X-Plus Vinyl Re-Issues Are Licensed for North America

Diamond Distributors will bring high quality
Godzilla vinyls to your local comic shop 

By John Stanowski

X-Plus is a Japanese company known for making high-end vinyl figures. They come in either a 10 or 12 inch size and are fantastic representations Godzilla, Gamera, Ultraman and all manner of kaiju. They strive to make sculpts which are accurate when compared to the actual kaiju suits rather than idealized versions. You'll often find details like zippers and holes in the neck from which the actors inside can see.




These figures are also known for being a tad expensive. Prices often range between $100 and almost $200. Despite the cost, X-Plus collectors are always anxious to make new acquisitions. And though the current versions of these limited edition pieces are easy enough to obtain from sites such as Hobby Search and Hobby Link Japan, getting the older figures from the aftermarket are a bit tricky and often require navigating Japanese language websites and forwarding services.

Soon, though, collectors in the West will have it easy. Diamond Distributors, X-Plus and Toho have come to an arrangement and will be providing re-issues of these fine figures for collectors in the United States and Canada.

The figures will still be made by X-Plus using the same exact resources and facilities as the original Japanese versions. The re-issues will come from the 30cm (12 inch) line only. Two figures will be made available every three months and can be pre-ordered and purchased from your local comic shop or favorite North American online retailer. And then that's it! Once they're gone they become rarities.

There's a good chance your local comic shop owner won't even know about them. If that happens, just ask them to pull out the latest issue of Previews. There's a two-page spread inside. They can also look them up for you on the Diamond retailer web site.

The first wave of figures included the X-Plus Godzilla 1954 Monochrome Version and the Mechagodzilla 1974. The window for pre-ordering these has closed, but a Diamond representative has said that it may still be possible to get your hands on them. Your comic shop will have to check the Diamond site for availability.

Wave Two, recently announced, will offer Sanda vs. Gaira (The War of the Gargantuas, 1966), this time together in one set. Also available will be the X-Plus 12in Series Godzilla 2001 (“Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack”). Prices will vary depending on your retailer.

The pre-order deadline for Diamond products is typically the last Wednesday of the month. If you have your eye on either the Gargantuas or the GMK, you'll have to act before August 28.

Diamond Distributors and X-Plus are currently in talks about which figures will be included in the third wave. Nothing has been decided yet, but the two-page spread in Previews has teased us with the likes of Godzilla 1955, 1962, 1964, 1968, 1989, 2002 as well as Varan, Mothra Larvae, Hedorah (Final Form) and more.

This is a great opportunity for current X-Plus collectors who have missed out on older releases as well as new collectors discovering these awesome collectibles for the first time.

You can learn more about X-Plus Godzilla vinyls right here at The Kaiju Planet, the fan-based X-Plus Kaiju Collectors' Club on Facebook or KaijuAddicts.com. You can also watch the KaijuCast video, where Kyle Yount interviews a Diamond Representative.