Wow... I say again: WOW! Outside of models and vinyls, I'd say HG figures are some of the most sought-after collectibles, and I see why. These 3" Bandai Gashapon capsule toys were released in different series and can be won in Japanese vending machines. Godzilla and Junior were released in HG #4 Series in 1998 and included the TriStar monster, but the show-stopper is the Burning Godzilla, one of my favorite Godzilla figures. Made of a solid red/orange translucent vinyl, the chest, thighs, shoulders, and fins look extremely impressive in front of a light. This scan cannot even begin to do the Burning G justice. Junior isn't as impressive, his green paint is too dull and he has this stupid grin. Bootleg sets with a brighter orange Godzilla has hit the market recently.

The Destoroyah Aggregate is from the HG #7 Series set (GxM 2000). About two inches tall, it came with the two arching feelers, but I think he looks better without them as a yotai form (the arms are a bit too round). HG series figures rarely disappoint, and they did a pretty good job on this one and I'm glad I got it. The only problem is the side legs don't quite reach the ground. However, on the bright side, it's more movie-realistic: in the movie, the middle feet (aka rollers) were the only things that touched the ground!

Finally, we have the new HG #10 Series Final Form Destoroyah. The Final Form was also released as part of HG set #2 in 1996, but now I'm glad I didn't try to pursue that figure (can go for over $60 anyway). This figure is a vast improvement, especially in the wings, the evil face, and the "dirty" colors, and the intricate sculpt that captures Destoroyah's heavily textured form. It looks less like a toy and more like a statuette.

Detail of Godzilla and Junior and Destoroyah: Aggregate and Final Form

Hyper Godzilla Series 1998

These 4" unpainted solid vinyl candy toys were released with the 1998 TriStar movie. Godzilla has an active split stance and an open mouth, looking like a statue sculpted from the movie. Junior doesn't fare as well, the assembly joints aren't seamless, especially in the waist and tail. Destoroyah is actually from Bandai's 1995 Super Godzilla Series, but his detail is not all that spectacular in relation to the other two. The bright red mold is not very defined and the back is a little too upright.

Four inches was the first size group I sought to complete with the Heisei monsters. Getting a bunch of the larger 8-9" series figures was not economically viable (pre-Godzilla Island). I got nearly all the Heisei monsters, from Bandai, Yutaka, and even Trendmasters, who had excellent 4" toys in the their twin packs. Later candy toy sets (q.v.) like the Godzilla History Set and Hyper Godzilla 2000 allowed me to get more 4" figures, including Burning and Meltdown Godzillas, plus the 1954 original Godzilla that looks like it was made straight off the poster.

Detail of Godzilla and Destoroyah and Junior

Godzilla vs Destoroyah Dome Figures

I don't quite know what to call this collectible. It can't be a figure, nothing moves and both monsters are attached to each other and the base. That said, it is one of the more attractive entries in my collection. Martha Stewart agreed: "The pleasant [wooden base] and bright [clear plastic dome] make it a charming centerpiece to any room." I tell Dulce it will be our heirloom.

How about inside the dome? The whole thing measures about 3" tall, with the actual statue taking up a little over 2". In a neat little action scene, Destoroyah is flying above and wrapping its tail around Godzilla's neck. Both rather small monsters are super-deformed and have a glossy finish. The burning Godzilla is dark green rather than black (the horror, the horror! cry the neurotic Godzilla purists...).

Admit it, when you saw this on Ebay, you knew it would appear on this page someday. I tried the auction route, but wasn't successful. Later, I contacted the dealer in Japan and was all set to go. Then good 'ole Bruce told me he found one in Los Angeles and it became my early Christmas present (everyone needs a friend like Bruce).

Detail of Godzilla and Destoroyah.

Yutaka SD Set

This 1995 set is sometimes called the Godzilla vs Destoroyah Variety Set. Godzilla's orange parts are translucent, so it looks like he's glowing if he's put under a light (sort of). Other 2" figures included in the package were SpaceGodzilla and MechaGodzilla, but those became stocking stuffers for my brothers.

This is when I began to question whether I was getting quantity rather than quality. These are about the ugliest Godzilla figures I've seen since some of the old Marusan and Bullmark toys from the 60s and 70s (I don't care how much collectors prize them, they are still ugly).

Oddly enough, these are among Dulce's favorites within my collection. She thinks they are comically menacing and look like little gremlins. Personally, I think she just says they're cute to irk me.

Detail of Destoroyah and Godzilla

Yutaka Figures

I found these on my visit to Creature Feature near Boston. The store had a diorama full of loose, untagged Godzilla figures.

The first two figures presumably came from the 1995 Yutaka Burning Godzilla set, which has a 4" orange meltdown Godzilla with seven small figures (all I got were the two pictured, just recently finding Godzilla). Godzilla's detail is average at best and looks a little chubby. I guess I don't like the solid orange color, since he never looked that way in the movie. The small 1" Destoroyah isn't very appealing either, with the blue color and clipped wings. Worse, his face looks like a duck!

On the right is the 1995 Yutaka Destoroyah, not from the set. It's about 4" tall, the same size as my Super Godzilla series Destoroyah figure. While the coloring is more accurate, the figure is made of hollow vinyl. Not the most attractive Destoroyah, its arms and wings are all one limb.

With these last two Yutaka entries, see why I said the SD Mini Figure set had exceptional quality for this toy company?

Detail of Godzilla and the Destoroyahs

Concorde Godzilla keychains

The Burning Godzilla and Little Godzilla are actually keychains put out by Concorde. They may as well be "figures" since I removed the chains from the top of the heads. They are each about 2.5 inches tall and the Burning G's head to tail measures 2.5 inches as well. It makes me wonder how these huge bulks of solid vinyl could work as a keychain. Both figures are slightly super-deformed. These are a couple of the few Godzilla toys I've managed to find in Hawaii stores.

Detail of the Burning G and Little G keychains.

Kaiyodo Burning Godzilla

One of the more interesting figures I have, it's about eight inches tall and measures about 14 inches from head to tail (which looks a bit too long). It is a model, not a figure, so nothing besides the tail is movable.

First the bad news. This is a Chinese knockoff of a 1998 Kaiyodo vinyl model kit. The pieces are assembled a bit unevenly, especially in the neck and legs, and glue shows in the elbows and tail. The eyes and teeth are poorly painted, and the tail fins are left white rather than orange (making the tail look like it doesn't belong on the figure).

The good news is this is one fantastic looking model, one of the most realistic Godzillas I have. The skin surface and especially the head looks like it was molded straight out of the movie. The tensed arms, split stance, and snarling face really bring the monster to life, particularly looking at it from the front and eye-level. This is clearly meant as a display piece, not a toy. As for the paint and build-up faults, I know I'd do worse if I tried to assemble the actual model myself. Best of all (from a collector's standpoint), this knockoff is significantly cheaper than the vinyl figures and model kits.

While I know that knockoffs do not have the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, I'm sure the guilt I'm feeling is punishment enough.

Detail of Burning Godzilla

Bandai Little Godzilla

Okay, perhaps the header is a bit deceptive. This is not the 1994 vinyl Little G released with G vs SpaceGodzilla. And certainly not the one that's worth over $175.

It is actually yet another Chinese knockoff. The price was significantly less and the bottom of the foot simply says "Made in China". Other than that, I would've never guessed it was a fake. The figure is about six inches tall and is painted a very bright green and yellow. The eyes are a little too big (especially the orange irises) and the mouth doesn't open (teeth are just painted onto the vinyl), but those features are on the real Bandai toy, too. As far as I'm concerned, it's the real Little Godzilla and ain't he just the cutest?

I am very happy to finally have a Little G figure (see my shrine in the Godzilla Junior section). Back in May, 1998, when I first learned of the Heisei series, I scoured the net looking for more information. I recall looking at Goji-World's toy list and Little G was one of the first figures I wanted. Now, at a reasonable price, I have one. Perhaps we should send the Chinese people a wish list! Of course, I mean that all in jest: knock-offs are naughty (psst: how about doing the two-foot Super Final Premium Godzilla?).

Detail of Little Godzilla

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