Bandai Tamashii Nations Mazinger Z - DX Soul of Chogokin Bandai Tamashii Nations

As someone who grew up watching Tranzor Z each day after school in the 80's, coming across this figure on Amazon was a flash back to my childhood. I spent more time than I'll care to admit oogling over the high-quality pictures on this webpage while I awaited the arrival of the package in the mail. Let me just say that at 35 years of age I never would have imagined getting so excited over a toy, but such is the power of a childhood hero.Now that I have had the opportunity to admire it hands on, I can confirm that, overall, it really is a very nice rendition, *nearly* worthy of the hefty pricetag. At first Bandai seemed to have taken a "spare no expense" approach to creating this masterpiece replica, that is until you come across the unfortunate design flaw of the dreaded forearm attachment!I have heard that some other models of Mazinger Z used a magnetic attachment to secure the forearms to the elbows, which would have been ideal here I believe. However, someone at Bandai, in their infinite wisdom, decided a cheap plastic attachment mechanism, that doesn't seem to be capable of that one important feature of actually attaching, was the ideal method of securing the forearms to the elbow joints.A quick Google search will confirm that this actually seems to be quite a prevalent concern amongst many of the buyers of this particular model. It really is a shame too, as the connection is so weak, at least on my model, that I literally cannot keep the forearms attached. You don't even need to nudge the arm, it will literally fall off with gravity acting on it alone. So there my Tranzor Z stands in perpertual mid "rocket punch" stance.In my attempts to remedy the situation I watched a Youtube video describing the proper way of attaching the forearms to the joint. In the video the guy does seem to successfully attach his forearm to the joint and you can even hear a nice, satisfying "click" once he gets it attached. Well, after about 10 minutes of mimicking this attachment method from the video and nearly popping a blood vessel from trying to force the parts together, I was forced to abandon hope.My last recourse, aside from a refund, is to get a replacement from Amazon, which is on the way as I type this review. I am hoping that I just had a particularly faulty unit and this next one will actually attach somewhat securely so that I can at least display him with his forearms attached. I will update this review once the replacement arrives, but in the mean time it pains me to say that, especially considering the cost involved, buyers should probably be wary of purchasing this unit with such a major design flaw.***UPDATE***I received my replacement Mazinger Z and am pleased to report that the new unit seems to work much better at holding the forearms in place than my previous unit had. Granted, this is still a poor design to holding them in place as they do tend to pop off rather easily if not handled carefully. I can now at least display him properly in the case with arms attached! As wont as I am to give this product less than a five star rating because of my experience with the forearms attachment, I feel this item has brought much more joy to me than disappointment so I'd feel bad giving it anything less. If you are even the slightest fan of Mazinger Z, I feel this particular flaw could ultimately be overlooked. I know this beautiful rendition of Mazinger Z will always steal a glance and smile from me each time I pass by the display case!

Yes, it looks awesome if you don't move/touch it, or try to change the part more that two times. I do not recommend this chogokin.

I am a big Mazinger Z fan this is the nicest one every. I would love to see a great mazinger one made. It's costs a lot but save up and get one LOL go for it.

*** UPDATE - 4/22/13***Keep checking the price on AMAZON. Last week for 3 days, this item was priced at $354. Someone sold it on Ebay for $330 last week.In Dec of 2012, Tamashii released this product. It is a 40th Anniversary release from the Soul of Chogokin line. It is a great toys with a TON of bells and whistle. See the item description for all of it. Yes, it delivers all of that for look and display. This is really a terrific piece for adults to DISPLAY and NOT play - Obviously not for kids. The unit puts together quite well and the super detailed pictures you will find everywhere are very accurate. The toy itself looks even better when you have it on your shelf.There is a defect. The forearm comes apart. This is a throw back to the show, where the robot would launch rockets out from it's Biceps. The detail is great, but getting the forearms back on is very tricky and it takes a solid 2 mins to do it right. If you google it, everyone is taking 10 to 15 mins to do it. But really, it should take 2 mins tops. Below are a list of my concerns with this issue:1) BANDAI RESPONSE: The initial release was in Dec 2012. Of course it sold out and a 2nd manufacturing run was issued in March 2013. The only correction made for the Forearm issue was a detailed 1 page description on how to put the arm back on.2) ARTICULATION: Trying to rotate the forearm, will cause it to come apart (even gently). Per BANDAI, if you want to rotate the forearm, you should use the Bicep. The figure has a tremendous amount of articulation. But of course you will get limited by having to put the arms back together.3) SOC COMPARISON: In pervious incarnations from BANDAI for the Soul of Chogokin (SOC) series, the quality and mobility has gotten better with each version. Look them up here at Amazon, Models GX-01, GX-07, GX-45. I have a GX-07 and GX-45. The articulation is amazing and you can basically do any move you want. The figures are all HEAVY metal, Die Cast ROBOTS. The DX figure is about 5+ inches taller and has all the articulation but not as much Die Cast. Posing is very nice, but you will have difficulty due to the arms.4) DISPLAY: You are going to buy this and display it on your shelf. Show it off to your friends and take it down to handle it a little for them (Why not, you spend close to $400 for a toy, you want to touch it and move it). This will be a pain in the but with the arms. Trust me, I put it up and LOVED IT. You keep walking by looking at it and then wanting to hold it and play with it a little. The arm issue gets more and MORE ANNOYING!!5) PRICE: For a $400 toys, I do not expect major issues like this one. I have numerous adult figures that range from $300 to $400. None of them suffer with a major extremity defect like this one. MSRP is $440. No one pays that. The initial Pre-release price was at $370. I purchased in March, during the 2nd release. AMAZON charged me $415. Within 2 weeks they dropped the price to $360. Amazon has had numerous returns due to this issue.MY POINT: The GX-45 is approx. $150. I would expect the DX to be twice as nice due to the $400 price tag. Too Bad it isn't. It is great, but not $400 worth. They should have priced it at $300. Discount online stores are now selling it at $250.I will eventually get one, at the discounted price. But I am disappointed with the simple quality issue that was missed by BANDAI.**** UPDATE ****I picked one up from Ebay at $320 + free shiping. Received it in excellent NEW condition. No BOX damage, as was the one from AMAZON.My main concern had been with the arm and the pricing.1) I am learning to live with the arm and get better at not making it fall off.2) It seems as many stores are OVER STOCKED with this figure - search BBTS and a few other on-line Robot Toy stores. So they seem to be going on BLUE LIGHT Special now.

Great Mazinger figure fully detailed one of the best DX Series that had ben launched.Pricey now and goes higher i got mine a couple of years ago listed by amazon for 350.Don't miss the chance to have this on your collection.The only complain it's the assembly on the arms the rest it's perfect.

i Have always wanted one since i was a kid and it was all worth it! This is not a toy but its great for display and is a great addition to my collections.

I put a one star just want to express my points. Even though the arm design is definitely a defect, as a toy, it is still a superb buy. This is a toy that you will never regret of buying it. It came out at Dec 2012. It used sell at Ebay at about 330 , BBTS at 375 on 2013. Today, the cheapest that you could possibly buy is 600 if you are really lucky. That is 60% increment in price at 2 years. It is an excellent investment compare to real estates, stocks and bonds ....etc. You will never regret of buying DX( best grade of toys) Soul of Chogokin Mazinger Z. To me, it is the best toy with excellent potential as an investment too. You will definitely thank me for posting this review years later.

Ok, but it would be better if there were more die cast parts. It is a must have item for Mazinger fans

よくできた商品だと思います。が・・・・・、愛様のおっしゃるとおり、パンチポロリが玉に傷ですので私なりに試行錯誤し、何とかなった結果をお知らせします。まず、購入直後の状態はプラプラではないはずです。遊ぶため、一度取り外すと元に戻せなくなります。説明書どおりの取り付けはどうやらＮＧのようです。説明書どおりとは肘を二の腕受け側の切りかけ通りにあてて、その後赤いコードを押す手順のことです。灰色の接続棒がせり出しますが、接続棒先端自体が、受け側の穴に入らず肘を押し上げます。相当な力で押しましたが、プラプラです・・・。では、ＯＫなやり方。（説明書の逆手順で行う）先に赤いコードを押し切り、灰色の接続棒を最大限押し出します。そのまま力を入れて先端の飛び出しを維持しつつ、二の腕の受け穴に先端をあわせ、切り込みもあわせ、押し込みます。これもかなり力を必要としますが、「カチリ」という音と手ごたえと共に購入時の接続になります。マイマジンガーでは、この方法で両腕共に遊べる状態の購入時の接続が確保できました。無理な力をかけずに取り扱えば、肘を曲げられますし肩と二の腕の付け根ではなく、二の腕と肘の付け根で簡単に腕も回せます。この説明で通じれば幸いですが、お困りの方は一度お試しください。因みに、このあまりに難解な接続方法には私も大変困惑しましたので、☆マイナス１点です。バンダイアンケートにもその旨、回答しました。次回（グレートやダイザー）があるならば改良はマストかと思います。最後に、製品その物は重厚感があり、音声も楽しく本当によい製品だと思います。シリーズが続くことを期待しています。

予約購入し、今になってやっと開封に至りました。まず超合金とは言えません、基本的に内部構造と本体の9割がプラ、外装の一部が金物です。販促写真が盛り過ぎです、如何にも金属パーツが使って有るかのごとく陰影が付けて有り高級感が漂います。しかし現物はペラペラで内部のメカは全てプラ、しかもパーツ分けは無く全て塗り分け、とても大人の好色に耐える者では有りません。腕の肘下のギミックは他の方のレビューの通り、指の可動はふざけているとしか思えないほどの稚拙な出来、せめて可動関節くらいは金属で…。しかし何を考えて企画したのか疑問に思う点も多々…。※まずこの程度の低クオリィテーならこのサイズは必要無い。※内臓の音声ギミック、何故内臓？、しかもこの程度の物を誰が欲しがる？。※この商品最大の謎、格納庫、意味が無いミニカー、スケールもディテールも適当な場所を喰うだけのプラBOX。どれだけ馬鹿な物が付いてい様が、本体が珠玉ならまだ我慢も出来ます、しかし肝心要の本体が低レベルのガラクタ…ふぅ〜、この価格ならもっとマシな物が出来ただろうに。因みに同時に開封したMBエクシア、価格半分以下ですが重量感、可動、商品のクオリィテー、付属品のバリュー、どれを取っても関わった人達の本気が伺える物でした。このDXマジンガーはその真逆に有る物と思って間違い有りません、企画有りきのヤッツケ玩具という表現がピッタリだと思います。個人的に欲しいのは、超合金魂くらいのサイズで、徹底的に本体クオリティーに拘る物。金属を多用し、塗装表現にも拘り（メッキ仕様等）金属パーツによる内部メカの作り込み、要は拘りの本体。正直この商品、熱海ナイトバージョンより遥かに落ちるガラクタだと考えます、絶賛している人もいますがどうも迎合出来ません、ステマかと疑ってしまいます。因みにジェットスランダーも予約しましたが、欲しいのはスタンド付の台座、もちろん格納庫は焼却所行きです。

同年代の配送のおじさんが（もちろん私も十分にオジサンです）興味深そうに表面に「ＤＸ超合金魂　マジンガーＺ」と印刷されている運搬用の箱を軽貨物車から下ろして「今日は大きくて重たい荷物が届いてますよ」と運んできました。ある年代の者にとっては共通の話題として会話が弾む。そのような役割のために、この様な単に玩具と言えないオモチャはあるのではないでしょうか。格納整備基地があるので呆れるくらいの大きさと重さです。マジンガーＺ自体も超合金ものとしては最大級でしょうがギリギリですがジャンボマシンダーを知っている世代としては遊びがっては悪そうです。その代わりといっては何ですがいろいろなギミックが備わっています。発光・発音には別売りで単４電池が７本も必要です。発光するのは眼と胸だけですが、兜甲児（石丸博也さん）の声で主な必殺技を出すときの掛け声が出るのには泣かされます。カットモデルとして置いておくのがベストかと思いますが、どこに飾ろうか迷っています。１２/１６追記　ジェットスクランダーセットは気になりま。予約者への発送時期は２０１３年５月。パーツはダイキャスト製ではなくＰＶＣでできているようです。セットの中身はジェットスクランダー、射出カタパルト台座、ジェットパイルダー、アイアンカッター（外装甲など）、金属製ネームプレート、ＤＸ超合金魂マジンガーＺ装備用台座からなっています。ジェットスクランダーもカットモデルになるようになっていて翼部の内部メカニックがわかるように出来ます。他にジェットスクランダーの翼の開閉ギミックなどもあるようですが、１番魅力的に感じたのは装備用台座です。この装備用台座にはセットしたときに支えるポールのようなものがでていてＤＸ超合金魂マジンガーＺを安定させて置いておくには良さそうです。

かなりデカイ箱です、イウォークの実寸大ぬいぐるみには及びませんが確実に部屋を圧迫します。内容と言ったら皆さんのいう通りなのかも知れませんが私はパンフレットに一目惚れして購入したので納得してるしもともとコレクションで購入してるので箱から出す事はないでしょう。バンダイも40周年で持てる技術を結集させて出したんだろうしこれを10年後、20年後バージョンアップしてもう一回は無いでしょうねそれくらいいっぱい出してるマジンガーの中でも異質で気合は入ってる。まぁ、出したとして、出来が悪くてもファーストはファーストシリーズ化したらしたで値は上がるものなのですよ。持ってればネタにもなるし悪くない買い物でした。

最高のマジンガーです。ギミックはもちろんですが内部メカの彩色の美しさに感動しました。気になる点は、ロケットパンチ、ブレストファイアー、パイルダーのポロリと頭部の小ささです。ロケットパンチの取り付け仕様はよく考えてると思いましたが強度がないので惜しいです。私の解決方法はロケパン側に2.5mm径の穴が開いていたので受け側の上腕に2.5mm強の穴を開けプラ棒を挿してジョイントしました。それにより軸ピンのブレが軽減するので肘で回してもはずれません。すごく安定しました。これで遊べます、愛せます。（それでも、そもそも構造上あまり強くないので内転可動する場合はなるべく上腕で回すのがよいと思われます。）ブレストファイアーは発光用と通常彩色版の二種があるので、わりきって胸カバーに発光用をエポキシ接着剤で着けました。それにより遊んでて外れるストレスは無くなりました。私は魂マジンガーのパイルダーのポロリは毎度磁石で解決してます。DXは後頭部と首を鉄ピンで留めているので、それに合うようにパイルダー側に穴を開け磁石を着けました。それにより外れにくくなります。各関節の強度は高く、しぶみは心地よいので動かして気持ちいいです。豪華な格納庫やスケールはあってないですがパイルダーに兜甲児が乗っているので、見ててとても楽しめます。完成度、満足度の高い非常に楽しめる商品でした。高かったけど購入してよかったです。