Tamashii Nations’ reveal of the new <Side SUPER> subline within The Robot Spirits covered two figures. First is Voltes V from Voltes V: Legacy and the second is also a contemporary adaptation of a classic mecha anime. I’m talking about Grendizer from Grendizer U and we’ll check out two options available if you want an articulated figure in your collection, because there’s also a non-articulated giant soft vinyl figure out there.
The Robot Spirits <Side SUPER> Grendizer (Grendizer U)
The other half of the two-figure <Side SUPER> reveal is Grendizer and I’ve already talked about how these will be these <Side SUPER> figures may well be spiritual successors of Super Robot Chogokins, so let’s just delve into the specifics of this guy. Though it will make total sense to get the Super Robot Chogokin version of Grendizer now thanks to this guy.
Let’s first check out Grendizer in a neutral stance and boy, it sure has long and slender legs. Like 3/5 of it are just legs, but it does reinforce its heroic presence. This modern Grendizer doesn’t really stray much from the original design, sans a couple of new bits here and there.
As expected from a figure from The Robot Spirits line, there’s great amount of articulation that should be able to mimic most of the iconic poses seen in the anime. Combine this with the proportions and you should get dynamic displays just by itself.
And I meant just by itself as while Grendizer comes with weapons, it only has a few. Chief of these is the Screw Crusher Punch attack which is basically the blades on each forearm flared forward or outward. This is done without replacing parts as the individual blades can rotate. I just hope they rotate on tight joints as we don’t want to see these blades dangling around because they’re loose. Likewise, I don’t think the forearms are removable just like any super robot rocket punch-based attack. But I could always be wrong on that one.
Its other weapons are the pair of harkens, dubbed as “Double Harkens” that shoot out from its shoulders, you could say these are literal shoulder blades. Each blade can be attached to a handle, and you can join the harkens end-to-end to form a double-sided harken.
The Robot Spirits ⟨Side SUPER⟩ Grendizer (Grendizer U)
December 2024 / ¥8,500
SMP [Shokugan Modeling Project] Grendizer (Grendizer U)
Pre-painted figures like The Robot Spirits version above might be too pricey for some so fortunately, there’s an alternative from Bandai Shokugan or the Bandai Candy Toy Division with the SMP [Shokugan Modeling Project] Grendizer (Grendizer U). If you’ve built any Super Minipla or SMP kits previously, then you should have a good idea of what to expect with this kit. But let’s go through some solicitation photos regardless.
I’ll save my comparisons to The Robot Spirits version later, but the overall design is very much the same, and still has legs for days. Although in typical super robot fashion, the white parts are now silver. Whether you like the white armor in the anime or the more “toyetic” silver is up to you, but a model kit like this would be easier to paint.
Grendizer’s simple geometry should work regardless of whether you’re getting the pre-assembled figure or the model kit over here. Although it would also boil down to how the joints are constructed and since this is a model kit, you can surely make modifications.
The kit is also able to replicate the Screw Crusher Punch by flipping the forearm blades to the front. Though I’m not sure if each blade will have a joint to flip forward or all the blades are attached to a common ring structure that you just flip towards the front. It also doesn’t show the blades flared outwards like The Robot Spirits figure did.
Lastly, the SMP can also replicate the Double Harken attack with the removable blades on Grendizer’s shoulders. Each weapon can be displayed and used individually or combined with the corresponding handle parts.
On that note, here’s everything that comes with this set. Besides the aforementioned weapons, it also has multiple sets of hands/manipulators. One thing they noted on the solicitation is how this kit is going to be compatible with an SMP Spazer set they’ll release in the future via Premium Bandai.
SMP [Shokugan Modeling Project] Grendizer (Grendizer U)
November 2024 / ¥5,000
Since I’m already comparing these two versions of Grendizer, I might as well show side by side.
They are essentially the same: one is cheaper, but you have to assemble yourself, but also has an upcoming Spazer set; the other is almost twice the price but looks great outside the box. Personally, I might lean towards The Robot Spirits figure since I’m thinking of getting the Super Robot Chogokin version of the original Grendizer and having both should look good, not to mention I don’t really care that much about the Spazer. But if you prefer building kits, or just like the taste of the gum that’s included, then go with the SMP by all means.
