Movie Monster Series

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The Movie Monster Series (ムービーモンスターシリーズ,   Mūbī Monsutā Shirīzu) is the third line of 6-inch Godzilla figures by Bandai Japan. The line began in 2001.

2001

The Movie Monster Series was launched in 2001, featuring reissues of 10 of the figures from the previous line, the Toho Kaiju Series. The figures were given a new vinyl color, different paint highlights (if not most giving resemblance to their film counterparts), and even a larger size difference when compared to the Toho Kaiju Series. The tags for the Movie Monster Series figures are completely different from the previous lines; the borders were removed with the pictures of each respective monsters taking up most of the front of the tag, and the back shows a picture of the head of one of the Godzillas from the respective era where the monster originated (Godzilla 1993 for Heisei monsters, and Godzilla 1974 for Showa monsters). Towards the end of 2001, Bandai Japan released one more figure to the Movie Monster Series, Burning Godzilla.

To coincide with the release of Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack in 2001, Bandai Japan added Godzilla 2001, Baragon 2001, Mothra 2001 and King Ghidorah 2001 to the Movie Monster line-up, but unlike the other figures in the line, they are not a part of the 6-inch scale. Instead, they are all part of the 8-inch scale, making this the only line of primarily 6-inch Godzilla figures to also produce 8-inch figures. Theater Exclusives for all four figures were made, as well as an Event Exclusive Crystal Godzilla, a Hobby Exclusive "Translucent Glitter Godzilla" and an "Orange Translucent Baragon." The tags for the GMK figures feature a picture of Godzilla's head.

2002

To coincide with the release of Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla in 2002, Bandai Japan added Godzilla 2002 and Mechagodzilla 2002, the latter both with and without weapons, to the Movie Monster line-up, and like the GMK figures, they were all part of the 8-inch scale. Theater Exclusives for both the Godzilla 2002 and Mechagodzilla 2002 with weapons figures were also produced, as well as a red "Ito Yokado Godzilla" and a "Link Science Mechagodzilla".

During the Asian Fantasy Film Festival in 2002, Bandai representative Yasumasa Kawauchi announced to guests during a panel discussion that there was a 50/50 chance that a 6-inch Titanosaurus would be included in the Movie Monster series. Kawauchi also entertained a suggestion that the new Titanosaurus figure should be paired with a Mechagodzilla 1975 figure. By the end of 2002, Bandai added both Mechagodzilla 1975 and Titanosaurus to the Movie Monster line-up, along with reissues of Fire Rodan and G-Force MOGUERA with new paint schemes, as well as a re-scale of the Godzilla Junior figure from the standard 8-inch line. A "Clear Mechagodzilla" was produced as well.

2003

In 2003, Bandai Japan added Godzilla 1974 to the Movie Monster line-up. It had been rumored for years that Toho was never proud of the 1970s version of Godzilla and would never allow Bandai Japan to produce a figure of Godzilla from that time period. Bandai also reissued King Caesar with a new paint scheme as well.

To coincide with the release of Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. in 2003, Bandai Japan re-sculpted the Godzilla 2002 and Mechagodzilla figures from the Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla toy line to match their appearances in Tokyo S.O.S. Bandai also produced a Mothra Imago 2003 and two Mothra Larva 2003 figures. As with the other Millennium figures, all figures in the Tokyo S.O.S. toy line are all 8-inch scale figures. Theater Exclusives for Godzilla 2003, Mechagodzilla 2003 with weapons, the Mothra Imago 2003 and the female Mothra Larva 2003 were also produced, as well as an "HMV Godzilla," a gray "Ito Yokado Godzilla" and an "Ito Yokado Mechagodzilla." The tags for the Tokyo S.O.S. figures include a picture of Godzilla's head.

2004

To coincide with the release of Godzilla's 50th anniversary film, Godzilla: Final Wars, in 2004, Bandai Japan added Godzilla 2004, Anguirus 2004, Rodan 2004, Xilien 2004, Minilla 2004, Gigan 2004, Modified Gigan, Monster X and Keizer Ghidorah to the Movie Monster line-up. They also reissued the Mothra Imago from the Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. toy line in translucent red vinyl under the name "Fire Mothra," reflecting her final attack in Godzilla: Final Wars. Unlike the other Millennium figures, only six figures are in the 8-inch scale (Godzilla 2004, Gigan 2004, Modified Gigan, Fire Mothra, Monster X and Keizer Ghidorah), the other figures are all part of the 6-inch scale. Theater Exclusives for Godzilla 2004, Anguirus 2004 and Rodan 2004 were also produced, as well as an Ito Yokado Exclusive Godzilla 2004 figure and HMV Exclusive Godzilla 2004 and Anguirus 2004 figures. The tags for the Final Wars figures feature a picture of Godzilla's head. Originally, Bandai was planning to make figures of all the other monsters that appeared in Final Wars, like King Caesar, Ebirah, and even Zilla, but following the film's poor box office performance, Bandai decided to cut their losses and cease production on figures of any other monsters from the film. Mechagodzilla 1975, Titanosaurus, Fire Rodan and Godzilla Junior were also reissued from 2002's lineup, their size and paint schemes are no different from before. However, all four figures come with single-sheet tags with the Toho license sticker in silver sporting the 50th anniversary symbol and the year 2004.

2005

In 2005, Godzilla, SpaceGodzilla, King Ghidorah, Mecha-King Ghidorah, Destoroyah, Godzilla 1954, Anguirus 2004 and Rodan 2004 were reissued from the 2001 and 2004 line-ups with new paint schemes. Godzilla 2004, Gigan 2004, Mechagodzilla 2003 with the drill hand and Mothra Imago 2003 were all scaled down into 6-inch figures and were all given new paint schemes as well. The tags that all the figures come with are different from the previous line-ups; the tags have pink borders on both sides, and the back shows a silhouette of the Millennium Godzilla in a fiery background.

2006

In 2006, Bandai Japan added Hedorah to the Movie Monster line-up, as well as a reissue of Godzilla 1968 from the Godzilla 50th Anniversary Memorial Box set with a new paint scheme. The tags for both figures are the same as the 2005 figures except the borders are purple instead of pink. Godzilla 1968's tag features a picture of Godzilla 1973 from Godzilla vs. Megalon. The inside of the tag shows a close-up picture of another publicity shot of Godzilla 1971.

2007

In 2007, Bandai Japan added Jet Jaguar to the Movie Monster line-up. Jet Jaguar's tag is the same as Godzilla 1968's and Hedorah's. However, Jet Jaguar was the only figure released in 2007, and was the last figure in the Movie Monster series line until the reveal of Godzilla 2014 and the Winged MUTO from Legendary Pictures' Godzilla in 2014, as the Ultraman Toyline became quite popular in the meantime.

2014

Both Godzilla 2014 and MUTO were released on July 12, 2014, the back of the tags for both figures are done entirely in black with the Legendary Pictures' Godzilla title labelled on the top middle right side. The top left of the back of the tags are given a similar shape to Godzilla 2014's Template:Scutes on the tail, and are also outlined in white.[1]

2015 (Movie Monster EX Series)

Main article: Movie Monster EX Series.

On February 14, 2015, Bandai Japan revealed that its next line would be the Movie Monster EX Series, featuring reissues of six-inch figures from Bandai America.

2016

In April 2016, Bandai announced it would be reviving the Movie Monster Series once again in July to coincide with the upcoming release of Shin Godzilla. Bandai's sales sheet revealed plans for a six-inch Godzilla 2016 figure, along with two other figures tentatively labeled "Godzilla 2016 Monster A" and "Godzilla 2016 Monster B," later revealed to be figures of Godzilla's second and third forms in the film. Bandai also reissued the Millennium Godzilla from the Godzilla 50th Anniversary Memorial Box with a new paint job to resemble the 1999 incarnation and Mechagodzilla 2004 from the line's 2005 releases with a new right arm sculpt without the drill. The figures all include unique tags featuring the Template:Scutes of each character. The sales sheet also announced a new series of 12-inch figures dubbed the King of the Monsters Series, which features reissues of Bandai America's Godzilla 2004 and Kiryu figures along with a new Godzilla 2016 figure.[2] A repaint of Bandai's earlier Mechagodzilla 2004 figure with the drill hand designed to resemble Evangelion Unit-01 and another repainted to resemble Evangelion Unit-02 were also released as part of Toho and Gainax's "Godzilla vs. Evangelion" collaboration.

2017

In 2017, Bandai released two reissues of their Godzilla 2016 figure. The first, called Godzilla 2016 Frozen Version, depicts Godzilla frozen from the ending of the film, complete with the monster's fifth form present on the tip of the figure's tail. The second repaint, called Godzilla 2016 Climax Version, is made to resemble Godzilla as he fires his atomic breath in the film, with an unhinged jaw and purple paint on his Template:Scutes, the tip of his tail, and the inside of his mouth. Bandai also released repaints of their figures of Godzilla's second and third forms, now with more film-accurate paint jobs.[3]

On July 11, 2017, Bandai unveiled two upcoming figures in the Movie Monster Series, Godzilla 2017 and Servum, to coincide with the release of GODZILLA: Planet of the Monsters. This wave of figures also included Burning Godzilla and Destoroyah. The figures were released in September 2017, while pre-orders opened on August 18. On August 21, 2017, Bandai unveiled an exclusive Godzilla 2017 figure that was included with special pre-order net-tickets from 7-Eleven.[4] On September 26, 2017, Bandai revealed a translucent Godzilla 2016 figure exclusive to the Godzilla Store.[5]

2018

On October 11, 2017, Bandai revealed two new figures in the line, Mechagodzilla (Heavy Arms) and Biollante, to be released in March 2018. On December 20, 2017, Bandai revealed a Theater Exclusive Millennium Godzilla to commemorate the closing of Toho Cinemas Daily Theater.[6]

In February 2018, Bandai revealed the next wave of Movie Monster figures set for release in April 2018, in anticipation of the Japanese theatrical release of GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle. The announced figures are Godzilla Earth Atomic Breath Version, Mecha-King Ghidorah, Mothra (Larva), and Mothra (Imago). On June 20, Bandai revealed a figure based on the new Hibiya Square Godzilla statue, which was be sold exclusively in the Godzilla Store starting on August 3. On June 27, Bandai revealed a limited edition Godzilla 2016 figure, which will be sold exclusively at a special Godzilla exhibition in Taiwan.

A Rodan figure based on his appearance in Godzilla: Final Wars and a Showa Gigan figure were released in September 2018.

On May 18, Bandai announced the first figure in a new subline of the Movie Monster Series called the Master Detail Movie Monster Series (マスターディテール ムービーモンスターシリーズ,   Masutā Ditēru Mūbī Monsutā Shirīzu). The figure, representing Mechagodzilla from the recent film GODZILLA: City on the Edge of Battle, stands 19 centimeters tall and 45 centimeters long, and began shipping in November 2018.

A figure of Ghidorah from GODZILLA: The Planet Eater was released on November 10, 2018.[7]

2019

Figures of SpaceGodzilla and MOGUERA were released in January 2019. On November 17, Bandai announced two event-exclusive figures of the second and third forms of Godzilla 2016 which were sold at the DNA of Tokusatu 2019 Winter Attack exhibition. On January 10th, Bandai announced an exclusive Godzilla 2016 figure that was sold at Winter Wonderfest 2019.

Bandai released figures of Godzilla, King Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra from Godzilla: King of the Monsters in April 2019. A repaint of the Godzilla figure representing Burning Godzilla from the film's climax was sold exclusively through the Godzilla Store with home video releases of the film starting December 18.

The Chibi Movie Monster Series (ちびムービーモンスターシリーズ,   Chibi Mūbī Monsutā Shirīzu) was announced on June 3, 2019, and includes figures made of soft material based on Toho's line of Chibi Godzilla merchandise aimed toward young children. The first three figures in the Chibi movie Monster Series are Chibi Godzilla, Chibi Ghidorah, and Chibi Mothra. They were released in late July.

Bandai reissued a figure of Godzilla 1954 in November 2019, with Gigan 2004 and Anguirus 2004 following in December. A "Retro Blue" variant of the Godzilla 1954 figure is available exclusively at the Godzilla Store Tokyo. In May 2019, two Exclusive figures went on sale at Universal Studios Japan as a tie-in for the limited attraction Godzilla Vs Evangelion: The Real 4-D.

2020

Bandai announced a figure of Gamera from Gamera: Guardian of the Universe on December 12, 2019, releasing it in March 2020. A Metal Pink repaint of the Godzilla 2016 Climax Version figure was sold exclusively by the Godzilla Store beginning on March 12 and a "Metallic Green" reissue of Mechagodzilla 1975 was released in August 2020. A Heavy Paint Specification variant of the Godzilla 2016 Climax Version figure was released exclusively at the Godzilla Store in August 2020. On November 3, Bandai announced two Godzilla Store exclusive figures, a "Heavy Paint Specifications" Mechagodzilla 2003 and a "Heat Radiation Version" Godzilla 2000. In April 2020, a "Heavy Paint Version" King Ghidorah 2019 was sold at the Godzilla Store.

2021

The Movie Monster Series lineup for 2021 includes figures of Ultraman, Neronga, and Gabora from Shin Ultraman; Gyaos from Gamera: Guardian of the Universe; the Mother Legion; Gamera/Heisei and Iris from Gamera 3: Revenge of Iris; Kong and Mechagodzilla from Godzilla vs. Kong; Godzilla-kun, Minilla, and Little from the web series Godziban; Godzilla Ultima, Godzilla Aquatilis, Godzilla Amphibia, Godzilla Terrestris, Jet Jaguar, Anguirus, and Manda from Godzilla Singular Point; Megalon and Jet Jaguar from Godzilla vs. Megalon; and Godzilla from Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah.

On February 1, the Godzilla Store launched a poll through their Godzilla+ app to determine the newest Movie Monster Series figure.[8] Options included Mothra 1961, Godzilla 1962, Ebirah 1966, Anguirus 1968, Gorosaurus 1968, Hedorah 1971, Godzilla 1984, King Ghidorah 1991, Super Mechagodzilla and Baragon 2001. The vote lasted until February 28, although Gorosaurus was not announced as the winner until a Godzilla Store TV livestream revealed a prototype on May 21.[9] It received a limited-edition release on November 3 (Godzilla Day) as a Godzilla Store exclusive, along with a battle-damaged version of Mechagodzilla 2 from Terror of Mechagodzilla.[10] An exclusive translucent orange Burning Godzilla figure was given to those who purchased tickets to Godzilla Fest Extra Edition: Shinjuku Total Advance. Figures of Godzilla and King Ghidorah from Godzilla the Ride are available for purchase at the Seibuen amusement park. An exclusive Atomic Breath Version of Godzilla Ultima will be packaged with the Complete Edition Blu-ray of Volume 1 of Godzilla Singular Point. A flying Jet Jaguar figure was announced as well and is a Godzilla Store exclusive. A translucent Neronga figure and a Gabora variant with the armor plates forming a drill appeared on the Premium Bandai website. A Godzilla Store Exclusive 50th Anniversary Retro Color Version Hedorah was released in July. On November 12, Bandai released a Movie Monster Series Burning Color Hedorah at the Hedorah 50th Anniversary Exhibition. Home video releases of Godzilla vs. Kong sold through the Godzilla Store starting November 3 included a repaint of the Godzilla 2019 figure representing his appearance in the film, as well as a Kong variant with his battle axe.

2022

A figure of the anime character Hamtaro dressed as Godzilla will be released on February 8, 2022 in green, blue, and red. A new Hedorah figure is set for release in March of 2022.

Gallery

External links

References

This is a list of references for Movie Monster Series. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]

  1. [1] Bandai Movie Monster Series: Godzilla 2014 and Muto Figures « SciFi Japan
  2. BANDAI'S QUARTET OF "SHIN GODZILLA" SOFUBI Four Godzilla 2016 Figures? What Does It Mean? - The Good, the Bad, and Godzilla
  3. [2]
  4. [3]
  5. [4]
  6. [5]
  7. [6]
  8. @godzilla_jp (1 February 2021). "【アプリで新作ソフビ投票】G公式アプリ「ゴジラ+(ゴジラプラス)」では、「あなたが選ぶ!東宝怪獣新作ソフビフィギュア!」の投票を絶賛受付中!今すぐ無料アプリをダウンロードして、「イベント」内記事より投票を!得票数1位の怪獣がゴジストで発売!詳細は⇒https://godzilla.store/votemms2021/". Twitter.
  9. Godzilla Channel ゴジラ(東宝特撮)チャンネル (21 May 2021). "【ゴジラ・フェス番外編】ゴジラ・ストアTV【新宿総進撃】". YouTube.
  10. @GodzillaS_Osaka (3 November 2021). "【商品情報】 先ほど「#ゴジフェス 2021」にて紹介されました、2つの新作ムービーモンスターは、当店で絶賛販売中Fire ★ゴロザウルス(税込2,530円) ★メカゴジラ(1975) ダメージver.(税込3,300円) どちらもゴジラ・ストアの限定商品となっておりますので、是非お見逃しなく! #ゴジラ". Twitter.

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