Shogun Warriors Action Figures

The Shogun Warrior die-cast action figures were made mostly of metal with plastic extremities and accessories. These are re-packaged Popy chogokin from Japan, often with variations in color and accessories (especially in later released versions). The packaging of Die-cast Shogun Warriors often indicates the release order. All the first release Shoguns that I have encountered have had green-tinted styrofoam inserts. Usually, later versions are simplified and this is indicated on the packaging graphics (The 1st version Dragun box has the graphics with captions: "bend legs" "launch 3 axes & 2 fists" and "launch axe, then fist" while the 2nd version captions read "launch axe" "launch 2 axes & fist" and "launch fist"). Also, the first release boxes have a lighter pink outline and font color, while the later releases have hot pink (it's noticably darker). Other items of note: First issue boxes have a piece of celophane glued into the box window while later boxes only have the clear plastic insert covers. I've found first issue boxes both with and without the clear plastic insert covers (I've come across an example of each "case fresh" so I believe they could come either way). Here's a comparison of 1st and 2nd release boxes (note the lightening bolts on Dragon's shins). First issue boxes also had instruction sheets that applied to the version (1st issue directions show Poseidon with backward bending treads and retracting missile launchers...later version sheets show Poseidon without these features and Dragun is illustrated with lightening bolts on his legs instead of inverted "v"s (as a note, I've never found a Dragun die-cast with lightening bolt stickers). The Mattel warranty card on the first issue is of heavier, "manilla folder" colored stock, while the later issue warranty cards are cheap photocopy quality paper (printed).

	Asst 2107, #2103 Mazinga/Great Mazinga There were several die-cast versions of Great Mazinga released by Popy over the years, but the Shogun release had at least 2 variations: The first release (with the title "Mazinga") was the most highly detailed, featuring more articulated knees (later versions could hardly bend their knees!), four shooting fists, four hard plastic red swords, and removable "rocket wings." The first release features metallic red decals on the knees and belt (sometimes missing) and a 3 piece rocket wing...the rocket back and stabelizer are yellow with silver painted exhaust ports. The rib decal of all versions has GA-05 and Japan (the Popy designation) printed on the back. The box has a green styrofoam insert and a plastic window rather than the plastic formed cover of the later versions. All versions came with a Mattel warranty card and instruction sheet. The box reads: "Die-cast Metal" Launches fists & swords!" "You can do these things! Detach rocket wings...Rotate arms...Bend legs...Launch 4 swords, 4 fists." The second release had restricted knee articulation, no knee or belt decals, two soft vinyl orange-red swords and a simplified all red plastic rocket wing. Box graphics were changed to reflect the changes, as was the warranty card. The box reads: "Die-cast Metal" Launches fists & swords!" "You can do these things! Detach rocket wings...Rotate arms...Launch fists...Launch 2 swords, 2 fists."
	Asst 2107, #2104 Poseidon There are 3 different versions of Poseidon that I have seen: The first release was the most interesting and desirable as it very closely worked like the actual Getter Robo Go Poseidon. The tread-like shins bend backwards to provide treads for locomotion (like a tank). The rocket launchers swing from the back (they are rockets for flying in this position) to the shoulders for over-the-shoulder firing. The first version has a chromed neck ring and a black "v" decal below the belt. He came with six black (may be navy colored) missiles and the package had a green insert (the box also has a clear plastic window glued to the box instead of a formed plastic cover for the insert). The box reads: "Die-cast Metal" Launches rockets!" "You can do these things! Aim rocket pods...Rotate arms...Feet become treads...Launch 6 rockets." The second release simplified the figure by locking the tread-like shins and rocket launchers. This release comes with four black (may be navy or possibly red) colored missiles and no below the belt decal. The box reads: "Die-cast Metal" Launches rockets!" "You can do these things! Rotate fists...Rotate arms...Aim rocket pods...Launch 4 rockets." The third release comes with four yellow x-shaped "safety missiles" and has the "v" below the belt painted red. Otherwise the figure is the same. The box has a round white sticker with "Redesigned Rockets Inside/Rockets Shown Not Included" applied.
	Asst 2107, #2105 Raider There are at least 2 different versions of Raider: The first release was the most highly detailed, featuring articulated knees (later versions could not bend their knees!), two removable fists, drill hand, and spinning star which launches one of six red rockets. The first release has black bands around the bottoms of the rocket-wing rockets. The box has a green styrofoam insert and both a plastic window and the plastic formed cover of the later versions. The second release comes with only four missiles and cannot bend their knees. The figure does not come with a left hand, rather the drill had is mounted to the left arm in the package. There are no black bands around the rockets. Otherwise the figure is the same.
	Asst 2107, #2106 Dragun There are at least 2 (and possibly 3) different versions of Dragun: The first release was the most highly detailed, featuring articulated knees, blue bands above the fists (which both shoot off!), a gold painted neck and inverted "v" decals on the chins. The right shooting fist could also fire one of the three axes included with the figure. The first release came in a windowed box with a green styrofoam insert. The box reads: "Die-cast Metal" Launches fists & battle axes!" "You can do these things! Rotate Arms...Launch 3 axes & 2 fists...Bend legs...Launch axe, then fist." The second release simplified the figure by locking the right fist (it would not fire off). The neck is an unpainted red and there are no blue decals on the upper arms. This release has a white styrofoam insert and comes with only two axes. The box reads: "Die-cast Metal" Launch fist & battle axes!" "You can do these things! Rotate Arms...Launch 2 axes & fist...Launch axe...Launch fist." The third release is reported but not verified. It has chrome lightening bolts on the shins and may feature non-firing axes (the axes push out when the button is depressed but does not fire). I was told about this version some time back but in my many years of collecting, have never seen it (possibly a Shogun Urban Myth!).

Shogun Warriors Two-in-Ones

There were six different 5 1/2" Two-in-One figures which were much like (and the predecessors of) the Transformers line that came out years later. These were Dangard, Daimos, Gaiking, Grandizer, Raydeen and Voltus V. These toys epitomize Chogokin as we know them in the US. The most common appear to be Raydeen, Dangard and Daimos, with Gaiking, Voltus V and Grandizer following in order or rarity (this has been my experience and may reflect availability in the Atlanta, Georgia area...where I reside). I believe that there were two seperate releases of the Two-in-Ones: The first being Gaiking, Raydeen and Dangard (these three share an instruction sheet and have pictures of all three on the box back; also, these three all have the box flap attached to the front edge of the box); The second release appears to have added Daimos, Grandizer and Voltus V (these three did not come with instructions and have the box flap attached to the back edge of the box). Of course, this is speculation and unconfirmed. Daimos was given the new "safety" missiles at some point.

	Asst 2730, #2727 Raydeen Raydeen is one of the more common Two-in-One Shoguns, but is often missing a fist, bow or shield. Raydeen could transform from a giant robot into a bird-like plane. The carries a shield and bow as weapons when a giant robot. The box reads: "Die-cast Metal Parts!" "He's a bowman! He's a bird!" "Turn him into a bird!" "Launch his bow & shield!" "Rotate his arms!" "Make him roll on wheels!" "Push Buttons! Launch Fists" and "Bend his legs!" Two in One instruction sheet
	Asst 2730, #2728 Gaiking Gaiking is one of the most desirable of the Two-in-Ones and is pretty tough to find boxed or loose. The figure launches both fists and can hold its shin guards as weapons. The unique transforming ability allows the robot to bcome a horned skull (The arms and legs come off, the head retracts into the body and the horns project out of the arm holes). The box reads..."Die-cast Metal Parts!" "He's a Samurai! He's a robot skull!!" "Rotate his arms!" "Detach wing!" "Make a "Walking" Skull!" "Detach robot skull!" "Push Buttons! Launch Fists!" and finally "Bend his Legs!" Two in One instruction sheet
	Asst 2730, #2729 Dangard Dangard (really Dangard Ace but shortened for the Shogun Warrior toy line) is one of my favorite Two-in-Ones. Both his arms and his head shoots off. Also, his shin guards may be held as weapons and his chest opens to reveal his mechanical interior. His giant Para-wing propels him through the air and space. The box reads..."Die-cast Metal Parts!" "He's a fighter! He's flying wing!" "Launch his head!" "Open his chest!" "Detach his wing!" "Rotate his arms!" "Push Buttons! Launch Fists!" and finally "Bend his Legs!" Two in One instruction sheet
	Asst 2730, #2992 Daimos The ST version of Daimos doesn't do a whole lot when compared to the DX (the DX actually transforms from a truck to a robot). The Shogun Warrior version lacks some of the detail of the Japanese ST version, but still has leg cannons that fire missiles. The yellow chest piece is actually the handle of the double bladed sword. Both his fists fire off. There are two versions of the Shogun Daimos, the first comes with small yellow missiles while the second comes with the redesigned "safety" missiles. Pictured at left is the second version (there are also two different versions of the Daimos Truck Shogun Vehicle with the same difference in missiles). The box front reads: "Die-cast Metal!" "He's a rocket launcher!" He's a Samurai swordsman!" "See back for instructions." The box back reads: "Rotate his arms!" "Open leg hatches & launch rockets!" "Detach sword hilt!" "Fit hilt over fist" "Add Samurai blades!"
	Asst 2730, #2993 Voltus V One of the cooler Two-in-Ones, Voltus fully transforms into battle-tank mode. His fists shoot off as does his helmet (the example pictured is missing the helmet...anyone out there with an extra or an incomplete figure for sale/trade?). The box reads: "He's a helmeted blockbuster! He's a rolling battlewagon! See back for instructions!"..."Rotate tracks & feet!" "Rotate his arms!" n"Push button. Launch helmet!" "He rolls on wheels!"
	Asst 2730, #2994 Grandizer I don't currently own a Grandizer Two-in-One but I've included pics of the GA-37 figure that I own (Deluxe figure with UFO). There are supposed to be some variations in the figure but I don's exactly know what they are. The GA-37 figure has firing fists, removable "sickles" that may be held and a backward hinged neck (for insertion into the UFO saucer). I believe that the Shogun Warriors version has a slightly different paint job and a different waist decal. Also, the Shogun Warrior version may not have a hinged neck. The GA-37 Deluxe UFO with figure was released in Europe under the Mattel Shogun Warrior line...I'm currently looking for one to add to my collection.

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