Article Number

RV0032

Author

Gerry

Toy Line

Soul of Chogokin

Manufacturer

Bandai

I've had this toy sitting around the office for quite some time now. What with the new web site keeping me busy lately it's hard for me to find time to play with the toys that I've been purchasing. Heck, I still got Japanese Robot Toys in Boxes still waiting to be opened and review from Christmas!

I've been dying to get this robot toy out of the box. I don't know if you know this but back when I used to own and operate Robozone.com I saw a lot of Bandai's Soul of Chogokin and Soul of Popynica toys pass my hands on to customers who were really hot for this line. Needless to say I've got a lot of catching up to do because the Soul of Chogokin line has been around for a few years now and it's pretty doubtless that I'll be able to catch up but you never know.

What's better to start off collecting the Soul of Chogokin line than with this figure. Garada K7 is the first villian created by Bandai for the Soul of Chogokin line. (Next in line is Doublas which I have Darktoylord holding for me as we speak.)

Garada K7 left me a bit flat however. As the word "Chogokin" in the line implies. This toy is SUPPOSED to be made of diecast but to be honest there's not much diecast on it. As previously reviewed over at Collection DX it seems that Garada K7 was put together as an after shot because the legs and torso on this figure are from same mold as the GX07 Mazinger Z OVA version. Still all things considered it's still a pretty nice toy and the first Soul of Chogokin that I currently own.

I picked the Garada K7 up at Darktoylord.com. Originally you could only get these from Japan if you had it shipped in but what with Diamond Comics Distribution importing them as part of their Previews catalog if you waited (like I did) then you could get it through them for a helluvalot cheaper.

Garada K7 comes encased in a styrofoam insert with a lid and is bagged in plastic. He's pretty heavy though. His legs sans the feet and hips are diecast but the rest is mostly plastic including the red chest area. He comes with 3 sets of fists, 2 unifit-forearms that are magnetic on one end and fit inside the shoulders, 2 green missiles which can be inserted in his eyes. He also comes with removeable head scythes, a poseable arm extension and a stand to attach all his accessories to and he can stand on for display.

He is pretty cool looking. I like the lavender highlights on the legs and arms. It goes well and is pleasing to the eye. The joints are quite "clicky" and stay in position when you pose him. Even without the head scythes in place, his face really looks quite menacing sort of like a metallic skull. Enjoy the pictures. More views coming soon.