SOC GX-31 Voltes V review

Voltes V as far as I know is a Japanese animation made in the 1970s, fall under the Super Robot genre with intriguing storyline. Bandai has finally given Voltes V with Soul of Chogokin treatment. What attacted me to this toy is not because I am a fan of the animation series but it is the details and engineering of this highend collectible toy.

Most part of this robot is made of die case, joints at the shoulders are ratchet joints. Ball joints were used at the legs connected to the pelvic region. Knees are using ratchet joints. Too bad there is no articulation at the waist and chest due to the transfromation mechanism. Head and elbow has very limited articulation too.

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SOC Voltes V preview

SOC Voltes V box front view.

Got this die cast toy many moons ago but did not have a good camera. The box art is conservatively follow any Soul of Chogokin; actual picture of the toy in the front and the back of the box is printed the features of the toy.

SOC Voltes V box back view.

Only manage to snap a few pictures before my camera run out of juice.

SOC Voltes V packed in polyester foam.

Even if you have never watch the cartoon before. Bandai add a card deco on the package with label on vehicles that forms the Super Robot Voltes V.

SOC Voltes V in the package.

More to come in the next up coming post. Stay tuned.

Comparison : The 3 kings

 

From left to right : Voltes, Dancouga & Gunbuster

VoltesV :
Generally the robot mode & vehicle mode is nice. For picky players, the vehicle mode of the Frigate (aka Legs of VoltesV) does not look like a frigate. Overall its a good toy for play & display.

Dancouga :
It doesn't do much justice the points. However, its strongest reason that I had bought danny is; each of the machine Eagle, cougar, liger & moth looks very much like its Anime counterpart. On top of that, each of the machine can convert from robot mode to machine mode, to aggressive beast mode & part of Dancouga. Exception for the eagle it does not have a clear division of aggressive beast & machine mode. However, I'm glad I bagged this gokin.

Gunbuster :
At first look was planning to pass this gokin. But due to alot of poison & good review… wat the heck… juz bag this little bugger. Heck… calling it little bugger will not do it much justice as it is undeniable is the most possable with a satisfying "click" sound (reminds me of some of the old days Transformers). My only lament for this gokin is its alternate spaceship mode is far from perfect… need to swap parts

A superlative trivia :
1. Tallest, Dancouga is the tallest followed by Gunbuster… then …  (*Height is taken based on measuring from foot base to the head.)
2. Most posable, Gunbuster, Voltes… then..
3 Heaviest, Dancouga, Gunbuster… then…
4. Most innovative transformation… Dancouga, Voltes… Gunbuster last for it needs no swap parts

Dancouga

SOC GX-13 Dancouga

Behold Dancouga united

Some fanboy call it Danny, most ppl will know it as Dancouga.

Dancouga is a japanese anime based on combining super robot genre in the late 80s.

Plot of super robot… You know those shows that stress on good triumph over evil. Being brave & heroic thingy. Battling villians using their omnipotence robot with a sure kill move. Yeah you will knows it coming when the show is about the end with good guys winning. Most of the time saving the day/world/universe & saving the damsel in distress. Then happily ever after.

Robots which make Dancouga, Dancouga

 This dancouga toy is from bandai 超合金魂/SOC line or Soul Of Chogokin, in chinese pin yin Qiu He Qin Ling , literal translation super combine metal/gold spirit. Qiu He Qin or not this toy pack with diecast metal & plastics. For the standard of toy at the 21st century the metal content is above average.

Also not forget mentioning, the combining robot each has 2 alternative form, which is aggressive beast mode & vehicle mode, except for the smallest robot which is the head.