Jan Coogo

Jan Coogo was one of the three “Spaceketeers” on Jim Terry’s Force Five, but he originates from the Japanese series Starzinger. Starzinger was created in 1978 by Leiji Matsumoto and was based on the classic Chinese tale “Journey to the west” where Jan Coogo was based off of the Monkey King character.

Thinking audiences in the US would not know Journey to the West, the US version instead referenced The Three Musketeers, where the character was renamed Jesse Dart, a play on the Muskateer D’Artagnan.

Popy released a series of toys for this show, including many in the Chogokin and Popinica line.

Jan Coogo is numbered GA-86.

The box is classic Chogokin design. The image of the toy is of the prototype.

Inside the toy comes with:

– instruction sheet

– Catalog

– bag of missiles and short staff handles

– long staff with 2 tips

– 2 missile launchers

– 2 launching fists

– launching belt buckle

The toy is an imposing chunk of gokin. The entire body, upper arms and most of the legs is diecast metal.

Jan Coogo stands 6 inches tall. He’s got articulation at the head, shoulders, hips and knees.

The staff can fit in either hand.

In the bag of missiles are two short staffs that can be stored on the side of the legs.

Fists fire, but the decals have begun to peel over time.

The legs have a cool feature. Not only do they bend at the hips and knees, but they are spring loaded to give Jan Coogo extra height!