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| Go Rangers | Kamen Rider Series 1 | Toei Tokosatu Heroes 2 | Lupin | Fujiko |
Action Figures
As American action figures became more and more popular with Japanese collectors, Banpresto introduced action figures as catcher toy prizes in 1998. They average about 3 & 1/2 inches in size and have posable arms, legs and heads.
1. Go Rangers - 1998 - This is the complete set of 5. Each figure comes with a weapon, except for the Yellow Ranger, who comes with a plate of food!?!
2. Masked Rider (aka Kamen Rider) Series 1 - 1998 - Complete set of 5 shown. Includes versions 1 & 2, V3, Kamen Rider X and Riderman. Riderman comes with interchangeable hands, the others come with superdeformed villains!
3. Toei Tokusatu Heroes Series 2 - 1998 - Complete set of 5 - Hakaider, Guyabon, Barom 1, Daitetsujin 17, & Robocon.
4. & 5. Lupin the 3rd Action figures - 1998 - There are 5 in the series. Lupin & Fujiko are shown here.
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| Go Rangers | Kamen Rider Series 1 | Toei Tokosatu Heroes 2 | Lupin | Fujiko |
6. Devilman Action figures - 1998 - The image shows the complete set of 5: Akira, Devilman (manga), Devilman (anime), Silene, Devilman Lady.
7. Tatsunoku Collection 2 - 1998 - The second set of characters based on Tatsunoku Productions characters include Casshan & Polymer and more. There were a total of 6. The one I'm missing is from Gatchaman.
8. Tezuka Osamu Collection - 1999 - Popular characters from legendary creator Tezuka Osamu, including Black Jack, Triton of the Sea (aka Marine Boy), Astro Boy (aka Mighty Atom), Uran and an Astro Boy villain. This is a great set. Black Jack comes with his briefcase and a scalpel, Triton has a red knife and a dolphin. Astro Boy's chest opens up to show his mechanical insides and his heart, and he comes with interchangable legs. An extra set is included for his flying mode!
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| Devilman Set | Tatsunoku Set 2 | Tezuka Osamu Set |
8. - 11. Tokimeki Memorial - One of the most successful romance roll-playing games, Tokimeki Memorial spawned a large collection of catcher toys. There were regular plush and keychain plushes, plus a couple of series of action figures. As far as I know, there were just two sets of action figures, with 4 figures in each set. One set had the characters in Summer uniforms, the other had the girls wearing Winter uniforms. These are the Winter variations here.
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| Shiori | Saki | Ayako | Miharu |
Die-Cast Toys
I'm not sure what brought the return of the die-cast figures, but in 1998, Bandai began releasing a new collectors series of outstanding die-cast toys. And Banpresto released their own collection of three superdeformed die-cast figures that year. These half metal, half plastic figures measure just over 3 inches tall, and most come with a couple of accessories. A third set was just released in mid-1999, and it looks as if there will be more sets coming! I'm hoping the series continues on until we get to see Gaiking, Getter Dragon, Grendizer & Mazinkaiser!
12. Series One -1998 - Combattler V, Gundam & Mazinger.
13. Series Two - 1999 - Daitarn 3, Great Mazinger & Reideen.
14. Series Three - 1999 - Gunbuster, Getter 1 & Go Shogun.
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| Series 1 | Series 2 | Series 3 |
Miscellaneous Items
15. Super Robot Talking Banks - These 5" vinyl banks let out a yell when you place a coin in the slot. There were three in this series, the last one was a Gundam robot.
16. Tatsunoku Vinyl Banks - 5" tall - 1998 - Casshan, Polymer, & Gatchaman. There were two others in the series, but I didn't know the characters and didn't pick them up.
17. & 18. - Battery Operated Robocon Set - These fantastic little Robocon figures are just over 4 inches tall. They roll across the floor, turn, spin and roll some more! Each figure comes with 3 interchangeable dials that control the pattern that Robocon rides. You just lift the hood to change the dial. A great little toy! There were four in the series.
12 13 14 15 Banks Banks Robocon Robocon
