If you’re one of the couple of folks following my unsolicited thoughts on the various mecha product lines out there, then you’d know how I really like Action Toys’ Mini Action line of transforming and combining desk-sized sets (you can read more on that here). These figures are essentially simplified versions of Soul of Chogokin sets minus the diecast and all the other stuff that makes the latter expensive. If you follow the line, then you should know they’re also doing the Mini Deformed complementary line of the same figures, with the same gimmicks, just in SD proportions. And while I’m not exactly an SD collector, I’m fairly sure there are lots of folks out there who appreciate the aesthetic.
Earlier this year, Action Toys announced Mini Action versions of Mazinger Z and Aphrodite A, two reasonable choices of mecha designs to be included in the line. Then a couple of months passed, and they decided to cancel these two figures altogether. A little odd though if coming from the point of a market saturated with lots of Mazinger Z action figures, then this decision is also reasonable. I also like to add that whenever they announce a Mini Action set, it’s usually proceeded by the announcement of the Mini Deformed version, which wasn’t the case when Mazinger Z and Aphrodite A were revealed. So, there’s that.
And then we see these two new Nendoroid figures announced by Good Smile Company, and when you check out the details page of each, you’ll see that the sculptor and manufacturer credits go to Action Toys, which I find interesting. With Good Smile Company really upping their mecha game with the Good Mecha Smile brand, has Action Toys found a new channel for their Mini Deformed line, and would this also mean its cancellation? Not to mention how they placed the recently announced SD Vehicle Force and Lion Force Voltron figures in the ES Gokin line.
It does make sense to put these non-transforming and non-combining SD mecha into the Nendoroid line, as they can put more emphasis on the cuter side of these ‘chibi-fied’ versions. Case in point being these effect parts with the attack names included, as if the pilots themselves are shouting them. These would also benefit the wider reach and popularity of the Nendoroid brand.
So, you could say that these unsolicited thoughts are more concerned with the Mini Action line than anything. But I do like how Action Toys is willing to partner with another company to get a better home and distribution for their figures.
Nendoroid Mazinger Z
March 2023 / ¥6,000
Order via HobbyLink Japan
Nendoroid Great Mazinger
March 2023 / ¥6,000
Order via HobbyLink Japan
