​X-Plus was at the Miyazawa Model Exhibition yesterday where they revealed a few new vinyls set to come our way in March 2017. The samples have not yet been painted, but that just lets us focus more on these amazing new sculpts of Burning Godzilla, Titanosaurus and Kaiser Ghidorah.

Preorders will be taken early in 2017.

Today, X-Plus has moved the show to Tokyo Comic Con where X-Plus vinyl boss, Gee Okamoto, was kind enough to send some photos our way.

​With the recent releases of the Large Monster Series Godzilla 1995 and the Gigantic Series Godzilla 1995 (in all of its three versions) you may find this new 30cm Series version to be unneeded. The hell with that! I say this is probably the ULTIMATE version to have! The Gigantic is stylized and not movie-accurate. The 25 is pretty damn good but has face issues, and thick-paint-on-face issues on top of that. But this one is looking like a freaking masterpiece to me. This is THE ONE.

Just LOOK at that sculpt!

NO LIGHT
As for the Ric Boy Exclusive: there will be no light gimmick. While that may at first seem like a travesty, let’s remember what happened with the Large Monster Series version and its light gimmick. Eyes were often unevenly lit, and the face needed to be smothered in a thick, opaque, detail-killing coat of paint.

I’m actually kind of glad that we don’t have to worry about this amazing sculpt suffering the same fate as its shorter version. But then, what will the Ric extra be? The frozen version of the Gigantic Series G’95 already came with a mini Super X3. I would be floored if maybe they included a Junior Godzilla. We’ll have to wait and see.

Standard: ¥22,680 ($199 USD), Ric: ¥24,840 ($218 USD). Coming in March 2017.

X-Plus will complete it’s Large Monster Series Terror of Mechagodzilla line-up with this new Titanosaurus, ready soon to join your Godzilla 1975 and Mechagodzilla 1975 on the shelf!

Note the translucent fins on the head, back and tail. That’s something the 30 doesn’t have. As for which one looks better, I’ll leave that to you.

Standard: ¥14,580 ($128 USD), Ric: ¥15,012 ($132 USD). Coming in March 2017.

​The true identity of Monster X, Kaiser Ghidorah, (sometimes spelled Keizer Ghidorah) from 2004’s Godzilla: Final Wars.

This figure is in the smaller Daikaiju Series (Large Monster Series) but there’s a lot more to it than most figures in the series, hence it’s 30cm Series pricing.

Standard: ¥19,980 ($175 USD), Ric: ¥21,600 ($190 USD). Coming in March 2017.

Also on display was an unpainted Daikaiju Series Shin Godzilla Standard molded in black and a painted sample of the Ric Boy version. I’m assuming this painted version is a sample from the factory and not X-Plus’ master sample painted in Osaka. Its violet paint apps seem different from earlier photos and seems a bit “airbrushy” to me. They may be going for a faux light look.

The Standard version will have only red accents. I seriously can not wait for these. Getting both!

Preorders for the X-Plus Shin Godzilla have already closed.

Also on display at both shows were the new Toho Large Monster Series Ultraman Jack (Appearance Pose), Toho Large Monster Series Kingstron (from Return of Ultraman), and a painted version of the upcoming 30cm Series Gyaos.

There were also appearances by the 30cm Series Gamera 1967, Large Monster Series Godzilla and Mechagodzilla 1975 to support the new Gyaos and Titanosaurus.

Here is a gallery of extra photos taken at Tokyo Comic Con.

By John Stanowski Originally posted December 2nd, 2016​ on Kaiju Addicts.

​Episode 2 of Kaiju Addicts TV is now available. I take a look at all of the Diamond and Bluefin Reissues that have just released and will be released now thru January 2017.

They are the Gigantic Series Godzilla 1995 SDCC Exclusive (Available Now), 12in Series Godzilla 1992 (Available Now), King Ghidorah (Available next week!), 12in Series Godzilla 1984 (Coming in December), Biollante (Coming in December) and the Gigantic Series GMK Fin Emission Version (Coming in January 2017).

Leslie Chambers introduces this episode and we also get our first Guest Review from Jeremy Soles on his Gigantic Series Godzilla 1962 Ric Boy.

There’s also a contest for a Godzilla 1984 photo signed by suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma.

​By John Stanowski Originally posted November 27th, 2016​ on Kaiju Addicts.

​My first real episode of Kaiju Addicts TV is now available. It’s a news video covering the new X-Plus announcements made this month.

Special thanks to Rich Eso for doing the intro to this episode!

By John Stanowski Originally posted November 8th, 2016​ on Kaiju Addicts.

Good lord! Make it stop! I just can’t take any more awesome today.

Today, X-Plus revealed some new figures at their Wonder Festival table.

​Feast your eyes on the Large Monster Series Shin Godzilla (2016).

The figure will be in the Large Monster Series (Daikaiju Series). However, it will be bigger than you would expect.

X-Plus told me a few weeks ago that it will be oversized compared to other figures in the line. X-Plus vinyl boss, Gee Okamoto, said, “The size is like the Daikaiju Series Godzilla 1995“. That would actually put it in line with the 30cm Sakai figures. One need only compare it to the Large Monster Series Gamera 1996 standing next to it in the photo above to see how impressive this figure will be.

No word on when it will be released.

We first heard about a potential Mechagodzilla II figure last November during our interview with X-Plus. Now, after an 8-month wait, we get our first glimpse at this new entry into the Toho 30cm Series.

It’s really great to see X-Plus taking on more Heisei lately. Destoroyah, Battra and now this; love it!

I have to say, though: is it just me or does his feet seem big? Like, really big? I’m a bit concerned about this. Judge for yourself.

Hope this is just some sort of camera lens trick

The sign says this one is coming out in September.

The Gigantic Series goes Ultra!

X-Plus boss, Gee Okamoto said he wanted to make a Gigantic Ultraman during our interview last November. So glad he actually did it. This thing looks fantastic!

It’s expected to ship in September.

​Huh?

X-Plus released a Large Monster Series Gamera 1996 back in June of 2014. It seems they will be releasing another in September.

Unlike the first release which has a head tilted slightly upwards, this new sculpt has a head tilted slightly downward. I don’t get it. Perhaps X-Plus feels this new sculpt will better pair up with the Large Monster Series Legion which is due out in August.

Either way, those who missed out on Gamera two years ago will get another shot at him.

By John Stanowski Originally posted July 23rd, 2016​ on Kaiju Addicts.

​Yesterday, X-Plus tweeted a photo of the upcoming Large Monster Series Pacific Rim Leatherback under a black light with exciting results. Seen above is the Standard version of the figure glowing as the monster did in the movie.

And the Ric Boy version looks even more brilliant…

Before you get excited, these photos most likely look more brilliant than they would in person. Taking photographs in low light requires longer shutter speeds and it’s difficult to capture what the eye sees. This is good news for the toy photographer as you should be able to reproduce these results.

That’s assuming, of course, that X-Plus shot the same figures we’re all about to get and didn’t use special paint just for these photos.

Leatherback is available to pre-order Now!

If you want the Ric Boy version you better act now. Pre-orders close on May 24. And don’t forget that Japan is in our future, so make your deadline May 23.

The Ric comes with a wider mouth, erect head tendrils, extended gill plates on the back and more greenish paint highlights all around. 

By John Stanowski Originally posted May 21st, 2016 on Kaiju Addicts.

It’s Winter Wonder Festival time again at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba, Japan and take a look at who showed up: the Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modelling Collection Godzilla 1954 by X-Plus. (Cue wild applause.)

In my interview with X-Plus’ Gee Okamoto from last year, he said he wanted to make a Gigantic Series Godzilla 1954, Godzilla 1962 and Godzilla 1989. So this big reveal was only half a surprise. (But, I’m still fully giddy about it.)

This vinyl figure will be reproduced from a piece by renowned sculptor, Yuji Sakai. It will be the 5th figure in the Yuji Sakai Modelling Collection, and the 4th in the Gigantic Series.

Sakai’s book, Godzilla Dream Evolution, states that the original resin version of this figure is 48cm (18.8 inches) tall. The vinyl X-Plus version will be slightly shorter.

If you have the book, the original figure is on page 21.

​This figure is due out in early summer. (Thanks for translating, Dell!)

By John Stanowski Originally posted February 7th, 2016 on Kaiju Addicts.

​X-Plus proved that it’s got the goods at the 2015 Summer Wonder Festival, ワンダーフェスティバル held at the Makuhari Messe convention center in Chiba today (July 26, 2015). And it looks like we’re in store for some fantastic releases in the coming months!

Starting on the left is our first good view of the upcoming Legion displayed with the Large Monster Series Gamera 1996 which you already have (or wish like hell you had now). Further down stands the new Yuji Sakai Godzilla 2000 followed by the Large Monster Series Godzilla 1995 which will hit shelves next month. (Make sure you grab this ’95 now while you can; Destroyah will be arriving later this year!)

LEGION

This Large Monster Series Legion figure (from Gamera 2: Attack of Legion, ガメラ2 レギオン襲来) looks like it’s going to be a shelf-buster like Biollante, King Ghidorah 1968 and the upcoming Destroyah. It towers over the 25cm Series Gamera 1996 as well it should… but by this much? Time to pop the movie in and have a look.

​UPDATE: Here’s a new angle!

​Too tall or not, SIGN ME UP RIGHT NOW!

GODZILLA 2000

Next up is the Toho Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modelling Collection Godzilla 2000. You can get more information on this already discussed figure on my previous post here.

Here, we can get a glimpse of how well this sculpt translated into vinyl. As for those fins: I’m not sure but it seems to be the general consensus on the X-Plus Kaiju Collectors Club Facebook Group, that this represents Godzilla powering up for a blast of atomic breath (which was, indeed, orange in the movie.) We also think that this orange-finned figure will be the Ric Boy version. I say that because…

A more standard, purple-finned version of the X-Plus figure was on display at Yuji Sakai’s table in the same room. Methinks I’ll be gettin’ this one!

KIRYU 2002

​Finally, the 50 units of the awesome vinyl version of the Toho 30cm Series Kiryu 2002 Ric Boy (with blue backpack) sold out at the show. The web lottery for the remaining 50 units should start soon. Keep watching the Ric Boy site for that to begin.

Note: I really don’t know the source of these photos since they’re plastered everywhere now. If I used on of your pics, please let me know and I’ll add a photo credit below it.

So, what do you think? Are you getting Legion? Getting Godzilla 2000? If so, which version? Are you preparing for a face-off with Destroyah later this year and getting the Godzilla 1995 next month? Are you going for the Kiryu 2002?

By John Stanowski Originally posted July 26th, 2015 on Kaiju Addicts.

X-Plus just announced a new entry into the Gigantic Series and it’s about bloody time! Meet the Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modelling Collecting Godzilla 2000!

This is not based off the suit from the movie Godzilla 2000: Millennium (ゴジラ2000 ミレニアム) but rather a design from conceptual artist Shinji Nishikawa, the man responsible for making the initial designs for many Heisei and Millennium kaijus. The sculpt, of course, comes from the great Yuji Sakai.

I first saw this news when collector Brian Jow posted the photo above on the X-Plus Kaiju Collectors Club Facebook Group. (BTW, if you want X-Plus news as quick as possible, JOIN THIS GROUP! We have agents everywhere!) I do not know which publication this is, but I have some friends in Japan trying to find out. If you recognize it, please contact me and let me know by email or in the comments.

If you want a better look at the figure and have the Yuji Sakai Dream Evolution book, the resin version is on Page 19.

Hell, let’s get a better look now:

Yeah, I’m feelin’ this one! But, keep in mind the photo above is of the Resin version. We’re sure to loose some detail in the vinyl version.

Collector Dell Champagne Martinez used his Japanese powers to translate the text from the original photo. It reads:

X-Plus Gigantic Series Yuji Sakai Modeling Collection Gojira 2000 Millennium. It will be released in September and the price is yet to be determined. Limited sales.
It faithfully reproduces Shinji Nishikawa’s 2 dimensional design with the sharp dorsal fins and rows of teeth, in three dimensions. Height is approximately 400 millimeters. Prototype supervision by Yūji Sakai.

400 millimeters is 40cm, or 15.74 inches. Hmm. Gigantic Series Godzilla 1995 is 18.5 inches tall. This new figure will be about 3 inches shorter than GBG, and only about 4 inches taller than the 30cm Series. But, don’t get so disappointed, that’s still a pretty BIG figure! The higher it is, the wider it is, and the overall more bulk it has. Don’t worry, it will certainly command attention.

Also, note how the tail is raised off the ground; a Sakai trademark I’m beginning to dislike. Looks like this figure will need a base to support the tail like the Gigantic Series Godzilla 2001.

As for price… I’m almost afraid to know what it will be. Gigantic Series figures have hefty price tags. Yuji Sakai Modelling Collection figures also have hefty price tags. Put the two together and I fear we’ll have a price so high that most of us will have significant trouble being able to cover. We’ll have to wait and see.

Oh, and did you notice something interesting? The Yuji Sakai Modelling Collection is no longer confined to the 30cm Series. I wonder if we’ll get even more different sizes in the future. Time to pull out your Yuji Sakai Dream Evolution book and flip through for possibilities.

By John Stanowski Originally posted July 24th, 2015​ on Kaiju Addicts.

​WOAH! An early model of the upcoming Toho Large Monster Series Destroyah vinyl figure by X-Plus is now on display at the Amazing Japan Model Expo 2015. Looks freaking impressive even without paint! And, it looks to be pretty big seeing as how it’s eye to eye with the upcoming Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 2014.

(Also on display are the first five entries of X-Plus’ 4-inch Godzilla Kaiju Museum figures.)

By John Stanowski Originally posted May 5th, 2015​ on Kaiju Addicts.

​I’m not sure how I missed this but X-Plus showed off the base design for the new Large Monster Series Mothra 1964 Ric Boy Exclusive with Godzilla 1964 on their blog.

Looks like the egg will indeed be removable from the base. Good news, methinks! You now have options as to how you want it to look on your shelves. And toy photographers, rejoice! I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot of ‘outside’ shots of this set.

​And this photo settles the question “Will G’64 come with the base?” once and for all. Instead of the rocky platform that rose previous releases of the 25cm Godzilla 1964 to a height above other Godzilla figures in the line, you’ll be getting a little tail support instead. I kind of like this. Now Godzilla 1964 will be level with his brothers on the shelf.

I kind of wish X-Plus would make this rocky nub available separately for those of us who already have the G’64 and don’t like the original base. But, don’t fret. If you have an original and want your 64’s feet on the ground, I have an idea for that you use right now on my review.

By John Stanowski Originally posted March 22nd, 2015​ on Kaiju Addicts.