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FIGURE SPECS
東宝30CMシリーズ 「バラン（1958版） 大怪獣バラン」
JAPAN ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2012
JAPAN REISSUE: (MONOCHROME) 2013
DIAMOND REISSUE: APRIL 2014
SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES
MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL
FROM: “VARAN THE UNBELIEVABLE”, 1958
大怪獣バラン
大怪獣バラン
HEIGHT: 12 INCHES / 30.4 CM
WIDTH: 7 INCHES / 17.7 CM
LENGTH: 14 INCHES / 35.5 CM
FIGURE WEIGHT: 12.7 OZ / 360 G
ARTICULATION: NONE
REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI
X-Plus first released the Toho 30cm Series Varan vinyl figure (based on Varan The Unbelieveable, 1958) in 2012. This was followed by a limited release of a monochrome version in 2013. While not impossible to get, both were mostly rare and getting pricey in the aftermarket.
April 2014 saw the release of the Diamond Reissue, made by X-Plus especially for the North American market. Varan has once again become available to collectors who missed out the first two times around. This review is for the Diamond Reissue.
I have to say that I wasn’t expecting to get overly excited for this figure. Varan isn’t very high up on my favorite kaiju list. It was the completist in me that pushed the Add to Cart button.
However, when I finally had the figure in front of me I was kind of blown away! Especially with the sculpt of the head. I always saw Varan as having an unimaginative, short, snouty head, but this figure really made me appreciate the design. So, now, yeah, I LOVE THIS THING!
April 2014 saw the release of the Diamond Reissue, made by X-Plus especially for the North American market. Varan has once again become available to collectors who missed out the first two times around. This review is for the Diamond Reissue.
I have to say that I wasn’t expecting to get overly excited for this figure. Varan isn’t very high up on my favorite kaiju list. It was the completist in me that pushed the Add to Cart button.
However, when I finally had the figure in front of me I was kind of blown away! Especially with the sculpt of the head. I always saw Varan as having an unimaginative, short, snouty head, but this figure really made me appreciate the design. So, now, yeah, I LOVE THIS THING!
THE BOX / ASSEMBLY
The Diamond Reissue Box is identical to the one used for the original Japanese release with the exception of English being used on the rear warning label and the “PX Previews Exclusive” logo on the front, lower left. (Previews is the publication Diamond Distributors puts out to alert comic shops of their products.) So, let the Previews logo be your guide when considering purchasing. The Diamond release has a slightly more vivid paint scheme compared to the original release. It also has softer vinyl used on the back and tail. Other than that, they’re identical.
THE TAIL
I have to admit I had a lot of trouble getting the tail attached on my Varan figure for a couple of reasons. One, the tail is made of much softer material than usual and collapses easily with the force required to push it into the body. Second, the body hole is very firm and difficult to soften with heat. The reason for this is that there is a double layer of vinyl there. The entire back piece from nape of the neck to tail, and straight down behind the shoulders is one, separate piece made of softer material. To reinforce the body hole, X-Plus molded the front piece to include an “arc” at the bottom for the hole. This double layer didn’t seem to want to let me soften it up with heat.
The solution is just to heat and soften it up as much as you can while making the tail as firm as it can get by putting it in the refrigerator for a SHORT while. (Do NOT put it in the freezer! You may wind up cracking the flange right off the tail.) That way the “suction cup” flange around the end of the tail won’t collapse onto itself when inserting it into the body.
NOTE
You may want to take this opportunity to insert something into the tail to weigh it down before attaching. I’ve heard many a tale of toppling Varans in the Summer heat. More on this later.
Okay, let’s move on. Behold! Varan The Unbelieveable! …X-Plus-Style.
THE TAIL
I have to admit I had a lot of trouble getting the tail attached on my Varan figure for a couple of reasons. One, the tail is made of much softer material than usual and collapses easily with the force required to push it into the body. Second, the body hole is very firm and difficult to soften with heat. The reason for this is that there is a double layer of vinyl there. The entire back piece from nape of the neck to tail, and straight down behind the shoulders is one, separate piece made of softer material. To reinforce the body hole, X-Plus molded the front piece to include an “arc” at the bottom for the hole. This double layer didn’t seem to want to let me soften it up with heat.
The solution is just to heat and soften it up as much as you can while making the tail as firm as it can get by putting it in the refrigerator for a SHORT while. (Do NOT put it in the freezer! You may wind up cracking the flange right off the tail.) That way the “suction cup” flange around the end of the tail won’t collapse onto itself when inserting it into the body.
NOTE
You may want to take this opportunity to insert something into the tail to weigh it down before attaching. I’ve heard many a tale of toppling Varans in the Summer heat. More on this later.
Okay, let’s move on. Behold! Varan The Unbelieveable! …X-Plus-Style.
SCULPT
LIKENESS
To my untrained eye for Varan, this figure is a knock-out representation of the ’50’s monster from the film. I mean, like… wow! I watched the movie last night with the X-Plus Varan on my lap to compare its sculpt to the big guy on screen. And I’d say it’s a very impressive likeness.
THE SPINES
When I watched Varan first crawl out of the lake on all fours, I noticed that the spines on my figure didn’t match up at all to what was on screen. The movie showed the spines being thicker and almost straight, a far cry from the thin, curved protrusions on the X-Plus vinyl. I wondered how X-Plus could get something so wrong. CUT TO: Varan walking upright. Suddenly the spines on screen matched the vinyl EXACTLY, with almost scary precision.
I realized that the appearance of the spines change depending on the angle in which they’re viewed. It turns out they appear wider from above and thinner from the side. Toho monster suit maker, Keizo Murase, made the spines for the suit by cutting pieces of a vinyl hose into short lengths, and then carefully slicing them length-wise so that they would come to a point from above and the side. This seems like a cheap way to add detail to a prop used in a movie, but he was required to make spines that wouldn’t break or impale the suit actor or any crew members. Still, I think it worked great. You’d never know you were looking at hoses in the movie.
So, not only did X-Plus get the sculpt of the spines dead right, they went even further! If you run your finger along the bottoms of the spines on this figure, you’ll notice that their undersides are concave, just like a sliced hose! X-Plus, why did I ever doubt you?
To my untrained eye for Varan, this figure is a knock-out representation of the ’50’s monster from the film. I mean, like… wow! I watched the movie last night with the X-Plus Varan on my lap to compare its sculpt to the big guy on screen. And I’d say it’s a very impressive likeness.
THE SPINES
When I watched Varan first crawl out of the lake on all fours, I noticed that the spines on my figure didn’t match up at all to what was on screen. The movie showed the spines being thicker and almost straight, a far cry from the thin, curved protrusions on the X-Plus vinyl. I wondered how X-Plus could get something so wrong. CUT TO: Varan walking upright. Suddenly the spines on screen matched the vinyl EXACTLY, with almost scary precision.
I realized that the appearance of the spines change depending on the angle in which they’re viewed. It turns out they appear wider from above and thinner from the side. Toho monster suit maker, Keizo Murase, made the spines for the suit by cutting pieces of a vinyl hose into short lengths, and then carefully slicing them length-wise so that they would come to a point from above and the side. This seems like a cheap way to add detail to a prop used in a movie, but he was required to make spines that wouldn’t break or impale the suit actor or any crew members. Still, I think it worked great. You’d never know you were looking at hoses in the movie.
So, not only did X-Plus get the sculpt of the spines dead right, they went even further! If you run your finger along the bottoms of the spines on this figure, you’ll notice that their undersides are concave, just like a sliced hose! X-Plus, why did I ever doubt you?
MORE ABOUT THE SPINES
The spines on the head, back and tail are clear. If it weren’t for the refraction from the curved surfaces, you’d be able to see right through them. Light passes through them with ease giving this figure extra points for visual-interest. Plus, this just makes the figure look even more like the suit.
The clear vinyl used is very soft and if you run your finger down the back with some pressure, the spikes will bend out of your way. A nice touch. However, the downside is the squooshy back and soft tail I mentioned earlier.
The spines on the head, back and tail are clear. If it weren’t for the refraction from the curved surfaces, you’d be able to see right through them. Light passes through them with ease giving this figure extra points for visual-interest. Plus, this just makes the figure look even more like the suit.
The clear vinyl used is very soft and if you run your finger down the back with some pressure, the spikes will bend out of your way. A nice touch. However, the downside is the squooshy back and soft tail I mentioned earlier.
The unique texture Keizo Murase created for Varan’s back (inspired by peanut shells) is faithfully reproduced on the figure and looks unmistakably Varan-ish.
Another impressive detail is the sculpt of Varan’s wings, or “membranes” as GodzillaFanFreaks called them. There’s just a ton of detail and texture all over this thing.
Another impressive detail is the sculpt of Varan’s wings, or “membranes” as GodzillaFanFreaks called them. There’s just a ton of detail and texture all over this thing.
HEAD
The head sculpt on the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Varan is freaking amazing! It won me over very quickly and even made me do a 180 on my appreciation for the original design. I think it’s the spikes flaring out from his cheeks that gives him a kind of dragon feel that I never really noticed before.
The head sculpt on the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Varan is freaking amazing! It won me over very quickly and even made me do a 180 on my appreciation for the original design. I think it’s the spikes flaring out from his cheeks that gives him a kind of dragon feel that I never really noticed before.
If all the X-Plus figures got together and had a staring contest, Varan would win…
And the eyes. Those eyes! Those pissed-off-why-are-you-dumping-chemicals-in-my-lake eyes! Wow! If all the X-Plus figures got together and had a staring contest, Varan would win. Well, it may be a draw between him and the 30cm Godzilla 1964. But, that’s not bad!
X-Plus’ devotion to suit accuracy over stylization becomes even more apparent with the inclusion of the peep holes molded into the neck which Haruo Nakajima used to see from inside the suit.
The fingers are only partially individually sculpted, but this may just be how the suit was just like with the Godzilla 1962.
This figure has individually sculpted teeth and if you peer into the mouth you’ll find that even the tongue looks like a separate piece. This is the kind of attention to detail X-Plus puts into their figures raising them above other vinyls. This is one toy that’s not a toy!
X-Plus’ devotion to suit accuracy over stylization becomes even more apparent with the inclusion of the peep holes molded into the neck which Haruo Nakajima used to see from inside the suit.
The fingers are only partially individually sculpted, but this may just be how the suit was just like with the Godzilla 1962.
This figure has individually sculpted teeth and if you peer into the mouth you’ll find that even the tongue looks like a separate piece. This is the kind of attention to detail X-Plus puts into their figures raising them above other vinyls. This is one toy that’s not a toy!
JOINTS & SEAMS
The seam at the tail joint is somewhat apparent and seems to me to be needlessly so. The sculpt is tucked in at the joint, like string tied tightly around a finger. And it doesn’t look like there was any attempt to make the back texture cross this line. Perhaps X-Plus was merely following the look of the suit, but I couldn’t get a good look at this area in the movie.
JIGGLE JOINTS noun \ˈji-gəl\ˈjȯints\
There are unglued joints below each knee. Both are free to move and rotate, but both ends are sculpted to fit precisely in a fixed position. So, basically, all you can do is jiggle them; the idea of changing their orientation should be off the table.
Apart from the seams on the tail and knees, there is very little else to interrupt your visual love affair with this figure.
The remaining seams are either filled in very well, or just not really noticeable. There are lines above both elbows but they really don’t stand out unless you look for them. The seams at the ankles are very well hidden. There is a seam along the bottom front of the neck which is worked into the sculpt pretty good. The face (upper jaw, eyes, nose and forehead) is a separate piece as is the bottom jaw. Both well hidden! Finally, the back has seams running down the length of the body, just behind the shoulders and are very well hidden by being worked into the sculpt. I didn’t even realize they were there until I noticed them when I had the figure in front of a very bright light while shooting photos.
I become very disappointed when I get an X-Plus figure cluttered with obvious seams and lines. But, the X-Plus 30cm Series Varan does not offend at all. They did a great job on it.
JIGGLE JOINTS noun \ˈji-gəl\ˈjȯints\
There are unglued joints below each knee. Both are free to move and rotate, but both ends are sculpted to fit precisely in a fixed position. So, basically, all you can do is jiggle them; the idea of changing their orientation should be off the table.
Apart from the seams on the tail and knees, there is very little else to interrupt your visual love affair with this figure.
The remaining seams are either filled in very well, or just not really noticeable. There are lines above both elbows but they really don’t stand out unless you look for them. The seams at the ankles are very well hidden. There is a seam along the bottom front of the neck which is worked into the sculpt pretty good. The face (upper jaw, eyes, nose and forehead) is a separate piece as is the bottom jaw. Both well hidden! Finally, the back has seams running down the length of the body, just behind the shoulders and are very well hidden by being worked into the sculpt. I didn’t even realize they were there until I noticed them when I had the figure in front of a very bright light while shooting photos.
I become very disappointed when I get an X-Plus figure cluttered with obvious seams and lines. But, the X-Plus 30cm Series Varan does not offend at all. They did a great job on it.
POSE
The pose is typical of Varan as he marched through the woods against the Defense Force and again as he bulldozed his way through the airport. My only gripe is that his right leg is so far back that this figure is prone to toppling.
PAINT JOB
The X-Plus 30cm Series Varan vinyl figure may look “just brown” at first, but there really is lots to see. This figure does have a base coat of a very dark brown; almost a light, dusty black. Reddish brown patches cover the chest, arms and legs; the dark brown creeps in to fill the creases in these areas. The peanut shell texture on the back and tail have light brown/tan highlights. This color is also used on the claws which are feathered in on the feet, yet abrupt on the hands. A similar color coats the strips of folded wing membrane on the sides which are also expertly shadowed with dark brown. A more vivid yellowish brown covers the spikes flaring out from Varan’s cheeks. The whites of Varan’s eyes are clouded in a brown tinge making this toy look all the more un-toylike. Finally, the brown creeps up the bases of the clear spines for an awesome looking feathered transition.
This color scheme no doubt came from Varan’s brief appearance in Destroy All Monsters since the original suit was simply a brown/dark tan. I don’t mind the change since the only image we have of a color Varan comes from his second appearance. I do wish, though, that the reds were a little more unsaturated since they seem to stand out a bit much. Overall, though, this is one of the more impressive X-Plus paint jobs I’ve seen.
This color scheme no doubt came from Varan’s brief appearance in Destroy All Monsters since the original suit was simply a brown/dark tan. I don’t mind the change since the only image we have of a color Varan comes from his second appearance. I do wish, though, that the reds were a little more unsaturated since they seem to stand out a bit much. Overall, though, this is one of the more impressive X-Plus paint jobs I’ve seen.
SIZE COMPARISONS
1950’s
Here’s a size comparison with two of Varan’s buddies from the 50’s: the Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1954 (which is a little taller than most figures in this line) and on the right, Anguirus 1955.
Here’s a size comparison with two of Varan’s buddies from the 50’s: the Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1954 (which is a little taller than most figures in this line) and on the right, Anguirus 1955.
The 30cm Series Baragon 1968 (a tad shorter than most figures) and Mechagodzilla 1974 (a bit taller than most). Still a good-looking scale match.
The 30cm Series Varan with its Large Monster Series (25cm Series) counterpart.
For those of you who don’t have their first X-Plus vinyl yet, here’s the Varan figure with a DVD for a real-world size comparison.
FOOTPRINT / SHELF CONSIDERATIONS
The 30cm Series Varan is about 14 inches (35.5 cm) long from nose to tail, and about 12 inches (30.4 cm) long from toes to tail. The tail curves slightly to the figure’s left and this makes it a little more accommodating for space if your shelves are up against a wall. This Varan looks good facing front or angled to either side; although the tail might get in the way if you place him facing the the right.
POTENTIAL TOPPLING
As mentioned earlier, The X-Plus 30cm Series Varan is apt to having tumbling issues. The figure’s right leg is so far behind the other that it’s very easy to tip it over if you bump his head just the right way. I don’t have any of the specifics behind these tales of toppling Varans, but I suspect that, in the summer months when vinyl gets softer than usual, that the right foot must start to bend under his weight which is only 3/4 of a pound. This is why I suggested putting marbles or something into the tail before attaching. This would weigh it down and help to hold him upright. Problem is having marbles in one of your figures can be annoying and we collectors shouldn’t have to do that.
Some alternatives would be to prop Varan up with support from another figure on his right side. Or, even better, use another figure’s tail (or some other weight) to lay over Varan’s tail (though the spikes may get in the way). I don’t know how likely it is that your Varan will begin to tilt down, but better safe than sorry. If you choose not to reinforce Varan, just keep an eye on his right leg and especially his right foot in the summer months and look for signs of bending. Hopefully none of this will be necessary. Some collectors have told me that their Varan is fine and always was.
POTENTIAL TOPPLING
As mentioned earlier, The X-Plus 30cm Series Varan is apt to having tumbling issues. The figure’s right leg is so far behind the other that it’s very easy to tip it over if you bump his head just the right way. I don’t have any of the specifics behind these tales of toppling Varans, but I suspect that, in the summer months when vinyl gets softer than usual, that the right foot must start to bend under his weight which is only 3/4 of a pound. This is why I suggested putting marbles or something into the tail before attaching. This would weigh it down and help to hold him upright. Problem is having marbles in one of your figures can be annoying and we collectors shouldn’t have to do that.
Some alternatives would be to prop Varan up with support from another figure on his right side. Or, even better, use another figure’s tail (or some other weight) to lay over Varan’s tail (though the spikes may get in the way). I don’t know how likely it is that your Varan will begin to tilt down, but better safe than sorry. If you choose not to reinforce Varan, just keep an eye on his right leg and especially his right foot in the summer months and look for signs of bending. Hopefully none of this will be necessary. Some collectors have told me that their Varan is fine and always was.
SUMMARY
For a figure I wasn’t expecting much from, this thing totally surprised me and is pretty damn nice. It has an accurate sculpt that’s so good it made me appreciate the actual suit more than I ever did. It has an extra nice paint job and (mostly) well-hidden seams. I’m not up on all the Varan figures ever made, but the X-Plus has surely got to be near the top of the Essential Varans to own list!
This figure made me a believer!
This figure made me a believer!
MORE INFORMATION
By John Stanowski Originally posted April 30th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
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Tokyo Toy Fiend takes us to Super Festival 65 in Japan for a look at what was on the tables. Plus, Brandon got to chat with the guys at X-Plus and came home with some VERY INTERESTING news. Watch the whole video to find it!
Brandon got a nice shot of the upcoming X-Plus Large Monster Series Gamera 1996.
And he got to meet Gee Okamoto, the guy in charge of the X-Plus line. ^ That guy up there is our hero!
See more videos at the Tokyo Toy Fiend YouTube Channel.
See more videos at the Tokyo Toy Fiend YouTube Channel.
By John Stanowski Originally posted April 28th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
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Collectors are finally getting their hands on their new X-Plus 30cm Varan vinyl figures from Diamond. Tail attachment on this figure is potentially difficult. The tail itself is softer than usual and is prone to crumbling when inserting into the body. Add to that a double layer of vinyl around the body hole which seems to resist softening up with the hairdryer.
Rich Eso, however, makes it look easy!
Watch his video and safe yourself some potential trouble.
See more of Rich’s reviews on his Fresh Vinyl YouTube Channel.
And be sure to visit Rich’s Fresh Vinyl Facebook Page!
By John Stanowski Originally posted April 20th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
Below is additional video from Rich posted on Kaiju Addicts December 3rd 2013, on tail attachments.
Rich Eso, however, makes it look easy!
Watch his video and safe yourself some potential trouble.
See more of Rich’s reviews on his Fresh Vinyl YouTube Channel.
And be sure to visit Rich’s Fresh Vinyl Facebook Page!
By John Stanowski Originally posted April 20th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
Below is additional video from Rich posted on Kaiju Addicts December 3rd 2013, on tail attachments.
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If you are an adult collector and have a little terror running around the house who insists on pulling your X-Plus figures off their shelves, or deviously plots to kidnap one of them and retreat into his room where he will delight in playing with it ala Chocolate-faced Kid from Final Wars style, there’s hope for you.
The Diamond Select Godzilla 1989 Vinyl Bank, while no where near as good-looking as X-Plus, isn’t all that bad. And at $34.99 MSRP, it’s perfect for giving to your growing kaiju fan.
But be aware the tag rates this item as good for kids 8 years of age and up. It also mentions a choking hazard. I don’t see how this figure could possibly choke anyone, but better safe than sorry.
This bank is also a good way to take Godzilla to work with you since you know those fools who work there with you are going to pick up, roar and then laugh. Better they do it with this than one of your precious X-Plus Gojis.
The Diamond Select Godzilla 1989 Vinyl Bank, while no where near as good-looking as X-Plus, isn’t all that bad. And at $34.99 MSRP, it’s perfect for giving to your growing kaiju fan.
But be aware the tag rates this item as good for kids 8 years of age and up. It also mentions a choking hazard. I don’t see how this figure could possibly choke anyone, but better safe than sorry.
This bank is also a good way to take Godzilla to work with you since you know those fools who work there with you are going to pick up, roar and then laugh. Better they do it with this than one of your precious X-Plus Gojis.
By John Stanowski Originally posted April 20th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
- Published on
Godzilla suit actor Haruo Nakajima (中島 春雄) posed with this X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Gaira for collector Dell Champagne Martinez this weekend at the Monsterpalooza convention in Burbank, California.
Nakajima-san is mostly known for wearing the Godzilla suit from 1954 to 1975, but he also dabbled with other kaiju. He wore the Gaira suit in The War of the Gargantuas (フランケンシュタインの怪獣 サンダ対ガイラ) in 1966.
I wonder if Dell had trouble getting his X-Plus figure back. Nakajima-san doesn’t appear to want to let it go!
See my Kaiju Addicts X-Plus War of the Gargantuas Vinyl Figure Review.
Nakajima-san is mostly known for wearing the Godzilla suit from 1954 to 1975, but he also dabbled with other kaiju. He wore the Gaira suit in The War of the Gargantuas (フランケンシュタインの怪獣 サンダ対ガイラ) in 1966.
I wonder if Dell had trouble getting his X-Plus figure back. Nakajima-san doesn’t appear to want to let it go!
See my Kaiju Addicts X-Plus War of the Gargantuas Vinyl Figure Review.
By John Stanowski Originally posted March 30th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
- Published on
FIGURE SPECS
東宝30CMシリーズ 「バラゴン（1968） 発光版VER.」 ＷＦ2014 冬 開催記念商品
JAPAN ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2010
WF RE-ISSUE: 2014
DIAMOND RE-ISSUE: APRIL/MAY 2016
SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES
MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL
FROM: “DESTROY ALL MONSTERS”, 1968
怪獣総進撃
怪獣総進撃
HEIGHT: 10.5 INCHES / 26.6 CM
WIDTH: 7.75 INCHES / 19.6 CM
LENGTH: 14 INCHES / 35.5 CM
FIGURE WEIGHT: 15.4 OZ / 436 G
ARTICULATION: NONE
REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI
The 1968 Destroy All Monsters version of Baragon was first put out in the Toho 30cm Series by X-Plus back in 2010 making it a rarity today. But eighty lucky collectors got their hands on a 2014 Re-issue made specially for the Wonder Festival toy show in Japan in February 2014. Forty figures were sold at the show, and forty more were sold online.
This figure was re-issued in 2016 for the North American market through Diamond Distributors. The “Godzilla Kaiju Baragon 1965/1968 Version” was released, to everyone’s surprise, with a bonus alternate head so you could go for the Frankenstein Conquers the World look or the Destroy All Monsters look.
This review is for the 2014 Winter Wonder Festival Commemorative Edition. This figure should be mostly identical to the original release (sans the light gimmick).
This figure was re-issued in 2016 for the North American market through Diamond Distributors. The “Godzilla Kaiju Baragon 1965/1968 Version” was released, to everyone’s surprise, with a bonus alternate head so you could go for the Frankenstein Conquers the World look or the Destroy All Monsters look.
This review is for the 2014 Winter Wonder Festival Commemorative Edition. This figure should be mostly identical to the original release (sans the light gimmick).
THE BOX
The 2014 Wonder Festival version of this figure comes in a plain 30cm box. If you’re hunting down the original version online, the box will have art on the front. The figure comes in two pieces (body and tail) twist-tied in an open plastic shell.
Heat the hole on the body with a hairdryer until it’s soft, and then push the unheated tail in. The tail joint is a sort of triangular / elliptical shape and requires a little more effort attaching.
Heat the hole on the body with a hairdryer until it’s soft, and then push the unheated tail in. The tail joint is a sort of triangular / elliptical shape and requires a little more effort attaching.
SCULPT
If you’ve been looking at the same production photos available on the web over and over when trying to decide whether or not to get this guy, know this: it looks a whole lot better in person!
HEAD
The head on this figure seems a little wider than it did in the movie. I suspect that would be because he’s standing and has nothing behind him, whereas in the movie he was crawling and had his bulk behind him.
The real giveaway that you’re looking at the 1968 version is that the horn is pointing up instead of forward as with the 1965 suit. As for details, they’re all there. Note that the corners of his mouth, as seen from the side view, really stretch far back into the head. I’m assuming this is because this suit was so beat up from being repurposed as Ultraman kaiju over and over again.
The jaw is crooked on my figure and leans towards the left. I don’t know if they are all like this or not but it’s not overly noticeable.
The head on this figure seems a little wider than it did in the movie. I suspect that would be because he’s standing and has nothing behind him, whereas in the movie he was crawling and had his bulk behind him.
The real giveaway that you’re looking at the 1968 version is that the horn is pointing up instead of forward as with the 1965 suit. As for details, they’re all there. Note that the corners of his mouth, as seen from the side view, really stretch far back into the head. I’m assuming this is because this suit was so beat up from being repurposed as Ultraman kaiju over and over again.
The jaw is crooked on my figure and leans towards the left. I don’t know if they are all like this or not but it’s not overly noticeable.
As usual, X-Plus figures have individually sculpted teeth.
The bumpy texture on the top of the head looks amazing! But, I think, the details on the nose and snout are a little soft and look flat under normal lighting. I’m not complaining, though. If you’re a fan of Baragon, this is a must have!
The mushroom-combed texture on the back ridges is very detailed.
The chunky, bunchy nature of the smooth-skinned Baragon suit shines on this figure. The reptilian-pattern on the chest looks fantastic.
JOINTS & SEAMS
The Toho 30cm Series Baragon has more visible joints than on most other X-Plus figures. The arm and leg joints are visible and aren’t glued or sealed. The sculpt, though, attempts to hide these seams with bulges and ripples in the suit. Unfortunately, nothing can hide the line running around the bottom of Baragon’s neck. It’s times like this that I need to remind myself that these are almost, but not quite, the super perfect statues I’ve always wanted to collect. They are still vinyl figures, and vinyl figures have a long history of doll-like joints. X-Plus just does a better job of hiding them… most of the time.
The ridges running down Baragon’s back and tail do a good job of concealing the tail joint.
The ridges running down Baragon’s back and tail do a good job of concealing the tail joint.
POSE
The pose is simple and I like that. Though I don’t know where the inspiration for this pose came from. The only scene with Baragon in Destroy All Monsters that I can recall, which was really more of a super quick cameo, had him on his hands and knees in crawling position. But I’m actually glad this figure is bipedal since it’s from the 30cm Series. They’re so big, they look better standing up on two legs.
And this standing pose demands less room on the shelf. His head is turned ever so slightly to his left so displaying him from a forward three-quarter angle on his left side would look best on the shelf. It also helps that his left arm is lower than the right so this angle of him looks especially nice. But this guy looks good from any angle!
And this standing pose demands less room on the shelf. His head is turned ever so slightly to his left so displaying him from a forward three-quarter angle on his left side would look best on the shelf. It also helps that his left arm is lower than the right so this angle of him looks especially nice. But this guy looks good from any angle!
PAINT JOB
The Wonder Festival Baragon Commemorative Edition has a base coat of a dull brown, with plenty of reddish brown highlights which are awesome. They are very subtle and give the base color an overall realistic quality. It does lack, though, the extra layer of brighter highlights which the Large Monster Series Standing Baragon had.
The ridges which run down the back and tail are painted a lighter brown (almost tan) and is much more refined and subtle than on the Large Monster Series version. This looks top notch! That same lighter brown feathers over the claws and ears.
The teeth are a realistic-looking dirty white and look very un-toylike (which is a GOOD thing!) The inside of the mouth also has a more grown up unsaturated shade of red. The eyes are a brighter white and a bit stark, but that’s a good match for the real suit. They also have a glossy sheen to them.
The paint job is just great in my opinion.
The ridges which run down the back and tail are painted a lighter brown (almost tan) and is much more refined and subtle than on the Large Monster Series version. This looks top notch! That same lighter brown feathers over the claws and ears.
The teeth are a realistic-looking dirty white and look very un-toylike (which is a GOOD thing!) The inside of the mouth also has a more grown up unsaturated shade of red. The eyes are a brighter white and a bit stark, but that’s a good match for the real suit. They also have a glossy sheen to them.
The paint job is just great in my opinion.
SIZE COMPARISONS
The X-Plus 30cm Series Baragon is, as one would expect, taller than the Large Monster Series (25cm) Standing Baragon released in 2013, even though the smaller figure is really big for the line it belongs too. Pictured in front is the Large Monster Series (Crawling) Baragon.
It fits in well with his Destroy All Monsters buddies, X-Plus 30cm Series Anguirus 1968 and Godzilla 1968.
Baragon sizes up well with the rest of his Toho 30cm Series buddies. Shown here: Hedorah and Mechagodzilla 1974.
FOOTPRINT
Baragon’s tail is short and curled up in the back which gives him a length of only 14 inches, three of which you can subtract if you only care about the distance from the toes to the tail. This figure is very accommodating when it comes to finding room on the shelf.
2014 Wonder Festival Special Feature
The Ric Boy version of the 2010 release came with an extra alternative head sculpted to look like the 1965 version. That extra head does NOT come with the Wonder Festival Commemorative Edition. Instead you get yet another light gimmick. The horn lights up brightly. The eyes light up as well, but not as bright.
And then there are….
And then there are….
LIGHT LEAKS
I’m sad to report that my Baragon figure is plagued with light leaks. Speckles show up all over his face and even more drastic are lines around the eyes. The figure you get may not be this bad, or have leaks at all. Then again, they might be worse.
I’m seeing light leaks from X-Plus figures all the time now. My 30cm Series Space Godzilla has them, and the entire right side of the face on my new Ultraseven Standing figure gets flooded with unwanted light when it’s turned on. I’m not sure how to fix this. Adding black paint on the inside may help, but in Baragon’s case, his face is deep inside the head piece and requires a 90-degree turn to get to it. Plus the wires are in the way. I guess there’s nothing to do about this problem except to keep the lights off.
I’m sad to report that my Baragon figure is plagued with light leaks. Speckles show up all over his face and even more drastic are lines around the eyes. The figure you get may not be this bad, or have leaks at all. Then again, they might be worse.
I’m seeing light leaks from X-Plus figures all the time now. My 30cm Series Space Godzilla has them, and the entire right side of the face on my new Ultraseven Standing figure gets flooded with unwanted light when it’s turned on. I’m not sure how to fix this. Adding black paint on the inside may help, but in Baragon’s case, his face is deep inside the head piece and requires a 90-degree turn to get to it. Plus the wires are in the way. I guess there’s nothing to do about this problem except to keep the lights off.
Careful!
WATCH OUT FOR TOE SCRAPES
The paint on the claws and toes of most X-Plus vinyls can scrape very easily when handled. Toe scrapes usually happen when removing a figure from the shelf, moving it and, of course, drops. My Wonder Festival Baragon took a tumble while shooting photos for this review. Above you can see in the photo above: one toe was scraped and another lost a noticeable chunk of paint. My fault, yes, but it’s very easy to do, especially with Baragon’s long, thin toes.
The very nature of these vinyls tend to make one think that they’re safe, can take tumbles and don’t need the same care that, say, a resin model or statue require. But it’s that thinking that makes one overly carefree when handling these figures. Be careful!
The paint on the claws and toes of most X-Plus vinyls can scrape very easily when handled. Toe scrapes usually happen when removing a figure from the shelf, moving it and, of course, drops. My Wonder Festival Baragon took a tumble while shooting photos for this review. Above you can see in the photo above: one toe was scraped and another lost a noticeable chunk of paint. My fault, yes, but it’s very easy to do, especially with Baragon’s long, thin toes.
The very nature of these vinyls tend to make one think that they’re safe, can take tumbles and don’t need the same care that, say, a resin model or statue require. But it’s that thinking that makes one overly carefree when handling these figures. Be careful!
SUMMARY
Despite having more visible joint seams than usual, this figure is multi-textured, highly detailed and deliciously retro-60’s-kaiju-looking! And the careful and detailed paint job makes it even better! Either release of the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Baragon is sure to add some awesome sauce to your shelves!
By John Stanowski Originally posted February 25th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
- Published on
KaijuCast Controller, Kyle Yount, and X-Plus Collectors Loren Portillo, Jonathan Peter Lee and Dell Champagne Marinez pose with legendary suit actors Haruo Nakajimi (Godzilla) and Bin Furuya (Ultraman) at the Kirk Von Hammett’s Fear FestEvil this past weekend in San Francisco. They show off their love of X-Plus vinyl figures with the X-Plus Pose while the esteemed guests enacted Ultraman’s Spacium Pose.
By John Stanowski Originally posted February 11th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
- Published on
X-Plus just tweeted a photo of their table at Wonder Festival (Winter) 2014 in Japan. They’re showing off a lot of their more recent Ultraman releases plus four Destroy All Monsters kaiju from their Toho 30cm Series. In the middle is the Wonder Festival Special Limited Edition Baragon 1968 which they are selling at the show. They also intend to sell some online after the show.
When? I’m not sure. But I have my finger on the trigger at the X-Plus Web Store. As soon as Baragon appears on their site, I will buy one and post a review.
Also on display are the 1968 Anguirus, Godzilla and Gorosaurus. Most likely there are displayed only to frame the Baragon Re-issue. (However, Godzilla and Gorosaurus will likely be re-issued at some point for North American release via Diamond Comics Distributors.
When? I’m not sure. But I have my finger on the trigger at the X-Plus Web Store. As soon as Baragon appears on their site, I will buy one and post a review.
Also on display are the 1968 Anguirus, Godzilla and Gorosaurus. Most likely there are displayed only to frame the Baragon Re-issue. (However, Godzilla and Gorosaurus will likely be re-issued at some point for North American release via Diamond Comics Distributors.
By John Stanowski Originally posted February 8th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
- Published on
FIGURE SPECS
東宝30CMシリーズ
「ゴジラ（1955版） 」
「ゴジラ（1955版） 」
JAPAN ORIGINAL RELEASE: 2011
RE-ISSUED IN COLOR SET WITH ANGUIRUS: 2011
DIAMOND REISSUE: DECEMBER 2014
BANDAI RE-ISSUE: MAY 2015
SERIES: TOHO 30CM SERIES
MATERIAL: SOFT VINYL
FROM: “GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN”, 1955
ゴジラの逆襲
ゴジラの逆襲
HEIGHT: 12 INCHES / 30.4 CM
WIDTH: 7.5 INCHES / 19 CM
LENGTH: 17.5 INCHES / 44.4 CM
REVIEW AND PHOTOS: JOHN STANOWSKI
The 1955 suit is probably very near the low end of most collectors’ and fans’ favorite design list, including mine. But I don’t regret getting this figure at all. Godzilla Raids Again was the second ever Godzilla film. It was still dark and serious like its predecessor and featured the first ever kaiju battle.
Godzilla 1955 may not be the best-looking Godzilla but I’m glad the X-Plus version is in my collection. It’s a reasonably good likeness (from some angles, at least) and it helps complete my Godzilla lineage on the shelf.
The X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1955, 東宝30cmシリーズ 「ゴジラ（1955版） 」, was originally released in 2011 with a monochome paint job to match the black and white film it’s based on. It was re-issued later that year (in color) in a set along with Anguirus 1955.
This figure was re-issued for the North American market through Diamond Distributors in December 2014.
Godzilla 1955 may not be the best-looking Godzilla but I’m glad the X-Plus version is in my collection. It’s a reasonably good likeness (from some angles, at least) and it helps complete my Godzilla lineage on the shelf.
The X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1955, 東宝30cmシリーズ 「ゴジラ（1955版） 」, was originally released in 2011 with a monochome paint job to match the black and white film it’s based on. It was re-issued later that year (in color) in a set along with Anguirus 1955.
This figure was re-issued for the North American market through Diamond Distributors in December 2014.
THE BOX
The figure comes in a standard X-Plus Toho 30cm Series box: plain, with art on the front. If you are hunting this one down, this is the box you’re looking for. The figure comes in two pieces (main body and tail) twist-tied in a plastic shell.
SCULPT
LIKENESS
If you compare this figure to photos from Godzilla Raids Again you’d probably find quite a few that seem to prove that this figure is off. On the other hand, other photos will reveal freakishly accurate likenesses captured in the sculpt. I might attribute that back-and-forth, yes-and-no to the lanky and loose-fitting suit which could produce many “looks” depending on how the rubber skin fell onto Mr. Nakajima’s frame. So, the accuracy of this sculpt depends on your point of view, or which photos you compare it to.
I’m pleased with it for the most part and attribute any negative feelings toward it to the pose which makes the hips bulge out more. But more on that under the Pose Heading.
If you compare this figure to photos from Godzilla Raids Again you’d probably find quite a few that seem to prove that this figure is off. On the other hand, other photos will reveal freakishly accurate likenesses captured in the sculpt. I might attribute that back-and-forth, yes-and-no to the lanky and loose-fitting suit which could produce many “looks” depending on how the rubber skin fell onto Mr. Nakajima’s frame. So, the accuracy of this sculpt depends on your point of view, or which photos you compare it to.
I’m pleased with it for the most part and attribute any negative feelings toward it to the pose which makes the hips bulge out more. But more on that under the Pose Heading.
HEAD
I want to say that the sculpt of the head looks good, but it’s like I wrote earlier: it depends which photos you look at. I think the front view is especially well done. The 1955 fangs are present and the human-shaped eyes are dead on. The sweeping suit wrinkles that drape from the back of the head and down the neck are captured especially well. My only little complaint is that the ridge on the top of the head is tad larger than it should be.
I want to say that the sculpt of the head looks good, but it’s like I wrote earlier: it depends which photos you look at. I think the front view is especially well done. The 1955 fangs are present and the human-shaped eyes are dead on. The sweeping suit wrinkles that drape from the back of the head and down the neck are captured especially well. My only little complaint is that the ridge on the top of the head is tad larger than it should be.
The texture all over the body is awesome and un-toylike. It’s tree bark grooves are deep and comes with suit wrinkles on the neck, arms and chest. Just awesome. The 1955 dorsal fins had more texture than most other suits and the X-Plus follows… suit. A potential letdown might be the webbed fingers. Many X-Plus Godzilla figures have individually sculpted fingers, but not, alas, this guy. They clump together after the first knuckle. The good news for accuracy freaks is that it appears the suit was the same way. So, stop complaining! 😛
The bulges and dips of the original suit are faithfully reproduced in the figure. A really nice touch in the sculpt of the legs is the zig-zag fold around both knees. This features looks like sloppy work, but it’s totally accurate and can be easily seen in the movie.
Note: the toes on the right foot of my figure are curled up. While making this review I realized that this is wrong. Both feet should lie flat on the ground. After asking around I realized that this is a one off problem with just my figure and can be easily fixed.
Note: the toes on the right foot of my figure are curled up. While making this review I realized that this is wrong. Both feet should lie flat on the ground. After asking around I realized that this is a one off problem with just my figure and can be easily fixed.
JOINTS & SEAMS
The only joint is the tail which matches up very well. As for seams, both arms have visible lines below the elbow. The only other lines you’ll find are below the jaw and around the ankles, but you have to look for them to see them. For a vinyl figure, this is great work!
POSE
The pose. Okay. Well. It sort of reminds me of an uninspired, old fashioned boxing pose. I’m sure they must have grabbed this stance from the movie since many other figures of the ’55 have the same look, but I can’t recall which scene it may have come from. Other than the arms, though, it seems pretty standard and is great for the shelf. Plus, it looks like he’s ready to grapple with Anguirus.
PAINT JOB
The paint job on the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Godzilla 1955, though monochrome, is one of my favorites. There is a TON of frosty highlights all over the figure which fits in well with his icy appearance in the movie and makes this figure pop! I wish more X-Plus figures had highlights like this one does.
The eyes, fins, teeth and claws are a stark, off white which stands out more than on other figures, perhaps to mimic the high contrast of the black and white movie.
The eyes, fins, teeth and claws are a stark, off white which stands out more than on other figures, perhaps to mimic the high contrast of the black and white movie.
SIZE COMPARISONS
The X-Plus Godzilla 1955 vinyl sizes up well with most of the Toho 30cm Series buddies, especially his early-Showa pals: Godzilla 1954, 1962 and 1964.
It’s also a perfect size match with Godzilla Raids Again co-star, Anguirus 1955.
FOOTPRINT
The X-Plus Godzilla 1955 has a tail reaching almost straight back. The figure is, overall, 17.5 inches from nose to tail, but only 15.5 inches from toes to tail. Godzilla’s body is curved slightly to his left so you’ll probably want to place him on the shelf facing your left.
If you also have the X-Plus Toho 30cm Series Anguirus 1955 you’ll be pleased to know that you have the option of interlocking it with the Godzilla ’55. I don’t know if it was planned this way or not, but these two figures actually fit pretty damn closely together. Anguirus’ head fits in between Godzilla’s outstretched arms like he’s going for the throat! And Godzilla’s and Anguirus’ arms are all at different heights so they allow for a really close fight!
This kind of set-up is probably only for diehard Godzilla Raids Again fans since it takes up three feet of shelf space.
This kind of set-up is probably only for diehard Godzilla Raids Again fans since it takes up three feet of shelf space.
SUMMARY
The Godzilla 1955 suit is clunky as hell, and so is the X-Plus figure. The 1950s monster movie kookiness shines and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s well sculpted and has an awesome paint job. Plus, it has an awesome shelf buddy when combined with the X-Plus Anguirus 1955. I’m so, so glad I got both of these and highly recommend them, at least for the Godzilla completionist. Both are expected to be re-issued and distributed from Diamond Comics Distributors, so if you’re interested, your chance is coming soon!
EXTRAS
MORE INFORMATION
By John Stanowski Originally posted February 6th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.
- Published on
Collector George Dixon lives right down the street from the coolest place EVER to take pictures of your figures. (All Photos ©, George Dixon.)
By John Stanowski Originally posted January 30th, 2014 on Kaiju Addicts.