Soul of Chogokin Gx-117 Mazinger Z Kakumei Shinka Power Up Version
Jet Pileder
The upgraded version of the Hover Pileder after the latter was damaged by Gusios βIII in episode 70, the Jet Pileder flies at faster speeds and is armed with more weapons than the Hover Pilder. New weaponry include the Pilder Beam (upgraded from the Pilder Laser) and 20mm machine guns, while retaining the original Pilder Missile attacks of its predecessor.
MAZIN GO!
Before docking with Mazinger Z, you have to fold in the wings and rotate the boosters on the Jet Pileder.
Pileder On!
Created by Dr. Juzo Kabuto and piloted by his grandson, Koji Kabuto, Mazinger Z is a powerful super robot designed to be the first line of defense against the evil Dr. Hell and his Mechanical Beast army!
The figure is a reissue of sorts of the Gx-105 Mazinger Z Kakumei Shinka ver. This time sporting additional accessories such as the Jet Pilder, the Iron Cutter and Drill Missile weapon attacks.
Same as before, the Pileder is held in place thanks to magnets.
Thanks to the new joints of the Kakumei Shinka redesign, Mazinger Z can pose better than previous versions, without having to do parts swapping for Mazinger’s hips.
Of course, the Rocket Punch forearms can still fire by pressing the button on the back of his shoulders, just like with the Gx-105.
The Missile Punch gimmick from Gx-105 is also still included.
Jet Scrander still comes with both versions of the clasp for Mazinger.
Scrander Cross!
The Jet Scrander is a reuse of the one that came with Gx-70 for some reason. This means you’ll have to swap some parts around in order to get the Scrander to “fold down” when Mazinger Z is in full flight mode.
Of course, the main draw of this set are the new inclusions of the Iron Cutter forearms and Drill Missile elbows for Mazinger Z.
Once the arm has been launched, you can opt to plug in these parts to cover up the missing arm, to recreate its appearance in the original Anime.
Drill Missiles – Mazinger Z folds up his forearms to reveal micro drill missile launchers.
The Good
-Mazinger Z stands roughly 7 inches tall and weighs 235 Grams (257 Grams with the Jet Scrander)
Diecast parts include:
–Sections of the torso
–Legs
–Feet
-A very finely sculpted Koji figure inside the Pileder!
-Articulated wings on the Jet Pileder! No more parts swapping!
-Magnet gimmick for the Pileder to dock with Mazinger’s head (same as with the Gx-105 version).
-Ball joints on the mid-torso sections for more dynamic posing.
-Drop down hip joints design! No more silly skirt plate parts swapping like how it was with the Gx-70.
-Firing Rocket Punches (same as with the Gx-105)
-Firing Missile Punch attack (same as with the Gx-105)
The Bad
-No display base
-No more styrofoam trays.
-Essentially a retread of the Gx-105 Mazinger Z Kakumei Shinka.
-The re-used Gx-70 Jet Scrander seems like a step backwards.
The Ugly
No quality control issues on my copy, thankfully.
Overall, not bad. It’s basically the best Mazinger Z released in the line thus far.
While I love it, it’s a shame that Bandai had to make us purchase what is basically the Gx-105 again just for the “complete” set of Mazinger’s weapons. The Gx-105 came out less than five years ago (2022) and it’s already getting a re-run? At least it’s still a mass retail release figure and not a webshop exclusive. But, really, those parts really should’ve been included with the Gx-105 from the get go.
The decision to use the Gx-70’s Jet Scrander instead of the Gx-105’s is also an odd choice, as I preferred the cleaner look of the Gx-105 Jet Scrander, but I guess it is what it is. I would’ve rathered Bandai do entire wing sections fo the Scrander when it does full flight mode, instead of having to swap parts on each wing again.
If you missed your chance to pick up a Mazinger Z for the Soul of Chogokin line the first thirty times, then this is you chance!
Kidding aside though, this is really the best Mazinger released and I would recommend getting this one, if this is going to be the only Mazinger you’ll ever buy in the Soul of Chogokin line.
Funfact: This figure marks THIRTY FIRST release of a Mazinger Z repaint/ redeco/ redesign in the Soul of Chogokin line.
1. Gx-01
2. Gx-01B
3. Gx-01 Kurogane No Shiro (Iron Castle/ Lucky Draw release)
4. Gx-01R
5. Gx-01RG (2004 Tamashii Expo exclusive)
6. Gx-01RG (Mass retail version)
7. Gx-01RB (Lucky Draw)
8. Gx-01R+ (Weathering version)
9. Gx-07 Mazinkaiser OVA version
10. Gx-07 Mazinkaiser OVA Toys Secret exclusive version (comes with Sayaka Yumi Pewter)
11. Gx-07E Energer Z
12. Gx-07I Iron Z
13. Gx-45 Mazinger Z Impact! version (Shin Mazinger Z series)
14. Gx-45C Mazinger Z Impact! Comic Colors version (Go Nagai Wonderland Museum grand opening exclusive)
15. Gx-45A Atami Night version
16. Gx-47 Energer Z
17. Gx-47T Energer Z (Test Type)
18. Gx-47N Energer Z (Normal Type)
19. Gx-49 Mazinger Z Big Bang Punch (Shin Mazinger Z series)
20. Gx-49G Gold Mazinger Z Big Bang Punch (Gold redeco)
21. Gx-70 Dynamic Classics version
22. Gx-70D Dynamic Classics damaged version
23. Gx-70CN Chrome Noir
24. Gx-70SP Anime colors version
25. Gx-70SPD Anime Colors Damaged version
26. Gx-70SP Special Colors version
27. Gx-105 Kakumei Shinka
28. Gx-105 Mastermind Japan
29. Gx-105G 50th Anniversary
30. Soul of Chogokin Gx-105D Mazinger Z Kakumei Shinka Damaged Ver.
… But, wait! There’s still the upcoming Tamashii Nations Gx-105TN Mazinger Z Kakumei Shinka incoming! It ain’t over yet!
Gold
