X-Plus 30cm Series Godzilla 2001 (GMK) Vinyl Figure Review

​FIGURE SPECS

東宝30CMシリーズ「ゴジラ（2001版） ゴジラ・モスラ・キングギドラ 大怪獣総攻撃」

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​JAPAN RELEASE: LATE 2011

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​DIAMOND RE-ISSUE: JANUARY 2014

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​SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES

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MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL

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​FROM: “GODZILLA, MOTHRA AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK”, 2001
ゴジラ・モスラ・キングギドラ 大怪獣総攻撃

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HEIGHT: 11.5 INCHES / 29.21 CM

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​WIDTH: ABOUT 9.25 INCHES (FOOT TO FOOT) / ABOUT 23.49 CM

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​LENGTH: ABOUT 19 INCHES / 48.26 CM

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​ARTICULATION: LEGS CAN ROTATE, BUT SHOULDN’T

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​REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI

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The established Millennium Godzilla suit design took a vacation for Director Shūsuke Kaneko’s (Gamera ’90s trilogy) “Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack” also known as “GMK”. For this one-shot continuity, a new design was created with fierce crocodilian features, souless white eyes and a few extra pounds. X-Plus first released their interpretation of this love-him-or-hate-him kaiju in late 2011. This vinyl has a few issues, but in the end is just as badass as the (real) thing.

Note: this figure was re-issued for the North American market with the help of Diamond Distributors/Previews in late 2013/early 2014 and all but sold out. Still, the aftermarket (Ebay, etc.) may make this figure easier to find for a short while.

This review is for the Original Release which has slight difference in paint scheme.

NOTE: I just realized (Feb. 2014) that the fins on my GMK figure (the one in all of these photos) were glued on upside down. So, if you think something looks strange, there is. Fortunately (not for me) this seems to be an isolated case.

​SCULPT

​THE HEAD
I think they got the head dead on. At first I thought it was too fat from the front but after reviewing photos I saw that it’s pretty much dead on. (Because of this I also noticed that the head on the 25cm version is actually too skinny!)

Once again, we have individually sculpted teeth. If you look closely you find the odd smaller tooth poking out out of row — amazing attention to detail. The large GMK fangs look great!

SPINES
While the dorsal spines on this figure certainly capture the unique personality of the ones found on the (real) GMK Godzilla, they also seem to come up a little short. To me they seem smaller, softer and rounder. The 25cm figure seems to win out over the 30cm in spine accuracy. Thing is, it’s so hard to tell. While reviewing the movie I did see shots where both figures looked right at some point.

As I mentioned in my review for the 25cm version, the 2001 Godzilla has a myriad of patterns and textures over its body and, again, they are faithfully represented in the 30cm series sculpt.

Many collectors prefer the sculpt on the 25cm version over the 30. I thought so, too. But after spending so much time studying the 30 for this review, I’m beginning to wonder. While it may be true that the 30 is too fat, I’m beginning to think that the 25 is also too thin. I used an in-camera trick in the photo above to make it appear that both figures are the same size. What do you think? Chime in in the comments below.

​JOINTS & SEAMS

​The seams on the arms are less noticeable on this vinyl than on most X-Plus Godzilla’s I’ve seen. Particularly impressive is the seam running around the base of the neck which is totally cloaked. (I didn’t even realize there was one there until I recently looked at the unfinished production photos.)

What may be of concern to some collectors are the doll-like joints occurring where the legs meet the body. Combined with his wide leg stance, they are even more obvious. This feature was on the actual suit but looked more like creases in the skin. Here, they look like… well, doll joints.

There is a 1.25-inch indented “line” that’s just as fat as it is deep at the top of the spines on the back of the neck. This feature was also on the original suit but it seems stronger on the figure than it should, probably because this is actually an intersection where 3 different pieces of vinyl meet.

POSE

The X-Plus 30cm Series Godzilla 2001 stands powerfully in mid-roar with arms tucked back and head lurched forward focused on his foe or next target. Every bit of GMK positional personality is captured in this figure. However, though the wide leg stance is typcial of GMK, I’m just not that fond of it. Luckily this is minimized when viewed from an angle which is probably the only way this guy is going to fit on most shelves. (Click on the photo above for a larger view.)

ARTICULATION

​The legs can rotate, but they shouldn’t. They know where they belong and you should make sure that’s where they are. You know you have it right when the flat areas below the feet are flush with the ground. If you rotate the legs forward to make him lean more than he already is, the feet will start to slant inward and won’t be flat.

​PAINT JOB

​The skin color used on this vinyl figure is another thing that bugs me. Instead of the usual Godzilla Off-Black we have something a shade or two lighter. I think it’s too light. And it’s even more noticeable when the figure is on the shelf between two other X-Plus Godzilla’s which have the proper color.

There is very slight highlighting on the tops of the feet and sides of the tail. And there are obvious highlights brushed over the chest. One thing I like about the actual suit is that there were lighter colors in the cracks between the tiles of skin in this area. If you are into customizing the paint jobs on your X-Plus figures, this may an area to tackle. It would look awesome.

The claws radiate from a dirty tan to an off white and look great as per usual. The inside of the mouth is a very dark red and doesn’t look anywhere near as toyish as some of the others. The highlights on the spines were sprayed on well and they did a fantastic job of taking these colors all the way down to the end of the tail is super subtle increments. The highlights on the stubby spines which run down the tail on many an X-Plus Godzilla figure could learn a thing or two from this guy.

DIAMOND RE-ISSUE
The re-issue of this figure (licensed only for North America and distributed by Diamond Comics) has some differences in paint scheme. Judging by photos, it seems the Diamond Re-issue, thankfully, is clothed in a darker shade of black much more in sync with other Godzilla releases. The claws have less feathering and more defined “crack” lines. Finally, most collectors have reported a sloppy paint job on the mouth. The red used for the gums, expertly applied on the original release, spill out over the “lips” on the re-issue. I would not let that stop you from getting one of these. The originals seem long gone, and after all, it does have a better looking skin color.

SIZE

​The X-Plus 30cm Godzilla 2001 vinyl figure fits right in with his 30cm Millennium Series buddies and other 30cm figures as well. Though not evident in the photo above, his eyeline is lower than the others but this is due to his forward leaning attack/intimidation pose.

Fans of director Shusuke Kaneko will be glad to know that the X-Plus Godzilla 2001 sizes – and interacts – well with the X-Plus Gamera 1996.

​Above we see how the 30cm GMK compares in size with the 25cm version. For those of you who have never had a 30cm X-Plus vinyl in front of you, the shot with the soda can will give you a good idea of it’s size.

​FOOTPRINT

This figure is about 19 inches (48.26 cm) from the nose to the tip of the tail! And it’s still just under 16 inches (40.64 cm) from toes to tail (you can allow the head to protrude over the edge of the shelf). Since the tail goes straight back and has no space-saving curves, you’re not going to be able to fit this guy facing forward on any standard shelf. It has to be a side or angled view for this figure. (Which is just fine with me as I’m not fond of the frontal appearance of this legs.)

​EXTRAS

​By John Stanowski Originally posted July 26th, 2013 on Kaiju Addicts.