Shogun Warrior Origins

 

Vintage Popy Ad

Many people remember the Shogun Warrior toy line and some even remember the Marvel Comic Books, but few know the origin of the concept for these giant Japanese robots. The story is a bit convoluted as several things were going on in Japan, at times concurrently, and then when Mattel licensed the various properties they came up with their own storylines and origins (basically what Saban did in reusing Japanese live-action TV re-edited with American actors to achieve Power Rangers using Super Sentai). 

The story starts with the book-sized comics available in Japan called "manga" which were extremely popular, then continue into TV appearances in Japanese animation called "anime" and live action called "tokusatsu" which were created more for children. Ironically and a bit foreign to US TV programming, anime had more of a distinct adult feel while the live action programming was more for kids - maybe it was easier to suspend belief in monsters (aka kaiju) that could easily be identified as actors in suits. The popularity of these TV appearances spawned toys by various companies in Japan like Bullmark and Popy - Mattel licensed the toys from Popy/Bandai, which for the most part already existed as Popy releases, to be repackaged in the US as part of the Shogun Warrior toyline.

Here's a list of the source material with origins, that were modified to become the Shogun Warriors:

By Source:

• Go Nagai - known as the "Father of the Giant Robot"
• Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Daitetsujin 17
• Getter Robo G - where Dragun, Raider and Poseidon originated
• Great Mazinger
• Himitsu Sentai Goranger 
• Inazuman 
• Message from Space (movie)
  
• Ninja Kyaputā
• Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
  
• Space Ironman Kyodain
  
• Spider-Man
• Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V 
• Toho Kaiju
• Tōshō Daimos
• UFO Grendizer
• Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace
  
• Yūsha Raideen

By Shogun Warriors Toy:

Jumbo Machinder

• Mattel Daimos - Tōshō Daimos
• Mattel Dragun - Getter Robo G
• Mattel Gaiking - Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
• Mattel Godzilla - Toho Kaiju
• Mattel Goldorak - UFO Grendizer
• Mattel Goldrake - UFO Grendizer
• Mattel Great Mazinga - Great Mazinger
• Mattel Mazinga - Great Mazinger
• Mattel Mazinga "Z - Great Mazinger
• Mattel Raydeen - Yūsha Raideen
• Mattel Rodan - Toho Kaiju

 Two-in-Ones Action Figure

• Mattel Daimos - Tōshō Daimos
• Mattel Dangard - Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace
• Mattel Gaiking - Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
• Mattel Goldorak - UFO Grendizer
• Mattel Goldrake - UFO Grendizer
• Mattel Raydeen - Yūsha Raideen
• Mattel Voltus V - Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V

Die-Cast Metal Action Figure

• Mattel Dragun - Getter Robo G
• Mattel Great Mazinga - Great Mazinger
• Mattel Mazinga - Great Mazinger
• Mattel Poseidon - Getter Robo G
• Mattel Raider - Getter Robo G

Collectors Shogun Warriors Figure

• Mattel 17 - Daitetsujin 17
• Mattel Combatra - Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Mattel Dangard - Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace
• Mattel Dragun - Getter Robo G
• Mattel Gaiking - Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
• Mattel Grandizer - UFO Grendizer
• Mattel Leopaldon - Spider-Man
• Mattel Mazinga/Great Mazinga - Great Mazinger
• Mattel Poseidon - Getter Robo G
• Mattel Voltes V - Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V
  

Super Action Vehicles

• Mattel Bazoler - Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
• Mattel Cargosaur - Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
• Mattel Daimos Truck - Tōshō Daimos
• Mattel Dangard Launcher - Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace
• Mattel Grand Car - Space Ironman Kyodain
• Mattel Grandizer Saucer - UFO Grendizer
• Mattel Heli-Capter - Ninja Kyaputā
• Mattel Jetcar - Inazuman
• Mattel Kondar - Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
• Mattel Liabe - Message from Space
• Mattel Nessar - Sky Devilsaur Gaiking
• Mattel Rydoto - Yūsha Raideen
• Mattel Shigcon Jet - Daitetsujin 17
• Mattel Shigcon Tank - Daitetsujin 17
• Mattel Sky Arrow - Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace
• Mattel Sky Jet - Space Ironman Kyodain
• Mattel Solar Saucer - UFO Grendizer
• Mattel U-Combine Combatra (set) - Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Mattel U-Combine Battle Clasher - Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Mattel U-Combine Battle Craft - Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Mattel U-Combine Battle Jet - Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Mattel U-Combine Battle Marine - Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Mattel U-Combine Battle Tank - Chōdenji Robo Combattler V
• Mattel Varitank - Himitsu Sentai Goranger
• Mattel Vertilift - Himitsu Sentai Goranger

All Mattel images and captions are copyright Mattel, all Popy, Banpresto, Unifive or Yutaka images and captions are copyright Popy/Bandai, images captured from various video segments are copyright Toei or other parties and used without permission. All other content, including images and editorial, is Copyright © 2023 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton, by clicking here.