Popy Great Mazinger

Popy Great Mazinger 1st Issue Box Front

Popy Great Mazinger

Prior to the Mattel US release of "Mazinga", Popy released Great Mazinger in Japan. I'm not quite sure how many running changes were made with this release -I have two examples with the second version pretty much identical to the Mattel Mazinga release except the left fist is winged like the right fist - it's also a darker navy blue (almost black) like the Mattel First US release. Also on the back it doesn't have "Made in Japan" which seems to have been added to the export version.

The other version I own is a very rare first Popy issue release that has a different head - the points are taller and there are two sets of wing indents on each side. To compensate on the height the boots (legs below the knew) are also shorted and molded differently.

The two boxes appear to be the same, at least I could fin no appreciable differences, except the box bottoms - earlier Popy boxes are stapled together while later are glued. Note my later edition has some sun-fading. Both boxes typically include a Popy Catalog and "Scorecard" for the ZZ-series accessories one could fill out to get an exclusive Great Mazinger Chest (a vinyl and cardboard case to hold GM and a few accessories).

Popy Great Mazinger  Box Comparison 1st Issue Left

Popy Great Mazinger  Box Contents Comparison 1st Issue Left

Popy Great Mazinger  Box Sides

Popy Great Mazinger  Box Ends

Popy Great Mazinger  Box 1st Issue with Staples

Popy Great Mazinger  Box 2nd Issue Glued Sides

Great Mazinger Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" on left

Great Mazinger Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" Detail

Great Mazinger Comparison - 2nd Issue Head Detail

Great Mazinger Height Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" on left

Great Mazinger Profile Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" on left

Great Mazinger Head Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" on left

Great Mazinger Leg Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" on left

Great Mazinger Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" with Custom Painted Condor

Great Mazinger Comparison - 1st Issue "Tall Head" with Custom Painted Condor Details

Popy Great Mazinger  Fists (right)

Popy Great Mazinger  Fist (left) Mattel Mazinga Fist (right)

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