Original Figure Review - S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 2000 Millennium Special Color Ver.

Written by Arlo Hansen

Once again, Bandai Tamashii Nations provides us, collectors, with yet another repaint of a past release. This time it is of the S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 2000 Millennium, which was originally released back in December 2013/January 2014. With this particular repaint, Godzilla 2000 is featured in a more traditional color scheme instead of the original dark green skin and dark violet dorsal plates. How does this compare to the original? Let us find out together!

Being the same exact sculpt as the original Godzilla 2000 Millennium action figure, there is not much to say. But, if you do not own the original, then here is what you need to know: The figure stands at roughly 6.5 inches tall at it's tallest, and it is a little over a foot long when completely stretched out from the tip of Godzilla's snout to the end of his long tail. 

SCULPT & DETAILING:

The detailing of the sculpt is absolutely breathtaking, and as I've said with the original figure, it is by far the BEST Godzilla in the S.H. MonsterArts figure line. The sculpt is by renowned monster maker, Yuji Sakai, based off a concept design for the movie Godzilla 2000: Millennium (1999,) by Shinji Nishikawa. The new/old coloration for this figure is nothing new for the design as we've seen this particular designed colored in this fashion before through numerous model kits and the original teaser poster for Godzilla: Final Wars (2004.) While the traditional coloration for this design somewhat works, it is nowhere near as flashy and unique as the color scheme that we ultimately see in the final design and suit in the film.

ARTICULATION:

Godzilla 2000 Millennium Special Color Version possesses a wide range of articulation that allows collectors to put this figure in almost any pose they wish. Let us start with the head. Godzilla's jaw is on a ball joint and can open and close, as well as sway side to side, but not as much as other figures do.

Inside Godzilla's mouth, the tongue itself can also be moved. It is on a hinge joint and can move up and down. Just be careful, for the plastic is thin and if forced, it can break. I suggest lightly maneuvering the tongue with either a needle or toothpick - unless you have long finger nails. 

As we move down, Godzilla has two point of articulation on his neck. You can have Godzilla look straight down, left and right, but unfortunately like with the original figure, you can't have him look straight up. Godzilla's torso is also of a ball joint and can be moved all around. However, you must be careful with this part of the body since there are a lot of jagged spines that rub against each other. To avoid scratches or even breakages, bend the torso forward first and then move it around so the dorsal plates on the figure's lower half do not catch on to the ones on the upper body. Godzilla's shoulders are on a ball joint and can be moved out, in, up, and down. If you're worried about gaps between joints, don't worry. There is a bit of skin inside the joint that pulls out if you move the shoulder and arms outward away from the body. This goes for the legs as well. The lack in overall gaps in the sculpt is one of the reasons why I think this is the best MonsterArts Godzilla figure overall. Godzilla's knees are on hinge joints and can bend pretty far inward. The ankles are on ball joints, and no matter how far in you bend the knees, Godzilla's feet will remain flat on the surface of your shelf.

By far one of the most impressive bits of articulation on this figure is the tail. Each segment is on a ball joint, from the base all the way to the last tip - something we never see in any of the other MonsterArts Godzillas. The tail can achieve numerous poses and is dynamic enough to wrap around to the front of the figure. However, depending on your figure, joint tightness varies. Unfortunately my figure's tail joints are looser than those on my original Godzilla 2000 Millennium figure, therefore it can't be raised as high as that figure can. Still, I've seen others whose tail articulation is superb and quite tight, so yeah, tightness definitely varies.

DIFFERENCES FROM THE ORIGINAL:

I feel that I've covered this at great length already, but for those looking for each of the changes in detail from the original, here's your guide! Both the original figure and special color version are the same exact sculpt, but that is pretty much where the similarities end. In regards to color, Godzilla 2000 Millennium Special Color Version has got a complete overhaul.

Besides the obvious change of the dorsal plate color from a dark violet to light gray and the skin from dark green to charcoal gray with dark brown/tan highlights on the chest and knees, Godzilla's teeth, claws and toes have been repainted to a more glossier yellowish-orange. 

The original figure's eyes were a whitish-yellow with black pupils. The Special Color Version, however has much more yellower eyes with a golden iris around black pupils. 

So, is Godzilla 2000 Millennium Special Color Version worth adding to your collection? That's a tough question to give a single answer for. However, I will say this: If you have the original and are happy with it, then stick with that. If you do not have the original, then I strongly urge you to not miss out on this one. Or if you're a completest (such as myself,) and have the original, but still want every MonsterArts figure out there, then by all means go for it. Even though it is a repaint, it still is not a bad figure. Godzilla 2000 Millennium is one of the absolute best that the MonsterArts line has to offer. The Special Color Version definitely makes for a valid substitute for a Godzilla 2002/03 figure when displayed next to the Kiryu figures.

If you're interested in buying this figure, they are still widely available. Check out Amazon.com, BigBadToyStore, and Flossie's Gifts!