Released to toy stores in 2011, two figures (Godzilla 2004 and Mechagodzilla 74) of a new line of "collector" toys were introduced to store shelves from Bandai Creation under the new "Tokyo Vinyl" label. The line did not fare well and currently sit unsold on toy store shelves. This review is for Godzilla 2004, from Godzilla: Final Wars (2004), which is an interesting take on a controversial design.
With a look that has this figure appearing like a cross between a generic monster and a cartoony style of Godzilla 2004, he sure does have an original look to him. Godzilla has some heft to him with the body being a main source of his weight. The "scales" on the figure are nice to the touch and the oversized feet not only add to the exaggeration of the design, they help hold the figure up nicely. One thing I liked in particular is that the claws move up in down and not side to side like other Bandai Creations figures. Having the claws move up and down gives the figure an added sense of ferocity.
The paint is done well and like Tokyo Vinyl Mechagodzilla, is really simple. The teeth and claws are a nice whitish green color and they accentuate the figure well against the dark grey/green skin tone. There's a cool red gum line in the mouth that contrasts the teeth perfectly. The eyes are a mix of a black stripe pupil, green unpainted area surrounding the pupil, and an orange outer layer to simulate Godzilla's "fiery eyes" from the film. The middle row of the backplates are the only plates colored on the back of the figure with the rest of the plates being the same color as the body. They're a brilliant light blue color which really makes the figure stand out.
Godzilla has five points of articulation in the tail, arms, and legs. Each point of articulation can swivel 360 degrees technically but because each point is oversized, they are blocked from achieving the full range of motion. The joints on the arms are smooth and a little loose but they don't lose their pose. I'm not sure to include the mouth as a point of articulation. Granted you can move it around but it closes once you open it. It's kept very tight.
In the end, despite this being a rather different looking figure of Godzilla, I must say that it's not for everyone. Some might feel that it's a rather generic version of Godzilla and was designed for the way younger crowd. For what it is though, I do like this figure and would recommend picking it up when you get the chance and if you liked the figure's design.
It's too bad that this line never caught on. Perhaps it was the wrong market (this is better suited for comic book shops) or the initial price point of $19.99 when it was released. Sometimes cool ideas don't catch on the first time. It's a shame too but because this and Mechagodzilla Tokyo Vinyl didn't sell very well, other upcoming figures in the line like King Ghidorah pictured here are on indefinite hold. I personally hope that the figures are discovered again (now that the price has dropped to $12.99) and they sell enough to continue the series.
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