Getter 1

We reviewed the original EX-Gokin way back in 2006, but unfortunately, I never got my hands on one. I always wanted one though, and when Fewture announced a Repaint version, I knew I had to get my hands on one.

It’s awesome.

The awesomeness comes with a price though. The Getter 1 EX Gokin will run you 24,800 yen, or about $250 USD. There are few cases where I think the price is worth it, and this is one of those cases.

Lets start with the packaging. The entire package is sealed in a slipcase with a monochrome print of the Getter 1. Inside, the outer box is glossy heavy cardboard, that is made out of a lid and the base tray. The fit between the two is so tight that a vacuum is created when you try to separate the two. Inside of that there is a double flap, followed by the toy in styrofoam.

When you first pick up the EX Gokin Getter 1, you are immediately impressed with the weight. It feels as if the entire thing is made out of metal.

The toy is big, much bigger than your standard SOC. All said, it’s about 9 inches tall.

There’s so much to talk about.

Starting from the top, the head is all PVC, including the double jointed neck. The head has a removable faceplate that is translucent in the right places.

From there down, it’s mostly metal. The chest is a mix of ABS and diecast parts, but it is very solid. There are lots going on here, so it deserves its own paragraph.

The chest features two removable diecast plates that are held in place with nothing but small pegs and friction. The bottom plate goes under the top plate, both are heavy, thick metal. When you remove the plates you can see the inner skeletal structure, with the core engine of the getter visible. This core is removable.

Moving around to the back, the outer structure is metal, with pegs for three different medallions. these medallions designate the three different Getter machines that make up the Getter 1. You are presented with two different sets of medallions. One uses English numbers (1,2,3) and one uses old Chinese calligraphic symbols. Once in, they are a pain to get out.

Below the chest is a diecast waist. The two are held together with a ball joint that is just a bit too loose for the figure’s weight. You could probably take it apart and strengthen it, but you shouldn’t have to for $250. The waist features an opening crotch-door that has a removable circular cover. The cover is supposed to be for a translucent green tube, but the tube cannot slide in, so you get both the cover and a tube.

Moving back up to the arms, you get a shoulder joint that a) rotates, b) swivels out and in and c) moves inwards towards the chest. Moving it too far forward will pop off the metal chest plate.

The upper arms are metal, leading to a plastic elbow joint that clicks with movement. The forearms are also metal, and feature a removable panel that can be replaced with the sharp plastic arm blades.

The hands are interchangeable. There are two sets of hands, Open hands and grabbing hands. The grabbing hands are not quite fists, but they are hinged at the knuckles. They feature holes in the palms to attach the Getter Tomahawks.

The hips have great clicky joints that are loose in the forward-backward motion, but SUPER TIGHT in the side to side motion. You might think you were going to break it trying to move the legs out, but they will go, almost to a right angle.

The upper legs are solid metal. The knees are double-jointed with a solid metal center. The lower legs are solid metal as well, leading to the feet.

The feet are also solid metal, and are hinged in the toe. The ankles are plastic and metal, and rotate, swivel and bend.

Impressed yet?

Getter 1 also comes with the Getter Wing attachment. You have to remove one of the back medallions, and place the wing in its cavity, then you replace the medallion. The wing is solid ABS plastic. It looks great, but would have been better with a little articulation.

For weaponry, the Getter 1 comes with two Getter Tomahawks. The tomahawks are made out of PVC and feature a ball on the handle that plugs into either hand.

Also included with the set is the Getmachine Eagle. For those not in the know, the Getter Machines are the three ships that combine in various ways to create the three Getter robots. Technically the Getter 1 and the Getmachine can’t exist together because they are the same, but who cares really.

The Getmachine ship is also metal, and is a fine toy on its own right. The chest and underside plates are metal and are removable, revealing the inner workings. The rear engines (which form the arms) are articulated and can be moved out to the side to replicate the ship as it looks during combination. You can even attach another set of arm blades and even the hands for more effect. They even included extra medallions to place on the vehicle as well.

The toy includes a stand, but I didn’t bother to take it out of the package. It’s unnecessary. The figure stands fine on its own.

So you may have read the part above that says “Repaint version”. So what is different from the 2006 version? Well, not much. Mostly there is slightly different paint applications, such as the white on the body being turned a slight grey, and the yellow eyes turned white. If you missed the first run, this one looks pretty much the same.

This toy is a masterwork. There are a few small flaws, but it is absolutely gorgeous and full of metal. The two weak points are the easily popped-off chest plate and the loose chest joint. I can overlook that though because the rest of the toy is sheer awesome. The finish is perfect with an automotive like sheen.

If you collect gokin, and can tolerate the high-end pricing, do not miss this one. These appreciate in value like crazy, so if you wait, expect to pay more.