Soul of Chogokin Gx-76 Dynamic Classics Grendizer
Ever since Bandai announced the Soul of Chogokin Dynamic Classics Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger, it was only a matter of time before Bandai would release Grendizer. Boy, did Bandai deliver! They captured the look of Grendizer perfectly! He looks like he walked right out of the TV screen. Aesthetically, it is miles ahead of the old Gx-04 sculpt and design.
Grendizer comes with an abdomen joint. It’s impressive that it’s conveniently hidden behind the waist “buckle”. You just have to make sure Grendizer’s hip is posed straight so you won’t see the joint.
Bandai outdid themselves with this head sculpt. It’s perfect!
Even more impressive is that Bandai went the extra mile and made the c0ckpit canopy from clear plastic. Nice!
Dizer Go!
Similar to the other Dynamic Classics, Grendizer also comes with optional “higher cut skirt plates” so he can do more dynamic poses. This time around, you can swap the plate one leg at a time. Unlike with the other DC figures it was one whole single piece for both legs.
Grendizer’s attacks
Harken!
For Anime accuracy, they included a pointy end attachment for the Harken when in single use.
Double Harken!
Punches
Grendizer actually has 4 variations of his “Rocket Punch”. All except the “Dizer Punch (a standard “Rocket Punch” without the fins deployed) require you to swap out the forearms and attach the various accessories to recreate the pose.
Screw Punch!
Screw Crusher Punch!
Trivia: The Screw Crusher Punch is supposedly capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 5.
The Screw Crushers are also sometimes used as a melee attack by Grendizer (supposedly capable of generating up to 4000 revolutions per minute)
Crusher Punch!
Bandai also included covers for the bicep so Grendizer will look “show accurate” when he launches his firing punches.
Hand Beam!
Alternately, Grendizer has been shown to fire missiles from the same port as the Hand Beam, “Backhand missile”.
Hanjūryoku Storm (Anti-Gravity Storm)!
Space Thunder!!!
… I really wish they included effects parts for this.
Display Base
I actually got more mileage out of the display base this time around. Mainly because unlike Mazinger, Great and Getter, the Grendizer doesn’t have any “wings” (yet) so posing him in action shots while plugged into the support arm seems more natural. You couldn’t plug the support arm anymore if wings are attached to the figure (like with the others).
Comparison with the Gx-04S
Man… my Gx-04S Grendizer (2nd reissue version) is starting to show signs of aging. The paint is starting to degrade. Hope that isn’t the metal deteriorating or something. Would really suck if the torso suddenly started rusting. Anyone else having this problem?
With the other Dynamic Classics (I didn’t break out Devilman.. he just doesn’t quite fit in).
WE ARE ROCKET PUNCH GENERATION (I read this off a poster a few years back, credits to whoever coined that phrase).
Okay, seriously, Bandai needs to give us Dynamic Classics Getter Dragon now…
The Good
-Dynamic Classics Grendizer stands roughly 7.5 inches and weighs 347 Grams. Gx-04 Grendizer weighs 326 Grams.
-Diecast parts include
–Main joints
–Mid Torso and waist (abdomen is plastic I think)
–Forearms
–Thighs
–Lower Legs
–Feet
-The “high cut” optional skirt plates are now individual pieces per leg, which is good, since I really hated the way it was done on the other DC figures, where when you raise one leg for poses, the other leg “straight” leg would be left with a large gap.
-Back when Bandai rolled out their Super Robot Chogokin Grendizer and its repaint variants, one of the things that annoyed me was the lack of the red panel line on his calves. No issues here. Nice.
-Bandai included an extra pair of fists with a more “relaxed” wrist pose for the Harken, this is also used for posing the “Double Harken” merging pose.
The Bad
-The hip plates are now plastic. They were diecast on the other DC figures.
-Really hate the way the Harken connectors were designed. The thin peg seems like it might break down the road. I worry if you display the Harken connected together too long (like, years) the peg might become “fused” due to moisture and pulling it apart might be impossible without breakage. The SRC did it better with the “round-peg-in-square-hole” design.
-No effects parts for the Space Thunder.
-Still no firing gimmicks for the “Rocket/Screw Crasher Punches”? Whatever… I’m desensitized to this now (kidding… dang it Bandai!)
The UglyNo quality problems on mine. I guess the only real standout issue here is … no Spazer. It just ain’t right…
Overall, this is a beautiful figure. The design is notches above the original Gx-04. He looks super impressive, is highly poseable and has a good amount of heft. It’s great!
The only big downside is that, when you think of how much we paid for the original Gx-04 and how it came with 2 Spazers, PLUS Koji’s little TFO and how the price points match this figure which has only the Grendizer, it’s a bit disheartening. Luckily, the upcoming Spazer release will be a mass retail item (unlike the Super Robot Chogokin one which was a Tamashii Website exclusive), so it’s not all bad.
If you have the Dynamic Classics Mazinger, Great Mazinger and Getter Robo, then this one’s a no brainer.
Gold
