2012 X-Plus Vinyl Figures Discussion Thread

[SmogMonster]

Buying Manda, who isn't as well recognized, is almost like buying Magama or Komunga or Ebirah. They resemble real-life animals or insects too closely in their design to justifying the punrchase. I can buy a rubber spider and put it in a bag with a header card with Komunga printed on it and call it a day. X-Plus needs to put more into their designs, pose and accessories with some of the common looking characters. Ebirah is a good example here. X-Plus should have placed some speared fishermen in his claws or something. Look at the Marmits, they aren't as detailed but are often better presentations.
X-Plus has some great figs, but they can still make adjustments.

Yeah..no offense but none of that makes any sense at all.

[GreenAiden555]

Meaning...?

And that reason is?

Maybe not profitable enough. Maybe too "out there" for a release. Maybe the sculptor doesn't want to.

Ya know, it IS a market and art...

[leunames]

Manda is cool, but a lower tier character more so than a primary character like the big 5; Godzilla, Mothra, Rodan, Ghidorah, and Anguirus. I would even go as far as saying not even is Manda a second tier character as those would be; Gigan, MechaGodzilla, Kong, Minya and maybe Gorosaurus.
Manda just hasn't appeared in enough film for me to care about him, but that's not saying he's not collectible.

I'm not sure collecting wise, but popularity wise, MechaGodzilla is in Toho's Big 5.

The classic Mechagodzillas are my personal favorites, though always thought Anguirus was more popular. Maybe it's the Big 6!

Buying Manda, who isn't as well recognized, is almost like buying Magama or Komunga or Ebirah. They resemble real-life animals or insects too closely in their design to justifying the punrchase. I can buy a rubber spider and put it in a bag with a header card with Komunga printed on it and call it a day. X-Plus needs to put more into their designs, pose and accessories with some of the common looking characters. Ebirah is a good example here. X-Plus should have placed some speared fishermen in his claws or something. Look at the Marmits, they aren't as detailed but are often better presentations.
X-Plus has some great figs, but they can still make adjustments.

Angurius is well-liked, but Mechagodzilla is a staple Godzilla character. Any doubts about that...count how many films MG, KG, and Mothra star/feature in vs. Anguirus.

As for Manda, I have to say I completely disagree. X-Plus is obviously catering to a particular dedicated Godzilla fan since they run on average 2 to 3 to 4 times as much as your average designer vinyl item from Marmit. At that level I expect them to produce characters outside of the Big Five (Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Rodan, and MechaGodzilla). Ebirah has never been released in a "realistic" sculpt before, and I can tell you that the monster heaven ebirah doesn't hold a candle to the x-plus one. There's no need to add gimmicks to classic characters like Ebirah to get collectors to buy them. At the price point x-plus is at, characters like Ebirah and Manda will mostly likely sell out much faster than any Godzilla figure. the point is not how "popular" the figure is. The point is that the figure is underrepresented in the medium and is about to be released in a line that stresses a realistic style which clearly holds no reservations about producing any given character, no matter how obscure or esoteric (Magma).

This kind of popularity thing only is a factor in lower end lines like bandai creation or bandai japan. At that price level there are tons of alternates and substitutes. A realistic style showa Ebirah or Manda? Absolutely no alternates.

[GreenAiden555]

As for Manda, I have to say I completely disagree. X-Plus is obviously catering to the more dedicated Godzilla fan since they run on average 2 to 3 to 4 times as much as your average designer vinyl item from Marmit. At that level I expect them to produce characters outside of the Big Five (Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah, Rodan, and MechaGodzilla). Ebirah has never been released in a "realistic" sculpt before, and I can tell you that the monster heaven ebirah doesn't hold a candle to the x-plus one. There's no need to add gimmicks to classic characters like Ebirah to get collectors to buy them. At the price point x-plus is at, characters like Ebirah and Manda will mostly likely sell out much faster than any Godzilla figure. the point is not how "popular" the figure is. The point is that the figure is underrepresented in the medium and is about to be released in a line that stresses a realistic style which clearly holds no reservations about producing any given character, no matter how obscure or esoteric (Magma).

This kind of popularity thing only is a factor in lower end lines like bandai creation or bandai japan. At that price level there are tons of alternates and substitutes. A realistic style showa Ebirah or Manda? Absolutely no alternates.

QFT. Y-MSF made a Manda... Doesn't hold a candle to this at all.

[Legion1979]

The fact that we've gotten (or are getting) monsters like Magma, Ebirah and Manda before guys like Space Godzilla, Destroyah or Orga speaks volumes.

[GCrusher]

I completely disagree.
Ebirah has such a poor pose, as when in the movie did he ever strike the pose X-Plus sculpted or bought the sculpt in?
I bought Ebirah and when I got him changed my opinion, and then sold him to get my money back. And I consider myself a life long Godzilla fan!I think fair to say to each is own and it's healthy to have an opinion.

Back to Manda, my opinion is nothing more than he hasn't been in enough film for me to personally care about him, at least not at the $250 tag, and dare I say, not without adding the Atragon in his clutches. Just because a figure Is realistic to its presentation on film doesn't mean it's a good rendition and everyone's gonna buy it.

[Primevalgodzilla V2]

If we aren;t getting any Heisei/Milenium X-plus kaiju I'm going to be pretty disappointed. And to think people complain about SH Figurarts not making Showa kaiju....X-plus has been going on for a damn long time in comparison and it hasn't made any Heisei or Millenium kaiju save for Biollante?

[Brad Simmons]

Personally, I'm ecstatic about them releasing Manda, as I was with Ebirah. I am soooooo tired of the Big 5 and second tier characters, it seems that's the only thing anyone releases. Finally, not only are they releasing the more obscure characters but in a line where I will absolutely buy them! I loved the old Bandais but changing scale from the larger to smaller 6" releases killed it for me. These are large and 2nd only to professionally built and painted resin kits. The Manda version isn't my preferred incarnation but I will be buying him. I figure I can always sell him (if I want) should they release a 1968 version.

Here's to hoping more obscure and lesser known characters get their chance to shine. Personally, I would love to see a: Gabara, Kumonga, Kamakiras, King Seesar, Titanosaurus, and Varan. And I've always liked that squid guy, "Gezora".

FYI - I did hate how Ebirah's legs were tucked under him. What was that!? Other than that, I think the poses have been just fine. The Manda pose looks great! It'll be interesting to see what the Internet Exclusive is... a mini Atragon perhaps?

[GCrusher]

FYI - I did hate how Ebirah's legs were tucked under him. What was that!? Other than that, I think the poses have been just fine. The Manda pose looks great! It'll be interesting to see what the Internet Exclusive is... a mini Atragon perhaps?[/quote]

I agree. We know Ebirah is a giant shrimp, and it's great that his mold looks realistic, but he was much more than just a shrimp in the movie. He was a pissed off giant shrimp with attitude that reared up to battle all comers. Shrimp dont normally stand up so to speak. But the figure looks nothing more than a generic big shrimp, just laying there, lacking any character that he had in the movie. C'mon X-Plus, you could have picked a better orientation for the pose for that figure!
Nice detail, but poor representation.

[GreenAiden555]

GUYS, GUYS, GUYS.

GUYS. LISTEN.

HEY, LISTEN.

GUYS... LISTEN.

X-Plus Legion.


HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT BE?

It'd be HUGE. Like, Biollante big.

[Legion1979]

X-Plus technically already did a Legion.

[GreenAiden555]

X-Plus technically already did a Legion.

Not in the 30 CM scale, which is what I was saying.

[Brad Simmons]

Is the black one an actual release? If so, what is it supposed to represent!?

There was a black MG1 in the Godzilla Island series, so that is my guess.

If they release the Black Mechagodzilla, that opens the door wide open for non-movie related possibilities such as: books, failed movie concepts, etc. Will be interesting to see what they do.

Here's some info on the Black Mechagodzilla from "Godzilla Island" if anyone is interested... http://godzilla.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Mechagodzilla

[GreenAiden555]

Is the black one an actual release? If so, what is it supposed to represent!?

There was a black MG1 in the Godzilla Island series, so that is my guess.

If they release the Black Mechagodzilla, that opens the door wide open for non-movie related possibilities such as: books, failed movie concepts, etc. Will be interesting to see what they do.

Here's some info on the Black Mechagodzilla from "Godzilla Island" if anyone is interested... http://godzilla.wikia.com/wiki/Black_Mechagodzilla

Eh, Bandai did a vinyl of it, not much came from that.

[dogora]

they are awsome figures

they are really expensive

[Brad Simmons]

Awesome sauce! MANDA 1963 just announced and prototype pics up on X-Plus's website!! He looks great! I was hoping for the 1968 version but I'll take him anyway I can get him. I've always loved that kaiju. And the best part, he's 30cm!!

After finding a picture online of a full body 1968 Manda and comparing it to the 1963 version announced, it looks like they could pull off a 1968 version via an extra head as their Internet Exclusive (ala 1968/65 Baragon). In the prototype pic, it looks like the head could very well possibly be swapped out! I'm hopeful. The only thing throwing me off is the hair on his back. It's not near that long on the '68 version. That's the only difference between the 1963 & 1968 versions besides the head. X-Plus has been uncharacteristically quiet. They haven't even promoted Manda yet on their Home Page.

[GCrusher]

'74 MG and '54 G have arrived!

First impressions:
'74MG
I love the figure. Not sure if the base adds to the look, would rather had had it come with something else. Though it seems necessary for the figure to be able to stand upright, without leaning backward. Movement at wrists, ankles, arms, neck, jaw and chest has the door hatch that opens. Variations of silver and accents make the figure look metallic, and there are creases present in the figure as they were noticeable in the costume in the movie. The tail comes attached, so there is no assembly.
Very cool, and probably my favorite x-plus figure to date!

'54G
This is a non color figure, so there's no much to say about the paint. You can't tell from the photo, but the teeth and nails on the hands and toes are a bit on the grey side, and probably would have looked better with more white color, as x-plus did with their '55G 25cm figure. Overall representation is good. Nice figure overall. Tail comes not attached, so use a hair dryer to heat up the insert and then the tail inserts easily.

- Frank

[kaijuhunter]

The 54 looks great! I am expecting to receive mine any day...I think I kinda dig the monochrome color scheme, it represents the classic black and white film.

[Brad Simmons]

Painted version of the Manda prototype is up on the X-Plus website and man is it beautiful! Check it out!!

http://www.ric-toy.ne.jp/blog-rojiura/

UPDATE: Looks like they updated their "Coming Soon" page. My translator at work sucks but it looks like they've listed another Gigan and possibly King Seesar but not sure about King. Maybe it's an Ultraman monster.

[kkawachi]

Incredible manda and a manda(tory) buy. At least for me. Love the mu-ite bonus but no internet specials for me.

And brad it appears it is just a 25cm gigan. I didn't translate the other name but it is not part of the toho series. And this gigan will undoubtedly be the 73 version to complete their megalon 25cm set.

With manda ringing in the year of the dragon can another certain chinese dragon inspired monster be far behind?!?