Last modified 01/28/99

Uni-Five 24" Mazinger Z  (4*)

I believe we have come to a cross- road of  Japanese toy collecting.    We are about to proceed into an uncharted territory where few can forecast the future of this hobby and its market. 

I could not believe my eyes when I first opened the box.  Sure, there are subtle differences between this Jumbo and the original Popy version, but you can probably find more prominent variation among Popy toys, just look at my variation gallery.  The fact that Uni-Five have successfully "duplicated" this Jumbo and stated their intention to produce more original Popy accessories makes me wonder just how many other Jumbos are injeopardy of being copied.  Of course the original Iron cutter fits this new Jumbo.  Of course the original Jet Scrambler would wrap nicely around its belly.   As far as I can tell, Uni-Five have done a masterful and microscopic job in making this carbon copy.  Who would spend $300+ for an original Jet Scrambler if it will be available in the future at a fraction of that price?  Who would pay $4500+ (so they said!) for a Jumbo Getta 3 if Uni-five would make a carbon copy of the Japanese original in the future.   Of course there will always be some die-hard collectors who would prefer nothing but the original, but they will definitely be among the tiny minority.  The future partially resides on the ambition and capability of this new company.  Even if they can bring out copies like a Xerox machine, they will always have to deal with many legal issues.   Sure, they absolutely have no creativity but if Mazinger Z do sell, you can expect them to apply the same formula to other Jumbos.   Look at the bright side though, maybe we will all finally get a Jumbo Gaiking with removable skull or a Great Mazinger with correct fists.