S.H. MonsterArts - A Series Review

When Bandai Tamashii Nations, the makers of well known figure lines such as S.H. Figurarts and UltraAct, first revealed the initial prototypes for super articulated figures of Godzilla 1994, Godzilla 1995, as well as MechaGodzilla 1993, and M.O.G.E.R.A in the early months of 2011, I was pretty excited. I knew that these new figures were going to be big amongst the Godzilla fan base. Personally, a super articulated figure of Godzilla was a dream come true. I recall myself as a child, first getting into the Godzilla series, wanting a figure of Godzilla himself that can be posed in any stance I wished. Now, that dream has finally become a reality in the form of the S.H. MonsterArts toy line.

The first in the line was Godzilla. He was sculpted in his 1994 incarnation from the movie, Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. His figure was released at the end of November 2011. Granted, his figure suffered various quality control issues that made him deviate away from the nearly flawless and movie-accurate prototype. However, as figures continued to be produced, these errors were gradually fixed. The figure I currently own is my second Godzilla. My first one, which I bought last year had the infamous 'derpy eyes,' a trait in the earlier released figures that made Godzilla look quite... err.... dumb. My second figure, which is still a first edition, doesn't have derpy eyes. It goes to show that as these figures are continuously produced, errors from earlier figures will be corrected.

MechaGodzilla is the second figure in the S.H. MonsterArts line. It was released at the start of December, just in time for the 2011 holiday season. MechaGodzilla is sculpted out of plastic and metal around the waist, and feet. The diecast additions to the figure give it better balance, especially when it came to attaching the Garuda web exclusive, that came out several months later, to its back. MechaGodzilla is a good figure despite what people say about it. It's very durable, and it really displays well. The only problem with mine is that when I first displayed it with the MegaBuster beam effect, I shoved the beam part in its mouth too fast, causing the center tooth on the top jaw to break off. I honestly did not notice the tooth was missing until a few days later! I had considered replacing it, but since the issue is so unnoticeable, I decided to just stick with it – I have heard far worse cases where the entire top row of teeth were accidentally ripped out because of shoving the beam effect in there.

In between the second and third standard figure releases, Tamashii Nations released two web exclusive packs. The first included a set of Masers, Fighter Jets, and the Super X-2 from the movie, Godzilla vs. Biollante, that can be propped on Tamashii Stands for a kick-ass battle scene. Then there's Godzilla's infamous Red Beam, which he used to destroy MechaGodzilla and SpaceGodzilla in their respectful films. This accessory is essentially a redeco of the original atomic ray accessory that was included with all First Editions of the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla figures. The second web exclusive is the Garuda airship that is able to be docked onto MechaGodzilla's back to form Super-MechaGodzilla. The Garuda can be displayed on its own as well. The pack also includes MechaGodzilla's other weapon, the Shock Anchor.

By late March of this year, the third figure in the line finally releases, SpaceGodzilla. So far, SpaceGodzilla has been the best figure in the line to date. The detailing on it is extraordinary, and it has the least quality control issues as far as my figure goes. The articulation is radical, and surpasses that of Godzilla, and MechaGodzilla.

By mid-May, the fourth figure, MOGERA, is released. Ironically, as static and stiff MOGERA was in Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla, the figure for it possesses some of the best articulation in any mecha in the line. Like MechaGodzilla it also possess bits of diecast metal in it as well. MOGERA is also impressive due to the plethora of accessories it comes with. It comes with parts to convert the figure to its flying mode, as well as an impressive Spiral Grenade Missile effect, and its Plasma Laser Cannon. Out of all the figures in the line, MOGERA is equipped with the most accessories.

In June, the third web exclusive is released. It is the figure for Little Godzilla, the adopted son of Godzilla in his incarnation from Godzilla vs. SpaceGodzilla. Little Godzilla turned out to be quite a controversial figure due to various 'flaws' in the articulation of the legs and waist. It also came with two pairs of crystal spires that can be positioned next to SpaceGodzilla, or as a trap for Little Godzilla.

In mid-July, Fire Rodan's figure was released. Fire Rodan, besides Little Godzilla, is the next smallest figure released in the line, barely standing over half Godzilla's height. Due to its small size, various accessories were included such as a flying stand, Fire Rodan's uranium beam, and a newly sculpted Red Beam for Godzilla, and an alternate head for MechaGodzilla featuring a busted eye where Rodan pierced it in the movie. I believe Fire Rodan was released at this time as a means to get another figure out there, and to also act as a filler before the long awaited King Ghidorah is finally released.

Also in mid-July we saw the release of an alternatively colored Godzilla for the San Diego Comic Con called Godzilla Comic-Con Explosion. It was mean't to depict Godzilla in his hypothesized explosion death scenario from Godzilla vs. Destoroyah.

Finally, at the end of September, the most recent figure, King Ghidorah was released. I received mine just this morning. For such a big figure, quality control issues were indeed present. However, despite that fact, once I was done handling it and positioned it upon the shelf along with the rest of the S.H. MonsterArts figures, King Ghidorah looks quite majestic. Its only accessories are its trademark gravity beams, which in themselves, are quite complicated to prop up. Regardless, King Ghidorah possesses the most detail of any figure in the line and perhaps the most articulation ranging from his three heads, necks, main body, wings, and two tails. Personally, King Ghidorah represents the end of the 'First Wave,' as I'd like to call it, of figures in the S.H. MonsterArts line. Second Wave begins once November's Godzilla 1995 is released.

From last November up to now, early October 2012, S.H. MonsterArts has indeed had its ups and downs. Many fans and collectors remain mixed on the line. There are those who completely despise the line mainly for focussing primarily on the Heisei Godzilla series, and then there are those extremists who essentially worship this line as the greatest thing since mayonnaise. I for one, find myself in the middle. The S.H. MonsterArts figures are indeed great figures in general, but are they the best? No. But then again, what is? They're great figures because they're so detailed, and yet so affordable. However, like any other figure from Tamashii Nations, they have their flaws. That's something that one must accept when collecting a line such as this one.

At this time last year, I had honestly believed that the line would not last beyond King Ghidorah, however, when news of Burning Godzilla, Godzilla Junior, and Destoroyah surfaced, it renewed my faith in the line. I have made it my goal to collect every single figure and web exclusive in this line. Overall, the line itself is what essentially got me back into the collecting game and influenced me to buy higher quality figures. I surely hope that in the future, S.H. MonsterArts expands beyond the realm of the Heisei series, and perhaps beyond the Godzilla franchise itself. It was hinted earlier that Bluefin, Tamashii Nations' stateside distributor, will probably be showcasing the prototype for their first non-Godzilla related monster at the New York Comic Con on October 11-14 once licensing agreements are finalized. I honestly believe that this line is still going strong despite speculations put forth by certain people.