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 a line of soft vinyl action figures released by Bandai. The Movie Monster Series began in 2001 as a Godzilla toy line, and following the trend of the previous Godzilla Island Monster Series and Toho Kaiju Series consisted primarily of figures in the six-inch scale, though it occasionally featured figures in the eight-inch scale as well. The line released new figures every year from 2001 to 2004 in conjunction with each new Millennium Godzilla film, along with reissues from previous lines and sometimes even new figures of classic kaiju. The Movie Monster Series' output decreased following the release of Godzilla Final Wars in 2004, and it went on a seven-year hiatus from 2007 to 2014, when it was revived to coincide with Legendary Pictures' Godzilla. Since then, the line has released increasingly large volumes of figures each year, both corresponding with new MonsterVerse and Reiwa Godzilla media and featuring reissues of existing figures and new molds for existing kaiju. The Movie Monster Series has gradually incorporated other franchises beyond Godzilla in recent years, releasing multiple figures from the Heisei Gamera trilogy and the films of the Shin series.

The Movie Monster Series has also included numerous sublines throughout its existence, including the Movie Monster EX Series, King of the Monsters Series, Master Detail Movie Monster Series, Chibi Movie Monster Series, and Mega Movie Monster Series.

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 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 added the movie's versions of Godzilla, Baragon, Mothra and King Ghidorah 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 Clear Version Godzilla, a Hyper 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 added Godzilla 2003 and Mechagodzilla 2003, 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 2003 and Mechagodzilla 2003 with weapons figures were also produced, as well as a red Ito-Yokado exclusive Godzilla and a Link Science exclusive 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 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 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 SOS in 2003, Bandai re-sculpted the Godzilla 2003 and Mechagodzilla figures from the Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla toy line to match their appearances in Tokyo SOS Bandai also produced a Mothra Imago 2004 and two Mothra Larva 2004 figures. As with the other Millennium figures, all figures in the Tokyo SOS toy line are all 8-inch scale figures. Theater Exclusives for Godzilla 2004, Mechagodzilla 2004 with weapons, the Mothra Imago 2004 and the female Mothra Larva 2004 were also produced, as well as an HMV Godzilla, a gray Ito-Yokado exclusive Godzilla and an Ito-Yokado Mechagodzilla. The tags for the Tokyo SOS 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 added Godzilla 2005, Anguirus 2005, Rodan 2005, Xilien 2005, Minilla 2005, Gigan 2005, Modified Gigan, Monster X and Keizer Ghidorah to the Movie Monster line-up. They also reissued the Mothra Imago from the Godzilla: Tokyo SOS 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 2005, Gigan 2005, Modified Gigan, Fire Mothra, Monster X and Keizer Ghidorah), the other figures are all part of the 6-inch scale. Theater Exclusives for Godzilla 2005, Anguirus 2005 and Rodan 2005 were also produced, as well as an Ito-Yokado Exclusive Godzilla 2005 figure and HMV Exclusive Godzilla 2005 and Anguirus 2005 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.[citation needed] Mechagodzilla 1975, Titanosaurus, Fire Rodan and Godzilla Junior were also reissued from 2002's lineup; their size and paint schemes are no different than 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 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 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' film Godzilla in 2014, as the Ultra Monster Series toyline became quite popular in the meantime. Variants of the Jet Jaguar figure representing Medical Jet Jaguar and Fire Fighter Jet Jaguar from Godzilla Island were sold exclusively through Hyper Hobby.

2014

Both Godzilla 2014 and the 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 dorsal fins 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 dorsal fins 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 dorsal fins, 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 sold exclusively in the Godzilla Store starting on August 3. On June 27, Bandai revealed a limited edition Godzilla 2016 figure, which was 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 Tokusatsu DNA 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 the 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 Specification Mechagodzilla 2003 and a "Heat Radiation" Godzilla 2000. In April 2020, a Heavy Paint Specification King Ghidorah 2019 was sold at the Godzilla Store.

2021

The Movie Monster Series lineup for 2021 included figures of Ultraman (in both a standard and a Specium Ray pose), Neronga, and Gabora from Shin Ultraman; Gyaos from Gamera the Guardian of the Universe; the Mother Legion; Gamera 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.

The Mega Movie Monster Series (メガムービーモンスターシリーズ), a subline consisting of figures in a bigger scale, was announced on August 1, starting with a figure of Ultraman, which stands 23 centimeters tall, and was released on August 28.

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 were available for purchase at the Seibuen amusement park. An exclusive Atomic Breath Version of Godzilla Ultima was packaged with the Complete Edition Blu-ray of Volume 1 of Godzilla Singular Point, and was released on August 28. 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 head 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 was released on February 8 in green, blue, and red, with a Hanshin Tigers variant being released online for April 1 as part of the Godzilla vs. the Tigers April Fools collaboration. A new Hedorah figure was released in March. On April 1, Bandai announced figures of Jet Jaguar β and Salunga from Godzilla Singular Point.

In May 2022, following the Japanese theatrical release of Shin Ultraman, Bandai announced three more figures from the film for release in June, which included Zarab and both standard and Mega Movie Monster Series figures of Zōffy. Figures of the Ultraman Suit and Ultraman Suit Ver. 7 from the Netflix ULTRAMAN anime followed in late August. The line's first Kamen Rider figures, Kamen Rider Black Sun and Kamen Rider Shadowmoon from Kamen Rider Black Sun, will be released in October.

A Godzilla Store poll on the Godzilla+ app allowing fans to pick a new Movie Monster Series figure launched on February 10, 2022.[11] This year, there were three rounds of voting, with the second round narrowing the field to the top three vote-getters in the first round, and the third round pitting two finalists against each other. The choices were Ebirah, Minilla, Kamacuras, Varan, Gabara, Titanosaurus, Super Mechagodzilla, Baragon, Monster X, and Keizer Ghidorah. Varan, Super Mechagodzilla, and Keizer Ghidorah advanced to the second round, which eliminated Keizer Ghidorah.[12] As with the last year's poll, Toho did not immediately announce the winner until a May 22 stream on the Godzilla Channel, which revealed that Varan was victorious over Super Mechagodzilla in their head-to-head matchup. The figure's design was revealed on October 23, and it will be released on November 3 as a Godzilla Store exclusive. Retro color variants of the original Hedorah and Showa Gigan figures, set for a June release, were also announced on the stream.[13]

On August 31, Bandai announced figures of Daimajin, Battra, and Megaguirus for release in September. Also released in September was a Godzilla Store exclusive gold variant of the original Hedorah figure.

A 6-inch Mechagodzilla 2002 figure will be released in November, marking the first figure of that specific design in the line since the 8-inch figures released in 2002, along with Evangelion Unit-01 and Evangelion Unit-02 from the Rebuild of Evangelion film series. Also announced for November were Black Migratory Locust Kaijin Black Sun and Silver Migratory Locust Kaijin Shadowmoon from Kamen Rider Black Sun. On October 31, Bandai announced a Gamera 1996 figure to complete its lineup of the primary monsters from the Heisei Gamera trilogy. It also announced the next wave of figures from Shin Ultraman, which includes Ultraman Low Energy ver., Mefilas, Imitation Ultraman, Ultraman Landing Specium Ray ver., and a Mega Movie Monster Series figure of Ultraman Landing ver. All of these figures are scheduled for release in late November. On November 3, during the 2022 Godzilla Day livestream, several more Godzilla Store exclusive figures were revealed. These include Godzilla and Gigan Rex from Godzilla vs. Gigan Rex and a new "Chocohedorah" variant of the original Hedorah figure set for release later in November, and a new Godzilla 1984 figure set to release in December.

Images of Anguirus and Radon figures from Godziban surfaced online on November 30, 2022, and were scheduled for a December release.

2023

On September 5, 2022, Bandai revealed figures of the Taro Suit, Ultraman Suit Ver. Z, Ultraman Suit Ver. A and Jack Suit from the Netflix ULTRAMAN anime, which are set for a March 2023 release. On December 1, 2022, Bandai unveiled figures of Kamen Rider and Kamen Rider 2 from Shin Kamen Rider, along with coated variants of each, for release in March as well.

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.
  11. @godzilla_jp (10 February 2022). "【第2回新作ソフビ投票】本日より第2回「あなたが選ぶ!東宝怪獣新作ソフビフィギュア!」の投票を開始!予選投票の上位3体が決選投票に進出します。今すぐG公式アプリ「ゴジラ+」(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!詳細は⇒https://godzilla.store/votemms2022/". Twitter.
  12. @godzilla_jp (28 February 2022). "ムビモン投票企画第2回、最終決戦投票開催! 先日の決選投票の集計の結果、バランとスーパーメカゴジラが非常に僅差となる大接戦となりましたので、この2体に絞った最終決戦投票を行います。 まさかのサドンデス! 皆様のご投票お待ちしております!! 【投票URL】 https://godzilla.store/election2022". Twitter. External link in |title= (help)
  13. Godzilla Channel ゴジラ(東宝特撮)チャンネル (22 May 2022). "【第9回】ゴジラ・ストア TV 5/22(日)【アーカイブ】". YouTube.

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Toy Line
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Fire Rodan
MOGUERA
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