Godzilla - Chibi SD 2013 Figures

In 2013 at the New York Toy Fair, Bandai America revealed a new line of figures to add to their Godzilla line: 2 inch Chibi SD Figures. Chibi figures of Godzilla characters have had a good following in Japan, but this was something not really seen outside that country. In my opinion the Bandai America line was starting to go stronger around this time with the release of King Caesar and re-releases of previously popular molds. It quickly let me and other fans down as they didn't follow-up on products, and teased but never delivered. They did, although quick lived, deliver well with their small Chibi line.



Here is an image of their concept stage (credit: CollectionDX):

Source: http://www.collectiondx.com/gallery/v/FeatureImages/NYtoyfair/2013/Bandai+America/Godzilla/

They were sold individually, sold in 2-packs (Godzilla ('94) with Mecha-Godzilla ('93), Mothra ('66) with King Ghidorah ('92), and Gigan ('72) with Destroyah), and in the 6-pack with all the figures.

They must have been predicted to be successful because Bandai followed-up with two more 2-packs for the 2014 Godzilla movie line (credit: ToysonFire):

Source: https://www.toysonfire.ca/shop/product/godzilla-chibi-figure-2-pack-godzilla-and-muto-winged-21087?category=340

In total, 10 figures were produced from this line of Chibi SD Figures.

I think the final products turned out better than the promotional material. Below are some pictures of mine of the products (organized by the 2-packs):

Each of them are well sculpted to fit that Chibi/Super-Deformed look. They scale well so they can be played with equally (Destroyah is slightly bigger, but that seems fitting). They all have good paint application where they should. Really great and fun to play with!



Here are the 2014 figures (Godzilla ('14) with MUTO (male), Godzilla ('14, Battle Damaged) with MUTO (female)):

Just like the first 6 figures, these 4 are great too! I think the Godzilla (Battle Damaged) in the MUTO (female) 2-pack is a bit too super-deformed, making him look more cartoonish. I prefer the more serious look of the Godzilla in the MUTO (male) 2-pack (which is also heftier). Either way, both are stellar!



I wish they did this for the Shin Godzilla and King Kong Skull Island movies too (I don't think Bandai got Skull Island toy rights though). A Chibi set of King Kong and the Skull Crawlers would be cool, along with the other creatures in that movie. Same for Shin Godzilla, with Chibis of his various forms. Oh well, maybe when that King Kong Vs. Godzilla movie comes we'll get another shot at these?

I hope so, even though they shelf-warmed at stores for quite awhile. I think they over-did it by making them in individual packs, 2-packs, and 6-packs. They should have just stuck with the 2-packs and 6-packs in my honest opinion. For their price they were a bargain though. If we did get another 6-pack of figures, it would be nice to see a Showa Godzilla ('54, '62, '74?) Anguirus, Mothra (Larvae), Megalon, Hedorah, and SpaceGodzilla.

Here is a group shot (sans the Battle Damaged 2014 Godzilla):

Will we these more figures in the future? Again, I hope so although that hope is dim. I think Bandai America has scaled back significantly since then, but Godzilla merchandise is still going strong in the states thanks mostly to NECA and S.H. Monsterarts. Enough with my doom and gloom, I really enjoy these figures and I'm sure many fans of Godzilla will too! Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoyed!

I will be reviewing a few Japanese Godzilla chibi lines in the future, so stay tuned for those!