Tag Archives: Jet Jaguar

#3198: Jet Jaguar

Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with , , , ,

JET JAGUAR

S.H. MONSTERARTS (BANDAI)

As someone with only really a passing knowledge of the Godzilla franchise, I can tell you that there are two things I am very definitely a fan of, despite my limited knowledge.  The first is Mechagodzilla, because, I mean, come on.  It’s all in the name there, right guys?  The other one?  Jet Jaguar.  Why?  Well, simply put, because I love Ultraman, and Jet Jaguar?  Pretty much just Ultraman.  I mean, yeah, there’s more to that, but, I mean, come on.  I’ve got plenty of Ultraman love in my collection, especially in the Figuarts-style range, but now I’m finally hitting up the Godzilla side just a little bit.  I snagged a Mecha earlier in the year, and now, thanks to an updated appearance in Godzilla: Singular Point, I’ve also gotten a shot at a sweet new Jet Jaguar!  Jet Jaguar!

THE FIGURE ITSELF

Jet Jaguar is part of Bandai’s S.H. Monsterarts line, and has been showing up domestically in the last month or so.  In Japan, the figure is a web-exclusive, but in the US, we were fortunate enough to get him as a standard release.  Or, at least as standard as any Monsterarts release can be here.  As mentioned in the intro, the figure is based on Jet’s appearance in Singular Point, specifically his third, fully advanced form, and follows up on the Godzilla from the same source, with was released earlier in the year.  The figure stands 6 1/2 inches tall and he has 34 points of articulation.  While the figure is certainly very mobile, I did find that there was just a little bit of a learning curve on working his articulation properly, so as to not risk breaking anything.  Thankfully, it’s not anything too crazy, and after messing with him for a little bit, I was comfortable enough to not worry about damaging anything.  The range is generally pretty solid, but I did find some slight sponginess on the shoulders and hips, largely due to how they are constructed.  It’s nothing terrible, but I do worry just a little bit about how some of the joints are going to hold up over time.  Jet Jaguar’s sculpt is an all-new one, and it does a quite respectable job of recreating the character’s animation design.  The mechanical detailing on the head and torso is especially nice, and very crisp.  Some of the detailing on the legs is a little softer, but still not bad.  I’m not a fan of the use of rubber for the jacketing on the shoulders, but that’s about my only real complaint when it comes to this figure’s assembly.  Everything else is up to the usual SH standards, and he’s just a really slick looking figure.  Jet Jaguar’s color work is fairly basic for the most part, but as far as actual paint goes, there’s some rather nice weathering on the torso and head, and I really dig the clear blue for the eyes.  I also quite like the bright color palette, which really helps him to stand out amongst the other Monsterarts.  In terms of accessories, Jet Jaguar is pretty well loaded.  He’s got three different sets of manipulators (in gripping, splayed, and pointing), the Anguirus spike spear, three different styles of back attachment, with one set of just the “handles”, the back pack, and the full flight pack, an alternate set of “extended” antennae, a minifigure of Yun Arikawa, a chair for Yun which swaps out for one of the plates on Jet’s back, and a stand.  The spear is rubber at the top, so it was a little warped on mine right out the box, but I do appreciate that it splits in the middle to make it easier to get it into Jet’s hands.  The flight pack is articulated, which is fun.  It makes Jet a bit top heavy, but the stand sort of helps with that.  It’s not as useful as one of the stages or anything, but it can at least aid in keeping him upright.  Yun is actually articulated, which is fun, but lacks any sort of paint, so he’s just blue.  So, there’s that.

THE ME HALF OF THE EQUATION

Despite having a very limited amount of any *actual* interaction with Jet Jaguar in media, I have this undying love for the guy.  When this figure was announced, I was pretty much immediately on board, and I was definitely plussed at being able to get him through All Time.  The figure’s not quite what I was expecting, I think, after messing with other Monsterarts, but that’s not a bad thing.  He’s still a lot of fun, and just a really nifty design overall.  I’d love to also see a classic Jet, if perhaps that’s on the table, but we’ll just have to see, I suppose.

Thanks to my sponsors over at All Time Toys for setting me up with this figure to review.  If you’re looking for cool toys both old and new, please check out their website.

#0495: Godzilla Minimate Set #2

Posted by Ethan Wilson in Reviews and tagged with , , ,

ATOMIC GODZILA, MECHA GODZILLA, HEDORAH THE SMOG MONSTER, & JET JAGUAR

GODZILLA MINIMATES

CREEEEEEEEEONK!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you hear that? That’s the sound of a Godzilla. I know it is, cuz that’s how it’s written out in all the comics! Do you know what that sound means? No, it’s not actually Godzilla. That’s the dumb talking. Obviously, the only thing that sound could possibly mean is that I’m totally about to review some Godzilla Minimates up in here!

THE FIGURES THEMSELVES

This sets makes up “series 2” of the Godzilla Minimates line, which is being handled through boxed sets, at least for the time being.

ATOMIC GODZILLA

First up, it’s the title character, Godzilla. This is the second Godzilla in the line, which isn’t surprising, given there have been two sets. The figure is about 2 ½ inches tall, with 14 points of articulation. This Godzilla, like the last one, is something of an amalgamation of a few of the “classic” Godzilla designs. The main difference between this Godzilla and the last one is that this one represents Godzilla when he uses his atomic ray, which is one of his most distinctive attacks. The figure is built using the standard Minimate body as a starting point, with a unique head, hands, and feet, as well as add-ons for the torso/tail and upper thighs. All of these pieces were used on the previous Godzilla, which is a sensible re-use. The pieces are pretty well sculpted, although the fact that the arms and legs are just basic Minimate arms is a little goofy looking. The torso piece is also a little on the simple side for Godzilla, especially when compared to the other figures in the set. The head is very well sculpted, though, so it’s definitely got that going for it. The paintwork on the figure is generally pretty good. It’s pretty straight forward, but it’s nice and clean. Plus, his back spines are molded in clear blue, which is just plain cool. The figure includes an atomic ray piece and a clear display stand.

MECHA GODZILLA

You can’t have Godzilla without having his mecha counterpart, so here it is! Mecha Godzilla is 2 ½ inches in height and he has 14 points of articulation. I’m pretty sure he’s based on the first version of Mecha Godzilla, though there were more than a few versions of the concept. The figure uses the basic Minimate body as a starting point, with a new head, hands, and feet, as well as an add-on for the torso. The pieces are all new to this figure and they are incredibly well sculpted. All of the details are nice and sharp. Just look at those rivets! Amazing! The figure’s paint is a little bit more detailed than Godzilla, with some more fine detail. Everything is nice and clean, and all the line work is really sharp. Mecha Godzilla includes a clear display stand.

HEDORAH THE SMOG MONSTER

Okay, so I don’t actually know anything about Hedorah. He’s apparently a smog monster, so there’s that. I’ve gathered that he’s one of the more minor Godzilla foes, but you have to get a few of them in to keep the line going. The figure is about 2 ½ inches tall and he has 13 points of articulation. He has unique hands and feet, as well as an add-on for the head/torso/tail. When fully assembled, the figure is really quite large. Like, so large that the package had to be specially shaped just to accommodate him. I’m pretty sure that’s a first. The sculpt is certainly unique, and very gloopy. He does look like a smog monster, so that’s a plus. As far as paint goes, Hedorah actually pretty lax on the paint work. For the most part, he’s molded in a dark green plastic. He’s got some detailing for his eyes and a few spots of brighter green. The paint is cleanly applied, and the detail work is pretty sharp. Hedorah includes a clear display stand.

JET JAGUAR

Jet Jaguar! Jet Jaguar! So, um, Jet Jaguar. How about that. See, I don’t know a whole lot about Jet Jaguar, but he’s one of my favorite parts of the Godzilla mythos. And that’s mostly because he is literally just Ultraman. And that’s totally okay. The figure is 2 ½ inches tall with 14 points of articulation. He’s built on the same body as the others in the set, with a unique head and an add-on for the shoulder piece. Both pieces are new to Jet, and they’re both pretty good translation of the Jet Jaguar design, so that’s good. Jet probably has the most complicated paint work in the set. With the most room for error, Jet does end up with a few more issues with bleed over. That said, most of the work is really great. The colors are bold and bright, and the line work is clean and sharp. Just look at that awesome grin! Jet Jaguar includes a clear display stand.

THE ME HALF OF THE EQUATION

I ended up passing on the first set of Godzilla Minimates for a variety of reasons. However, when it was announced that both Mecha Godzilla and Jet Jaguar would be in the second set, I was immediately on board. I picked this set up from my favorite Minimate retailer, Luke’s Toy Store. I really like this set a lot. The figures are definitely unique looking and very well put together. I may even go back and get the first set now!