God Sigma

With the Soul of Chogokin God Sigma due out soon I thought it was a good time to take a look at the classic that inspired the modern toy.

God Sigma represents on of the last Deluxe Godaikin toys that I intended on getting. Tetsujin 28 is just too expensive, and the toy really doesn’t do it for me. There are a few in the second series I don’t have, such as Dancougar, but those designs don’t hold the same draw.  The Godaikin box refers to the character as ‘Godsigma’, but I’m going to stick with the correctly translated name, ‘God Sigma’.

So why was God Sigma so far down my list? To be honest, I never was too into the design, that is until I got the ST at an auction a few years ago. From there I really “got” the design, and the hunt was on.

To me God Sigma represents a transition from the classic super robot aesthetic to the futuristic PLEX-designed robots of the early 80s such as Laserion and Vavilos. It shares the combination and primary colors, but has a decidedly angular and blocky design. Other robots in this camp are God Mars and Sun Vulcan.

Space Emperor God Σ (宇宙大帝ゴッドΣ, Uchū Taitei Goddo Sigma) was an animated television series produced by Toei in Japan from 1980 to 1981. The show follows the three heroes who pilot God Sigma against the invading Elda Empire.

God Sigma is comprised of three robots and a ship.

Ocean King / Kameiou / 海鳴王 / Sea Rumble King – forms the right leg of God Sigma.

Earth King / Rikushin’ou /  陸震王 / Land Quake King – forms the left leg of God Sigma

Thunder King / Kuuraiou / 空雷王 /Sky Thunder King – forms the body of God Sigma

Big Wing /ビッグウイング – This unmanned ship carries weaponry and is used in the combination of God Sigma.

The box is huge, with an awesomely 80s photo of the toy alongside the iconic Godaikin logo and type. The box is typical of DX Japanese toys at the time, with a front and back cover, plastic handle on the side, inner tray cover with die-cut windows, and a Styrofoam tray.

Fun fact – the handles were designed so that it was easier to carry the toy home on a train from the store in Japan!

Another fun fact – not only is the toy the EXACT SAME toy as the Japanese version, so is the Styrofoam! Bandai America imported the toys from Japan, boxes and all, to their New Jersey warehouse. There, they removed all the Japanese cardboard packaging and replaced it with American packaging and instructions.

Part of me wishes today’s Bandai America worked the same way…

Regardless, the toy inside is a diecast monster. It’s a heavy brick of a toy, with almost no articulation, but you and I know that is not why we are here. If we want articulation, we go get a Figma or something. We are here for the clever engineering, quality materials, and unique design.

Since this is the US version, we will talk about the individual components by their US names.

Ocean King is the blue robot that forms the right leg of God Sigma.

In robot mode, he has well articulated arms, but no other points of movement. Despite being made of the brittle blue Popy plastic, I don’t usually hear of problems with this piece. It’s got a sturdy build with a large amount of metal in the torso and legs. I like that the chrome accents on the legs are actual separate molded pieces. Paint is good, but note the different shades of yellow on the legs on this specimen.

For gimmicks, Ocean king can fire both fists, and also features a toe missile. Ocean King’s weapons are the Double Chain and Spear Gun.

Fun Fact – I have seen a Japanese version with a RED double chain instead of the normal black.

Earth King is the yellow robot that becomes the left leg of God Sigma. It’s articulation and gimmicks are identical to the Ocean King, however the accessories are different.

Earth King’s weapons are the Earth Sword and Attack Drill.

Thunder King forms the body of God Sigma. He’s larger and stockier than the two other robots, but he shares the same limitations in articulation. Only the arms move.

The head features the rubber antenna that toys of this era have (see the ST version) to prevent breakage. A glittering gem rests in the center of the chest.

Both fists fire and two extra fists are included. This robot also has two weapons – a sword (who’s name I do not know) and a crossbow.

To transform, start with the Ocean King and Earth King. Open the doors on either side and tuck the arms in. Close the doors and flip up the connector tabs on both sides. Compress the legs up towards the chest.

Take Thunder King and fold his feet back. Rotate the shoulders up and out and then slide the legs up and out to the sides of the torso. Slide the large fists over the smaller fists.

Attach each leg to Thunder King, and then open up Big Wing and place it over the shoulders of God Sigma.

In the combined mode, God Sigma welds the Thunder Sword and the Blue Shield.

You can also attach the Shoulder Rods to the shoulders. I’m not sure what kind of weapon they are, but they are cool. The hands have chrome parts on them which can fold out, but I am not sure of their purpose.

Like the other classic Godaikin toys, I am just madly in love with the aesthetics. I love the chrome, the metal, the gimmicks, and the play value. I would have loved to have had this as a kid.