Mazinger - Jumbo Machinder NEO

After too much time away from the blog, this entry had to be good enough to compensate those of you who have been checking in on the blog during this news-barren winter.

Fortunately, the big-sized package that has arrived today in the mail made my entry choice very easy, as the package that came from the other side of the world contained no other than the updated version of one of the most popular toys during the 70s, the JUMBO MACHINDER (also known as "SHOGUN WARRIORS" in the United States).

For those of you who have never heard about the JUMBO MACHINDER, let me tell you that they are small-scale reproductions (although big in size) of several robots that appeared in Japanese anime series.

It was 37 years ago when the first robot of the series came out, and it was none other than our beloved Mazinger Z. Some years later they came out in the United States (distributed by Mattel) and also in some European countries, Spain amongst them (this time by Nacoral -with the exception of the infamous "Fist-launcher Mazinger" by B.R.B Merchandising-). These toys, that were articulated and threw missiles and all kinds of stuff, became cult collector's items for a whole generation of kids who are now in their forties.

Apealling to nostalgia and hoping to get new recruits -taking advantage of last year's Shin Mazinger series broadcasting-, Bandai brings new life to the JUMBO MACHINDER brand -now with the NEO suffix- (ジャンボマシンダーNEO　マジンガーZ), with a fantastic toy for kids of all ages.

With a 60 cm. height, more articulation points allowing to recreate the famous "breast fire" posing, a pilder with abatable wings to make it fit into the head and a Shin Mazinger-based new image, there's not much more than can be asked of this new rendition of Nagai's robot (except for a bigger house to put it in).

I hope you enjoy the pictures I uploaded for you and that you can forgive these past few months of absence.

Jumbo Machinder NEO, Mazinger Z at Hobby Link Japan.