Mattel Retailer Catalog 1978

1978 continues Mattel's Shogun Warriors toyline with the introduction of Godzilla and Gaiking to the Jumbo Machinder lineup. It's curious how much the US Godzilla differs from the original Popy Gojira Jumbosaurus - I thought it might be due to the size of the box as Mattel's version is vertical much like the Shogun Warriors boxes, however due to differences in size the box doesn't conform to the other Warriors so I'm not sure what they were trying to accomplish. The most egregious change was the removal of Godzilla's iconic back fins, replacing them with little bumps. Second to that was the shortening of the tail, third the removal of the chest speaker and pull-string "bark". At least Godzilla retains the "tongue" of flame and the shooting fist - it's this last item that makes it worthy of the Shogun Warrior name!

Mattel Retailer Catalog 1978

 


For the cover of the 1978 Mattel Catalog, we get the added treat of having the new Gaiking Jumbo Machinder on the cover! We are also treated to four glorious pages of Shogun Warriors, including new articulated action figures and vehicles!

Mattel Retailer Catalog 1978 Page 48

 




Page 48 shows Godzilla and Gaiking with images that were also used on the US retail boxes. The text above: "Godzilla meets the Samurai space age defenders! And now with Gaiking, a brand new warrior, the giant Shogun(R) line-up numbers five. Towering figures, they zip on wheels. Each comes fully assembled with individual action accessories. Weapons, flying fists, arms that "move," rockets that "launch"! They're all loaded with extra play value. None need batteries! And the famous 4-color packages are all stoppers ...bold, striking, colorful! These are the big ones, Shogun defenders of justice."

Under Godzilla's image (c) 1977 Toho Co. Ltd.
#2440 GODZILLA Figure: CLAW CAN BE LAUNCHED! TONGUE FLASHES PRETEND "FLAME"!

Under Gaiking's image:
#2441 GAIKING Warrior Figure: HIS CHEST LAUNCHES ROCKETS! FIST ROTATES, LAUNCHES LIKE A PROJECTILE!

Mattel Retailer Catalog 1978 Page 49

 

 

Page 49 shows the Shogun Warriors introduced in 1977 but note the change to Mazinga, now Great Mazinga (and the chest "v" has mutated into a rather lame decal - the travesty).

Under Raydeen's image:
#9859 RAYDEEN Warrior Figure: WITH DELTA WING MISSILES & FLYING IRON-CUTTER FIST

Under Great Mazinga's image:
#9860 GREAT MAZINGA Warrior Figure: WITH 2 MIGHTY SWORDS! HIS FIST LAUNCHES ROCKETS!

Under Dragun's image:
#9858 DRAGUN Warrior Figure: WITH 3 BATTLE-AXES & SHOOTING STARS

And at the top the list of Shogun Warrior paks (assortments):

#2440 Std. Pak 6/Wt. 24 lbs.
#2441 Std. Pak 6/Wt. 24 lbs.
#9859 Std. Pak 6/Wt. 25 lbs.
#9860 Std. Pak 6/Wt. 26 lbs.
#9858 Std. Pak 6/Wt. 26 lbs.
#9861 Std. Pak 6/Wt. 26 lbs.

GODZILLA STANDS 20" TALL!
WARRIOR FIGURES 23 1/2' TALL!
ACCESSORIES NOT INTERCHANGEABLE
OR FOR USE WITH SMALLER SHOGUN WARRIORS.
ALL ACCESSORIES REQUIRE CHILD OPERATION.

My notes: One thing about this page - the image and name of Mazinga, now Great Mazinga indicates to me that the change-over to the redesign happened much earlier than I had originally assumed. This rewrites things a bit and it also explains why the Great Mazinga figure is so much more common. I really wonder what the rationale was in producing something that's clearly inferior?


Mattel Retailer Catalog 1978 Page 50




Page 50 introduces the US to chogokin for the first time with images of Raider (Liger), Dragun, Poseidon and Great Mazinga. There's an inset circle that shows Dragun's fist flying off his arm. I love that we get all three parts of Getter Robo G (even if they changed Liger's name) and there is the tie-in to the Starvengers cartoons.

Under Raider's image:
#2105 RAIDER
5" Warrior Figure
Arm launches rockets!

Under Dragun's image:
#2106 DRAGUN
5" Warrior Figure
Launches fists & battle axes!

Under Poseidon's image:
#2104 POSEIDON
5" Warrior Figure
Launches rockets!

Under Great Mazinga's image:
#2103 GREAT MAZINGA
5" Warrior Figure
Launches fist & swords

At the top is the general description and Pak details:
"Sturdy die-cast metal renderings of the famous Shogun (R) defenders! 4 colorful, fascinatingly detailed figures, 5 inches tall. All feature mysterious moving parts and exciting accessories - weapons, shields, even rockets! No batteries needed. 4-color window packages. Shogun warriors in miniature! Invincible guardians of world freedom!"

#2103 Std. Pak 12/Wt. 7 lbs.
#2104 Std. Pak 12/Wt. 7 lbs.
#2105 Std. Pak 12/Wt. 7 lbs.
#2106 Std. Pak 12/Wt. 7 lbs.
#2107 Asst. Pak 12/Wt. 7 lbs.

Individual accessories for 24", 3" & 5" figures not interchangeable.


Mattel Retailer Catalog 1978 Page 51




Page 51 introduces the first Shogun Action Vehicles assortment including Varitank, Vertilift and (Grandizer/Goldorak)'s Solar Saucer (Spazer). The page also provides a recap of the 3" Warrior Figure collection (but no new figures).

COLLECTOR'S SHOGUN WARRIORS
"Great way to build a collection!"

3-inch Collector's Warriors
"Six Shogun(r) mini-figures. 3-inches tall! All have die-cast metal parts, arms that move, heads that turn. They're fun, colorful, supremely collectible! 4-color window boxes continue the distinctive Shogun line look. Shogun warriors in the 3-inch size...mysterious defenders of justice!"

#2518 Asst. Pak 48/Wt. 13 lbs.


Die-Cast Shogun Action Vehicles
"Three fabulous far-out machines, loaded with working accessories and extra play value. Vertilift! Varitank! Solar Saucer! All have die-cast metal parts. All are eye-catchers in bright Shogun colors. Fun-to-work accessories! Vertilift launches claws. Veritank features twin giant pincers. Solar Saucer even launches a 3" Shogun mini-warrior! The bright packages have 4-color art on all sides! No batteries needed. These are the fun machines! Shogun Action Vehicles!"

#2519 Std. Pak 12/Wt. 5 lbs. 8 oz.
#2520 Std. Pak 12/Wt. 5 lbs. 8 oz.
#2521 Std. Pak 12/Wt. 5 lbs. 8 oz.
#2522 Asst. Pak 12/Wt. 5 lbs. 8 oz.

Each Vehicle image has an inset circle that shows the missile firing action.

Under the Varitank image:
#2519 VARITANK
Action Vehicle 
Rocket launchers, twin pincers!

Under the Vertilift image:
#2521 VERILIFT
Action Vehicle
Extendable wings, props turn!

Under the Solar Saucer image:
#2520 SOLAR SAUCER
Action Vehicle
Launches mini-warrior!

"Action Vehicle accessories not interchangeable"


Mattel Retailer Catalog 1978 Page 57 (bonus)

 

 

Godzilla Game
With the addition of Godzilla Mattel was able to market new toys, presumably with the Godzilla license garnered from Toho Co. Ltd. This interesting Godzilla Game is the result - while not part of the Shogun Warriors I think it may be of some interest and ties-in to the line. The image shows the Godzilla Game logo and a photo of three kids playing with it. I believe this is a creation unique to Mattel and not something repackaged from an existing Japanese toy. The description reads: "Who will survive the mighty monster's attack? Be the only spaceship not caught and you win the game! Watch out! Godzilla springs to attack. Zap! Another spacecraft is lost! The action board game of suspense and impending disaster. Includes 24 space ships. No assembly required. For 2-4 players. Package is corrugated with 3-sided 4-color label. 

#2356 Std. Pak 5/Wt. 11 lbs.

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