If you are a dedicated reader of this article over the past six plus years, then you know the one collectible that gets me excited more than anything else is robots. Not just any robot though, I’m talking about Japanese super robots from the late 1970’s through the 1990’s. Mazinger Z, Raideen, Combattra, Voltes V, Tetsujin 28, etc. these are the robots I love.
You might not remember these names unless you were a dedicated anime fan, but the United States did get a taste of Japanese super robot awesomeness. “Force Five” was an American adaptation and montage of five different Japanese anime series. The series consisted of 130 episodes pulling content from Gaiking, Danguard Ace, Starvengers, Grandizer, and Spaceketeers. For some it was just another weekend morning cartoon in the background, but for others it was a gateway into an entire universe of heroes, villains, and the coolest toys you could ever imagine. Most kids never experienced here in the United States, but for the small slice of Japanese market toys we did receive here, they created lasting impressions driving a strong collector market today.
There were two attempts to bring Japanese super robots into the United States mainstream toy market; The Shogun Warriors first in 1976 followed by the GoDaikins in 1982. While Shogun Warriors are remembered for their iconic 24” tall plastic figures known as a “Jumbo Machinder” in Japan, they also consisted of diecast figures just like the GoDaikins six years later. Of the two though, GoDaikins have always been the clear winner for me.
So, what sparked me to write about these bad boys again? Earlier this month, I headed to Westford, Massachusetts to consign an original owner collection of GoDaikin robots. How did he find us? By reading one of my earlier articles on GoDaikins and their value! His love of robots is a bit different than mine; Unlike me, this gentleman did not play with them as a child, he was a scientist drawn to the aesthetics and quality of the toys and just decided to collect them because he thought they were cool. He amassed a collection so cool in fact that it was showcased in the October 1993 issue of “Toy Collector and Price Guide” magazine!
He decided the time had come to part with his beloved robots, which is good news for collectors everywhere else! Keep an eye out for them in our June 15th Pop Culture Auction, and as always, if you’ve got an interesting collection at home, give us a call!
