The second (and third if you count the Dorat accessories) version of the 1991 King Ghidorah joins the S.H. MonsterArts line! How is it this time around?
Details
Mecha-King Ghidorah is made up of a MOSTLY new mold for the wings, middle head, mid section, tail extensions and leg braces while the rest is the same mold from the previously released King Ghidorah. The wings (with die cast upper tips), although sturdy in design, are also, highly delicate. On one hand, it's nice to have a version of King Ghidorah with move able wings, but on the other, it's a new wing sculpt and not fair to judge it against the previous version. The bumpy surface of the golden area of the wings looks really nice ion the right light.
The middle, robotic head is really cool looking and it has these interesting green translucent eyes that can either look cool or really goofy depending on the angle. A word of warning-BE VERY CAREFUL with the figure. If it falls on the floor or any hard surface, the three middle tips will most likely snap off. Rouding out the design are the leg braces and tail tips which while being film accurate, also add to the coolness of the figure.
Accessories
This set shines with accessories! The set comes with 3 one inch sized Dorats and they're really cool. The sculpt for the head is quite nice and closely film accurate.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Dorats, though, is the paint job. The heads are a lightish green color which is painted perfectly with no runoff. The eyes are nicely done as well with white eyeballs and black pupils. The wings are a mix of white and gold and they look great up close. The teeth are white the tongue has a nice deep red to it. For such a tiny part of the head, it's cool that the paint was applied with no runoff and just the right amount of paint applied. The gold paint on the body really pops and while it stands apart color wise from the tan color of the face, it doesn't ruin the effect of the figure.
Also included are the "Godzilla Capture Cables", Machine Head, a few connection rods, and a base. Four of the cables come with bendable wire and the Machine Head cable's wires are die cast while the rest of it is plastic. They're attached by opening the flaps on the chest and the middle portion of the chest can be removed to fit the main Capture Cable. You can see the cables, Machine Head and base laid out here.
Articulation
As expected for such a large release, the cyborg figure has many points of articulation.
Mecha-King Ghidorah's legs can move back and forth and to the side but with limited range. The heads have less freedom this time around due to the hoses attached to the chest-one of the trade-offs for film accuracy. The mouths can open and close but have loose jaws that can either be prone to "slack-jaw" or just fall off altogether. The ball joints in the tails are sturdier this time around so it's easier to pose them without them losing their pose.
The wings are sturdy yet delicate at the same time. The wings, when moved, need to be held at the base where the wing meets the body.
While it might surprise some, it's worth mentioning the articulation of the Dorats as well. What I wasn't expecting was just how much articulation there was in such a little figure. The mouth moves up and down, the tail can move 360 degrees, the head can move left to right, and the legs can move 360 degrees. Quite a lot for such a little figure!
Paint
For the most part, the paint is top notch with the red paint on the metal portions free from overspill and blemishes. While the teeth do have some slight red paint mixed in to the white, it's very slight and definitely not as bad as the paint job on King Ghidorah. The roofs of the mouths are really well done with the deep red color.
The metal parts are well done, looking sleek and shiny. The coloring contrasts nicely as well with the golden skin of Ghidorah. The control base, where Emmy's character was located while controlling the monster, is also nicely painted. It looks slightly glass-like, and a different shade than the rest of the metal exterior.
The only real blemish is this part right here on the foot where the gold paint wasn't correctly applied. It's not a BIG deal but is slightly annoying when the other foot doesn't have this problem.
Overall
Mecha-King Ghidorah is a figure that, while cool looking, isn't one that I've found personally exciting. He's just good, not great. That being said, with all the accessories, the added die cast, and mostly great paint job, it's a solid figure. Definitely pick him up if you're a fan of the figure or if you're looking to round out your collection!
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Addendum: Mecha-King Ghidorah Shinjuku Decisive Battle Special Set
A re-release and in a way, a "correction" to the previous release of Mecha-King Ghidorah from 2015. In some ways, this is the version that should have been the original release.
Articulation
Most of the articulation is the same with the exception of the middle head, which is more poseable this time around. The wings are the more noticeable difference here as these not only have more fluid articulation as you move them, they don’t squeak like crazy like they did with the first release (because they were super stiff). This is another example of this being a better release over the first.
Accessories
This is where the set gives you something while taking something away. Gone are the cool three Dorats that were in the original release, which is a shame, but what’s here are damaged wings from the battle with Godzilla at the end of the film. They look really cool and are well constructed. What’s great about them is that they’re every easy to swap in and out. Just grab the base of the basic wings, and pull them straight out and they come off easily. To add the damaged wings, once the basic wings are removed, just line up the slots and they’ll click right in.
In addition, the “Godzilla Capture Cables” make a return here. Although it may seem like they’re the same as the previous release, a soft plastic protective coating has been added. It’s nice to have them for those who missed out the first time and want to recreate the battle scene at the end of the film.
Paint
One of the biggest changes over the original release is the paint job. King Ghidorah is a more accurate gold color now as opposed to the more yellowish paint job for the 2015 release. Darker paint on the metal body adds more depth. No issues with the rest of the paint - the teeth look great and aide from a small bit or dark red/gum paint overlap here and there, it’s all cool.
Overall
Overall, this is a pretty cool release. I’m glad Mecha-King Ghidorah was re-released, especially for those who missed the original eight years ago. A lot has happened in those eight years with this line and new fans are introduced to it every day. Recommended!
**Below are a number of bonus images for the figure.**
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