The Special Effects Line Continues Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Anime Jungle Official Site: kaiyodo.co.jp/revoltech Special Thanks to Tetsu Shiota and Jim Ballard As previously reported on SciFi Japan, the Kaiyodo Company in Japan has begun a new series in their Revoltech figure line called Sci-Fi Revoltech. It will encompass a wide range of special effects and tokusatsu characters popular in both the United States and Japan. Thus far fan response has been overwhelmingly positive, noting the high quality of the sculpting and paint as well as accessories that come with each figure. The first two waves have already been released. April 1st brought figures based on the titular creature from Ridley Scott’s ALIEN and the classic, avenging god from Daiei’s DAIMAJIN series of films. Wave 2, which came out May 1st, includes the first Toho creature in the Revoltech line: the popular monster Baragon as he appeared in 1965’s FRANKENSTEIN CONQUERS THE WORLD (Furankenshutain tai Chite Kaiju Baragon, 1965). Also in Wave 2 is a cool figure of the early Tsuburaya Productions character Booska, from the children’s TV show MONSTER BOOSKA (Kaiju Booska, 1966). Be on the lookout for reviews of all of them soon right here on Sci-Fi Japan. There will be three figures released for Wave 3 on June 1st as opposed to the normal two. Like the first wave, it’s another east meets west group. First up is a figure based on the character Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993). The other two figures, which will be of more interest to kaiju fans no doubt, are Gamera and Gyaos from 1995’s GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (Gamera: Daikaiju Kuchu Kessen). If the advance photographs are any indication, the high level of quality set forth in the first two waves will be carried over here. Wave 4 is due for release on July 1st and will feature figures based on the DC Comics icon Batman as he appeared in the blockbuster film THE DARK KNIGHT, and the classic Japanese tokusatsu superhero Giant Robo from the show of the same name (released in the US as JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT). Both figures will come with the usual array of interchangeable parts.
SCI-FI REVOLTECH WAVE 3
SERIES NO. 005: JACK SKELLINGTON From THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993) Due June 1st, 2010 Price: ¥2,850 Sculpted by Kuniaki Teraoka Total Height: 185mm (approximately 7 inches) Movable Parts: 15 Movable Joints: 10 Bonus Parts: - 4 Optional Faces (“Surprise”, “Threatening”, “Tricky”, and “Thinking”) - 3 Optional Hands - Display Stand - Nameplate
SERIES NO. 006: GAMERA From GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (1995) Due June 1st, 2010 Price: ¥2,850 Sculpted by Shinobu Matsumura Total Height: 100mm (approx.4 inches) Movable Parts: 21 Movable Joints: 17 Bonus Parts: - 2 Optional Hands - Plasma Fireball Effect - Lower Half Flying Body Style - Jet Blast Effects for Flying Body Style - Display Stand - Nameplate
SERIES NO. 007: GYAOS From GAMERA: GUARDIAN OF THE UNIVERSE (1995) Due June 1st, 2010 Price: ¥2,850 Sculpted by Shinobu Matsumura Total Height: 120mm (approx. 4 ½ to 5 Inches) Movable Parts: 19 Movable Joints: 14 Bonus Parts: - Mini Size Flying Gyaos With Stand - Attachment for Flying Pose - Display Stand - Nameplate
SCI-FI REVOLTECH WAVE 4
SERIES NO. 008: BATMAN From THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) Due July 1st, 2010 Price: ¥2,850 Sculpted by Hiroshi Sagae Total Height: 145mm Movable Parts: 18 Movable Joints: 16 Bonus Parts: - 1 Optional Face (Bruce Wayne) - 4 Optional Hands - 1 Grappler Gun (with Holster on rear Utility Belt) - 1 Batarang - Display Stand with Attachment for Gliding Pose - Nameplate
SERIES NO. 009: GIANT ROBO From the 1967 TV Series GIANT ROBO Due July 1st, 2010 Price: ¥2,850 Sculpted by Katsuo Taguma Total Height: 135mm Movable Parts: 18 Movable Joints: 12 Bonus Parts: - 8 Optional Hands (“Grasp”, Semi-Grasp”, “Open”, and “Anti-Tank Rocket Discharge”) - Display Stand - Nameplate Sci-Fi Revoltech Wave 3 and 4 figures can be pre-ordered from online retailers, including SciFi Japan sponsor Anime Jungle in Los Angeles. Tell them we sent you!