Kaiju Drazoran
Poor Captain Maxx can’t get a moment’s rest. Almost immediately after being menaced by Kaiju Tripus, a new monster has hit the scene. Kaiju Drazoran is a collaboration between Max Toy Co. and Dream Rocket, who had previously worked together on a glow Balbagon.
Based on concept art by Mark Nagata and sculpted by Dream Rocket, Kaiju Drazoran was made in Japan and painted by Goto-san, who has been painting Japanese toys for over 50 years for companies such as Bullmark. To commemorate this historic collaboration, the toy comes with a special card honoring Goto-san. The card has some text about the man and the toy, but also has some neat pictures, including one of Goto-san signing the very first Drazoran he painted. For more on the making of this toy, I’ll let Mark tell the story. Check out his blog entry with the concept art, prototypes, test shots, etc… here
Although I think it’s great that Mark got such a legend to paint his toy, I must say that the result is not perfect. The silver on the fangs and horns is obviously hand-painted and shows some brush strokes and streaks. Some might consider it sloppy, but I find it kind of charming considering I know who painted it. I almost suspect the man still has a “it’s just a toy” mentality, although I don’t know that. Either way, I think it just adds to it’s vintage look, but I may just be saying that to justify it since I like it. We collectors have a way of doing that, don’t we?
If you clicked that link to Mark’s blog and read it, you now know that Kaiju Drazoran debuted in Japan and the remaining stock was offered first to Max Toy Club Members. Fortunately, I happen to be a member and was able to score one of these since they sold out before becoming available to the general public!
This toy stands 10″ tall with 6 points of articulation (hips, shoulder, neck and tail). Honestly, I’m not even 100% sure what color you would say it is cast in. The closest thing I can find to it online might be a variation of midnight blue? Either way, it’s got a very simple, vintage style color scheme that is highlighted by silver spray and a long streak of sharp blue down the back.
This is the first Max Toy kaiju that is based on the classic “dinosaur” style and as such it’s really the most old school toy Mark has done yet. So while it may not exactly be his most original work to date, it would fit in perfectly on a shelf full of Bullmarks.
As usual, the toy comes in a bag with a header card. Now, here is where my only complaints lie. First, just for fun, take a look at the card front and back and see if you can guess what I don’t like.
Yep, that’s right. There’s NO hole punched in the card! I’ve made my feelings about this known in the past and yet for some reason, Mark fails to follow my commands! Tsk.. tsk..
Furthermore, look at that small print! “Please dispose of all packaging properly.” What?? Are you kidding me? Dispose of packaging???? NEVER! Oh well, at least it doesn’t say “Please immediately get AFA graded”.
Ok, so obviously, I don’t have any real complaints about it. It’s a simple vinyl kaiju in the old school style and if that’s your thing, you’ll like this. Of course, if you didn’t already get one, you’ll have to go to the aftermarket for it. Or if you want to join the Max Toy Club, memberships will be available again soon and a new version of Drazoran will be offered at that time, with a new color scheme that as of this writing is still top secret.
