Baldios

Out of the blue we get not one but two new Baldios toys from two different manufacturers. They are both great toys in their own rights, but each is for a certain type of collector.

Baldios arrives courtesy of Yamato Toys USA

But first, a little about the character. Baldios comes from the anime series Space Warrior Baldios (宇宙戦士 バルディオス, Uchū Senshi Barudiosu), a 32-episode anime that ran from 1980-1981. There was also a feature film that was adapted into English as "Space Warriors: Battle For Earth Station S/1 – Baldios"

So I mentioned that there are two Baldios toys out right now. There’s the GN-U Dou Baldios (which we are looking at now) and the CM’s Brave Gokin Baldios. So which one is right for you?

The Yamato GN-U Dou Baldios has your standard internal frame common to all GN-U figures, and gives it a pretty decent range of articulation. There’s not a lot of competition though, considering the last Baldios toys were made by Nomura in 1981, a time not known for its articulation.

The skeleton is covered with armor plates that snap together leaving no screw holes. Baldios is one of the better GN-U figures in terms of parts actually staying on the figure.

Proportions are good, articulation is good, and the detail is sharp. Pieces are either molded in color or painted in a flat finish that creates a cell-shaded anime feel.

Accessories are limited to a set of variant hands, one attached to the Pulsaber sword.

Baldios looks sharp on your shelf, and is a great addition to your classic super robot collection. As of December 2008, 3,000 yen translates into about $33.00 USD, making this a rather pricey action figure for the casual collector. But then you have to consider the alternative..

You can pre-order your Baldios at Yamato Toys USA

The $230.00 diecast Brave Gokin Baldios…