Does your jet black Porsche 928S transform into an evil German scientist? Mine does.

The Super GoBot Herr Fiend, originally Scale Robo DX Porsche 928S Robo from the Machine Robo line, is one of the nicest of the GoBots. The Japanese version and its European counterpart were available in two different types of blue, but I find that the US version has the superior colors. Its pitch black color scheme is fearsome and really goes with the identity of an evil robot scientist of the German persuasion. Imagine if Rotwang from Metropolis could transform into a car!

So how does Herr Fiend hold up as a toy and not a character? This is almost entirely diecast metal with rolling rubber wheels. You hold it up to your cheek and you feel the cool zinc alloy. The paint job is great and while it's a little hard to see the details in all that black paint, it just looks fantastic.

Yes, you can see the seams on the toy where it transforms, but it makes for a pretty convincing car. It has your basic stickers like a license plate, tail and headlights, and optional big stupid racing numbers, but I think it looks way better without them.

It is also bigger and has more heft than the Diaclone Car Robot toys from Takara that Popy was obviously competing with. If you have to pick between Herr Fiend and the Transformer Jazz, remember that Herr Fiend doesn't break if you breathe on it.

The transformation is simple but satisfying, similar to the other Scale Robo DX cars. Also like those toys, Herr Fiend seems less like a robot with a personality and more like a robotic vehicle. There's even a little human figure in the cockpit!

One down side is that his ass is a car hood, but at least it's not going to snap off. The articulation is acceptable for the '80s. The legs are basically immobile, but the arms have a decent range of motion. The robot's head is just as inhuman as the other Scale Robo DX toys and he has these weird turning fork hands. I wonder how exactly Herr Fiend performs horrible medical procedures with those stubby things!

If I were rating this against the other Super GoBot toys, I'd say Psycho has a cooler robot mode and better hands, but Herr Fiend has way more metal. Herr Fiend's slick black paint job puts the toy right near the top. I really like all of the Super GoBot cars based on Scale Robo DX line, but this is one case where America got the better deal. The mold itself is not quite as cool as Bug Bite or Pscyho, but Herr Fiend has as much metal as Bug Bite and the cooler color scheme, so I'd say they are on close to even footing.

Herr Fiend has no weapon at all. He doesn't even have a weird gun-hat like Bug Bite, but this robot is an evil scientist, not a warrior, so I don't mind that much.

If your entire impression of GoBots is short, crappy Transformers ripoffs, you are in for a treat with the Super GoBot cars. In robot mode, these are almost twice as tall as the Transformers that began as Diaclone Car Robots like Jazz and Prowl. They don't have as many fine details (no missile launchers for example), but they are way bigger, include far more metal, and are nowhere near as fragile and fiddly.

Herr Fiend is a nice example of the line and the good news is that thanks to the terrible reputation the GoBots enjoy, you can pick these up for pretty cheap on the secondary market. Did I mention this toy was manufactured by Popy? That's right, this classic diecast robot even has a little Popy logo etched into the metal.

With Herr Fiend you get a sweet paint job, copious metal, rubber tires, and a classy personality. Let's face it, this is the kind of GoBot you always wished you had: the kind that performs eugenics experiments.

One can argue that this toy was the one that sparked the imagination of kids in the late 70s, fueling our now current frenzy for all things giant and robot.

The Shogun Warriors. Invincible guardians of world freedom. These toys are the ones that sparked our imagination back in the late 70s, and shaped our idea of cool. Not everyone had a Shogun Warrior – at the time most kids were busy with more affordable toy lines such as Star Wars, Micronauts and Mego Super heroes. But those of us who got them knew that we were onto something special.

Great Mazinga was one of the original Shogun Warrior characters, and probably the most recognizable. You ask people of that generation if they had one, and they may not recall the name (“Great something?”) but you describe the bright red V on the chest and they go “That’s the one! It shot fists!”

Like the rest of the Shogun Warriors line, Great Mazinga was actually a repackaged Popy toy. The first release of Great Mazinga was simply titled “Mazinga” and was identical to its Japanese Counterpart.

The version shown here is the second version, a greatly dumbed-down version for the american market. Gone are the knee and waist decals. Gone is the multi color scrander with chrome engine nozzles. Nope, this one was clearly designed to be cheap and easy.

It's still a good toy, and its likely the one most kids got back in the day. The whole body is diecast metal with plastic being reserved for the head, chest V and arms.

The arms shoot off with a satisfying "Plink!" when the buttons on the arms are pushed.

Great Mazinga comes with two cheap red plastic swords. These can be held in either hand, but cannot be stored in the legs like with the Jumbo Machinder version.

The scrander is detachable.

The box is a classic example of 70s package design, with the clear plastic tray, die-cut window and side flap. This particular specimen is from the Josh C10 Fraser collection, and I have tried my best to keep it C10. I believe this came out of a sealed case. Yeah, I opened it.

To me, this guy (or any version thereof) is one of the cornerstone pieces of any vintage Japanese toy collection. It is relevant in so many ways, it set the stage for so much that was going to come. One can argue that this toy was the one that sparked the imagination of kids in the late 70s, fueling our now current frenzy for all things giant and robot.

This design is why we are here today. Why my childhood was what it was. Why this website exists. This is Ground Zero, or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

Before you get all excited, this is just a reproduction of the original GA-01 that was offered as a prize item from Banpresto. While it is not the original item, it is a great opportunity to talk about some of the history behind this legendary gokin, the one that started it all.

Back in 1972, Japanese toy maker Popy was having a bit of success with merchandise from its live action shows like Kamen Rider when it decided to first use Zinc Alloy (aka Diecast) in making small vehicles seen in the shows. The resulting toy line was known as Popynica (a combination of Popy and Mini-Car) and was the first Popy product to use the now legendary numbering system. It was during this time that Popy got the license to manufacture merchandise from a new cartoon called Mazinger Z. Developed from a manga, Mazinger Z had been capturing the minds of children everywhere. In order to replicate the feeling of the giant robot, Popy created the Jumbo Machinder line of 24" polyethylene robots.

The Jumbo was a huge success, and Popy was about to hit on another. Lead designer Katsuhisa Murakami was brought in to create another toy concept. If the Jumbo represented size, what would represent weight?

In the anime, Mazinger Z is made out of a fictitious metal called Cho-gokin (literally, "Super Alloy"). Murakami decided that creating these new toys out of the diecast used in Popynica toys and branding them "Chogokin" would be a hit with kids, thinking their toys were made out of the same metal as Mazinger Z.

Murakami was right, and the rest is history. The Chogokin Mazinger Z was dubbed GA-01, and sold like crazy. So much so that they continued to refine and execute the design, resulting in four original versions of the GA-01 and countless repaints and reissues.

This design is why we are here today. Why my childhood was what it was. Why this website exists.

Of course, being the first Chogokin, finding a mint condition example can be a rare and costly affair, costing thousands of dollars.

In 1999, Banpresto decided to reissue the GA-01 and offer it as a prize item to be given away when customers sent in coupons from a select Super Robot Wars video game (Super Robot Wars F Final). Banpresto needed a GA-01 to reproduce, and since the molds had long since deteriorated, looked to collectors to find a mint specimen. They eventually got one from Koji Igarashi, author of Green Arrow Graffiti, and another from Kazunori Saito, legendary collector and publisher of several guide books. It is from these collectors that Banpresto got their template for their version of the GA-01.

According to this article on Toybox DX, the Banpresto version is pretty close to the original, aside from the markings on the feet and the firing mechanism on the back. A comparison of the original versus the reissue can be found here.

Like the original, this version features folding down chest plates with launching missiles.

Included are regular fists and iron cutter fists, both launch with the press of a button on the shoulders.

The toy comes in a reproduction box, complete with paperwork, foam padding, missiles, and two kinds of fists. The reproduction box came shipped in an outer Banpresto box. A black version was also offered, and is harder to find than this one.

This reproduction can be easily found for under $100 on various sites, and is a great stand in for the real thing.

As a bonus, here's a montage of vintage Popy commercials, starting out with Mazinger Z

In 2009 Bandai announced the GX-45 Mazinga Z, a complete retooling of the first Soul of Chogokin, and in the commercial it relates a modern day salaryman's yearning for his classic GA-01

Koji Kabuto was the pilot of one of the most iconic super robots ever - Mazinger Z. He fought many battles against Kikaiju such as Garada K7 and Doublas M2. But eventually, Mazinger was replaced by a newer, better model - Great Mazinger.

So what does Koji do? He goes off to NASA.

Eventually though, Koji has to come back to Japan, and one would think he would be fully qualified to pilot the latest super robot, Grendizer. But Duke Fleed's all like "Noooo, you left, you lost your place in line, get to the back".

Talk about a demotion.

Koji Kabuto was the pilot of one of the most iconic super robots ever - Mazinger Z. He fought many battles against Kikaiju such as Garada K7 and Doublas M2. But eventually, Mazinger was replaced by a newer, better model - Great Mazinger.

So what does Koji do? He goes off to NASA.

Eventually though, Koji has to come back to Japan, and one would think he would be fully qualified to pilot the latest super robot, Grendizer. But Duke Fleed's all like "Noooo, you left, you lost your place in line, get to the back".

So now, humiliated, Koji is offered a consolation prize. He gets to pilot a dorky flying saucer called the TFO. He is reduced to ineffectual sidekick. What a blow to the ego.

At the very least Popy, managed to take a dopey ship and transform it into a semi-cool toy.

I scored this guy for a cool $40 at a toy show years and years ago. I remember thinking I had gotten quite a score, how often to you see boxed Popy stuff at those?

The box is typical awesome, although the condition is not C-10 perfect. Honestly, I can accept a less than perfect box in order to get a deal on a toy.

At just a few inches around, the toy manages to squeeze in a lot of play value. The outer rim is solid diecast, with metal wheels beneath.

The cockpit opens to reveal poor Koji Kabuto. He looks like he is piloting a kids carnival ride.

The red part in the front of the ship is actually a button, that when pressed pops up the whole center section, revealing the chromed innner workings of the TFO.

On each side of the chromed area are circles. One might think that these are missile launchers but they are in fact holes for various attachments.

Three yellow attachments are included that can be attached to any hole. All three look like extendable repair mechanisms.

The toy is pretty cool, but like a lot of these old Popynica, the spring loaded action is iffy. On this one, the center does not like to stay down, and when it does its kind of lopsided.

Fortunately, Koji Kabuto eventually moved up a little and became the pilot of Grendizer's Double Spazer.

It's as if Timothy Leary had a flying space fortress....

It's as if Timothy Leary had a flying space fortress....

Kageboshi (カゲボーシー) is a flying fortress from the obscure 70s Tokusatsu show "The Kagestar" (ザ・カゲスター). Kagestar aired from 1976-1977 on NET. The show ran for 34 episodes and was co-produced by NET and Toei.

Supposedly, the show has something to do with people merging with their shadows to become superheroes, but honestly, I have no idea, and I think I am better off not knowing. Why does the main character look like an American flag exploded on him. Whats with the eyes on the helmets?

The Kageboshi Popynica is just one of those WTF toys that I love just because it is so out there. Out of context, it makes no sense, and stands as a classic example of Japanese toy design of the time. Its this aesthetic that makes my pants shrink.

Being a Popynica toy, the Kageboshi comes in the standard popy box, with the silver border and chogokin logo. Sharper viewers will notice that the toy on the package bears little resemblance to the toy inside, which was often the case with Popy toys. Here the image is obviously of the Kageboshi in the prototype stage, with red missiles and different decals. The toy is wrapped in foam padding, and not cardboard or styrofoam like other chogokin.

The body of Kageboshi is almost entirely diecast. The whole chassis can roll along the ground on shiny metal wheels.

The "hat" can rotate, as can each individual propeller.

Six missiles can be loaded into Kageboshi and shot individually. Unfortunately, age has taken its toll and the the missiles don't really launch as they get caught on the springs and need to be pulled out. Not sure if this is just a problem with my sample or with all of them.

In addition the two large panels on the top of the wings are spring loaded and can be opened by sliding the silver buttons toward the center of the vehicle. Inside is spectacular chrome detailing.

The "mouth" of Kageboshi can open and you can store miniature vehicles in there. Included are Kagestar's "KageroCar" and "BelleCar".

I dont know what it is about Kageboshi, but this little guy is always for sale reasonably cheap. There's always one in Mandarake, and it never goes for more than 5,000 yen, but I have no idea why. Overstock? Unpopular show? Who knows?

Kageboshi has the funk, and you need the funk.

Nessar was an aquatic mech piloted by Bunta Hayami, the "Big Guy" of the crew of the Daikyu Maryu. There's always one in every crew. Being a big guy myself, the inclusion of these characters in these shows helped me identify with the Japanese shows moreso than their western counterparts.

Nesser (or Nessar) is one of the three support mecha that fly alongide the Daikyu Maryu and Gaiking mecha in the 1976 anime "Daikyu Maryu Gaiking".

Nessar was an aquatic mech piloted by Bunta Hayami, the "Big Guy" of the crew of the Daikyu Maryu. There's always one in every crew. Being a big guy myself, the inclusion of these characters in these shows helped me identify with the Japanese shows moreso than their western counterparts.

It's no coincidence that Nesser resembles a Plesiosaur. The Loch Ness Monster is thought to be a Plesiosaur, and is nicknamed "Nessie". Get it?

This little diecast toy was released by Popy in 1975. A few years later it was repackaged and released by Mattel as part of the Shogun Warriors line.

Lets face it, this little guy is cute. As fearsome as Gaiking was with the giant skull on his chest, the Nesser, Bazolar and Skyler are the cute kawaii mecha that kids can relate to.

As part of the Popynica line, you would expect that there would be metal, and Nesser does not disappoint. The body and neck are solid metal. The body is that funky metallic blue, with the completely non-anime accurate stickers, blaring the characters name in all its 70s goodness. There are wheels on the bottom of the body, enabling Nesser to roll around.

While we are on the body, lets talk about the wings. The blue plastic wings are lined with red plastic. Each wing has spaces to store extra missiles. These do not fire. On the inside of the wings are more funky yellow stickers with Japanese Writing on them.

There are, however, two missile launchers in the body that are activated by pressing the red buttons on the sides of the toy.

The neck is jointed at the body and at the head, enabling you to position it straight ahead. With the head out, the wings out, and the feet turned up, Nesser turns into a sleek flying or diving machine.

The head is dark blue plastic with translucent green eyes. It's articulated at the jaw.

To put it bluntly, Nesser rocks. I love it. The only thing you have to be careful about is the tail. Over time the blue plastic of the tail becomes brittle and breaks off easily, often in the package. Be sure to have the seller check it before purchasing one.

You know I love Dairugger, and you know I love clear toys. Well, like a match made in heaven its the Mechaclear Dairugger XV.

You know I love Dairugger, and you know I love clear toys. Well, like a match made in heaven its the Mechaclear Dairugger XV.

The Mechaclear series of toys were kind of deluxe versions of the cheap little train station toys that companies like Seven and Victora sold. These come in nicer boxes than the regular toys, and well.. they are clear! I'm not sure how many were in the series, but there was also a Godmars made.

Dairugger is made of chromed metal parts encased inside of a translucent shell. The toy can actually come apart into several different sections, much like the original character, although this is a function of the mecha clear series.

Each limb connects to the body at a peg and hole joint, but the peg has a bit of black rubber to provide friction around the edges. The leg parts can actually be split open so you can handle the chrome pieces inside.

Articulation is limited to the head, arms and legs. No accessories are included, and the sword and shoulder propellers are omitted from this toy.

The toy shares a mold with the MechaGold Dairugger XV (To be reviewed). In fact, there have been crossovers between the toy where the MechaGold toy has had some limbs replaced with clear limbs. In total, you have the following variations:

• MechaClear
• MechaGold
• MechaGold Bootleg (w/sword and propellers)
• MechaGold with clear Right Arm and Left Leg
• MechaGold with clear Left Arm and Right Leg

The original toy is cool as hell. When you had the old one, you knew it was destined to do more. When those fists came unglued, you knew they were supposed to fire.

In this version, they did. And it did a whole lot more.

This may look like that small Voltron you had as a kid, but it's not. This is the real deal - the GB-73 ST Dairugger XV that the Matchbox Vehicle Voltron was based off of.

In the 80s it was not uncommon for American toy companies to license Japanese properties and bring over their toys. But due to some kid choking on a Battlestar Galactica missile, we had all these safety rules now which meant any cool Japanese toy brought over was going to be instantly neutered.

The original toy is cool as hell. When you had the old one, you knew it was destined to do more. When those fists came unglued, you knew they were supposed to fire.

In this version, they did. And it did a whole lot more.

The ST Dairugger XV shares a lot of parts with its bastard Americanized cousin, but there's a lot different.

The box is a beautiful Popy style box with fantastic illustrations all around. The toy comes packed in a styrofoam tray.

The chest is the same, and the US version still bears the Popy logo on the back.

The hands now shoot, and the toy comes with an extra set of hands. Each had can be placed in two positions.

This version also includes a sword!

The legs on this version have built in missile launchers, a feature never even hinted at with the original. The lower legs are diecast metal, with plastic car feet with rolling wheels.

The ST Dairugger XV can be had for pretty cheap, compared to other vintage gokin. If you had the original as a youth you owe it to yourself to get one of these.

What I like about this toy is that it packs in so much play value into a tiny little funky vehicle.

Here's a weird one for you.

The Magicar comes from an obscure show called Fifth Grade Third Division Magic Class (5年3組魔法組 - go-nen san-kumi mahougumi ) or Fifth Grade Magic Class for short. The short-lived show ran from December 1976 to October 1977 on TV Asahi.

Check out this trippy intro:

I really have no idea what this show is about, but it looks like a mix between Mister Rogers Neighborhood and Robocon.

It seems that Magicar is the main ride of the Queen of the Witches, who somehow ends up teaching a class in school, and the kids and her go off on all sorts of wacky adventures. I'd love to see the show, if anyone has it.

The Magicar was released in 1977 as part of the Popynica line of diecast vehicle toys. The toy consists of two main sections.

What I like about this toy is that it packs in so much play value into a tiny little funky vehicle.

The top section seats all the kids from the magic class and the bulk of it is diecast metal.

There is a small propeller in the middle, and if you push down on it, a red missile fires from the front.

Underneath the propeller is a metal wheel. The idea is that you take the included piece of string, thread it under the wheel, and then your Magicar can zoom across the room!

Awesome!

The lower part of the ship features three multi colored towers that each has metal wheels on the bottom and spinning propellers on top. Hold on to the bottom and give the top a good twist and the two halves separate.

Look what's inside! A Compass! And over thirty years later, it still works great.

The box is typical Popy - gorgeous. The bottom has an extra special tip for the kids from the notorious Susumu Abe, a noted child educator at the time. Anyone care to translate?

The magicar is a pretty common piece from a relatively unknown show, and can be had easily for about 3,000 - 4,000 yen (as of 2009).

The Gaiking Necklace is the new must-have fashion accessory for 1977.

This Gaiking Necklace is another piece of the Joshua C-10 Fraser collection. He wore it to the 2008 Summit, and it was left behind to be documented...

It's a basic Popy soft vinyl robot figure with a brass ring in the head and arms up in the air. The only point of articulation is at the waist.

The brass ring is attached to a long metal chain.

The Necklace was sold in a plastic capsule, similar to todays UFO Capsule toys.