Gosei Ultimate Megazord Action Figure (2013)

Similar to the action figure of the Gosei Great Megazord, Gosei Ultimate is missing a few paint apps I feel are crucial. Given my opinions about chrome, the gold paint used in place of it here is definitely welcome, if a touch too mellow. Regardless of its shade, it needed to be present on the blades of the swords/bow, which does combine and can be appropriately placed in the hands of the above linked Gosei Great.

Much like the action figure of the Gosei Grand Megazord, this can absolutely stand in for its Japanese DX release, if the requisite shipping costs are simply too severe. Or, its big, Bandai of America brother, if you can't find that for a palatable price.

It's PERFECT for:

• An Eri (Gosei Pink) Display
• An Emma (Megaforce Pink) Display
• A representation of Master Head
• A display of the three core Gosei robos, alongside the other action figure versions.

4 Rearranged Cockpits out of 5

Gosei Grand Megazord Action Figure (2013)

The aesthetic differences between this and its transformable DX Japanese release are as follows:

• A minuscule amount of paint is missing from its back.
• The eyes of Skion and Sealeon aren't painted.
• The thighs, chest, and forearms are rounded and thusly more humanoid.

The eyes of the Knight Brothers are so tiny it isn't noticeable that they aren't picked out, and the biggest relevant detail of the back IS painted. This is a fantastic figure and I personally recommend it over Gosei Ground itself. As he's a more distanced Sixth, having this in a display as your representation of Gosei Ground, or Gosei Knight himself, is excessively ideal, especially if you have both Gosei Great and Gosei Ultimate. I'd argue it's objectively the best item in the Megaforce toyline.

5 Foot Air Races With Your Own Missiles out of 5

Gosei Great Megazord Action Figure (2013)

The action figure versions of megazords that find their origins in the Retrofire line often have a measure of stylization to their name, akin to Bandai of Japan's S.I.C. line. This iteration of Gosei Great (yes, America only added the word Megazord to its Japanese name) is far more lithe overall, and Gosei Phoenix and Shark are (somehow) more animalistic. I always dug this change to its look. Phoenix even has the purple sheen of its Eastern DX version. The articulation is consistent across both sets of limbs, which is something that can't be said of the Retrofire figures proper.

The only issue I took with it is the lack of paint on the legs and the shoulders. I'll admit I'm biased towards the gold accents up top, but I feel the legs are a just complaint. At its size, though, I do think it's objectively acceptable, especially if you have a DX Gosei Great and simply want an articulated representation.

3½ Prime Candidates for Customization out of 5

Gosei Wonder (2010)

Yesterday, it dawned on me that Gosei Wonder is ostensibly given a new origin in the series proper. I instantly threw the movie out of my personal canon. Verily, until now, I was blind to the symbolism behind Gosei Wonder. I’m a fool, and I sincerely apologize. I'll run down some quick thoughts I’ve compiled explaining the possible allusions behind each of these Headders, below the cut. In terms of the toy, it's still a shame that they didn't included Gosei Great’s legs and arm stumps, given that they’ve repainted and remolded entire robos as summer movie exclusives previously, and since. It wouldn’t have hurt to show some follow through with Eri's, either.

2 Chances to Change a Mind out of 5

S.I.C. Kiwami Tamashii Wild Chalice (2010)

The defining feature of the S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) line has always been its stylized take on Rider designs, at both its full and smaller, Kiwami Tamashii, scales. This figure, however, was played very straight. I’ve always liked to imagine that this is because outside of the original Rider Hero vinyl, and several gashapons, no other representation of this form exists. The thing that cements him as the permanent Chalice in my collection is that he manages to evoke both of his incarnations subtly and simultaneously. Additionally, Hajime IS the shortest of the Blade boys, meaning (in my head) he fits in perfectly with Souchaku Henshin figures. I’ve heard others say he’s difficult to stand, but I’ve never had much issue doing so.

For the record, there is a full-sized version of this, which was a convention exclusive, out there, as well.

4½ Righteous Backhands out of 5

The Goseiger Mecha Collection

It cannot be denied that Goseiger's Headders are an incredibly niche convention that will not appeal to everyone. They don't appeal to many at all, frankly. However, they do allow for the most freedom I've experienced in terms of creating custom combinations. If you're a fan of Bandai of America's ZordBuilder system, give Goseiger's offerings a shot, as I think you'll be pleased. Especially if you were disappointed in the construction quality of the Megaforce version of this toyline.

Gosei Headder Series:

01. DX Tensou Gattai Gosei Great

02. Seaick Brothers Set

03. Landick Brothers Set

04. Skick Brothers Set

05. DX Datas Hyper

06. Mystic Brothers Set

07. DX Tensou Gattai Gosei Ground

08. DX Tensou Gattai Gosei Ultimate

09. Gosei Wonder

While not mecha, these are also Headders:

10. DX King Voice Headder
11. Gashapon King Voice Headder
12. Gashapon Vulcan Headder

The Megaforce line delivered some sweet action figures of the robos, too:

13. Gosei Great Megazord Action Figure
14. Gosei Grand Megazord Action Figure
15. Gosei Ultimate Megazord Action Figure

Wondering about the Exotic Brothers? Check below the cut.

The Go-Onger Mecha Collection

If you can’t stomach large eyes on your mecha…I guess I can respect that, but you will be missing out on an incredibly fun (and meaningful) toy line. Every one of these releases comprise at least one character present in the show, and they can all combine with one another, save Go-Roader GT, who has to settle for posing at their feet. If you get the Eastern releases, they’ll even talk to you. Incessantly. It’s hard to be lonely with a family this large.

The writers got it right; Go-On Allstars, indeed.

01. Engine Gattai Series 01-03: DX Engine-Oh

02. Engine Gattai Series 04: Birca

03. Engine Gattai Series 05: Gunpherd

04. Engine Gattai Series 06: Carrigator

05. Engine Gattai Series 07: Toripter

06. Engine Gattai Series 08: Jetras

07. Engine Gattai Series 09: Jum-bowhale

08. Soukou Sharin Go-Roader GT

09. Engine Gattai Series 10-12: DX Kyoretsu-Oh

10. Engine Gattai Series EX: Engine DaiShogun

The availability of DX Souls is discussed below the cut.

The Shinkenger Mecha Collection

Shinkenger’s mecha line is one of the most versatile ever conceived. Its main robo is objectively the most ambitious and successful I’ve personally encountered. The Sixth Mecha is magnificently ostentatious and combines to produce a visual sea-change the likes of which is rarely seen. The auxiliaries, while varied in terms of individual quality, combine multiple times amongst themselves, on top of simply providing standard armaments. The Chou Robo succeeds in bringing to life a left-field concept that meshes together every non-sapient machine into a gaudy, implausible God-King/Queen prepared to deliver judgement unto the small creatures incapable of appreciating the gospel of clusterfuck.

01. Samurai Gattai Shinken-Oh

02. Samurai Gattai Series 01: Kabuto Origami

03. Samurai Gattai Series 02: Kajiki Origami

04. Samurai Gattai Series 03: Tora Origami

05. Samurai Gattai Series 04: Ika Origami

06. Samurai Kyojin DaiKai-Oh

07. Hiden Chochin DaiGoyou

08. Samurai Kyojin Mougyuu Dai-Oh

09. Samurai Gattai Series EX: Kyouryuu Origami

Bandai of America did a really great job on some of their releases, too!

10. Samurai Megazord
11. Samurai Clawzord

12. Build and Morph Lionzord

13. Bull Megazord

14. Sharkzord

The availability of DX Hiden Discs is listed below the cut.