Toy Wizards Review: Bandai Tamashii S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 1962

Bandai’s S.H. MonsterArts line of highly detailed and articulated kaiju action figures has been chugging along for several years at this point and has covered a variety of Godzilla’s many looks as well as his greatest foes. This is their first stab at this particular fan favorite suit. Today, we’re reviewing S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla from the 1962 Toho classic King Kong vs Godzilla.

Sculpt

The most fervent Godzilla fan will be able to tell you all about the variations in Godzilla’s appearance in each individual film since his debut in 1954. A large number of that fandom will express their love for the suit that this figure is modeled after. Affectionately nicknamed KingGoji, this suit for many is their quintessential Godzilla. Bandai did an amazing job in the sculpting. Every deep crevice and fold is represented accurately. Each spinal plate running down to the tip of the tail is exactly as it should be. The attention to the fine details of the face and it’s structure are all here. The most important aspect this toy can achieve in terms of sculpt is to nail the unique look of the 1962 suit and this figure does just that.

Paint

KingGoji’s color pallet may not be diverse, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a ton of paint on this toy. The dark cast plastic is painted over multiple times with highlights and airbrushed contours. Each tooth is a smokey white. The interior of the mouth has a gloss fleshy tone. Each back plate has a bone like gradient wash over them. The eyes of the figure are actually a translucent shell over the socket. This gives the eyes a wonderful lifelike depth.

Articulation

The defining feature of the MonsterArts/FigureArts series. Bandai packs as much articulation into these figures as they can. Often times creating new and innovative articulation engineering with each new release. With well over thirty points of articulation (many of them in the tail alone) this figure should be able to mimic any pose a man in a cumbersome rubber suit in the 60’s could pull off. But shouldn’t we want more from our toys? The range of motion in many of the joints is quite limited. So, while extremely real world accurate, this toy won’t be reaching dynamic anime action poses that many offerings from this same company can achieve. Still, it’s a lot more impressive that your standard Bandai soft vinyl Godzilla.

Accessories

Godzilla comes with an Atomic Breath effects piece as well as a clear stand that plugs into the effects piece to hold it aloft. And that’s it. No mazers. No tanks. No electrical towers. Not even the tree that Kong shoves down his throat in the film.

Value

Retail outlets have this guy around $99.00. That’s a bit high for what is essentially a highly articulated, finely detailed 6 1/2″ Godzilla. If they had loaded him up with accessories or at the very least a few more hands I may be a bit more forgiving in this field. The most common comparison would be with NECA’s Godzilla figures. Those figures range from $24-$30 and feature just as many accessories, nearly as much articulation, pretty decent sculpts and dare I say better packaging art.

Score

3.5/5 Wizard’s Stars

The strength of the S.H. MonsterArts line lies in the amazing sculpt and paint work. You will not find a more accurate sculpt on a highly articulated Godzilla series figure. Statues and high end vinyl figures are another story. There are definitely more affordable options out there. This one is for the die hards.

Enjoy the full gallery for KingGoji below!