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Post by neuromancer on Mar 20, 2015 10:03:20 GMT -5
First of all I would like to apologize in advance if this topic has been beaten to death with a stick and thrown overboard a cliff (with an anvil most probably tied to its foot hoping it would not surface). Unfortunately, searching through the forums and trawling Google, it would seem apparent (to me anyway) that there are some naming inconsistencies starting after version 3 with the introduction of the gold versions. I have only started collecting vintage Popy toys for roughly 6 months now, and I have been sold (and looked at listings in eBay) various versions with either a Version 4 or Version 5 name but is basically the one with the flying Mazinger on the box. So to preserve my sanity, I have listed known GA-01 versions collected from various "informative" sites (also searched though the board) and related magazines and attempted to collect them in a single graphical document to help out newbies like me . While, it is not an infographic by normal convention (too many text entires), it is a graphical representation of the GA-01 Mazinger-Z toy throughout the years. GA-01 Mazinger-Z Versions:
1) Popy GA-01 Version 1 - 2) Popy GA-01 Version 2 - 3) Popy GA-01 Version 3 - 4) Popy GA-01 Version 3G - 5) Popy GA-01 Version 4 - 6) Bandai Version 4G Etharnal Masterpiece 7) Bandai Version 4 Etharnal Masterpiece 6) Bandai Version 4 Etarnal Heroes - 7) Bandai Version 4 Etharnal MasterpieceReissue (Based on Version 1/2 design) - with additional normal rocket punch fist. 8) Banpresto GA-01 Version 1 reissue 9) Banpresto GA-01 Version 1 reissue black 10) Bandai CGA-01/CGA-01G (Gashapon based on Version 4 design) 11) Bandai The Chogokin GT-01 (Based on Version 4) 12) Bandai The Chogokin GT-00 (Based on Version 1) 13) Version 4 Hong Kong Bootleg 14) Version 4 Korea Clover robotjapan.proboards.com/thread/11877/vintage-ga-mazinger-comparison-bootlegAlso, it is a working document in the sense that any comments, suggestions, new information, corrections, etc., are welcome. I have posted this in my blog earlier.
Change NotesVersion: Draft 02- Changed Version 1 launch price from 11usd to 9usd. - Removed Version 4G from 1979 to 1984 under Bandai's Ethernal Masterpiece release - Moved 1984 Version 4 (normal color) to 1979 - Added Banpresto GA-01 Black (image placeholder until I can get a better photo) - Added height and width dimensions in inches and cm. - Added Version 4 (normal color) under Bandai's Ethernal Masterpiece release - Added height and width dimension for Banpresto GA-01 - Added height and width dimension for Bandai The Chogokin 01 - Added height and width dimension for Bandai CGA-01 - Added HK bootleg differences from version 4 1979/Eternal heroes - Added Box photos for GGA-01/CGA-01G - Added thanks/credit line. Version: Draft 01______________________________________________________ ![]()  |
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Post by neuromancer on Mar 20, 2015 10:09:49 GMT -5
A quick question to the community would be:
Was there a normal colored Version 4 released in 1979 along with the Gold version or was this released in 1984 (based on the Yuji Nishimura and Green Arrow Graffitti book, do note I dont read Japanese)?
Also, additional pictures of the jet scrander "z" logo would be helpful, especially for the first 4 releases.
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Post by KingboyD on Mar 20, 2015 18:49:14 GMT -5
Nice job. Looking good. I am no expert on these, but have seen plenty over the years, so let me chime in a bit. I am pretty sure that there was a normal color version of the new style before the gold one. I can't remember which box though (EDIT - see below). But looking here ( toyboxdx.com/datafiles/data/popy_data/other.htm ), the gold one was released as part of the Eternal Masterpiece series in 1984, not 1979. I never realized it was part of that series because the colors threw me off, but now looking at the basic design, I can see that it is the same. This site ( www.robotvintage.com/article/Ethernal_Masterpiece.html ) suggests that the normal colored version was that 1984 box, so these were released at the same time under the same line. Not sure why the box would be so different for this one though, so I question this. Also, there is a black version of the 1999 Banpresto one too. There might be more missing - I have to think on it. I'm sure one of the books must show them all. |
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Mar 20, 2015 19:32:53 GMT -5
I have a near mint etarnal heroes Maz that I can take pictures of if you need any for reference. Let me know.
Also, don't forget the GA-01 bootleg release from the late 90s as well. The one with one leg that is too short.
Edit: he has the bootleg on the list already (#11).
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Post by KingboyD on Mar 21, 2015 7:11:41 GMT -5
^ That is the 2000 Hong Kong version.
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Post by neuromancer on Mar 21, 2015 9:32:54 GMT -5
@mr. Ginrai - Thanks for the offer for the Etarnal, might take you up on the offer when I do the detailed comparisons. I did get one recently but I am highly suspicious that it feels like a bootleg. Also the yes, the 2000 is the HK bootleg, the version I took a photo of, the leg length difference is not quite as obvious as the greattoys bootleg comparison, but it is there. Also it does not sport a shiny chrome sticker (mine was closer to the original but the blue is a bit on the darker shade under certain lighting conditions). Should I change this o to 1999 instead of 2000 release? KingboyD - Okay, need to look for a photo or a sample of the Banpresto black version (of course now I want one  ). Sent some pages of the chogokin books with Mazinger versions off to a translation service and hopefully shed a bit of light on the 1979/1984 normal color versions based on the books. Conventional wisdom dictates that normal should go before the all gold version (or released in tandem). Looked a the www.robotvintage.com/article/Ethernal_Masterpiece.html photo came from the Yuji Nishimura book and the Italian to English translate to 1984 re edit of the 70's and 80's line. Does suggest that Normal and Gold were released 1984 (both have the same price tag 1,650yen) but the dates under the Labels suggest a release date 1984 for the normal color and 1979 for the Gold which i assumed was the case. Need to research on this more. So would this mean there never was a 1979 normal color (even though all of the new designs have a 1979 year stamp on the foot) or there is an unaccounted 1979 new mold normal version with a different box? Just thinking out loud. Also thanks for the comments, really want to get to the bottom of this. |
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Post by repairtechjon on Mar 21, 2015 9:51:14 GMT -5
Yes, the "GA-01" label is completely maddening!! LOL
Seems you've been bitten by the bug bad, haha.
Love the list presented this way, in a vertical timeline with pics! Nice job.
It has been partly done, in other ways in a couple books, but usually the toy pics are scattered by page years, and not together specific to this one character.
Good call on the update comments.
1)Yes, add a *note to the bootleg Hong Kong, about the gimpy short thigh pivot on one leg.
2)Gold 4th version, like was mentioned already, came just after regular 4th version, as the regular (1st release 4th? LOL) still has Popy oval logo, while (2nd 4th release?) Gold and regular version box has just popped under the "Bandai" logo-ing.
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Post by neuromancer on Mar 23, 2015 6:46:48 GMT -5
repairtechjon - thanks for the adds and yes, just got bit late December 2014 and still looking for all the versions I could get my hands on (as long as its financially viable). It is maddening, but I heard the GA-37 UFO Grendizer versions are borderline mental So it would seem that we have a regular 4th version normal color released in 1979 with the flying Mazinger box and the re-released by Bandai in 1984. New questions regarding the 1984 release. 1) still sporting the same box flying Mazinger with Popy logo? (Obviously they changed the box design for the Version 4 Gold sporting a Bandai logo). Going to update the 1st post with new change notes and graphic.
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Post by repairtechjon on Mar 23, 2015 9:37:50 GMT -5
Hmm, ok, I think I see where the confusion may be?
Backing up to general history of Black and Gold variants:
In the 70s & 80s, the regular colored box was used for the limited gold or black specials.
An extra sticker, or banner type wrap or sticker were put on the box to indicate the special.
So you'd have a regular and gold released in the same box, in same year, ...usually.
It wasn't until the 90s that they got more into printing special black or gold version boxes.
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Post by neuromancer on Mar 23, 2015 10:12:57 GMT -5
OK this makes more sense now. At least I'm not searching for unicorns in the Forrest. To clarify, an Ethernal Masterpiece Mazinger Z version 4 normal colors would have had the same box as an Ethernal Masterpiece Mazinger Z version 4 Gold with a wrap on the box.
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Post by KingboyD on Mar 23, 2015 10:52:54 GMT -5
That is the general theory, but I don't recall ever seeing that box without the sticker. Maybe this is the rare case that there was not a corresponding normal color version.
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Post by neuromancer on Mar 24, 2015 13:18:20 GMT -5
Just got the translation of this page:  Will update my blog with the english translation (i'll map it out on the magazine layout), but it looks like there was no mention of a 1984 normal color only a limited release gold version 4. Also, it would seem that Yuji Nishimura book may have mixed up the release year of the two (version 4 - Flying Mazinger 1979 and Version 4 Gold as 1984). Also a few interesting tidbits here and there. Still waiting for a 4 more pages to be translated on the subject.  |
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Post by neuromancer on Mar 27, 2015 8:36:32 GMT -5
Green Arrow Graffitti book page 6-7. Translation to be taken as is and not the definitive source until verified. Also, change the word "season" to version. All in all, IMHO, the translation seems to be in context with the content the the overall book. You can download a bigger version from my blog. |
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Post by admin1 aka Ed on Mar 28, 2015 19:41:54 GMT -5
Kudos for the hard work! I've always found that variants are incredibly tough to identify now, as I just DON"T see them offered for sale MIB.
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Post by repairtechjon on Mar 28, 2015 21:55:53 GMT -5
The graphic chart is coming out great!
I would buy a poster of it, if the file was sent to an on-demand print service like CafePress or something like that!
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Post by neuromancer on Mar 30, 2015 1:24:41 GMT -5
The graphic chart is coming out great! I would buy a poster of it, if the file was sent to an on-demand print service like CafePress or something like that! Thanks, will probably do a last draft before the final release, hopefully I could get the high resolution photos of the first 3 versions soon (and the black banpresto ga-01). I'll remove watermarks in the final release and post a high resolution download link. |
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Post by robots4sale on May 31, 2015 13:47:54 GMT -5
how do I sell my mint 1974 ga-01 manzinger z version 3 with wings and so many other popy robots louie theggshadow@aol.com
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Post by repairtechjon on May 31, 2015 18:49:54 GMT -5
how do I sell my mint 1974 ga-01 manzinger z version 3 with wings and so many other popy robots louie theggshadow@aol.com Hi, a search must have brought you to this thread? Please post your toy details & info & price in the "For Sale/Trade" section of this forum, closer to the bottom area. Post Sales Here: robotjapan.proboards.com/board/8/sales-auctions-trades-repairs |
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Post by germie on Jul 26, 2015 18:23:04 GMT -5
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Post by Mr. Ginrai on Jul 27, 2015 9:01:15 GMT -5
Same toy. Both prices are high, in my opinion. The mazinger is a littler harder to get the last few years, but I wouldn't pay more than $30 for this one. It is diecast and plastic, but only three inches tall. 1/2 the size of a vintage one. Good choice if you like this version of the toy and don't want to spend over 100 for a vintage one. |
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