Soul of Chogokin Gx-78 Dragon Caesar (Dragonzord)
The Dragon Caesar (aka the Dragonzord in the US version) is finally here. When Bandai first announced the Daizyujin/ Megazord, I think it was fairly obvious they would do a follow up with this fellow which can combine with the Megazord to form the Mega Dragonzord.
Remember to pull out the tail segments when you first open up the figure, it will give more range of articulation for the tail.
He comes with spare hands (something the SOC Megazord does not have), but the spare hands cannot fold into the chest for other modes.
In the series, the Dragonzord is controlled by the Green Ranger’s flute (DragonRanger’s Zyusouken in the Japanese version), it can fire missiles from its fingertips (Dragon Hurley attack) and can attack using his tail.
The Dragonzord can easily take down the Tyrannosaurus Dinozord.
With the other Dinozords/Guardian Beasts.
Gouryuujin/ Dragonzord Fighting Mode
Combining the Dragon Caesar with the ZyuMammoth (Mastodon), Triceratops and Sabertiger gives rise to a new form of robot, the Gouryuujin (Dragonzord Fighting Mode in the US version)
Fusion, Dragon Mission! Gouryuujin!
The Gouryuujin is bigger and stronger than the Daizyujin (Megazord) but it suffers from lack of speed and agility.
The Power Staff / Dragon Antler Staff’s configuration when returning inside the Dragonzord is supposed to look like this.
The set comes with a spare, non-transforming “more show accurate proportioned” Power Staff/Dragon Antler.
The non-transforming staff stands up to 15 inches in height.
Note that the staff only needs 3 segments of the tail.
The Gouryuujin’s other attacks include firing an energy projectile from the fin on its head, while the drill on the tip of its staff can generate strong wind attacks.
Sadly, the lack of head and waist articulation really limits the options for poses with this guy.
The Zyutei Daizyujin / Mega Dragonzord.
Zyutei Fusion! Zyutei Daizyujin!
Combining the Daizyujin with the Dragon Caesar creates the Zyutei Daizyujin.
Be mindful of how the drill is placed, you might end up ruining the tip if it is touching the surface of the shelf.
Be careful of this clip, it could scratch the shoulders on Daizyujin.
While the toys (both the SOC and the vintage toys) have shown that the Zyutei Daizyujin can hold the parts of the Dragon Antler staff, this was never shown in the TV series.
The Zyutei Daizyujin didn’t have any melee weapons in the show, instead it just went straight for the kill using energy blasts. It only has two attacks, the Kaiser Burst (energy beams from its chest and lateral shoulder armor) and its finisher move, the Empire Attack, which is a huge energy ball emblazed with the ZyuRanger symbol.
The Good
-Dragon Caesar weighs 780 Grams and stands roughly 9.25 inches tall
-Gouryuujin/Dragonzord Fighting Mode weighs 1398 Grams (!!) stands about 11.25 inches tall.
-Zyutei Daizyujin weighs a whooping 1880 Grams (!!!!) and stands about 12 inches tall, counting the tip of the head fin.
-Diecast parts include
–Head
–Gold sections of his torso
–Main joints
–Toes
–Underside of his feet
-Really heavy! The combined form’s weight really surprised me, and we’re expecting a SOC Titanus to combine with this?!?
-No wobbly parts, I think this was the concern back in the day for the Legacy version of this toy. Everything feels solid.
The Bad
-No head movement on the Dragonzord
-No head movement for the Dragonzord Fighting Mode
-Watch out for this little clip, it might scratch the shoulders on the Megazord.
-No display base
-Not much accessories.
The UglyI found my Dragonzord halves didn’t lock so well for some reason. I’m not sure if it’s an isolated case. It seems to split apart more easily than I would like. Anyone else encounter this?
Balancing the Mega Dragonzord can also be a bit tricky, since the Dragonzord is so heavy, be careful you don’t pose it awkwardly otherwise it’s likely it will tip over. I recommend using something to support or anchor the figure to prevent shelf dives. It’s not a must if you’re posing him standing perfectly balanced, but it would put one’s mind at ease.
Personally, I feel like the SOC Power Rangers were originally meant for a stand alone Chogokin line or something, and wasn’t really meant to be a part of the SOC line at the start. Sure the toys have lots of diecast and are leaner, better proportioned versions than the classic vintage toys but somehow it seems to lack any real in-depth engineering that the SOC line is usually known for. The poseability of these SOC Megazords are pretty underwhelming as the combined forms still come out like bricks, just like the vintage toys. I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the toys could’ve been done better from a design stand point. It’s not disappointing but not quite impressive enough
If you’re a fan of the Power Rangers, then getting this figure is a no brainer (I think the Green Ranger is still the most popular character from this show).
Funfact Supposedly, the Dragonzord is the only Dino Zord that hasn’t been destroyed, although it’s whereabouts are unknown.
Funfact 2 It’s been said that the Dragon Caesar’s “roar” is actually a recording of an elephant trumpeting.
Gold
