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| Gundam | Mazinger Z | Tetsujin 28 | Guy from T-28 |
Another unique genre of Japanese anime and manga is Super Robots: giant mechanical wonders which are often piloted or controlled by children. Catcher toy items of Super Robots have been around since the beginning in the early '90s.
Plushes
The first Super Robot catcher toys were plush toys, which is ironic, since the Super Robot catcher toys are predominantly figurines and keychains.
1. Mobile Suit Gundam - Banpresto, 1991 - One of the earliest plush toys sets there is. For more info, check out the actual Gundam page.
2. Mazinger Z - Banpresto, 1992 - From the "Go Nagai's World" series. There were five toys in the series, including Devilman, Silene, Grendizer and one other non-robot character. (The two Devilman characters can be seen on the Devilman page.) Each measures about 6 inches long and 4 inches high, and is in a flying position.
3. & 4. Tetsujin 28 - Takara, 1992 - One of the earliest and most endearing of the Japanese Super Robots, this is the only Tetsujin (Gigantor in the US) plush catcher toy I'm aware of. The set was made by Takara, and also included Shotaru (Jimmy Sparks in the US), a plush version of the remote control unit, and another character whose name I don't know, who can be seen in Pic 4. 7 & 1/2 inches tall.
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| Gundam | Mazinger Z | Tetsujin 28 | Guy from T-28 |
Figures (Non Poseable)
6. Mini-Figures Set 1 - Bandai, 1996 - I believe these capsule toys were game prizes. Although tiny, the detail and painting are very good. These stand about 1 & 1/4 inches tall. Set 1 includes Mazinger Z, Getter 1, Getter 2, Getter 3, & Boss Robot.
7. Mini-Figures Set 2 - Bandai, 1996 - A second set like the one above. Great Mazinger, Getter Dragun, Poseidon, Getter Riger and Grandizer.
8. Mini Die-cast Figures - 1999 - These solid metal figures only measure about an inch tall. There was a total of 14 in the set, including 7 characters in both painted and unpainted versions. The pic shows 3 of the painted figures & 5 of the unpainted ones.
9. - 14. - Real Robo Series - Banpresto - Quite possibly the best Super Robot series Banpresto has done to date. These figures come fully painted with a display base and stand about 6" tall. There were four robots in the series, and limited edition Black and Gold variants were also made. Below are pics of all of the regular figs and two of the limited editions.
15. Super Robot Figurines - 1999 - Measuring about 6 inches tall, these non-poseable figures come with a display base. There have been quite a few sets like this available, this is just the latest set. Mazinger, Grandizer, Getter Riger, Getter Dragun & Poseiden.
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| Mini-Figures 1 | Mini-Figures 2 | Mini Metal Figures | Real Robo Mazinger Z | RR Black Maz Z |
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| Real Robo Getter 1 | RR Black Getter 1 | Real Robo Combattler | Real Robo Voltes V | Figurines |
Die-Cast
16. 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 began releasing superdeformed die-cast figures in sets of three. These half metal, half plastic figures measure just over 3 inches tall, and most come with a couple of accessories.
17. Die-Cast Series Two - 1999 - Daitarn 3, Great Mazinger & Reideen.
18.-20. Die-Cast Series Three - 1999 - With this series, each robot included a small, clear figure of the boy who controlled it. Tetsujin 28 & Shotaro, Giant Robo & Johnny Sokko, & Poseidon & ?.
21. Die-Cast Series Four - 1999 - Gunbuster, Getter Robo & Go Shogun.
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Die-Cast 1 Die-Cast 2 Tetsujin 28 Giant Robo Poseidon 21 (Die-Cast Set 3) Die-Cast 4
Tin Wind-Ups and Other Items
22. Tetsujin Toy Toy Set - 1999 - Thanks to Japanese companies like Billiken, Medicom and Marmit, the collectible tin toy market is still going strong in the 1990's. These Banpresto tin toys measure about 4 inches tall. The bodies are tin, the heads are plastic. The arms are movable. The complete set of 3 is shown. From left to right, the evil Tetsujin imposter, Tetsujin 28 & Black Ox. These are the first Banpresto tin toys.
23. Go Nagai Tin Toy Set - 1999 - The complete set of 3 is shown - Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger & Grandizer.
24. Super Robot Talking Banks - Banpresto - 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.
25. Light Up Keychains - 1999 - Complete set of 5 shown. Push a button on the back of the figure, and the eyes light up. These measure about 2 & 1/2 inches tall, and are not solid PVC like the usual key chain figures.
26. 5 Into 1 Combattler V - Banpresto, 1999 - These catcher toys were packaged as 5 small vehicles, which could be combined together to form a large, poseable Combattler V! These plastic toys served as a "preview" to Bandai's release of the "Soul of Chogokin" series Die-cast Combattler V.
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Tetsujin Set Go Nagai Tin Set Talking Banks Light Up Key Chains 5 into 1 Combattler V
