X-Plus Giant Monster Figure Lineup for April 2013

Source: X-Plus Co., Ltd. Special Thanks to Sachiko Ikenouchi

A SCIFI JAPAN EXCLUSIVE

The Japanese toy company X-Plus Co., Ltd. presents a preview of their Toho, Kadokawa/Daiei and Tsuburaya Pro giant monster figures scheduled for release in late April 2013. X-Plus`s monster figures can be purchased directly from the company`s official Shounen Ric website. Shounen Ric offers Limited Editions of the figures with exclusive features or bonus pieces not available from other retailers. The standard figures are also sold by stores and online retailers including amazon.com, amazon.co.jp and SFJ`s sponsors Anime Jungle and Toy Freakz. Toho 30cm Series: Godzilla 1984 Product Size: Height Approximately 29cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Blind Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X Plus Co.,Ltd. Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Shockiras Figure (Length Approximately 18cm) Price: ¥19,845 (Tax Included) The April entry in X-Plus` Toho Large Monster Series is Godzilla 1984 from THE RETURN OF GODZILLA (???, Gojira, 1984), the film released theatrically in the US as GODZILLA: 1985. Spurred by demand from fans and groups such as the "Godzilla Resurrection Committee", Toho brought the King of the Monsters` back to the big screen for the first time since TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA (????????, Mekagojira no Gyakushuu, 1975). The new movie broke from the continuity of the Showa era Godzilla films -- in which the monster had evolved into a heroic character -- and returned Godzilla to his roots as a menace against mankind. To convey this onscreen, Godzilla suitmaker Nobuyuki Yasumaru created a new look for the monster with sharp fangs, a sinister glare, and larger dorsal fins with a greater sense of weight. The Shounen Ric website Limited Edition Godzilla 1984 comes with a bonus figure of Shockiras, the mutant sea louse seen at the beginning of THE RETURN OF GODZILLA.

Daiei Large Monster Series: Gyaos Product Size: Height Approximately 26cm, Width Approximately 26cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted; Some Assembly Required Package: Window Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Flying Gyaos Figure (Width Approximately 13cm) Price: ¥11,970 (Tax Included) Following their release of Gamera`s first foe, Barugon, X-Plus turns to Gyaos, the flying monster introduced in GAMERA VS GYAOS (?????? ????????, Daikaijuu Kuuchuusen: Gamera Tai Gyaosu, 1967). The most popular of Gamera`s classic opponents, Gyaos would return for GAMERA VS GUIRON (??????????, Gamera Tai Daiakujuu Giron, 1969), the 1990s Heisei Gamera series, and GAMERA THE BRAVE (????????????, Chiisaki Yuusha-tachi ~Gamera~, 2006). The paint scheme for Gyaos reproduces the "blue light" from the monster`s ears as seen prior to its emergence from the caves near the central highway construction site. To help stabilize the figure for display, its feet can be snapped into a base (included) that is sculpted and painted to resemble a stalagmite from Gyaos` cave. The Shounen Ric website Limited Edition Gyaos comes with an exclusive smaller scale figure of Gyaos in a flying position. With two of his earliest enemies now available from the Daiei Large Monster Series, can the Showa Gamera be far behind?

Large Monsters Series: Ultraman Powered. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

Large Monsters Series: Ultraman Powered Product Size: Height Approximately 24cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted Package: Window Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Red Color Timer and Red-Eyed Mask Price: ¥9,765 (Tax Included) X-Plus has two Ultraman figures scheduled for April, starting with the titular hero from Tsuburaya Pro`s ULTRAMAN POWERED (??????????, Urutoraman Pawaado, 1993), the series known in English as ULTRAMAN: THE ULTIMATE HERO. ULTRAMAN POWERED was a Japan-US co-production shot in English. A loose updating of the first Ultraman, Powered was designed with blue eyes and muscles reminiscent of the superheroes from American comic books. The X-Plus figure features Ultraman Powered in a characteristic stance. The Shounen Ric Limited Edition version also comes with an alternate Red Color Timer and Red-Eyed Mask to depict when Powered is running low on energy.

Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

The Shounen Ric Limited Edition Ultraman Powered comes with an alternate Red-Eyed Mask and Red Color Timer. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

Unpainted prototype of the Large Monsters Series: Giant Alien Zarab. The finished figure will be fully painted. Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

Large Monsters Series: Giant Alien Zarab Product Size: Height Approximately 30cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted Package: Blind Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Translation Machine Price: ¥16,590 (Tax Included) April`s Ultra Monster entry in the Large Monsters Series is Giant Alien Zarab from the original ULTRAMAN (??????, Urutoraman, 1966). The villainous chameleon alien first appeared in ULTRAMAN Episode 18- BROTHER FROM ANOTHER WORLD (????????, Yuusei kara Kita Kyoodai) and has been seen in the recent films ULTRAMAN MEBIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS (??????????&??????, Urutoraman Mebiusu & Urutora Kyoodai, 2006) and MEGA MONSTER BATTLE ULTRA GALAXY: THE MOVIE (?????? ???????? THE MOVIE, Daikaiju Batoru Urutora Ginga Densetsu THE MOVIE, 2009). The Shounen Ric website Limited Edition Giant Alien Zarab comes with an exclusive Translation Machine not include with the standard version. Please Note: X-Plus has not yet received final approvals from Tsuburaya Pro for the painted Giant Zarab, so the photos included here show the unpainted prototype. SciFi Japan will post photos of the fully painted figure as soon as they become available. March 15 Update: Tsuburaya Pro has approved the painted Giant Zarab. X-Plus has provided photos of the final figure which are now posted on SciFi Japan.

Photo courtesy of X-Plus. © Tsuburaya Productions

Large Monsters Series: Ultraman Tiga (Multi-type) Product Size: Height Approximately 25cm Material: PVC (Vinyl) Specifications: Painted Package: Window Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Sales Agency: Plex Co.,Ltd. Distributed by: X Plus Co.,Ltd. Shounen Ric Limited Edition Includes: Luminescent Pedestal Price: ¥12,600 (Tax Included) The second Ultraman figure for April is Ultraman Tiga. The ULTRAMAN TIGA (?????????, Urutoraman Tiga, 1996) television series launched the modern the modern wave of Ultra Series programs and video specials that continues to this day. X-Plus presents Tiga with his standard Multi-type appearance. The Shounen Ric website Limited Edition version comes with a pedestal that illuminates the figure`s eyes and color timer. There is also a switch operation that changes the color timer from blue to blinking red.

Real Master Collection: Imit-Ultra Seven Product size: Height Approximately 23cm (Without Base) Material: Poly Resin Specifications: Painted Package: Blind Box Shipping: Late April - Early May, 2013 Price: ¥18,690 (Tax Included) The next addition to X-Plus` Real Master Collection is Imit-Ultra Seven (Imitation Ultra Seven) from the ULTRA SEVEN (???????, Urutorasebun, 1967) television series. Built by the Alien Sarome to assist in their conquest of Earth, the giant robot was introduced in Episode 46- DAN VS ULTRA SEVEN (?????????, Dan Tai Sebun no Ketto). The Real Master Collection: Imit-Ultra Seven is constructed of poly resin and stands on a base with attached name plate. This item is sold exclusively online by Shounen Ric and will not be available from retail stores.