Toy-Ventures: Collector's Shogun Warriors

Toy-Ventures returns with another look at the Shogun Warriors line, not the big ones, the 3 3/4" versions know as the Mattel Collector's Shogun Warriors. We talk about their history, both waves and the various packaging differences.
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[@camcordernonsense5264]

when I worked at McDonald's in the early nineties, I was repeatedly invited to this guy's apartment. i always wanted to go toy shopping or go home to read comics. he said he liked comics. he said we have people over every night. stop by. eventually I did long after mcdonalds. it was comic books everywhere, toys and a 3/4 wall. at the top of the wall was the tall shogun warriors. it was so cool.

[@andrewtaylor940]

If it helps it is pronounced Cho-Go-Kin. The literal translation is “Super Alloy”. The term was coined in the anime Mazinger Z. It was the super metal the robot was made of. Bandai adopted the term for their die cast robot line. Anything involving Bandai gets a little confusing for western fans and casual collectors. First misconception, Popy was not a company Bandai acquired. Bandai always owned them. They were simply Bandai’s (originally) lower cost die cast toy subsidiary. When the toy names flipped from Popy to Bandai it was simply a rebranding as Bandai was starting to become a better known international brand. Which brings us to the next bit of weirdness. 2 Bandai’s. See those Godaiken toys were not exactly Bandai entering the North American market. Bandai, proper Bandai of Japan, really had no concept of how western markets worked. This is a common thread among Japanese companies. But they were approached by some American partners who wished to license and distribute their toys in North America. These American partners then registered and took ownership of the Bandai name in North America. So Bandai Japan and Bandai America are two entirely different companies. It gets complicated and confusing. Especially in recent years as actual Bandai, Bandai Japan is finally making it’s own concerted push into North America using the sub branding Tamashii Nations.

[@achtungjamie]

Still have my die cast and jumbo figures. Some of my most cherished toys.

[@travishiltz4750]

My brother had a couple of these, but most of my knowledge of the Shogun warriors comes from the short-lived marvel comic. I remember the toys having a cool design, but we would end up with two handless robots, as we'd launch the fists and then promptly lose them.

[@FloridaGeekScene]

I still have all of my Shoguns from when I was a kid, jumbo and mini. I tend to do repeat pick ups whenever I happen to come across Shoguns I already own. Something I notice is that every mini Combatra, Poseiden, and Draguun I happen to find in the wild are all missing the same things. Combatra is always missing the two antenna from each side of the head, Poseiden is always missing the shoulder canons, and Draguun is always missing a couple of points that should be sticking out of it's head. It doesn't matter if I find them loose or in an old shabby box. I know they are old, so I am not complaining. Just somethng I noticed. I love my Shogun collection.

[@luciendesar]

Wow this takes me back. My dad went to Japan in 1982 I think and brought back toys for me. One of them was the Shogun dinosaur? It was like a brontosaurus that shot missiles out of it's mouth. Very happy memories. thank you!

[@BrickMantooth]

that sounds awesome!

[@jonacheson]

I remember seeing the later deluxe versions of the toys on sale in the Tomorrowland gift shop at Disney World in 1986. These were the "Super Robots" of 1970s anime, Godzilla-scale giant robots that fought giant monsters. Some of these were the shape of things to come: UFO Robot Grandizer was one of the first transforming robots, though I don't think the toys transformed. It looks like they just sold his UFO form as a separate toy. For these characters, the end of the era wasn't so much Star Wars as the arrival of Mobile Suit Gundam in Japan in 1978. Gundam took the giant robot idea, and injected some degree of realism and sophistication into the formula. The robots were more believable, and felt more like technology than superheroes, and the storyline was equally grown-up. It was a huge hit, and Gundam toys ruled the marketplace in Japan that year. There were still Super Robot shows made after Gundam, some of which attempted to incorporate the realism and grit of Gundam's storyline, but by and large, the era of the Super Robot was over, and the era of the Real Robot shows like Gundam and Macross had begun.

[@BrickMantooth]

That makes a lot of sense.

[@MS-ui9td]

I'm a collector of many of these toys...love every single piece.

[@Kevin.King71]

I had most of the 3 3/4" ones, plus the 5" Great Mazinga and the Jumbo Great Mazinga.

[@WyldstaarStudios]

I never had any of these, but I did have a number of the small die-cast vehicles. The Shigcon Jet was one of my favorite toys, even after Star Wars toys finally became available.

[@RaymondCastile]

As a kid, these little Shogun Warriors made me angry. Every time I saw them at a store, I got mad. They were an affront to Shogunism. I liked the 5-inch series, and my brother and I had a few. They seemed substantial. But this little series was too small. Shogun Warriors should be big, heavy, and hazardous. If you were not willing to risk injury playing with them, then maybe the Shogun path was not for you.

[@BrickMantooth]

That is an interesting take, I'm grateful for this series because otherwise I wouldn't have any Shoguns as a kid.

[@RaymondCastile]

@@BrickMantooth it’s a child’s take. I was a very opinionated kid. It’s like the way I refused to accept the Mad Monsters because I thought they were Hammer and I only wanted Universal toys. I had a lot of weird takes.

[@BrickMantooth]

@@RaymondCastile Yeah my logic was...interesting to say the very least when I was a kid.

[@blacksheeptx214]

My childhood. My uncle went to Japan in the early 80s and brought back a robot that transformed into a jet. Later, that nameless line would be called Robotech. I was fortunate enough to have the valkyrie.

[@darrellwallace4182]

I really LOVED these in the late 70s! I was old enough to buy them my self, but my mother discouraged me collecting them. She had a few religious fanatics for friends who told her these were designed by Japanese satan worshipers who were inspired by demons to design these to look like them. I know, ridiculous, but some people need help! Anyway, I bought them under the radar and hid them in my closet. I still have all 4! Wonderful figures. Thanks for this "blast from the past". They are FANTASTIC!

[@BrickMantooth]

I've never heard that before, must have been the horns?

[@hpyle5592]

Just found your channel (have been bingeing hard) and only recently found out that MEGO is back (sad that I missed the initial 50-yr anniversary run). You have so much great content here, will probably soon be getting a magazine bundle... These diecast Shoguns are some of the only toys I still have from my childhood -- I have the Great Mazinga (with both shooting fists/red swords and red jet wing), Raider (with drill hand, but not a shooting fist -- it has a missile attached to a blue pinwheel thingy), the Solar Saucer (with both missiles and shooting mini-Mazinga), the Vertilift (with both shooting claws and extend-o-wings) -- everything still working perfectly; they were built to last! I only knew one person who had one of the huge figures -- he was considered a "rich" kid. Thanks for the video and all the others!

[@50footbrewery]

Supaidaman (Leopardon) is the best tokasatsu show I've ever seen. It's bonkers.

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah I love it.

[@ismaelrodriguez6420]

I had the large sized Mazinga, but in Puerto Rico we called it Mazinger Z and there was an animated series based on the character. Loved that thing!!

[@Uriel77200]

I had the whole set of the big plastic ones when I was kid. Had a few of the smaller metal ones also.

[@Gappasaurus]

Awesome video Brick, always loves me some Shogun Warriors content 🥰 And you were close, it’s cho-GO-kin 👍🏼

[@BrickMantooth]

Well, if I'm going to be corrected, it's nice to be done with some tact. Thank you!

[@Steve-wo7gt]

Thanks for this. It brings back memories of hurrying home from school to watch Force Five on the local UHF station and the Marvel Comic drawn by Herb Trimpe. I had many of the die-cast ones and I also had a giant Raydeen. I wish I still had him.

[@BrickMantooth]

dang I loved that comic!

[@Steve-wo7gt]

@@BrickMantooth did you guys have Force Five in Canada? M-F it was a different series every day of the week. Grandizer, Great Mazinga, Poseidon, Gaiking were all on it.

[@Floyds_Toys]

Still have Combatta, would love to get a Mazinga again as he was one of the figures hanging out in my "Santa assembled" Death Star Playset on Christmas morning, 78.

[@BrickMantooth]

Yeah they fit right into Star Wars.

[@kyotofilms1666]

I remember having these. They were awesome!! Did you see Mattel Creations has been teasing some Shogun Warriors stuff today on social media? Mostly sounds like the Jumbos but such timing today uploading this.

[@KasumiKenshirou]

I was too young to remember Shogun Warriors, but I do remember seeing Godaikin toys at Toys R Us. I remember they had one robot that had a lion head on his chest. (Must've been Daltanias) If I would have seen that GoLion one, I would have asked my parents for it, but I had no idea who those other robots were.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

I had a few of these as a kid .. my buddy had the giant Raideen and along with Baron Karza and the rest of the Micronauts we had a great time as as a matter of fact we really didn’t get into Starwars toys any where near as much .. the movies yes but only a few of the toys .. after playing with Mego superheroes and Micronauts they lacked the articulation we were used to ..

[@BrickMantooth]

I get that. Micronauts were really cool figures.

[@bobbyhulll8737]

@@BrickMantooth where StarWars got really cool was the ships and play sets .. actually the Fisher price adventure vehicles etc also worked very well.. and then when small GI Joe came out even though I was getting older luckily I had younger brother as an excuse to still play with them well into my early teens ..lol .. stiff arms and stiffs legs didn’t cut it lol, I’ll be 50 in June .. I miss those days always a kid inside lol

[@nvmbrsdoom5]

I'm with Ray, these made me mad! I love them now, I think they're amazing, but on at least two occasions I asked my Mom and grandparents for Shogun Warriors (meaning the big ones, the "real deal") as presents, and instead I got....these. I wish I could say I appreciated them once I got them but ultimately, not so much. I blamed these things for existing and confusing the adults in my life, lol. As I got a bit older I started to appreciate them more but by that point they were gone unless I found a random one on closeout at the store, and of course now I cherish these things.

[@BrickMantooth]

Oh, these were a grandma gift, I get it.

[@Pokehon]

I love the shogun warriors!

[@Scotty-Z70]

i always wanted Combattra in this line since she was in the Comic Book. I also wanted Banana-Ears (Grendizer). I have had Dragun, Poseidon, Mazinger, and a few others since childhood

[@popcultureoppressionobsess2104]

love the mags, got all three! love the iron-on!!

[@BrickMantooth]

Oh glad you enjoyed them, thanks for the support!

[@50footbrewery]

TEASE. The Jumbo Machinders are my jam.

[@BrickMantooth]

I own a handful myself.

[@deathmetalrob5563]

I've never heard of Shogun warriors until I went to the local Goodwill in Pennsylvania Greenville Pennsylvania and they got in a lot of vintage toys. Someone must have passed away and I got one that was a 24-in mint in box with everything all the bullets and swords and inserts for 150 bucks and I knew it was worth more than that by looking it up on eBay. I plan on taking it to a toy shop so I can get credit and maybe get some vintage mint on card Star wars figures. Your show was interesting and I might look for some of these diecast ones. The 3.75 is more my style.

[@mattledbetter859]

Draggon was the only mini one I had. He really took a beating from me.

[@hellboypi]

Poison Don! ❤️

[@elrodimusflash9331]

In the states the 3" line was sold in discount stores like Dollar general.,I had a few given to me by a neighbor who worked at dollar general.

[@paulhardman2515]

I collect the Jumbos! Love them!!

[@BrickMantooth]

Me too!!

[@mczilla8628]

Great video i love shogun warriors!!!!!!! I remember having Dragon Gaiking and "Poison Don"

[@edt558]

Had a Gaiking that I was lucky to get as a Christmas present. I say ‘lucky’ cuz I was too wrapped up in Star Wars figures to get into Shogun Warriors and consequently Gaiking was the only Shogun Warrior I had. Technically they are the same scale as the Star Wars figures but found Gaiking’s proportions to be really odd in comparison due to his tiny head and enlarged limbs. Played with him till his horns literally fell off. he was a fun toy though I didn’t understand his design at all. The comic book was good too, as was the Godzilla comic that was paired with it.

[@eltenda]

Classic beauties !

[@richardwatts4660]

Unfortunately I too never had any of these growing up, but if I had the chance I again I would pick Gaiking and Mazinga for starters, as I just like the look of them both!

[@BrickMantooth]

they're really cool little figures.

[@richardwatts4660]

@@BrickMantooth definitely! Thanks for the reply. This was a really interesting video to watch for me, as I frequently read the comic book, but never got the actual figures in any shape or form, which I now regret. Regarding those really giant versions you showed in that TV advert at the start, a question I thought was, apart from looking so cool, would toy manufacturers like Mattel be so keen to put out figures of that size today? The 70s / 80s seemed to have loads of giant figures I remember, but these days perhaps they just seem so smaller... or are my memories a bit fuzzy? Either way, thanks again for a great 6.30m of pure escapism!

[@mattledbetter859]

Well this is awesome.

[@davidhanson4909]

I had the 5" and the jumbo versions of Great Mazinga. 1st version of the jumbo, I think. I wanted a Raydeen too, but my parents said one was enough. I did eventually get a Godzilla however. Too bad I was such a destructive kid. Not on purpose-I just really liked taking things apart. Also I was sort of clumsy. I've looked at the Soul of Chocogin stuff and I like it, but they're above my pay grade. If there ever were a kickstarter type thing for a Haslab Sentinel-style Shogun Warrior, however, it would be a case of Shut-up-and-take-my-money. I don't know if they're in your wheelhouse, but i'd really like to know more of the history of the various Zoids waves and generations.

[@BrickMantooth]

Oh yeah, that would be a cool Marvel Legend idea.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

4:56 wow... there was a Dynaman toy? I wonder if it came with Dyna Shore? And remember! Never be the first to enter! Nor the last to leave!

[@BrickMantooth]

Those damn Dyna kids with their monkee records and schmutz on their shoes!

[@1971thedoctor]

I really wish they would rerelease the small die cast figures. I had Dragun and Great Mazinger, really enjoyed playing with these when I was a kid. I love the Shogun Warriors marvel comic and have watched some Mazinger Z and Getter Robo anime is also good.

[@astrofist]

I had the mini Mazinga many years ago...so cool and thanks for doing this!

[@BrickMantooth]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@perello23]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Karma-df2gm]

I had Poseidon and Great Mazinga in the 3 3/4 line. Still have Mazinga but no idea what happened to Poseidon sadly.

[@elcowabungahe-man6156]

Great video i been watching your old videos their great i had the Gaiking, Grandizer, Combatler

[@bertoancila1721]

This is such a great update! I didn't know Mattel also imported these small-sized super robots to the US.

[@BrickMantooth]

thanks for watching!

[@squinja7000]

I have a few metal ones. It's good to see some history about them. Lol. - I enjoyed your youthful pronunciations!!

[@originaluddite]

It interests me how at some point toy commercials had adults promoting toys to kids and then later they were replaced by kids promoting toys to kids.

[@BrickMantooth]

I always found the adult ones weird as a kid.

[@originaluddite]

I guess that a lot of kids did and eventually the advertisers got that feedback.

[@garyahanson1170]

"take him apart to make the skullllllllll"

[@bigk2080]

This wasna glorious time to be alive.

[@hellboypi]

Mattel teased the seeming return of Shogun Warriors on Instagram today. They also mentioned mashing the line with their other licenses...which I hope is not what's behind it all.

[@katenunyabizness9221]

I had the Varitank from this line but it eventually self destructed when the plastic went brittle. I have all the godaikin I purchased still. Laserion, daltainus. god mars, gardian, machine dolphin, but the only one still in the box is Combattra.The gold box still has the TRU clearance sticker on it. My only fear is the rubber strap that held the chest to the waist has decayed.

[@GraphicManComics]

Great video. Thanks. My favorite was Gaiking (forgot the spelling)

[@88GURP]

This is dope I had a couple of these back in the day these were the shizzzz

[@CDMJDMHHC]

talk about member berries wow! Some how I got second hand me downs yards on sale of these I just remember I got them but I still remember the toys it is no wonder why I love the things I do?

[@jasonshepherd5066]

Still have three of these I picked up on a trip to Hong Kong when I was 11. Check out Bandai's Soul of Chogokin ( Cho- Jo- Kin, apologies for my hi brow correction of pronunciation). The new offerings are always hyper accessorized and incredibly poseable. Super cool!🤖🤖🤖

[@BrickMantooth]

I've seen them, they're neat but I'll stick to vintage.

[@jimkuna8687]

I used to have the money mazinga I got it for Christmas I wish I still had the damn thing or so expensive I don't think I'll be able to get another one plus I never see them anymore anywhere that sucks the mighty mizinga is bad ass.

[@lanceparker4796]

I have the die-cast Mazinger, Grandizer, Dragun, Combatra, Gaiking(gold middle), Poseiden, Volts V. Leopardon, and 17. No Danguard or Raideen(personal favorite).

[@TheVineyardFarmhouse]

My Poseidon has little tiny metal wheels on The shin plate that folds down. I have not seen them on any other Poseidon model. Is there something significant about that.?

[@timelord19631]

Omg I want them

[@isabelle133]

Grendizer is all my childhood.

[@richardthompson6366]

Micronauts battle cruiser for Christmas, thanks Mom! Awesome.

[@alexnejako777]

I had Poseidon and Grandizer. I had a slightly bigger Dragun who shot out axes. They were very nice but Poseidon needed to lean against stuff to stand up.

[@alexnejako777]

i used to keep the 4 inch Shogun Warriors in my Space Case. that was a slick carrying case though not as durable as the Darth Vader case.

[@manofaction1807]

They were awesome when you took Biotron and had to run them off from the G.I. Joe base. Something that stands 3 ft high is a real threat to a 3- 3/4 inch figure. Godzilla had his way with pretty much every one of them.

[@carlosescobar6973]

Raydeen My Fave never had one,.....some day

[@Scotty-Z70]

Wait, didn't they make the third member of Getter Robo-G? Lancer, i think was his name?

[@brendanduffy2367]

Cool, I want all of them. 😂

[@BrickMantooth]

Me too, someday!

[@Scotty-Z70]

Voltes-V is rare? That's another i've had since i was a kid...i always get him mixed up with Dangard Ace and some other V character.

[@oscardanieluribe9064]

Creo tener uno de los qué le faltan

[@ZZtheDark]

Speaking of Shogun Warriors, one of them is back in a new anime called Getter Robo Arc: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppKxlneoiqaoqNU Though Dragun and Raider was seen in Jim Terry's Force Five - Starvengers. I'll give you a little summary - Takuma - Ryoma/Homer's son is out to get revenge against the Hyakki/Pandemonium empire's remnants who destroyed his home, Hayato/Paladin is now taking Dr. Saotome/Dr Copernicus' role since the old man died years ago and Benkei/Elmer is nowhere to be seen. The anime can be seen on KZbin but its only select countries that can watch this.

[@destinycaptain247]

Had the Comics too.

[@BrickMantooth]

they were awesom.

[@ryanbarker5217]

my friend had a large one, but i had some models that i put together poorly, which did have firing missiles. or would have were i a better modeler at 8 years old. i did have a die-cast great mazinga -- hated it. still have it somewhere.

[@Gojitron1]

I had all six and they regularly battled Godzilla's Gang.

[@hamletstragedy8988]

The "Red Ronin' comic book definitely inspired some Shogun/GG scuffles in my childhood as well. Magical toys!

[@BrickMantooth]

wow, that sounds like a fun afternoon.

[@lostonwallace1396]

I have the Mattel Shogan Warriors 5" Two in One Dangard figure. It is a figure that's diecast metal with plastic parts. I have it still with the box, and it's not a toy I'd ever part with. This is a figure that I had as a kid in the 1970s, and a few years ago, I decided that I had to get it back once again. The figure shoots off his head and fists like missiles, has a plastic wing that attach to his back, and his chest compartment opens up. Apparently, these figures are quite rare these days, and replacing it would be very, very expensive to say the least. Here is an image of this Dangard figure that I found via a google search. My figure and box are in about the same condition, with the figure being "like new" and the box being a little worn: www.lulu-berlu.com/upload/image/danguard-ace---shogun-warriors-dangard-two-in-one---mattel--mint-in-box--p-image-311116-grande.jpg

[@TsukiCondor]

Poison Don 😅 Oh young Brian so young and naive

[@manofaction1807]

Godzilla is sitting here looking at me... now for the missing parts.

[@lunarmodule6419]

In the Toyland ad I see "Mego Dallas card game"!? I mean Dallas was not for kids!

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

Mazinga rules!

[@kingerikthegreatest.ofall.7860]

I didn’t have any of these, but I had the bigger ones.

[@BrickMantooth]

that's cool!

[@Yankeesjetsfan71]

I'd kill to be able to find a Leopardan for my Spider-man collection

[@ishadouglas7420]

How much money for this train 🤑

[@LegitMan335]

I got Poseidon

[@pooddescrewch8718]

I had Dragun

[@chadkimmel8957]

V=5, Voltus 5