Grendizer
We often talk about the belief that diecast=better. While this is true in some cases, Bandai has taken on the challenge and made Chogokin no Katamari – Absolute Chogokin.
Absolute Chogokin is brought to you by Bluefin Distribution. You can get yours at Entertainment Earth, Amazon, or wherever Tamashii Nations toys are sold.
Each figure is 100% diecast metal with 0% articulation. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.
This is not Bandai’s first attempt at a smaller, entirely diecast figure. Some may remember the short lived “Chogokin Nano” line from 1999 or Popy’s “PEACE PHANTOM” line from the 70s. Neither line was successful.
The Absolute Chogokin line imagines the quality and detail of Chogokin on a minimal scale. Each stands about 70mm (about 2.5 inches tall). So they are tiny, but they are heavy.
Each comes packaged in a clamshell package that has a unique header card featuring nice art for each individual character.
Also worth noting that there is some copy in English on the package. Chogokin no Katamari is translated to Absolute Chogokin, and the character name is in both English and Japanese.
There are 7 releases in this first series.
As described, the figure is 100% diecast metal. That was no surprise, but what was surprising is that each figure was made of several pieces, which adds an extra bit of detail when assembled.
These Absolute Chogokin designs appear to be using the modern toy representations of the characters as their base rather than the classic anime appearance. Are the toy designs becoming the de-facto representations of these characters?
On the back is a simple screw, keeping it all together. You would think that we are at the point in toy technology where we could make this in one piece, but what I really think is happening is the screw is an homage to classic chogokin. Old Popy diecast always had exposed screwholes on the back.
These are interesting, and affordable, diecast renditions of your favorite characters. These would look awesome all together in a group, and I would not be surprised if Bandai came out with some kind of cool shadowbox to keep the collection organized.
Absolute Chogokin is brought to you by Bluefin Distribution. You can get yours at Entertainment Earth, Amazon, or wherever Tamashii Nations toys are sold.