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Column by Scott Green
Personally, I'm not a toy scholar and find the whole field a bit intimidating, but here goes with a thumbnail sketch... In the 70's Bandai's Popy subsidiary released a line of 24 inch tall PET plastic robot toys called Jumbo Machinders. Back before people were too concerned with eyes getting shot out by spring loaded missiles, these Japanese toys became known in the western hemisphere when Mattel licensed a number of these figures from classic mecha anime Great Mazinger (follow-up to the series that aired in North America as Tranzor Z), Gaiking, Getter Robo G (Gaiking and Getter Robo G made it over as part of Force Five), Daimos, Raideen, Combattler V, and in Europe Grendizer, to be released as the Shogun Warriors. In an inspired bit of geek obsession cross-pollination, Super7 is bringing out the Star Wars Stormtrooper Super Shogun, a 24 inch tall Jumbo with free rotating wheels on the bottom of his feet, and a spring-loaded Rocket Punch firing fist. The polyethylene figure features a painted vinyl helmet, removable blaster and articulation at the neck and shoulders. With the figure scheduled to be released in May 29th, Super7 is current taking pre-orders at STARWARS.SUPER7STORE.COM© 2010 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Super Shogun, and Super7 Logo: TM & © 2010 Super7.
