well with it’s 30cm Series buddies. But take a closer look and you’ll see the shoulders come a little short. This may be explained away partially by two things. First, the figure’s wide stance brings him closer to the ground. Second, the Final Wars suit was much slimmer than the suits which came before it, but I still don’t think this would affect the height much. In the end, it seems this figure is on the short side, just like the 30cm series Godzilla 1984 which was released the month before.

The X-Plus 30cm Godzilla 2003 comes packaged in a blind box. It arrives in two pieces: the main body and one tail piece. The tail joint is not completely round but rather elliptical and flat on one end. I had trouble attaching the tail. I wound up having to cool it off and heat only the butt before it would go in without creating folds in the flange of the tail piece. Collector Ryu Hayabusa had absolutely no trouble at all after dipping the tail into boiling water.

By John Stanowski Originally posted June 6th, 2013​ on Kaiju Addicts.

​東宝30㎝シリーズ 「ゴジラ2003」塗装済完成品

​JAPAN RELEASE: MARCH 2010

​JAPAN RE-ISSUE: DECEMBER 2013

​NORTH AMERICAN RE-ISSUE: 2014

​SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES

​MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL

​FROM: “GODZILLA × MOTHRA × MECHAGODZILLA: TOKYO SOS”, 2003
ゴジラ×モスラ×メカゴジラ SOS

HEIGHT: 12 INCHES / 30.48 CM

​WIDTH: 8.5 INCHES / 21.59 CM

​LENGTH: 19 INCHES / 48.26 CM

​ARTICULATION: MID-TAIL

​REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI

Feast your eyes on one of X-Plus’ rare excursions beyond the Showa era.

One of the first things that stand out on the Millennium Godzillas (not including 2001 and 2004) is the unique design of the dorsal spines. And they look fantastic on the X-Plus figure. Not only did they get the overall shapes right, but they’re adorned with great textures and coloring. Amazing job! Click on the photos for a larger view.

The sculpt of the head is dead on from all angles. The figure’s chest sports the infamous scar received from Godzilla’s final battle with Kiryu in Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and his close brush with the power of the Absolute Zero gun. Like Godzilla 2001, this suit has a variety of skin textures ranging from standard Godzilla “tree bark” to more reptilian patterns on the front of the neck and spiky bumps along the shoulders and back, all faithfully sculpted into the figure. There’s so much to discover about this figure.

VISIBLE SEAMS & JOINTS: Sorry to say but visible seams abound on this figure. Most obvious are lines above the elbows. You can also detect seams below the knees though they did a good job of hiding it on the left leg. There is a seam running around the neck somewhat visible from the side but invisible from the front. The tail joint is pretty undetectable as it’s worked into the mold, and it’s a perfect fit. There is another joint at mid-tail also well hidden.

The pose is fantastic! It captures the personality of this beast perfectly. I may be wrong but this pose seems to come from the scene where he first erupted out of the water at the entertainment center/park in the preceding movie Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla. I’m sure he’s been in this position again in the 2003 movie from which he’s marketed as coming from. This pose seals the deal and makes this a great Millenium Godzilla figure.

​The base color is a mostly standard asphalt black but with a very slight bluish tinge. The claws are a tannish, dirty ivory with darker shading near the cuticles (more color detail than we usually get on Godzilla claws!). The teeth are really off white and often appear yellowish in photos. The inside of the mouth, tongue, gums are an unsaturated red very realistically done and very un-toy-like. The eyes are a dark, dirty mustard color. They are perhaps a tad darker than they should be, but seem correct when looking at them from a distance. Dorsal fins are highlighted with sprays of white and tan and they look great! One problem though is that the fins on the tail piece are a brighter white than as on the back. This may be a painting error on the specific figure that I have and you may not encounter this.

From the upcoming X-Plus Godzilla 1999 Review: “The X-Plus Godzilla 2003 is just a hair shorter than the Godzilla 1999. But it seems even smaller when you consider the mass and girth of the neck on the 1999 figure.”

The X-Plus Godzilla 2003 scales well with it’s foe, the X-Plus Kiryu 2003.

Collectors should be used to X-Plus Godzilla figures demanding a lot of room on the shelf to accommodate their long tails. But the Godzilla 2003 vinyl has a tail which is longer than usual and goes straight back, curving only on the Y-Plane. This figure is a whopping 19 inches from nose to tail! Place him carefully into your collection.

The X-Plus 30cm Series Godzilla 2003 is 12 inches tall and fits in perfectly with most other 30cm-series figures.

The X-Plus 30cm Godzilla 2003 comes packaged in a blind box. It arrives in three pieces: the main body and two tail pieces.

And on a final note: it looks great beside the X-Plus Kiryu 2003 released in 2013. See the link below!

By John Stanowski Originally posted June 1st, 2013​ on Kaiju Addicts.