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Where Did Godzilla Toys Come From?

It’s a little known fact that the first Godzilla movie came out on the screen in Japan. Collecting Godzilla souvenirs however did not really begin until 10 years later. The toys began to pop up in large numbers, and interestingly enough even while the Japanese produced a huge assortment of attractive monster toys it was actually the Americans who set going. That’s something a lot of people have not realized. The first toy that was licensed came in the form of gun and target game released in 1955 he came out at the same time as the film Godzilla is back in the raids (or Gigantis the Fire Monster which is the American dub version. It was the only licensed toy and nothing else would be released for eight years. It wasn’t until 1963 when the company Ideal began to develop a game based on Godzilla along with the famous Monster King Kong. We now have 2 separate games based on Godzilla along with King Kong and this would begin what we know was the film that would come out in 1962 King Kong versus Godzilla.

The original King Kong that came out in 1933, was rereleased in 1956. This was also the year that the very 1st Godzilla came to American beaches in the year 1956. It was fueled by these two movies that suddenly the monster boom took off. Then we’ll move to the second kit which was actually made available in 1964 by Aurora Models they released a Godzilla kit in 1964 it could be one of the most well-known of released kits, and is the most acknowledged as well. Aurora Models had already leased a popular line of “Human -sized” monster kits and chose to re-release kits of the two most famous “Giant sized” monsters one being King Kong and yes the other being Godzilla.

The two models that were released are extremely popular, even at a higher price of USD 29 in the case of most Aurora kits cost USD.98 apiece. It’s funny to think of the prices are higher than they are today. I am sure there at least 10 times the price. If it’s not more. It is not widely known that the fame and success of Godzilla was not unnoticed during the time of Japan. It was then that the Murasan Company Hua the makers of many different toys for children in Japan was of the opinion that Godzilla was a success in Japan, then a Godzilla model did so well at home in its native United States and that they might be able to do better with one in the world. They took the Aurora model and added a simplified version. They then gave it a cartoony like appearance that was very reminiscent of those Japanese comics that appeal to young children of the time.

In the first two years of the Murasan Company releasing that Godzilla it actually achieved moderate success in the first 2 years of its release. It wasn’t until 1966 that one monsters in science fiction generally started to grow in popularity and that the Murasan Company decided that perhaps they should look well into the creation of a line of toys and models just for kids. At that time in the year 1966 that the Ultra-Q Series which had spawned various types of monsters and this particular series would go on to start the Ultraman series, as we know that Ultraman does battle a lot of monsters.

At the time and in the period I would say around 1965. That was the year when they introduced Gamera for the first time he is a gigantic flying Terrapin who is now acknowledged even today. Godzilla was to become more established as a hero than a character in this would be like it all the way through The Showa Series. It wasn’t till 1984 when Godzilla would return to his evil roots , and will remain so until 2014. It was in 2014 that the Murasan Company did in fact react by releasing a variety of new products for the very first time they were actually released with a vinyl model rather than the plastic version. This is aimed towards the market of children because it is well known that children are prone to putting things in their mouths, or they could make eye contact with it which is the reason they introduced their vinyl toys. The Godzilla line of toys this could include Godzilla, Mothra, and Ebirah from the movie that just came out it was released in Godzilla against the sea monster or tentative title is Ebirah: Horror of the Deep. A variety of monsters were released as vinyl releases as part of the Ultra-Q Series.

There’s also Gamera which is a flying Terrapin was also released on vinyl as well Daimajin from the film of the same name and they have also launched Baragon from the film Frankenstein Conquers the World they came out in 1965. Other releases of the premium plastic toys, such as a wired control set to Baragon and Ebirah as well as this in toys of Baragon and Godzilla Now these specific items will be rare because no one produces items like this in a Tin. I would be amazing to have something similar to this. The toys that I described are made of tin or metal the cost has nearly quadrupled over the cost of vinyl toys. They were sold fairly well considering they were put away for several years.

It would be the following year which , I believe, was 1966 that Minya, Gorosaurus, Mechani-Kong and King Kong (although titled giant gorilla on the packaging) there was also another King Kong that was a controlled model kit that was wired. Plamodel also had a Godzilla kit which was presented in this would be the last Godzilla model that Murasan Company would produce. And the reason for this is because the company fell into difficult times financially. Keep in mind another factor is that this particular model was very costly to make and at the end would be the smallest release of the Marusan collection of toys.

After 1968, due to insolvency, due to their financial woes, the Murasan Company neglected to add any new figures to the Godzilla line. In doing so, they missed out on a chance to release a King Ghidorah figure that was to be released with the film just released in the year 1968. The film was titled “Destroy All Monsters” which was released in the theaters that year. Another fact that is not widely known is that due to the increasing the popularity of Gamera and yes it was the Ultraman series Ultra Seven and its characters the Murasan Company would not even get the chance to release the two figures that were left in the Godzilla line they have been working on . The two figures included Gabara in addition to Minya and this is before their sales fell and forced the company was forced to shut its doors in the year 1970. Another reason for these toy lines being so highly priced is because the company no longer exists and this is wife that you own any of these lines of toys they are quite valuable to the very same reason.

We will now discuss another company who enters the market. This company is known as Bullmark and this particular company will help preserve this Godzilla toy line if it makes any sense. The firm actually did buy molds from the default firm the Murasan Company and the Bullmark company was in the market so they went to work and added a number of new figures to the line including Ultraman. Bullmark was focused on superheroes such as Ultraman at the point at which that it was becoming the rage on TV because kids were eager to purchase as many of these things in the amount they were able to. Although the revenue from the new Godzilla films were at a decrease in the early 70s as we all know in 1975 with the movie Terror of Mechagodzilla would be one of the last films that Toho would make until 1984. Toho Company would make until 1984.

By this time the Toho Company was even starting to package their earlier films with cartoons as well as other children’s content and releasing the films in special “Festivals” that would appeal to younger audiences. Asahi Sonorama would start to offer children’s literature and record sets that included these new movies as well and when the older films were repackaged for festivals. These particular books they sold extremely well and the kids were very delighted to hear the sound effects and music from their most loved movies. Remember when we had no soundtracks or VCRs however the technology of the day was primitive were today everything is at hand. By 1970 it was the time that Bullmark Company would rerelease several of the Murasan Company’s older characters, including Baragon, Mothra, Gorosaurus, Mechani-Kong and Ebirah Horror of the Deep. In 1970, the Bullmark company would release 3 additional Kaiju’s to the lineup that were most well-known as Godzilla’s co-costars. These included Anguirus, Rodan, and King Ghidorah. This allowed the Bullmark company was able to follow the success of these figures with the release of a couple of other Toho monsters that hadn’t been released prior to Varan the Unbievable, and Moguera.

This is when the Bullmark company added an additional release, though limited of larger-scale versions of their three best-selling toys. They include Godzilla, King Ghidorah, and believe it or it’s not Baragon. With this release this could be the Godzilla toy that you would encounter in the opening scene of the next installment in the Godzilla series. The movie is titled Godzilla against the smog beast which was released in 1971. They would eventually add the smog monster into their collection as well.

In 1971, during the Christmas season, the Bullmark company decided to try and capture some of the larger disposable income segment by releasing the Murasan Company’s tin toy series again. They also added Jiraasu to the lineup this is a monster that was part of the Ultraman series the original Ultraman show episode this is a real 1964 Godzilla suit. The suit was in such bad shape the company had to cut off the head and they put it back on with the 1966 Godzilla versus the sea monster suit head. They then put a frill around his neck and provided him with different colours.

By 1972 it would see that the film Godzilla was released. film Godzilla against Gigan and, of course, the vinyl figures were soon to be available, and yes, there were some modifications done to the original tenant Godzilla mold to make the latest Godzilla. Because of some of the issues with the castings of the tin Gigan mold, it was only available for a short periods in the stores and was one of the most difficult items to find within the entire Godzilla toy line. Unfortunately, the huge monster boom was on his end as the interest of children in monsters was declining and they were turning their attention to other things as they became bored of their previous toys and shifting to more modern toys that would seem more appealing to them.

The next 2 Godzilla films with C the lowest attendance of the entire series. Bullmark nevertheless produced the final toys for these brand new monsters. The monsters include Megalon and Mechagodzilla. In this period, American collectors also had their patience paid off and 2 new Japanese monster toys hit the toy market in the shape of models kits made by Aurora Company. Aurora Company. One of them is named Rodan and the other one was named King Ghidorah which was the most recent collection of toys from Aurora. Sales of these particular toys and the specific line overall did not meet Aurora’s expectations. In fact, the entire line was canceled before it came up with a pre-made prototype to be released. Godzilla kit that was to be released.

Because of the lack of interest it caused Bullmark to stop making vinyl monsters as of 1975. However they did try to light the flame under their license to produce the Toho monsters one last time in 1977. The latest rival Popy’s Line created diecast robotic versions of the show gun warriors are extremely loved in Japan as most realize these robotic versions were the popular things of the day. That was the time when Bullmark decided to try and release their own versions of the Toho monsters in rubber and diecast metal. of the monsters that were released in diecast models. The figures included Godzilla, Baragon, King Ghidorah, Mechagodzilla, and Gigan the releases were all in diecast metal and rubber models, each with missiles and assorted extra weapons. However , sales on the particular figures aren’t so strong as they had hoped they would be. Therefore, for the next installment in the series , they made and Anguirus figure that was crafted to resemble a pure robot instead of a monster, and much like the line that the competition has.

Even though they announced their plans to release Mothra and Moguera but they were not ever released or manufactured. This would be the last thing they would ever Bullmark Company would manufacture before they declared bankruptcy. In 1978, Popy would eventually buy up all licenses issued by the bankrupt company and they began to launch their own line consisting of Godzilla toys. To avoid making the same mistakes that Bullmark may they decided to introduce more serious look in monsters one being what is now referred to as “Jumbo Source” It is a big Godzilla toy which actually has an extremely realistic Godzilla roar. It remains to this day among the top sought-after and sought after toys. The appeal of this company is not limited to children , but also to the market for adult collectors that is growing.

Sadly, without new films to sustain them or continue showing on TV the small number of collectors sufficient to support the whole line of toys. In the meantime, Mattel had stopped producing Godzilla toys UK and instead focused on their most profitable products. This was the time that Mattel was determined to replicate the success of Popy in other countries by launching the show gun warriors line in America and even though they had the rights to a few of their vinyl designs were purchased to try and capitalize on the recently launched Godzilla cartoon, which airs on Saturdays at 7:30 am and the show is known as “The Godzilla Power Hour” featuring a 1970s style Godzilla that doesn’t look like any other Godzilla we have today, but it has become quite famous even to today’s Godzilla fanatics.

Mattel released what’s called “Godzilla’s Gang” figurine, but it was not a complete and failure, but since there were no other Toho monsters to be seen in it. Mattel was unable to purchase the rights to any of the different characters or creatures that were part of the series. Instead Mattel utilizes the molds from these characters of”Ultra,” the “Ultra” series that was significantly more popular in Japan in the era of. Show gun warriors was hit with similar fate because the toys weren’t well manufactured and did not have any play value here unlike in Japan. This particular line did in fact fold after a couple of years, but not without adding two additional figures to the line of salt after Godzilla toys. They launched the Godzilla figure that was closely resembled the Jumbosaurus model, however there was something with this new model that was missing the back fence, replaced with a few lumps and a roar and included an open flame, which means this particular item was very different and it would be the last figure Mattel would offer in this particular fashion. The very last figure that Mattel will release was a gorgeous Rodan piece that has three feet this is a gorgeous piece.

Mattel carefully chose to remove the gun warriors’ name off the box instead they simply referred to it as Rodan under the banner of “the world’s greatest monsters” the particular series, even though it was just “world’s greatest creatures” that was ever made available. Toys within the next few years could see a dramatic absence from the limelight in the next few years. One particular company was called Beetland as the only legitimate license that released new products. Their most popular releases during the period included books of all sorts. The release of “Asahi Sonorama Fantastic Collection Number 5-Godzilla” and “Kodansha’s entire collection of Godzilla” this was where people finally got access to some of the insider information and photos as well based on movies.

It was in 1982 when we begin to see early conventions in Japan were also being used as evidence for the value of collectibles for some of their earlier toys and merchandise produced. It was that these particular shows that the company Bullmark vinyl figures 1st started to be viewed with this then came out the outrageous price tags of USD100 to USD100 or higher. By 1983 , the release of the 1st new Godzilla film in almost an entire decade had been officially declared. This was around the time that Godzilla merchandise was beginning to show what was quite a quantum leap forward . It was not just merchandise produced, but of a myriad of characters and amazing detail. In 1983 Yamakatsu would proceed to make a stunning Godzilla series of 7 extremely collectible figurines and that includes the brand new company that they called Bandai was set to make Brandon figures for sale.

The company Bandai is set to release many more figures and greater variety of dimensions than the other manufacturer to date. In 1989 we’d witness the release of the Godzilla versus Biollante film. Godzilla versus Biollante 1989. In this particular moment in time, we’d be again introduced to Bandai’s versions of Anguirus, Megalon, Rodan, Gigan, Mechagodzilla, King Ghidorah and the Mothra larva. Also there was a rerelease of an original Godzilla statue that was supposed to be akin to his screen-based version from 1964 . They also decided to re-release the massive-sized Godzilla they had made available in 1984 in the “Great Monster Series” even though these versions are slightly smaller and was also planned to release a massive Mothra arachnid the following year and much of similar to.

With much reluctance based on what people’s perceptions of the new monster, Bandai decided to not make an Biollante at the time. The King Ghidorah figurine in The Great Monster Series would never be released again, and that is due to its poorly made wings that were almost certain to fall off when assembled for the first time. In 1991, a fresh Godzilla movie was scheduled to once more be released. This one is titled Godzilla against King Ghidorah 1991. Unknown facts at this time was that there would be a new Godzilla film released every season for five years. This has not been done since the mid-1960s. As a matter of fact, as clockwork, each winter this Bandai Company would release toys from the most recent film with other classic monsters also. In the beginning, when the film was released, this film, I have released a brand new updated model of Godzilla as well as King Ghidorah from the film. There’s a bigger version of the mega-King Ghidorah and Godzilla to go with Godzilla.

In 1992, following the release of the new movie Godzilla versus Mothra Bandai would issue vinyl figures of the first Mothra and a Biollante figure which would eventually release. The other figures released at this time was Minya, Baragon, and Mechani-Kong , which we have already seen. Mechani-Kong comes from the movie King Kong escapes which came out in 1967. There was also a new revised version of Mothra as well as the new Monster Batra that had its own larvae stage as well as its adult stage. It also happens to be the year in which Bandai will release a repainted series of 10 Bullmark figures that introduced a new generation of fans to their childhood toys.

1993 was a fantastic year and had the greatest quantity of Bandai vinyl figures that were released and also knew figures were released for the new film Godzilla versus Mechagodzilla that was released in 1993. Also released was the new Kaiju which they called Godzillasaurus, Gorosaurus, Hedorah the Smog Monster, Kamacuras, King Caesar, King Kong, and finally did Jaguar. Within this very same year, they released the first of what could be the most impressive achievement of a Godzilla figure line and that is the debut of the first Tokyo Marui radio control Godzilla figurine. It’s amazing work of art.

In the next two years, he’ll slow releases of the vinyl figures and also see an upswing in the number of hire and battery operated figures and figures like those from the Deluxe Series (Godzilla, Moguera, Space Godzilla, and Destroyah) by the time it appears that the imagination of Bandai seem to have already been at its highest as of 1996. It also saw the release of updated version of the “Godzilla Forever Series” and , yes, there was the “Godzilla Memorial Box” an unreported fact about Bandai in the 1990s they would not release no new figures in the Godzilla line until 1996. Fortunately for most collectors would not be left to for long without it, as America finally has a Godzilla line that can be called their own. In the United States we have the publication of the Trendmaster Corporation.

This could be an American manufacturer that plans to release toys like Varan the Unbievable, Mothra, Gigan, Anguirus, Biollante, and all of the new monsters that spell are yet to be released in the US. Prior example of that would be Destroyah, Space Godzilla, little Godzilla, baby Godzilla, as well as other Heisei characters from their series. With the release of the original American-made Godzilla film that the majority of people do not like for frivolous motives and was not surpassed in the same way by American counterparts, there were many smaller Japanese businesses that decided to take on the burden that was left by Bandai Marmit being one of the companies to produce toys. Another company that has been on the bandwagon is am-1. These other companies are also makers of great Godzilla vinyl kits as well as being run by a lifelong Godzilla fan who has revealed plans to create a line of Godzilla vinyl figurines, which includes many figures that are yet to be released as toys. I will leave you with this message that the future for Godzilla collectibles appears brighter as we entered 2015 and there are a lot of other companies that are producing Godzilla toys and statues. The resin statues create are incredible what I’ve observed there are so many options for the avid collector you cannot begin to imagine.