Review: Soul of Chogokin GX-31 Voltes V figure-
I'm back again with another review. Something a bit unique this time. First I would like make an introduction to this review with the opening theme.
History in brief- Japan's super robot and giant robot fame was already well into the late 70s. A whole new series went on t.v.. A show with a gestalt combiner giant robot. This was Voltes V. It later became popular in the phillipines. Dubbed in both english and tagalog. About the same time, the toy line got popular. Bandai first produced a chogokin toy of Voltes V. But it was not able to separate into five parts. It still had a lot of detail for a 70s toy for its size. This particlar toy was also marketed in the United States as the shogun warriors line from Bandai America. Both versions were popular among collectors.
Another company in Japan called Popy came up with the idea to sell the indvidual parts of voltes V separately. And the idea was to collect all of them and form the giant robot. Sometimes people would buy only a certain part. Having to buy the parts individually was a low cost way for collectors to get the whole set. Each one came loaded with its own gimicks. Launching missiles. Bandai then took the five parts and sold them as a set with all the gimicks and weapons and missiles in one box. This was called the Volt In Box. When the robot was formed, it stood a little over 12 inches tall. For a 70s toy this toy had the most detail due to its large size. The volt in box became very popular in the U.S. as well so in the early 80s Bandai America decided to release the Volt in Box as part of their Godaikin toy line. To most collectors this thing would be considered a master piece. I remember having this toy as a kid. i was in the second or third grade when I had it. Even my friends had it. At the time it was something everyone wanted or had. Warp speeding into the current time-
It was 2006. I was looking through the internet catalogs bandai had announced that Bandai would release Voltes V as a new addition to their Soul of Chogokin line. I went to a retailer here in Honolulu in Kaimuki and ordered the figure. I waited about week, getting my hands on it.
Packaging- I first notice it and wonder why is this so heavy. At first glance as I put the thing on the table at home to examine it. I can see the box was very thick. Mostly blue in color, The front
of the box shows to left The volt machines going in formation to combine. Below that is the big Voltes V logo. Next to it on the right is the combined robot. Holding the Tenkuken. The art work on this is done well. Good visual effects of the Volt Machines flying.
Flipping the box over. The back shows the features briefly what this figure can do. On the left are pictures of the indvidual Volt machines. One neat thing was a picture in the middle showing
the volt machines combining to form Voltes V. To the right of that is Voltes V holding the Tenkuken. To the right shows a few pictures showing the gimmicks the figure has. The effects of the combining sequence is well done. Its good art work. And well laid out.
Upon opening the box, and carefully taking out the styrofoam tray, I could see everything packed neatly and wrapped individually in plastic bags. I carefully removed those and put
everything back in the styrofoam tray. The layout retains the traditional packaging style
of the Volt in box. There is another plastic tray insert which was under the styrofoam tray. This contained all the weapons and other stuff. In the orginal set, the extra stuff was packed in the same styrofoam as the volt machines. I finally decide to take every thng out and lay each one of them up on the table. I took each volt machine having a closer look at each one. Each one is similar in design to the godaikin version. This new version would be the next best thing to the original Voltes V. Thats why i have it. I was beginning to like it already. It reminded me of my child hood when I had the 70s original.
Breakdown: the volt machines-Voltes V consists of five components to form the robot. Much like the series before that. Combattler V. The concept and idea is similar. Lets begin shall
we.
Volt Cruzer- This forms the head of Voltes V. Its a small fighter plane type machine. Features are Crew cutter. Which are blades that go on the end of each wing and the cockpit opens. Retractable landing gear.
Volt Bomber- This forms the arms of the giant robot. Features of this unit are the retractable tail and removable metal landing gear that go on the underside of it.
Volt Panzer- This is the body of Voltes V. Its pretty much a tank that rolls on working rubber tank treads. Its mostly metal. Has a nice glossy paint finish to it. Its features are a pair of pincers on the top that extend outward. That open and close.
Volt Lander- This forms the feet of Voltes V. Its features are movable antennas, and deployable twin drills on both sides. Rolling wheels and spring loaded suspension.
Voltes V back view
The Volt In sequence- A crucial part of the show when the five Volt Machines come together and combine to form Voltes V. LET'S VOLT....IN..... The parts work well during this process and the whole thing comes together nicely.
Vol....
tes....
Five!!
Gimmicks- Voltes V does come packed with a lot of gimmicks. And weapons. Among them
are-
Machine Hawk or Taka meka- even if I haven't seen this on the Voltes V series I'm guessing later on in the series this is used as one of the weapons. The original Godaikin version never had this feature. The bird had good detail. It goes on the back of the robot. The hawk's use is as a support drone. Where Voltes V cannot go. Or during conditions unsuitable for the Voltes Team to take on.
Chain Knuckle- This is like a ball and chain mace type weapon. It extends out from the fore arm in the form of a long chain enabling Voltes V to use it as a whip. Having a spiked tip.
Voltes Missile- this is stored in the forearms on either side. Voltes V can use this depending on conditions. Its a medium to long range weapon.
Volt Magnum- A feature that was not in part of the original Godaikin version. I have not seen this weapon in the show. The weapon is housed in the right forearm. The right hand tilts down and a pistol like barrel extends
out as of forming a gun, This weapon is good for close range combat.
Choudenji whip or Electro-magnetic whip- This weapon is actually Voltes V's belt. The whip is stored on his belt line. And literally pulls it out as of someone were to pull their belt out and use it as a whip. Voltes V has two of these whips. He can take them from either side.
Choudenji Top or Exectro-magnetic top- The tops are stored in Voltes V's lower body just above the belt line. The tops connect to the ends of the whips. In the show, the whips snap out to capture the tops once they are launched and coil around them. The spinning motion of the tops come from the quick pull of the whip uncoiling.
Tenkuken "V" cut.
Finish
I'm back again with another review. Something a bit unique this time. First I would like make an introduction to this review with the opening theme.
History in brief- Japan's super robot and giant robot fame was already well into the late 70s. A whole new series went on t.v.. A show with a gestalt combiner giant robot. This was Voltes V. It later became popular in the phillipines. Dubbed in both english and tagalog. About the same time, the toy line got popular. Bandai first produced a chogokin toy of Voltes V. But it was not able to separate into five parts. It still had a lot of detail for a 70s toy for its size. This particlar toy was also marketed in the United States as the shogun warriors line from Bandai America. Both versions were popular among collectors.
Another company in Japan called Popy came up with the idea to sell the indvidual parts of voltes V separately. And the idea was to collect all of them and form the giant robot. Sometimes people would buy only a certain part. Having to buy the parts individually was a low cost way for collectors to get the whole set. Each one came loaded with its own gimicks. Launching missiles. Bandai then took the five parts and sold them as a set with all the gimicks and weapons and missiles in one box. This was called the Volt In Box. When the robot was formed, it stood a little over 12 inches tall. For a 70s toy this toy had the most detail due to its large size. The volt in box became very popular in the U.S. as well so in the early 80s Bandai America decided to release the Volt in Box as part of their Godaikin toy line. To most collectors this thing would be considered a master piece. I remember having this toy as a kid. i was in the second or third grade when I had it. Even my friends had it. At the time it was something everyone wanted or had. Warp speeding into the current time-
It was 2006. I was looking through the internet catalogs bandai had announced that Bandai would release Voltes V as a new addition to their Soul of Chogokin line. I went to a retailer here in Honolulu in Kaimuki and ordered the figure. I waited about week, getting my hands on it.
Packaging- I first notice it and wonder why is this so heavy. At first glance as I put the thing on the table at home to examine it. I can see the box was very thick. Mostly blue in color, The front
of the box shows to left The volt machines going in formation to combine. Below that is the big Voltes V logo. Next to it on the right is the combined robot. Holding the Tenkuken. The art work on this is done well. Good visual effects of the Volt Machines flying.Flipping the box over. The back shows the features briefly what this figure can do. On the left are pictures of the indvidual Volt machines. One neat thing was a picture in the middle showing
the volt machines combining to form Voltes V. To the right of that is Voltes V holding the Tenkuken. To the right shows a few pictures showing the gimmicks the figure has. The effects of the combining sequence is well done. Its good art work. And well laid out.Upon opening the box, and carefully taking out the styrofoam tray, I could see everything packed neatly and wrapped individually in plastic bags. I carefully removed those and put
everything back in the styrofoam tray. The layout retains the traditional packaging style
of the Volt in box. There is another plastic tray insert which was under the styrofoam tray. This contained all the weapons and other stuff. In the orginal set, the extra stuff was packed in the same styrofoam as the volt machines. I finally decide to take every thng out and lay each one of them up on the table. I took each volt machine having a closer look at each one. Each one is similar in design to the godaikin version. This new version would be the next best thing to the original Voltes V. Thats why i have it. I was beginning to like it already. It reminded me of my child hood when I had the 70s original.Breakdown: the volt machines-Voltes V consists of five components to form the robot. Much like the series before that. Combattler V. The concept and idea is similar. Lets begin shall
we.
Volt Cruzer- This forms the head of Voltes V. Its a small fighter plane type machine. Features are Crew cutter. Which are blades that go on the end of each wing and the cockpit opens. Retractable landing gear.
Volt Bomber- This forms the arms of the giant robot. Features of this unit are the retractable tail and removable metal landing gear that go on the underside of it.
Volt Panzer- This is the body of Voltes V. Its pretty much a tank that rolls on working rubber tank treads. Its mostly metal. Has a nice glossy paint finish to it. Its features are a pair of pincers on the top that extend outward. That open and close.
Volt Lander- This forms the feet of Voltes V. Its features are movable antennas, and deployable twin drills on both sides. Rolling wheels and spring loaded suspension.
Voltes V Front view
Voltes V back view
The Volt In sequence- A crucial part of the show when the five Volt Machines come together and combine to form Voltes V. LET'S VOLT....IN..... The parts work well during this process and the whole thing comes together nicely.
Vol....
tes....
Five!!
Gimmicks- Voltes V does come packed with a lot of gimmicks. And weapons. Among them
are-
Machine Hawk or Taka meka- even if I haven't seen this on the Voltes V series I'm guessing later on in the series this is used as one of the weapons. The original Godaikin version never had this feature. The bird had good detail. It goes on the back of the robot. The hawk's use is as a support drone. Where Voltes V cannot go. Or during conditions unsuitable for the Voltes Team to take on.
Chain Knuckle- This is like a ball and chain mace type weapon. It extends out from the fore arm in the form of a long chain enabling Voltes V to use it as a whip. Having a spiked tip.
Voltes Missile- this is stored in the forearms on either side. Voltes V can use this depending on conditions. Its a medium to long range weapon.
Volt Magnum- A feature that was not in part of the original Godaikin version. I have not seen this weapon in the show. The weapon is housed in the right forearm. The right hand tilts down and a pistol like barrel extends
out as of forming a gun, This weapon is good for close range combat.
Choudenji whip or Electro-magnetic whip- This weapon is actually Voltes V's belt. The whip is stored on his belt line. And literally pulls it out as of someone were to pull their belt out and use it as a whip. Voltes V has two of these whips. He can take them from either side.
Choudenji Top or Exectro-magnetic top- The tops are stored in Voltes V's lower body just above the belt line. The tops connect to the ends of the whips. In the show, the whips snap out to capture the tops once they are launched and coil around them. The spinning motion of the tops come from the quick pull of the whip uncoiling.
Tenkuken- This is Voltes V's main weapon. In the phillipine version of Voltes V that is dubbed in english, its called the Lazer Sword. This name is wrong. The weapon's properties have nothing to do with the laser energy. It has more divine properties due to its actual japanese name. This feature comes with a folding Tenkuken. Which is a one of a kind feature that is only in this set. It goes on the chest of Voltes V. The hilt cones out of the chest first and the handle forms. From there the blade extetends upwward. There is a solid silver chrome Tenkuken in this set to give the full effect of it being used.
Tenkuken "V" cut.
Finish
I did forget to menti
on that during the combining process, I notice the weight of the figure is distrbuted equally It wil stand by itself once the parts are stacked to form the robot. Unlike the Its original Gofaikin predecessor, it has a good amount of joint movement. I showed during my intro of the weapons some of the poses this figure can be put in. As far as detal goes, I see it having more realism to it than the original on the show. The face details are spot on with the show. As is the chest emblem. The sword i think is the best part of all. This set wouldn't be Voltes V with out it. Having to be in the giant robot combiner catergory, I guess it would pass as a gestalt type. Since the Voltes team act as one during the volt in sequence.
Conclusion- The verdict. I recommend this figure. I had hours of fun playing with it. Its a well made figure. Good amount of joint movement. Its one of the best pieces in my collection. It looks good on display either in the robot form or as the separate volt machines. Its a good figure for giant robot gestalt collectors or those old school collectors of the 70s.
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