2012 X-Plus Vinyl Figures Discussion Thread

[ebirahsmeg1]

No disrespect, this is just my opinion, but the Gigabrain King Ghidorah looks like a retooling of the old-time (1984) KG that Bandai put out back in the day. Although it has a cool retro-feel to it, my feeling is that it would never come close to the realism X-Plus would produce if/when they put one out. You can simply compare the resin statue they made against the Gigabrain version to see that.

And likewise, no disrespect....but HUH???!

I couldn't disagree more. That they're both figures of showa King Ghidorah is about the only thing the GB and the old Bandai figure have in common. The Gigabrain figure truly looks spectacular and is a work of art...from all pics I have seen, it looks like the best showa KG figure I've ever seen. As I said, Xplus will be very hard pressed to equal it, let alone top it (plus it will most likely cost an arm and a leg).

Take Hedorah for example. Sure, X-plus's Hedorah may be more "accurately" detailed....but I don't think it can hold a candle to the vibrant GB figure.

And sorry, but I am not impressed at all with Xplus's overall line as most others are...oh sure, they have some great figures (I own a few myself), but they are *far* too inconsistent. For the money you pay, they should be damn near perfect/100% accurate representations of their film counterparts, and more often than not they fail to live up to the hype. For instance, everyone was drooling over their recent MG figure, but the final product has his legs spread very wide apart, almost as if he's doing the splits! Absolutely terrible and inexcusable for a line that is suppose to be "realistic". A few others examples: Marmit's MH G71, G67, G73, Showa MechaGodzilla, Gigan as well as the aforementioned GB Hedorah figure. are just a few figures off the top of my head which blow away their so called "more realistic" Xplus counterparts in terms of capturing the feel and spirit of the kaiju they are representing.

I'll be more than content with my GB showa KG when I receive it in March. But to each their own...I hope you get the Xplus figure you desire.

[Brad Simmons]

I guess we see things quite a bit differently then. Maybe I'm wrong but I see a lot of similarities between the new Gigabrain version (left) and the old Bandai version (right). But, as you said, to each his own. Looks like we'll both be happy with our respective purchases (well, as soon as X-Plus announces and releases a KG).

[Captain Aktion]

^I gotta say, I just don't see it.

[Brad Simmons]

Guess it's just me then. LOL! Ah well.

[DinoZillaGod]

I can see it both waiys, open your minds to both sides of the argument and your essence of being will be expanded!!! DUN DUN DUNNNNN!!!

[DoctorMafune]

I was going to vote for King Ghidorah, but any interest I had in a X-plus showa KG quickly disappeared when Gigabrain unveiled their jaw-dropping showa KG figure last month (put my pre-order in already...I will received this bad boy in March ). If X-plus does indeed for a showa KG figure, they will be very hard pressed to top the Gigabrain figure.

The Gigabrain King Ghidorah is irresistible, and I pre-ordered one, too. If the figure in person matches the preview photos, it may well be the best "toy"-style figure of KG ever produced: really capturing the 'feel' of the monster. I think I'm going to like it every bit as much as some other favorites, like the Marmit Monster Heaven Gigan.

I believe that there's room for an X-Plus Ghidorah, too, though... Beautiful as the Gigabrain KG is, the proportions are still tweaked for a slight "retro" / toy look. Comparing photos of the Gigabrain figure to photos of Ghidorah from 1964 show that the toy has a shorter trunk and legs (in comparison to the necks and heads) than the actual monster... just the kind of styling I love on toy-style figures.

X-Plus, in contrast, could do a completely realistically proportioned King Ghidorah, and as far as I know, that would be the first time a top-end 'garage kit'/ figure manufacturer did KG in vinyl rather than resin.

Still, X-Plus' s Ghidorah going to have to be truly amazing to get me to part with the likely asking price. I've already got several garage kits of KG, including the Asai / Kaiju Freaks resin kit and the (smaller scale) flying Ghidorah 1968 from Image, so I'm not eager to drop another $600 or so on one from X-Plus.

I may be alone in this, but what I'd really like to see is an X-Plus 25cm-scale figure of KG as he looked in Godzilla vs. Gigan. It would be great to have a Ghidorah figure that captures his look from 1972, to display with Gigan.

[ebirahsmeg1]

^I gotta say, I just don't see it.

Agreed...as I said before, they're both gold and have 3 heads...other than that, no similarities whatsoever Nope, not even close.
It's like me saying the Bandai KG figure resembles the Trendmasters KG....beyond 3 heads and being gold, the similarities are *NONE*.

I believe that there's room for an X-Plus Ghidorah, too, though.

No one said there wasn't. However, I'm not getting it unless is surpasses the GB...and to be honest, more often than not Xplus doesn't quite live up to the task (for every homerun they hit, they have some major foul balls and strikeouts). If it does, then count me in.

I may be alone in this, but what I'd really like to see is an X-Plus 25cm-scale figure of KG as he looked in Godzilla vs. Gigan. It would be great to have a Ghidorah figure that captures his look from 1972, to display with Gigan.

No, you're not alone....this would probably be the only Xplus Ghidorah that would tempt me beyond the GB KG....to my knowledge, I don't think any figures of this version of KG have ever been made.

But all of this is rather moot with the original intention of my initial post.....XPLUS/MARMIT/GIGABRAIN/MARUSAN/Bandai (haha yeah right)....I don't care who, just give us a *real* 25cm/8-9 inch scale Gabara figure God damn it!!!!!!!

[Qaenos]

Got it

The sculpt is awesome, the pose is a bit weird. It leans forward to the point where the tail is off the ground. I did heat and adjust the middle joint which helped correct it some. Its fine now, but im afraid it might faceplant in the heat of summer like its larger brother.

On another note though it is 25cm it is perfect scale with the 30cm g68 and the 30cm+ hedorah.

kkawachi, could you please do me a HUGE favor. The 1973 Godzills is my favorite Goji suit and Hedorah is my favorite Goji nemesis. I noticed from reading these threads that you have the 25cm Godzilla 1973, the 25 cm Landing Stange Hedorah and the 30cm Hedorah. Would you mind taking a pic of the three of them together and posting it or PM'ing / emailing it to me so I can see how the Hedorahs look next to the '73 Goji? I just bought the '73 Goji and I really want a Hedorah to go with it. I know the 30cm is out-of-scale, but I actually might not mind it towering over Godzilla, since it's a Smog Monster and grows with pollution. However, if it looks totally ridiculous, then I'd rather go with the 25cm Landing stage version, even if I don't really care for the pose.

Thanks so much!

[leunames]

No disrespect, this is just my opinion, but the Gigabrain King Ghidorah looks like a retooling of the old-time (1984) KG that Bandai put out back in the day. Although it has a cool retro-feel to it, my feeling is that it would never come close to the realism X-Plus would produce if/when they put one out. You can simply compare the resin statue they made against the Gigabrain version to see that.

I was going to vote for King Ghidorah, but any interest I had in a X-plus showa KG quickly disappeared when Gigabrain unveiled their jaw-dropping showa KG figure last month (put my pre-order in already...I will received this bad boy in March ). If X-plus does indeed for a showa KG figure, they will be very hard pressed to top the Gigabrain figure.

The Gigabrain King Ghidorah is irresistible, and I pre-ordered one, too. If the figure in person matches the preview photos, it may well be the best "toy"-style figure of KG ever produced: really capturing the 'feel' of the monster. I think I'm going to like it every bit as much as some other favorites, like the Marmit Monster Heaven Gigan.

I believe that there's room for an X-Plus Ghidorah, too, though... Beautiful as the Gigabrain KG is, the proportions are still tweaked for a slight "retro" / toy look. Comparing photos of the Gigabrain figure to photos of Ghidorah from 1964 show that the toy has a shorter trunk and legs (in comparison to the necks and heads) than the actual monster... just the kind of styling I love on toy-style figures.

X-Plus, in contrast, could do a completely realistically proportioned King Ghidorah, and as far as I know, that would be the first time a top-end 'garage kit'/ figure manufacturer did KG in vinyl rather than resin.

Still, X-Plus' s Ghidorah going to have to be truly amazing to get me to part with the likely asking price. I've already got several garage kits of KG, including the Asai / Kaiju Freaks resin kit and the (smaller scale) flying Ghidorah 1968 from Image, so I'm not eager to drop another $600 or so on one from X-Plus.

I also have to say I don't see the comparison. Speaking as someone who has the 8" Bandai figure pictured, the X Plus Showa KG 64 statue, the Kaiju Freaks 30cm scale resin kit, and the Bandai Great Monster Series King Ghidorah--and of course having pre-ordered the Gigabrain KG--the sculpt and style of the Gigabrain is good enough to stand on its own. And I have to say, just from pictures alone of the Gigabrain, out of the Marmit, Marusan, CCP, and Pilot Ace "designer vinyl" KG figures I have...this Gigabrain looks to be the best of that particular segment of Godzilla collectible. And I def think that a purported X Plus 30cm KG could stand well on its own also.


Also...it's tough to compare the designer vinyl offerings vs. their X Plus counterparts, because they're going in totally different approaches.

[GreenAiden555]

Here's a difference; I want the Gigabrain Ghidorah

[DoctorMafune]

Speaking as someone who has the 8" Bandai figure pictured, the X Plus Showa KG 64 statue, the Kaiju Freaks 30cm scale resin kit, and the Bandai Great Monster Series King Ghidorah--and of course having pre-ordered the Gigabrain KG--the sculpt and style of the Gigabrain is good enough to stand on its own. And I have to say, just from pictures alone of the Gigabrain, out of the Marmit, Marusan, CCP, and Pilot Ace "designer vinyl" KG figures I have...this Gigabrain looks to be the best of that particular segment of Godzilla collectible. And I def think that a purported X Plus 30cm KG could stand well on its own also. Also...it's tough to compare the designer vinyl offerings vs. their X Plus counterparts, because they're going in totally different approaches.

Egad! Now I know why I had such a hard time tracking down some of those Ghidorahs... you've got them all!

I definitely agree about the designer vinyl vs. movie-accurate replicas: they're apples and oranges.

I'm also with you on the Gigabrain KG: if it looks as good in person as in photos, it may well be the best of the KG designer vinyls.

I always wanted the Pilot Ace Ghidorah, too... but IMO, even that one—beautiful as it is—seems outclassed by Gigabrain's. Something about the way the middle head on Pilot Ace's KG bends forward just doesn't look right; but Gigabrain nailed it.

And before I get whacked for being off topic, let me just say that I think X-Plus hits more home runs than anything else... and the grinning Biollante on my desk seems to be of the same opinion. I can't wait to see what X-Plus does with Ghidorah.

[leunames]

Egad! Now I know why I had such a hard time tracking down some of those Ghidorahs... you've got them all!

I definitely agree about the designer vinyl vs. movie-accurate replicas: they're apples and oranges.

I'm also with you on the Gigabrain KG: if it looks as good in person as in photos, it may well be the best of the KG designer vinyls.

I always wanted the Pilot Ace Ghidorah, too... but IMO, even that one—beautiful as it is—seems outclassed by Gigabrain's. Something about the way the middle head on Pilot Ace's KG bends forward just doesn't look right; but Gigabrain nailed it.

And before I get whacked for being off topic, let me just say that I think X-Plus hits more home runs than anything else... and the grinning Biollante on my desk seems to be of the same opinion. I can't wait to see what X-Plus does with Ghidorah.

Haha yeah...I'm a fan of KG...of all versions save for GMK and the Final Wars ones. Easily the most represented monster in my collection, aside from Godzilla himself.

I'm pretty eager to compare the Pilot Ace to the Gigabrain. I can wait for it...i've got the patience.

in terms of xplus...ironically most of their weak sculpts are Godzilla himself. I can say that the 30cm Godzilla 55 (which I have) is especially weak, and i wasn't thrilled by the 92 (didn't purchase) or many of the 25cm Godzillas. I really like the 30cm 62 and 64 sculpts though. 30cm Gigan is easily the weakest non-godzilla character.

Aside from Godzilla, they do have more hits than misses. Biollante, I agree, is FANTASTIC, as well as their legacy MM28 molds. The Hedorah is underrated as it's got a great sculpt, but the paint scheme is a bit matte and should have been done in gloss, which benefits the Gigabrains greatly.

i wonder what route they will take for the KG. You're the only other poster on this forum that I know of who has the asai kit..that's the only 30cm scale showa KG (aside from volk's ancient kit)...do you think they contact asai and license it from him?

I'm thinking they go with a proprietary sculpt. I hope it turns out well.

[GCrusher]

A X-Plus Anguirus sold on eBay last night for $687!!
That's pretty steep. That's a figure they could rerelease in a different color / shade to match a different movie appearance and have no trouble selling.
An original Gorosaurus also sold for $480. Though I think because it had a later limited 2nd release and some preferred the newer paint scheme, it didn't go as high as it may have if limited to only a single release like Anguirus.

[SmogMonster]

If anyone else is looking for Gorosaurus, this seller seems to have the reissue:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/190640284541?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Pretty decent price too.

[leunames]

I'm selling an original Gorosaurus

[GCrusher]

If I hadn't missed the auction I would have bid on it. $480 is not to terrible for the Gorosaurus.
I'm have the reissue, so am not pressed to own the original.

[Godz]

A X-Plus Anguirus sold on eBay last night for $687!!
That's pretty steep. That's a figure they could rerelease in a different color / shade to match a different movie appearance and have no trouble selling.
An original Gorosaurus also sold for $480. Though I think because it had a later limited 2nd release and some preferred the newer paint scheme, it didn't go as high as it may have if limited to only a single release like Anguirus.

Tell me about it...I bid $450 on Anguirus and thought I had a decent chance at him...woke up this morning and just about shat.

[kaiju115]

The idea of either an x-plus Titanosaurus, or Mech-King Ghidorah would just awesome.

[GCrusher]

A X-Plus Anguirus sold on eBay last night for $687!!
That's pretty steep. That's a figure they could rerelease in a different color / shade to match a different movie appearance and have no trouble selling.
An original Gorosaurus also sold for $480. Though I think because it had a later limited 2nd release and some preferred the newer paint scheme, it didn't go as high as it may have if limited to only a single release like Anguirus.

Tell me about it...I bid $450 on Anguirus and thought I had a decent chance at him...woke up this morning and just about shat.

Hopefully X-Plus will rerelease some of these figures.
This way I won't need to pay $500 for Gorosaurus. I could only imagine the eBay price for Ghidorah after it disappears from the standard retail outlets.

[Drunken Kong]

Yo is the X-Plus Mothra larvae worth spending ~$180 on or does it look stupid?

I feel like owning a Mothra larvae is the breaking point in a collection. I can rationalize the cool designs of MechaG, Godzilla, Gamera, even Hedorah. But when you just have a giant worm....it's hard to justify why you bought it. "Uhhhh, you see....this thing evolves into something cooler...which I don't have. But I paid almost $200 for this. Anyways....here's Biollante."

I kinda want it just for collector's sake, but I wonder if I should just hold out for an X-Plus adult form.