Godaikin parts not made in Japan?

[admin1 aka Ed]

Hi Guys,

See if this makes sense to you. I've long suspected that late run Godaikins weren't entirely made in Japan. I've felt that new old stock was used, then current Popy runs were used. However as we approached 1985 and 86 there were re-dos of Sun Vulcan, Guardian, and Godsigma that curned on.

Later reproductions of these ended up in Taiwan.

My suspicion, I think at a certain late point, the "made in japan" mold marks were ground off and molds shipped. I suspect, but can't confirm, that the toys were then assembled from bits and pieces from BOTH Japan and Taiwan.

The FTC law is currently this and allows a gray area:

"What is the U.S. Customs Service’s jurisdiction over country-of-origin claims?

The Tariff Act gives Customs and the Secretary of the Treasury the power to administer the requirement that imported goods be marked with a foreign country of origin (for example, "Made in Japan").

When an imported product incorporates materials and/or processing from more than one country, Customs considers the country of origin to be the last country in which a "substantial transformation" took place. Customs defines "substantial transformation" as a manufacturing process that results in a new and different product with a new name, character, and use that is different from that which existed before the change. Customs makes country-of-origin determinations using the "substantial transformation" test on a case-by-case basis. In some instances, Customs uses a "tariff shift" analysis, comparable to "substantial transformation," to determine a product’s country of origin."


When Godaikins were made, they were actually boxes of parts imported as "Parts" from a number of different containers and assembled with (I believe) US made Glossy boxes (insert any details you may know).

So it would make sense that in the U.S. or at the boxing location in Japan, that "Made in Japan" stickers were just slapped on since the "substantial transformation" occurred there......or was interpreted to be Japan. -Gray area.

Why else would the Japanese go through the trouble of grinding off raised mold letters "Made in Japan" on the toys themselves. I have a feeling that the waters of the 80's were murky......


LMK if you have facts to share and what you think!


Ed

[Mr. Ginrai]

I will dig around to see what I have but we have also seen this with import/export versions of godaikins as well, right Ed?

I think this theory of stuff being cobbled together is a fact because we basically KNOW that it did happen with Golion during the transition from popy to godaikin (chrome parts to no chrome parts) and then from godaikin to matchbox (matchbox style parts have showed up in very late godaikin golion sets for export).

Basically they had X demand for X robot and pumped them out by the ton from whatever factory had parts to use up.

Also, didn't we come across the daltanias variant where they had made in Japan in the mold and then the other had either the letters ground off/Japan sticker or the raised filler to eliminate the country of origin?

[admin1 aka Ed]

Indeed, Dantanious fits this storyline with shaved "Made in Japan" lettering.... it went to a sticker in late releases.

E

[xtrlowz75]

Diecast Metal boys. Several of the first series DX Godaikins that continued production into 1985 and many if not most of the later Matchbox Voltron III's were made in Taiwan at the Diecast Metal plant. That plant was licensed by Bandai up until 1985. When Bandai pulled the license the plant became Diecast Metal and continued producing several of the robots along with Lionbot. These robots included Lionbot/Voltron, Godsphinx/Daltanias, Godtron/God Marz, Godbot/Godsigma, Protector/Gardian, and even a Dairugger/Kicoucatai/Vehicle Voltron. I don't think its that any Japanese company grinned off lettering, I think Diecast Metal did on some of their left over stock that was from Japan, since Bandai pulled their license or pulled out of the super robot lines. I think Diecast Metal did this to avoid legal issues with Bandai. They then created all the new names to still sell the old robots out of the molds they had, but to avoid copyright issues with Bandai. This has been my theory for some time after actually calling Bandai about my Godshpinx and my Taiwan Golion D and asking questions. The staff person at least gave a little info. This is how I got the licensing info on Bandai having a toy plant in Taiwan and then pulling the license when Bandai left the super robot market. The staff person did say the plant continued on its own producing toys, but under their own name and not licensed by Bandai. Does this help some in the question?

[godaiking]

Interesting theory and I'm glad you brought this up (as I've been thinking about it for the past week intensively).

Recently, I bought a Godsigma that I had planned on using for parts for another I had (I needed the shoulder rods and a few other pieces). One thing I noticed is that the shoulders on mine were visibly chromed while the one I had was painted a dull silver. Perhaps the silver shouldered version is the later "1985 Taiwan" version you speak of? I know chroming a part is more expensive (or at least I think it is) than just painting it silver. But every Godsigma that I've owned has always had the circle Katakana Popy mark and "Japan" or "Made in Japan" on the back.

Another thing is I just received a GB-03 Battle Fever today in immaculate shape. I know this isn't a Godaikin release, but there are two apparent versions of that toy: the one with the Popy Katakana mark with "Japan GB-03" on the back and the one that I received which says "Popy Toei" on the back. As I mentioned, the toy wasn't released in the states as a Godaikin (or Shogun Warrior, Voltron or any other robot series that contained Popy bots) but it WAS released again in the Bandai's 1984 "Eternal Masterpiec" series, 1986 "Etarnal Heroes" series and a 1988 Sentai anniversary set. All of these that I've come into contact contained the "Popy Toei" sticker on that back of the robot. Were these perhaps also made in Taiwan?? The quality of the toy is not indicative of something made in Taiwan....but who knows?

I really want to make comprehensive list of all the GOdaikins in which the toys had either "Made in Japan" or "Japan" raised markigns removed and replaced by a "Made in Japan" sticker. So far, I've got:

1. Daltanias
2. Goggle V
3. Daidenjin
4. Daimos
5. Gardian
6. Tetsujin 28

If anyone has any others, feel free to add. What's interesting is that I've owned 2 Tetsujin Godaikins in my lifetime: The common one with the sticker on the foot and the original "JAPAN" foot version in a Godaiking box!! Bear in mind I bought the "japan" foot one from a non collector who told me he bought it in the 1980s at Fao Schwartz.

[admin1 aka Ed]

Thanks for your fact finding details xtrlowz75. Did you talk with Bandai in Asia or in the U.S.? Then are you saying that all first series DX Godaikins, other than current 83 series, were made in Taiwan?

E

[xtrlowz75]

I talked to a lady at Bandai Co., Japan. after being transferred by Bandai America. The Bandai America people didn't have the historical info beyond the discontinuing of the Godaikin line. Now the lady told me the first line of Godaikins were made in Japan from late 1981-1984, as the Popy versions were being made beside them. She then told me due to cost, production was moved to Taiwan in early 1984 as were many other Bandai toy lines, and other company toy lines. The last piece she gave me was Bandai pulled their licensing in mid 1985. In my theory this matches up to Godaikin's demise. The last Godaikins in the "Godaikin Forces" were produced/boxed in 1985 and none after. Just like Kenner for another example of toy companies being moved for cost. When the 1983-85 Star Wars Return of the Jedi and Power of the Force figures were produced they came from Hong Kong or Taiwan too, not from the previous UK or American factories of the original 1977-1980 line figures. So for a clear answer, any Godaikins produced after early 1984 most likely were produced in Taiwan, and at the Diecast Metal factory there. Again its just my theory. The only way to really clarify all of this is to somehow find a previous Diecast Metal factory employee and get the factual story. I wonder if any of these guys on eBay that sell the Taiwan chogokins from Taiwan have some insight or info.

[Mr. Ginrai]

Nice update Brent!

[admin1 aka Ed]

Indeed, thanks for the details. I suspect that a few toys moved early....

[crpdiablos]

I have a very early popy golion, two 2 differnt godaikin golions, and a V belt side by side and I noticed something where the black lions tail folds in. The channel has two lines on the popy version in that channel so i looked at the v belt and these lines are parting lines where a piece of the mold can be changed out. On the v belt that area is marked made in Taiwan between those two parting lines. I am almost positive that these were manufactured from the beginning in taiwan and then probably assembled n japan. It has always been said that the bootlegs used the same molds and at some point were all made side by side with the popy version, but now seeing that an early run chrome elobow golion has the same tool marks as the v belt knockoff leads me to believe these were always being made or possibly certain parts were being made in taiwan. At the time popy was making the golions wth the chrome joints there would have been no need for the parting line in that area unless that mold was already being used to make bootlegs as well. Just a theory but the evidence is pointing that way. Another thing I noticed is the white platsic on the red and green and the yellow plastic on the yellow lion is that deeper more solid looking color instead of the taiwan made versions which have an almost transparent looking plastic. I believe the Vbelt is the only variant that uses the same plastic all the other taiwan versions are the cheaper plus the chrome joints .. Ill see what else is similar

[admin1 aka Ed]

BTW, I recently found a new old stock combattra with a missile bag ink stamped with a Made In Hong Kong (or Taiwan....can't remember for sure now.

E

[crpdiablos]

You gonna sell that combattra

[admin1 aka Ed]

Nov 5, 2014 21:20:29 GMT -5 crpdiablos said:

You gonna sell that combattra

I hadn't planned on it... LOL What is your timeline and required details? PM me if you want.

E