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Unless otherwise specified, all item prices and release dates are for Japan only.
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Tamashii History |
No.2 Chogokin, Hardship's First Step -- Chogokin Mazinger Z -- |
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Chogokin Mazinger Z was the first of Chogokin, and has a symbolic existence in the series.
It can be said that the idea of using diecast for material to make a precision robot toy with a massive appearance does not take a look at the prosperity of Soul of Chogokin, but is simply a natural idea.
However, the journey leading up to Chogokin Mazinger Z's birth was not at all smooth.
First let's have a look at the journey up until his birth.
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In the "Invincible Monarch Jumbo Mazinger" Popy, there was a toy that became a major hit, making Mazinger Z a subject of conversation, before Chogokin. It was the gigantic 60cm tall "Invincible Monarch Jumbo Mazinger" soft-vinyl figure (released in June 1973). Chogokin Mazinger Z was put on the market approximately seven months after Jumbo Mazinger, in February 1974. Taking a look at that situation alone, it may be possible to have the viewpoint that the hit of Jumbo Mazinger initiated plans for the creation of Chogokin.
Chogokin Mazinger Z was supposed to be released within a short time of Jumbo Mazinger. However, Chogokin Mazinger Z necessitated a considerably longer release period than the staff predicted. It makes one wonder how such a "simply natural idea" could lead to such an unprecedented result in 1973.
Of course it wasn't as if there was no knowhow involved. In 1971 Popy had great success with commercializing the "Masked Rider" Cyclone into a diecast mini car, "Mini Mini Cyclone." Three years after its release, in 1973 this mini car lineup was crowned the title "Popinika" (short for Popy Mini Car), forming a big lineup.
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Nonetheless, making cars and motorcycles using diecast and making robots using diecast were two completely different processes. In addition, deciding a name for the product, an appropriate size, what to make the face of the toy out of even if the body could be made of diecast, and if a non-moveable simple design was acceptable or not... there were an abundance of issues at hand. Those pending issues were resolved, and Chogokin Mazinger Z was released on the market in April 1974. When considering that the release announcement was made in January 1973, the release period took over one year for Chogokin to be born. Fortunately, "Mazinger Z's" TV broadcast lasted until September 1974, so as a result the sale period was not passed by. This was more than a sheer chance for Chogokin.
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Right after his release, Chogokin Mazinger Z showed signs of becoming a big hit. In time, following the Golden Week sales competition, it advanced to become a product on the top of the best seller ranking at stores all over the country, along with "POPYNICA Raijin Go" and "Masked Rider X Transformable Belt Ridle."
After a short time, the big hit product Chogokin Mazinger Z initiated yet another noteworthy subject. Complaints were made about defects in the "rocket punch" (actually molded as an iron cutter) emission gimmick. In the 1st and 2nd versions of the toy, the internal spring in the arm that released the punch immobilized the punch feature after being played with time and time again. In order to deal with this problem, Popy decided to completely redesign the structure of the arm. The familiar internal spring punch emission structure was finalized at this time. This 3rd version with the new structured arm led to highest production of the parts, and gave Chogokin Mazinger Z its representative status.
In 1978, Chogokin Mazinger Z was completely remodeled. Nowadays, using state-of-the-art-technology to commercialize characters like "Chogokin" that have been made in the past is not at all uncommon. However, Mazinger Z accomplished that thirty years ago. It can be said that this remodeling plan for Mazinger Z showed the strong popularity for the character, and further solidified the relationship between Chogokin and Mazinger Z.
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Finally, I would like to touch on the subject of the naming of "Chogokin." At first, Mazinger Z was only refered to as "Diecast Toy," but in the end was crowned the name of "Chogokin," just like on TV. In addition, "Diecast Mazinger Z" was printed on the first package it was sold in, and covered with a sticker saying, "Chogokin." It is evident that the name "Chogokin" wasn't decided until the last minute, creating difficulty in all areas regarding its birth. However, Chogokin overcame those difficulties and continues to be a rare brand with no sign of dying out.
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• 1st Series (released in 1974)
The first Chogokin product sold after a long process of trial and error.
The biggest feature was that the chest intense heat panel could open and missiles could be emitted from his chest.
The missile emission lever was on the toy's back.
The picture package was a sample, so the "Chogokin" sticker was not put on.
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• 2nd series (released in 1974)
Included by Jet Scrander in the 1st series.
The missile emission gimmick was removed.
There was also a sticker that said "Chogoin" put over the emission level hole on the robot's back.
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• 3rd Series (released in 1974)
Most of the parts, such as the head (soft plastics were used starting in the 1st series), arms, chest sticker, etc. were part of the new standard edition.
In the latter half of the series, the sticker on the arm and the leg coating were changed to gold color.
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• 4th Series (released in 1978)
The entire body was of new design. There were more gimmicks, such as the removable Hover Pileder.
Sold again in 1986.
A completely gold-coated limited edition figure was also sold in1984.
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Koji Igarashi
Born in 1968in Aomori Prefecture
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The first Chogokin (I got) was the Mazinger Z 3rd Series version |
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As an editor, I was engaged in various hobby magazines, as well as various books, DVDs, and CD instruction manuals. |
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Recent works include "The Ultra Man" DVD-BOX instruction manual, etc. |
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(C) DYNAMIC PLANNING
(C) ISHIMORIPRO • TOEI
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