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

[gribdogs]

So after reading these boards for about 7 years now, I'm wondering where the love is for Bandai Japan? All I see are endless debates about Bandai Creation and costs and infighting. Why can't we all just get along?

For example, I have a question about the Bandai Kamakiras. In the 'official' collections pictures I've seen online (namely vinylmaddness and clubtokyo), both of their figures seem to have their legs bent very low so the figure sits close to the ground. Mine has straighter legs that keep him upright, more in line with the movie props (FYI I got mine from Mike Johnson, so you know it's awesome).

Just simple stuff like this never comes up around here.

Here's another one. What do the majority of you think qualifies as a complete Japan Bandai vinyl collection (no DX, or candy, etc, just the main tagged figure releases)? Personally, I feel one of a sculpt is good enough, generally preferring the Standard scale when I can get it (Titanosaurus, Mechagodzilla 75 and Godzilla 74, I'm looking at YOU).

Here's a final one. Does anybody besides myself and Mike even HAVE a real Japanese vinyl collection (I am in no way comparing my collection to Mike's, only I know from his posts over the years that he is a huge Japan vinyl collector)? How long has the average collector been collecting on these boards (for the record I started in 2006)?

Anyhoo, those are my thoughts for the day. Discuss as you will but please try and keep the flaming to a minimum. This a hobby we can all enjoy...

[Legion1979]

I started in 1986 and probably have at least 1000 individual vinyl figures in my collection. And that's not even counting candy toys, electronic figures, die-cast and all that other stuff.

[UnCanny Studios]

Yes! Happyness! Huzzah!

I've been collecting since the mid nineties, and -since you would like us to specify - only a small portion of my collection is from the States (Bandai Creation, plushes, and Trendmasters). I've got somewhere between 500-600 Japanese Vinyls, all ranging from a vast array of Godzilla, Gamera, and Ultraman Bandai's to a large amount of Marmits, M1s, Bullmarks & reissues and what not. The one thing I don't collect so far, however, is X-Plus, though I have a few random items of theirs here and there. Their sculpts are incredible, but I would rather spend their accosting price tags on more Marmits & characterized vinyls .

I'm not as much of a complete-ist as I am a "Hey I like that figure, I think I'll buy that one" guy. Though I am just a handful of figures away from completing several lines, and have some completed as well.

Overall, TK isn't host to an abundance of experienced collectors, or "elites" as some people have referred to us (which I find highly amusing), but I'm hoping we can all get along someday - experience aside.

[Jomei]

^I'm like UnCanny, but have only been collecting for about 3/4 of a year and probably only have around 80 figures, not counting mini figures and gashapon.

I think a lot of us like Bandai Japan quite a bit, but without any new releases to talk about, discussion on that front has cooled off except for when someone posts pics of new acquisitions.

[RedZillaKing]

Bandai Japan is sitting on a large number of awesome Godzilla sculpts that they seem to not be interested in giving a wide release to. I'm not paying $100+ for a 6" King Goji or a Godzilla '84. Most of the standard line is a bit boring to me. Titanosaurus, MechaGodzilla '74 (75?) and a few Gojis is all I'm interested in. And they're overpriced.

[UnCanny Studios]

^I'm like UnCanny, but have only been collecting for about 3/4 of a year and probably only have around 80 figures, not counting mini figures and gashapon.

I think a lot of us like Bandai Japan quite a bit, but without any new releases to talk about, discussion on that front has cooled off except for when someone posts pics of new acquisitions.

Bingo, good sir. They've completely stopped production of their Godzilla Bandais, since there are no new films/tv shows to warrant their existence. They're focusing on Ultraman and the likes now, who has a new film out this year. Bandai is using their Godzilla license solely for SH MonsterArts right now.

Bandai Japan is sitting on a large number of awesome Godzilla sculpts that they seem to not be interested in giving a wide release to. I'm not paying $100+ for a 6" King Goji or a Godzilla '84. Most of the standard line is a bit boring to me. Titanosaurus, MechaGodzilla '74 (75?) and a few Gojis is all I'm interested in. And they're overpriced.

They were given a wide release at one time, but were snatched up by collectors and children alike. Bandai has nothing to do with price inflation on the market, that's all collector's demand. Its all our fault .

[RedZillaKing]

Mainly I was talking about the Memorial Box Gojis. At one time I owned a Titanosaurus but I gave it to my younger cousin as he was a huge fan. So it's really my own damned fault there.

[Godzilla 2000]

Whats there to talk about?

[Jomei]

Bandai Japan is sitting on a large number of awesome Godzilla sculpts that they seem to not be interested in giving a wide release to. I'm not paying $100+ for a 6" King Goji or a Godzilla '84. Most of the standard line is a bit boring to me. Titanosaurus, MechaGodzilla '74 (75?) and a few Gojis is all I'm interested in. And they're overpriced.

Ugh, yeah. I really would like some of those Memorial Box figures, but the prices, especailly on the KinGoji, are pretty steep.

Glad I got Titano and MechaG for as cheap as I did.

[UnCanny Studios]

Whats there to talk about?

Plenty. Hence the multi-faceted conversation we are already having.

Mainly I was talking about the Memorial Box Gojis. At one time I owned a Titanosaurus but I gave it to my younger cousin as he was a huge fan. So it's really my own damned fault there.

Youch! I could never give mine away!

And you're right about the Memorial box, though. Again, it is sort of our fault. They wont release those figures as a part of the main line simply because that would diminish the point/pricing of the box all together!

By the time I'm willing to actually spend the money on that damned box, they'll probably be completely off the market...

[Legion1979]

I feel so grateful that I pre-ordered and received that Memorial Box set when it first came out. I'd hate to be chasing individual figures all these years later or have to pay big bucks for an entire set.

[Fairy Mothra]

I've been collecting since I was 15, and I'm turning 20 next month. So since about 2007. I've got around 125 figures, but only around half of those are Bandais. Out of those maybe 7 or 8 are Bandai Creations. I'm not really into collecting Bandais specifically, I just buy whatever sculpts I like of whatever monsters I like. I prefer to have figures in different sizes and styles from different companies, especially Marmits, M1s, etc. I'll pretty much dabble in everything and get a figure or two from every company I can. I also don't bother buying figures because they're cheap, or just to have them. If I own a common Bandai it's because I really like the sculpt. I'd rather have less figures but more expensive/bigger/better quality figures.

PS - gribdogs, I got my package yesterday - I bought the Banpresto G54 and X Plus G65 from you. They're great. Thanks!

[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.

[Fairy Mothra]

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.

[Godzilla 2000]

Whats there to talk about?

Plenty. Hence the multi-faceted conversation we are already having.

I was more in the mindset of "whats there to talk about that...hasnt already been talked to death about?"

[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?