Bandai Japan: Where's the love...?

[Jomei]

I do tend to buy figures if I see them for cheap -- mostly because I like and kinda want most figures -- so I try to grab things when I see them for a good price whether they're the top of my wish list or not.

For example I recently got a tagged theater-exclusive Megaguirus for 1000 yen, when I frequently see them listed for around $70 on eBay. I do like the figure, but it wasn't the figure I was most desiring when I was browsing listings; I just knew that I'd better snag the deal when I had the chance.

Yeah, I'm pretty much the opposite. I probably wouldn't even have bought that Megaguirus, simply because I don't like her. The only time a good deal will convince my to buy something is if it's a figure I've been on the fence about. Otherwise I just keep a look out for the stuff I know I really want.

Well, I did want the Megaguirus, and I do like the kaiju; that's the thing. I simply have a habit of holding off on much of what I want until I can find a good price -- unless it's something harder to find, like a specific Marmit or something.

[Destroyer]

Well unlike most others here, I started collecting about two months ago. I got two Bandai Creation figures when they were only $10 many years ago, but only now see their true value. I love the Bandai figures, especially the Japan ones, cause they come with these wonderful tags.

[Captain Aktion]

I pretty much covered all of this in another thread yesterday, and as I really don't feel like reiterating all of it, copy and paste time...

I know that this seems to go against how a lot of the "older" collectors think, but I've always felt as if you're limiting yourself too much if you only collect one line. There's so many varying lines and figures, all with ups and downs to them that it would, for me, really suck to miss out on them. IF all I collected were Bandais, I'd miss out on SO many great figures and the breadth of the whole market.

Going with the Bandai's again, I would hate to limit myself to the dull, unimpressive Bandai Megalon that they don't seem interested in updating. There's alot of other examples I could give in that regard, however, I would also hate to miss out on their 8" GMK Goji as it's a truly great figure. Same goes for the GMK Ghidorah, the Memorial Box G 84, and many others. But, again, if those were all I limited myself to then I'd miss out on the high-quality and, honestly, stunning figures that Marmit releases. I hate to think of my collection missing my Marmit Burning Goji or Titanosaurus, which I think best the Bandai's. But if all I went with were Marmit, then I'd miss out on the amazing M1 Megaguirus or the M1 2nd release Manda, which I think are two of the best representations of those kaiju in vinyl you can find. Plus my M1 Frankenstein...? Try to find that from Bandai.

And all of those are great, but what would I do without my Revoltech kaiju? God, I love them. Their Anguirus destroys practically any vinyl version of him that's ever been released, as far as I've seen. Baragon? Stellar. Rodan? Amazingly accurate sculpt and paint for the price, regardless of how you feel about the articulation (which I have no problem with). Mothra? Well...Mothra is Mothra, haha, love her or hate her. Buuuuuttt, if I only stuck to Revolt, I'd miss out on the Monsterarts Goji, and that would just seem like a crime.

Basically, I think you can see where I'm going with this: Collect the figures YOU like the most. Don't be beholden to some unacheiveable "perfect" collection. You won't ever be able to have all of the Toho kaiju in one line and in one scale anyhow. As I said before, you'd have to dip out of Bandai's if you wanted a Frankenstein figure, so you gotta think about that.

I began collecting figures, believe it or not, just under a year ago. I've spent a lot of money, frustration, worry, and personal time hunting and scouring the nether-web for the figures I have and I'm pleased as punch with every. Single. One. I love them all and feel a real sense of accomplishment at what I've built, so having said that, I don't really care if any of the "seasoned" collectors think that I don't have the "best" version of a figure or really, what they think at all about it. That wasn't why I started doing this to begin with, so it's a non-issue for me.

I started this whole crazy trip with one goal in mind: A representation, at least one, of EVERY Toho kaiju and mecha character/vehicle. Scale does not matter, since I would NEVER be able to get all of them in scale to each other. Line or style does not matter as I like super-realistic figures AND vintage styled figures equally. All I want is to have one version, at least, of each of the monsters and mecha. That's it.

It definitely seemed like an easier, cheaper, and, well, saner idea than, say, becoming the next Legion1979.

But that's me, and if scale, line, etc. matter to you (and as a collector of many items outside of toys, I can understand why you would want everything in a series) then I can't help you with what I've said. I just think it's sooo much easier to be open minded about this stuff. Get what YOU want, make yourself happy.

I'll tell you though, that Iwakura mini Gorosaurus just ain't going to cut it for too much longer with me...

EDIT: Oh, and I only have one American figure and that would be the 2nd Bandai Creations Godzilla 54...'cause it's better than the Japanese Bandai

[Fairy Mothra]

^are people that obsessed with having only Bandais (or any other line)? I don't think I've ever seen anyone say that a person should only collect one line of figures.

It definitely seemed like an easier, cheaper, and, well, saner idea than, say, becoming the next Legion1979.

As far as collecting different lines go, I would say Mike has one of the most varied collections, so I don't get what you're trying to say here. I've never been under the impression that he's a rabid completist or anything, I'm fairly sure he just buys what he likes. I'm fairly certain I've heard him say there are figures he doesn't own because he just doesn't like them (aside from the Monsterarts, lol).

I mean, I agree that you shouldn't limit yourself to one line (obviously), but I don't think it's really an issue. I mean, I don't think I've ever seen anyone pushing one line to the exclusion of all others.

Edit:

EDIT: Oh, and I only have one American figure and that would be the 2nd Bandai Creations Godzilla 54...'cause it's better than the Japanese Bandai

just out of curiosity, what is the appeal of this figure? I'm not a huge fan of the Japanese Bandai but I've always thought the 2nd G54 looked like a misshapen lump. I like the first version better.

[Destroyer]

^Do you mean the first Japan or American version of G54?

[Fairy Mothra]

^Do you mean the first Japan or American version of G54?

The American version.

[Destroyer]

^I have that, it's my first ever figure. No one really likes that one much, I personally think it isn't that bad.

[RedZillaKing]

I think all three G 54 Bandais suck, but then that's just me. Certainly the newest BC one is the least ccurate though.

As far as Legion's collection goes... Sure it's a little overwhelming, but it's also a real achievement. I mean, the amount of blood, sweat, and tears that must've gone into that.... Yeesh. Whenever I show his collection to one of my toy collecting buddies, their immediate reaction is awe. Then some sort of grumbling "Too much" comment. But we all know what that is, don't we?

It's jealousy, plain and simple. His collection's freakin' incredible. Does he brag about it? Sure he does.... But who gives a shit? He put the work and dedication in and he f*****g earned it. Meh, just my two cents.

[Captain Aktion]

Just to be clear, guys, I wasn't trying to imply any kind of ill-will toward Legion or anyone else. I wasn't trying to put words in anyone's mouth on the subject, simply interpreting what I've seen people say. Everyone is free to disagree with anything I say on the subject, as obviously I'm far from the most experienced, I just want to be sure we're disagreeing about the same things. Legion has nothing but respect from me when it comes to his knowledge and the expansiveness of his collection, I simply meant that his collection IS staggering and it would be difficult if not foolish to aim for the same thing in my position. Sure, after I've been collecting for as long as he has, perhaps I can start setting goals like that; in the mean time, I'll just drive my self nuts and to the poor-house trying to have that same collection.

And do I have to end everything by saying, IMO? I personally think that the BC Goji 54 is better than the Bandai Japan's. That's just me, and that is the only figure from the BC line that comes close to the BJ's. Again, just me. I guess I could quantify and list the reasons, but at the end of the day, that's the one that does it for me. And yes, I do have a Bandai Japan Goji 54, the one from the Memorial Box, and yes, my opinion still stands.

Sure, no one says you should ONLY get Bandai figures. That wasn't really what I was saying, but I do know that some people get driven nuts by figures not in the same scale, style, etc. My comments on diversity were directed toward that kind of thinking, and while I don't think it's wrong, it's just not right for me and I want other people to know there's no shame in collecting BC's or whatever else you're into; don't let anybody make you feel bad because you like, say, the BC 54 Goji better...I mean, that's just trying to live up to other people's opinions. That's a no-win for you.

[Petezilla]

My story is that I always was a huge Godzilla fan since the age of 5. Then I accidentally happened to stumble upon a limited boxed set of 'Godzilla Final Wars' that came with a 6" BANDAI Godzilla 2005 figure as a bonus collectors item (this was released in late 2005 in here Germany). I was totally on the fence about that, cause I didn't know by that time that there even were such great figures available. But I have really started collecting about half a year later in 2006 when I first got an internet connection and encountered eBay and other webshops. Since that time I put together an extensive collection. When I last counted I had about 800 Godzilla, Gamera & Ultraman BANDAI vinyl figures of various lines (so yes, I'm one of those rare guys who actually collect only one special brand and nothing else). Since then a good ammount has benn added, so I assume I'm reaching the 1,000 mark very soon. And that's not counting the mini vinyls and other items other than the 6" and bigger vinyl toys. Yeah, that's it, basically.

[tymon]

On the flipside of what Cap'n has been saying, there's nothing wrong with wanting to collect just one line either. I, for example, want all my figures to be Bandai vinyls in scale with eachother...not because I'm a purist who thinks variety is wrong, but only because that's how I want my own collection to be. There are no rules.

[Fairy Mothra]

Just to be clear, guys, I wasn't trying to imply any kind of ill-will toward Legion or anyone else. I wasn't trying to put words in anyone's mouth on the subject, simply interpreting what I've seen people say. Everyone is free to disagree with anything I say on the subject, as obviously I'm far from the most experienced, I just want to be sure we're disagreeing about the same things. Legion has nothing but respect from me when it comes to his knowledge and the expansiveness of his collection, I simply meant that his collection IS staggering and it would be difficult if not foolish to aim for the same thing in my position. Sure, after I've been collecting for as long as he has, perhaps I can start setting goals like that; in the mean time, I'll just drive my self nuts and to the poor-house trying to have that same collection.

And do I have to end everything by saying, IMO? I personally think that the BC Goji 54 is better than the Bandai Japan's. That's just me, and that is the only figure from the BC line that comes close to the BJ's. Again, just me. I guess I could quantify and list the reasons, but at the end of the day, that's the one that does it for me. And yes, I do have a Bandai Japan Goji 54, the one from the Memorial Box, and yes, my opinion still stands.

Sure, no one says you should ONLY get Bandai figures. That wasn't really what I was saying, but I do know that some people get driven nuts by figures not in the same scale, style, etc. My comments on diversity were directed toward that kind of thinking, and while I don't think it's wrong, it's just not right for me and I want other people to know there's no shame in collecting BC's or whatever else you're into; don't let anybody make you feel bad because you like, say, the BC 54 Goji better...I mean, that's just trying to live up to other people's opinions. That's a no-win for you.

I wasn't trying to be snarky or anything, just genuinely wondering on both counts. I misinterpreted your post a bit.

Lol, the second BC G54 is one of those things I will never understand I guess. I mean, I love the BC Destoroyah and Rainbow Mothra and think they look even better than the Japanese Bandais, and I love the BC G2K too. But when I first saw the second 54 Goji in the store I was like WOAH. I thought it was so ugly. And then everyone was saying how accurate and good-looking it was online, lol. I guess I'm the same way with some figures that other people think are ugly though.

[Destroyer]

^I have to agree with Fairy Mothra, the second G54 figure is one ugly looking thing in my opinion.

[Legion1979]

Same here. The original BC '54 figure is just a simplified copy of the Japanese toy, but it's not that terrible of a figure. The second sculpt is utter crap. I can't believe there were people praising the hell out of it when it was new. It's awful.

I mean seriously, look at this shit...

[GreenAiden555]

Yes, the eyes are horrid on it.

Hurry for white paint!


I have two Bandai Japans, and so far.... They're pretty great! I have a Destoroyah and the awesomeness that is Hedorah. I'd like to get an Orga, Megaguirus, and 1954 Goji the most, and a Titanosaurus would be lovely. I do like the Bandai Creations figures that I have, which would be FW Gigan, Rainbow Mothra, and the First Godzilla Legion posted. The Rainbow Mothra from BC is AMAZING, and there is no way a better vinyl could be made of it.

I also had a Bandai Japan Cretaceous Ghidorah, but it was in HORRBILE condition. An AMAZING sculpt and the paint job (well, what was left of it) made me wish it wasn't in such a bad condition.

EDIT: But no ma, I am the demons.

[Godzilla 2000]

Same here. The original BC '54 figure is just a simplified copy of the Japanese toy, but it's not that terrible of a figure. The second sculpt is utter crap. I can't believe there were people praising the hell out of it when it was new. It's awful.

I mean seriously, look at this shit...

Looks fine to me.

Eh. Haters gonna hate.

[Legion1979]

That thing doesn't look anything like the original Godzilla. If I didn't already know that's what it was supposed to be, I'd have no idea. The Japanese Bandai isn't perfect, but it has all the right details that make the original Godzilla was it is: the upturned thumbs, the shape of the head and body, the big, floppy feet, the tapered tail. Where is any of that on the second Bandai Creation toy.

I'm not hating. I just have the ability to tell what looks like crap and what doesn't. Take your overused internet meme elsewhere.

[GreenAiden555]

I see the second BC and I don't think of the suit as much as I think of the puppet....

[Legion1979]

I see the second BC and I don't think of the suit as much as I think of the puppet....

...which I doubt was the intention.

[Godzilla 2000]

That thing doesn't look anything like the original Godzilla.

The spines sure do. As do the proportions of the body. Even the eyes look correct.

Its just the battle pose and the facial expression thats off.

If I didn't already know that's what it was supposed to be, I'd have no idea.

Now you're just exaggerating.

Seriously, even the GMK Godzilla, as bad as it is, is recognizable as the GMK design.

The Japanese Bandai isn't perfect, but it has all the right details that make the original Godzilla was it is: the upturned thumbs, the shape of the head and body, the big, floppy feet, the tapered tail. Where is any of that on the second Bandai Creation toy.

And now you're just nitpicking.

I'm not hating. I just have the ability to tell what looks like crap and what doesn't.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marmit-M1-1997- ... 4cf7a046ad