SH Monsterarts!

[RedZillaKing]

I have figuarts Kamen Rider Ryuki and it's honestly the best figure i've ever had. I'll be happy if Bandai/Tamashii handles all my kaiju/tokusatsu figures from here on.

[Legion1979]

I have figuarts Kamen Rider Ryuki and it's honestly the best figure i've ever had. I'll be happy if Bandai/Tamashii handles all my kaiju/tokusatsu figures from here on.

But the fact is they're not able to, nor will they even if they could. Regarding Godzilla specifically, I see this line as something that can compliment the vinyl figures, not replace them. There's no way we're going to get the same volume and variety of characters out of the MonsterArts series as we have with vinyl, so IMHO completely abandoning one type of toy to stick steadfast and loyal to something else is a little shortsided. Right now, the name of the game seems to be the Heisei monsters, which is fine. But knowing Bandai (and I DO know Bandai) we're definitely not going to be getting the obscure Showa monsters and alternate Godzilla variations that everyone is hoping for. In the long run I think we'll probably get a decent selection of the most popular monsters out of the MonsterArts series, and my gut tells me they're all going to be represented by the Heisei incarnations. Hold on to those vinyl figures, folks, because I don't think Bandai is going to give you much of a reason to replace most of them.

Just my 2 cents.

[Fairy Mothra]

I know RZK was just doing some wishful thinking and not saying he really thinks that's what's going to happen, but I have to say I agree with Mike on this. Has anyone at Bandai ever said that this line was going to expand into anything other than Heisei? I recall reading when the line was first announced that it was supposed to be a tribute to the Heisei stuff - correct me if I'm wrong, though.

Either way, MA is a collector's line, and Bandai's main game is toys for kids, so I doubt this line is going to be the be all and end all of their Godzilla library. Once there's some new source material, they'll probably release regular vinyls again and if anything this line will continue alongside them until it finishes out the Heisei monsters. Just my prediction.

[Legion1979]

Hell, looks at the Ultra Acts. That line's been around a lot longer than the MonsterArts, and so far has it given anyone reason to dump their vinyls of even popular monsters like Red King, Neronga, Bemstar, Vakishim, Tyrant or anyone else? All I'm saying is don't be so blindly loyal to one particular line, because you're bound to be disappointed.

[RedZillaKing]

I was talking about Kaiyodo. I'm sore over the snapping figs. So Bandai/Tamashii is who I'm buying from from now on. I collect vinyl figures too... But only Ultra Monsters. Perhaps I shoulve just said Bandai lol.
Granted if Ultra Act makes articulated versions of Galberos, Bemular or any other monsters I have the vinyls will likely be boxed up or given to my kids.

[Poe Ghostal]

If SHM sells well - IF - and they run out of Heisei monsters, I think we will get Millennium/Showa versions.

[RedZillaKing]

Yeah definitely. In fact, a statement just like that was made at the start of the line.

[Petezilla]

Yes, it was stated when the lineup was announced, that it is likely to expand when successful. Also BANDAI is sure open to non-Heisei monsters at a later point, that was made clear by asking the customers about what they wanted to be released next in the lineup in that online survey, which we had a short debate upon a few sites back. So I have to disagree with a few of you, because judging by what is known, BANDAI is indeed willing to do Showa and/or Millennium Kaiju, so I, personally have to consider such releases likely by now. However, I absolutely agree with Legion, when he says one shouldn't already dumb his/her vinyl figures of more obscure characters in wild exspectations of possible S.H.MonsterArts or ULTRA-ACT versions. We will most likely not get as many MonsterArts figures as we got vinyl figures. But there's hope for at least some of the obscure ones.

[SaiyanRider54]

S.H.Figuarts has Showa era Kamen Riders, and the ULTRA-Act series has a lot of Showa era guys as well. I really don't understand why people just assume we will ONLY get the Heisei series from this line. They are probably just focousing on Heisei era (probably the most popular Godizilla series if I remember) and will gradually move into other eras as well, just like with the Kamen Rider Figuarts.

[Captain Aktion]

Either way, MA is a collector's line, and Bandai's main game is toys for kids, so I doubt this line is going to be the be all and end all of their Godzilla library. Once there's some new source material, they'll probably release regular vinyls again and if anything this line will continue alongside them until it finishes out the Heisei monsters. Just my prediction.

Unless modern Japanese kids aren't buying Godzilla vinyls, which they don't seem to be. One thing to keep in mind; until they start releasing new Godzilla material, the only real fans out there ARE getting older, not younger. Also, newer generations of children will be more and more demanding of their toys, therefore I could see the types of vinyls we've seen for the last couple of decades start to decline down the way-side. I'm not saying that this will happen, that I think it will happen, nor that I want it to happen. But if we're all just throwing educated guesses out here (which we are), then I don't think this is an unjustified prediction...

[Manda2012]

Millennium can be gone thru rather quickly, that is, if they don't try to mine 'Final Wars' for all it's worth.

Orga, Megaguirus, MechaG III. Everything else is just a revamped Showa kaiju. If Bandai takes the high road, they could get to the Showa era pretty quick.

[RedZillaKing]

Millennium can be gone thru rather quickly, that is, if they don't try to mine 'Final Wars' for all it's worth.

Orga, Megaguirus, MechaG III. Everything else is just a revamped Showa kaiju. If Bandai takes the high road, they could get to the Showa era pretty quick.

If they moved on and did Final Wars designs for a while I'd be in heaven. Most of those designs were perfect updates. Kumonga, kamacuras, Anguirus, King Seesar, and Ebirah would be perfect as all but Anguirus never received the vinyl figure treatment (and probably never will). I actually prefer the Manda and King Seesar redesigns to the originals.

[Patrick Alan]

I want to see the Showa figures, not just Godzilla, but also other Showa Toho kaiju like Blackmoth, the Yog trio, Varan, and such

[UltramanGoji]

I want to see the Showa figures, not just Godzilla, but also other Showa Toho kaiju like Blackmoth, the Yog trio, Varan, and such

Don't get your hopes up.

[Legion1979]

Orga, Megaguirus, MechaG III. Everything else is just a revamped Showa kaiju. If Bandai takes the high road, they could get to the Showa era pretty quick.

Bandai's vinyl of Orga was a poor seller. Megagiras was never popular either. They've already done both Kiryu's in the die-cast series AND as large, articulated light and sound figures. It really doesn't make sense to turn to the Millennium stuff. The Millennium Bandais are so recent that I think it'd be redundant for Bandai to turn to those characters and versions so soon.

If they moved on and did Final Wars designs for a while I'd be in heaven. Most of those designs were perfect updates. Kumonga, kamacuras, Anguirus, King Seesar, and Ebirah would be perfect as all but Anguirus never received the vinyl figure treatment (and probably never will). I actually prefer the Manda and King Seesar redesigns to the originals.

And I reeeeaaaalllly don't see Bandai getting deep into the Final Wars monsters and releasing Seasar, Manda, Kumonga, Kamakiras and Ebirah as high-end, super articulated figures in the MonsterArts line. The movie did poorly, the Bandais sold poorly, it's just not something I can see Bandai doing. I can see a lot of collectors who were on the fence about this line because of the Heisei stuff throwing their hands up and totally walking away if Bandai decides to overindulge in Final Wars monsters. It's not a smart business move.

If Bandai wants to move in a SMART direction after the Heisei stuff (assuming they do) they'd should toy around with the Showa figures. Something like that going to bring in a wider variety of buyers and give the line more legs than moving on to the series that suffered from low box office and eventually killed the franchise. An articulated GMK Godzilla and Baragon would be cool though.

[Godzilla 2000]

And I reeeeaaaalllly don't see Bandai getting deep into the Final Wars monsters and releasing Seasar, Manda, Kumonga, Kamakiras and Ebirah as high-end, super articulated figures in the MonsterArts line. The movie did poorly, the Bandais sold poorly, it's just not something I can see Bandai doing.

I dunno, man. Have you been keeping up with their Ultra Monsters line these past couple years? Not exactly the best lineups they could've given us...

-Neo Geomos
-Mountain Gulliver
-Apatee
-Zelganiod
-Neo Baltan II

So yeah, at this point and time, bonehead moves seem to be Bandai's current marketing strategy.

[Legion1979]

I dunno, man. Have you been keeping up with their Ultra Monsters line this past couple years? Not exactly the best lineups they could've given us...

Bandai seems to love taking ridiculous gambles with the Ultraman stuff (and they're really just re-releasing old molds) whereas they seem dead set on playing it safe with Godzilla. I think there's a big difference there.

So yeah, at this point and time, bonehead moves seem to be Bandai's current marketing strategy.

True, but I STILL don't think they're foolish enough to release a full line of expensive, high-end figures based on monsters from a film that absolutely TANKED.

[Godzilla 2000]

Bandai seems to love taking ridiculous gambles with the Ultraman stuff (and they're really just re-releasing old molds) whereas they seem dead set on playing it safe with Godzilla. I think there's a big difference there.

Yeah, I guess ya got a point there. After all, it's not like the Ultraman series is in danger of a premature hiatus or anything.

True, but I STILL don't think they're foolish enough to release a full line of expensive, high-end figures based on monsters from a film that absolutely TANKED.

I'm kinda half and half on this.

On one hand, yeah, its Final Wars.

On the other, these are the latest incarnations of beloved Showa characters. They're a bit more "fresh" and while GFW was hated, that doesnt stop folks from loving the Soul of Chogokin FW Gigan, for example.

But I suppose you could argue that if they were to do FW characters like Caesar, Ebirah, Manda, or even Minya, they might as well just do the Showa versions.

[Legion1979]

On the other, these are the latest incarnations of beloved Showa characters. They're a bit more "fresh" and while GFW was hated, that doesnt stop folks from loving the Soul of Chogokin FW Gigan, for example.

Gigan was a major character and marketed as such. I could see Bandai adding him to the MA line, as well as Angilas and perhaps Rodan if they feel like doing another one of that monster. But I just don't see all the other monsters happening. Bandai stayed away from them in 2004 and I think it was a good move.

But I suppose you could argue that if they were to do FW characters like Caesar, Ebirah, Manda, or even Minya, they might as well just do the Showa versions.

I'm pretty sure the original versions of those guys would well better than the newer versions, simply because there's a wider range of people who would buy them. I know a ton of people don't care if they ever watch GFW again that would buy Showa versions of Ebirah, Kumonga and Kamikiras in a f@cking heartbeat if Bandai did them in vinyl or in the MA line.

[SaiyanRider54]

I'm sure that MA will get all the FW designs eventually, IF this makes a lot of money. I mean just look at the other Figuarts lines! They have multiple re-paints of the same figure over and over again, and lots of figures from Showa and Heisei eras. I'm sure they'll do all the FW designs if they want to.