Godzilla Island Series Figures

[JVM]

DESPITE THE TITLE, the intention here is to discuss the original twelve figures in the photo below, and their re-issues, rather than only the particular series.


(Image from Vinyl Maddness; Toho Kaiju series re-releases)

My current goal as a collector is to finish up this gang really. Fire Rodan, Anguirus, KG and Godzilla are already mine, KC's in the process. Des, SG, Gigan, and MG2 are low priorities since I have the U. S. figures, though I plan to get to them once the others are completed.

I'm curious why these figures vary so much in price - Moguera and KC both demand high prices comparatively to figures like Gigan and Godzilla, who remain cheap. I know this Godzilla figure's been reissued a hundred times, but I'm still curious.

[GreenAiden555]

Though I bash the KG figures that Bandai has made, I DO like that Mecha KG. How tall is it?

[JVM]

Dunno, I don't own him. MKG in particular seems difficult to find. I only saw one at G-Fest last year on Sunday and it was pricey, and I bought my KG there, so it seemed not the best move.

I believe it's the same height as KG, who can look Godzilla in the eye.

[RedZillaKing]

I got most of these figures and was in heaven. I had previously only had the TM and Imperial figures and having realistic Godzilla figures was a childhood dream fullfilled. Some of these figures were more than just scaled down 8" series clones. Gigan was an all new sculpt and my favorite by far.

That photo brings back memories....

[Petezilla]

The only complaint that I have with this series is that they only made these few characters from the Godzilla Island show. There were way more opportunites.

[RedZillaKing]

Agreed. Goro, Varan, and Baragon would've all been excellent additions. As far as I know Ghidorah and MKG were new sculpts.

[Legion1979]

Agreed. Goro, Varan, and Baragon would've all been excellent additions.

And most likely would not have sold nearly as well as the characters they chose.

Gorosaurus and Baragon were in Godzilla Island too.

[RedZillaKing]

It would've made for better variety. And I have a hard time believing that Moguera and King Seesar would sell significantly better than any of those three. Varan and Manda's absence in the vinyl line in any way, shape, or form is part of the reason I'll always respect Marmit more.

[Legion1979]

It would've made for better variety. And I have a hard time believing that Moguera and King Seesar would sell significantly better than any of those three.

Mogera was a more recent monster (Godzilla vs Space Godzilla was less than 4 years old at the time) and tends to appeal to robot fans, hence why he showed up. I don't understand the reasoning behind King Seesar, but I pretty much understand everyone else. On top of that, I'm GLAD Gorosaurus and Baragon didn't appear in the 6" line. I'm certain they just would have downsized the 8" molds, and I like the fact that the classic standard Bandais of these guys are the only ones. It makes them stand out among so many toys that have been reissued a zillion times.

Varan and Manda's absence in the vinyl line in any way, shape, or form is part of the reason I'll always respect Marmit more.

I respect Marmit a whole lot, but comparing a kids vinyl line to a series aimed squared at collectors at a different price point is comparing apples to oranges. I understand why Bandai fears obscure monsters like Varan and Manda. They release what's going to sell to the greatest variety of consumers since their figures are mass produced at retail. Marmit doesn't do anything like that. They sell via mail order, at shows and events, in limited quantities and target older collectors. They can afford to take chances like that. I respect Marmit for what they do and I respect Bandai for what they do as well.

[RedZillaKing]

I realize all of that. However, as a collector my respect lies with the more comprehensive line. It makes sense from a business standpoint, sure. Bandai can afford to throw collectors a bone, though. They release the most obscure and unpopular ultra monsters. Even the ones that don't sell.

[Legion1979]

I realize all of that. However, as a collector my respect lies with the more comprehensive line. It makes sense from a business standpoint, sure. Bandai can afford to throw collectors a bone, though. They release the most obscure and unpopular ultra monsters. Even the ones that don't sell.

You do realize that Ultraman is much, much more popular in Japan than Godzilla, right?

Also, "even the ones that don't sell"? Can you e-mail me copies of the sales charts you have indicating which Bandai Ultramonster figures sell and which ones don't?

[RedZillaKing]

Oh Legion... you're actually claiming that every obscure Ultra Monster sells. That's cute... But it's wrong!

Besides, I thought your brain was a living Bandai sales chart. And Ultraman wasn't always more popular than Godzilla. At least not as much as you're suggesting. And certainly not during the entire time Bandai's been making Godzilla figures.

[Legion1979]

Oh Legion... you're actually claiming that every obscure Ultra Monster sells.

No, I'm not.

And Ultraman wasn't always more popular than Godzilla. At least not as much as you're suggesting. And certainly not during the entire time Bandai's been making Godzilla figures.

Well, think of it this way. Bandai made only 5 unique standard scale Godzilla figures during the entirety of the 1980s and only reissued two of them during that time frame. Bandai, meanwhile released 47 different Ultra hero and monster figures during 1983-1985, reissued most of them bagged in 1986 and again in a box set again in 1988.

In 1989 when Bandai was too afraid to create new figures for Godzilla vs Biollante, Bandai re-released their entire Ultraman line and added 16 new monsters to it. Starting in 1991 and continuing until the middle of the decade, Bandai re-released the entire line once again, updated sculpts and added a least two dozen new monsters. And this was ALL long before the first new made-in-Japan, live-action Ultra series in over 15 years even began, which is when things really took off.

Godzilla has had his moment of major popularity in Japan (1991-1995) but even then, nothing touches the amount of attention and dedication Bandai has paid to Ultraman. For every one Baragon figure (which was only released once) you have a monster from Ultraman 80 like Gamaira, which was released 4 times between 1989 and 2000.

[JVM]

Legion, would you be able to answer why KC, MKG and certain figures are higher in price than those such as Godzilla and Anguirus, despite similar (although not exact) release histories?

[Captain Aktion]

I like the fact that the classic standard Bandais of these guys are the only ones. It makes them stand out among so many toys that have been reissued a zillion times.

As much as I enjoy rarity as a collector, I would prefer everyone who wants one of these guys get a fair chance to own one. I would love to have a Gorosaurus, but I'm not ready to drop the "collector's" price just to have one. Not everyone was collecting when the line was actively being released, so unless Bandai does a repressing of the mold or releases a 6" version, many of us are left out in the cold. I could justify the price I paid for, say, an '84 MB Goji, but I can't quite do the same for many others...

Basically, there's nothing for anyone to lose in a MORE figures scenario. Everyone wins. The only collectors who would get mad are the one's who sell or stat-track their collections, not the collectors who want it because they want it.

[Legion1979]

Legion, would you be able to answer why KC, MKG and certain figures are higher in price than those such as Godzilla and Anguirus, despite similar (although not exact) release histories?

I have no idea when it comes to Mechaghidora, but King Seesar was only released twice.

[RedZillaKing]

I'm sorry- what does that prove about popularity? And I hate to say it but the Ultra monster figures aren't fit to be squeak toys compared to the Godzilla figures being produced at same time. With few exceptions, the 90s Bandai Godzilla figures were Beautiful. Well detailed and very well painted. Compare Golza to Desghidorah. Hell, compare him to Orochi. Gudon to King Kong. Or Gorosaurus.

Its clear where all the talent was focused in the 90s.

And which license do you think was more costly?

[Legion1979]

I'm sorry- what does that prove about popularity? And I hate to say it but the Ultra monster figures aren't fit to be squeak toys compared to the Godzilla figures being produced at same time. With few exceptions, the 90s Bandai Godzilla figures were Beautiful. Well detailed and very well painted. Compare Golza to Desghidorah. Hell, compare him to Orochi. Gudon to King Kong. Or Gorosaurus.

Yes, a lot of the Ultramonster figures from the early '90s aren't THAT good. But considering the extreme volume of what Bandai was doing with the Ultra series at that time and how long all of that was kept in production during a time when there weren't even any new Ultra series to tie-in to compared to what was going on with Godzilla (less releases at a larger scale, most tied to newly released movies that were making a lot of money) the quality of those earlier Ultraman toys is pretty understandable. Starting in 1994, Bandai made a point to update weaker sculpts with much better ones. Hell, they're on their third Baltan right now. When Bandai really put effort in their Ultra series, which they did with a larger, hard vinyl Ultraman Powered figures, the results was just as good as anything they were doing with Godzilla, perhaps better.

Regardless of how you want to spin this and use toy quality to show that Bandai cared more about Godzilla than Ultraman, the fact that they've been doing Ultraman toys at ludicrous volumes, with a huge variety of heroes and monsters, updating sculpts when they have to, literally non-stop since 1983 shows that, f@ck yes, does Bandai have a lot of dedication to this line.

Ultraman is far more popular than Godzilla, and has been for a very long time, regardless of what the quality of toys like Baragon and Gorosaurus tells you. As you often say, DEAL WITH IT.

And which license do you think was more costly?

Why the hell does THAT matter?

[RedZillaKing]

It matters a lot... if you consider the fact that there are other factors related to how many toys are produced/which risks are taken. Its not just about popularity.

One factor is the cost of the license. Another is whether or not the licensors approve the toy's design. Clearly more was demanded of the Godzilla sculptors. Tsubaraya were probably much more lenient about their figures.

Anyways none of this really satisfies me. Two Toho monsters wouldn't have broken the bank. And to be completely honest, I feel like any classic Showa monsters would've sold relatively well. Bandai wouldn't have been ruined. Their "smart business" (aka professional cowardice) still doesn't make me respect them as Marmit's peer.

[Legion1979]

Their "smart business" (aka professional cowardice) still doesn't make me respect them as Marmit's peer.

Do you realize just how ignorant you sound when you say stuff like this?

When when has Bandai EVER been Marmit's peer? "Professional cowardice"? You've gotta be kidding me.