Vault Review: S.H.
Monsterarts’ Space Godzilla

Vault

What surprised me most about this figure is his articulation.  He’s got a ball jointed head, neck, chest, shoulders, wrists, hips, ankles, and each of the segments to his tail.  His mouth is a hinge, while his elbows and knees are double hinges.

Being even bulkier than Godzilla, I really didn’t expect much in this department.  But it seems Bandai was actually listening to all the complaints about Godzilla’s limited range of motion, and they actually fixed it when it came to Space G.  All of his joints were given a wider area to move within.  So Space Godzilla can actually do things like lift his legs, turn his torso, and curve his tail in a much tighter way.

The first wave bonus for Space Godzilla included his corona beam and stand.  The beam itself is this neat tangle of energy that’s translucent, but was painted over lightly with a pearlized yellow.  The effect is neat and does a great job of looking like an energy burst.

The stand to hold the corona beam has an average looking brown base with different sized crystals jutting from it.  Like the crystals on Space G’s back, they’re all translucent but have been painted over with a pearly white.  Even if you aren’t using the beam, the stand itself makes a nice micro base for display with the figure.

All around I’m really happy with this figure.  It might have helped that I wasn’t expecting much from him, but I was genuinely surprised by his high points.  I love that he’s a bit bigger than Godzilla, and the paint effects they gave his crystals look terrific.  But the one thing I’m most happy about is the fixed articulation.  These figures are expensive, and it’s nice to see Bandai listening to the fans and mending their mistakes.  Quality like that will definitely keep me coming back.

-Vault

P.S. Here’s one last pic to show off the improved articulation.

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32 thoughts on “Vault Review: S.H.
Monsterarts’ Space Godzilla”

  2. Awesome review, glad to see the range of motion on the articulation was increased. i have yet to pre-order SG as i was waiting for a review, although i was already pretty much sold on the figure. Quick question tho, where would you suggest i preorder from? Or rather, where did you preorder yours from? I got both godzilla amd mecha g in midtown comics but idk when theyd have SG and the price will most likely be a little higher than online.

    1. You’ve got a couple different options. I order mine from the Japanese store Amiami. Most people have been waiting for the US distributor, Bluefin, who sells through Amazon.com, which usually takes about a month after the Japanese release.

      You can preorder it on Amazon here, but for some reason their price is really high.

      Amiami has him for a cheaper price. Even with the high exchange rate you’ll only be paying about $60, but the shipping is probably going to push you close to that $80 level. I can tell you that EMS, the fastest shipping, will cost you about $30. So if you do go with Amiami, and don’t mind waiting a couple weeks, pick SAL Registered shipping.

      1. Ya know, this may seem really bad, but because of The last 3 years with buying MoTUC, $30 shipping doesn’t outrage me on a $60 figure. (especially when us sites are charging $75 + shipping) But neither does waiting a few weeks for a toy, also due to matty. I appreciate the info on AmiAmi tho.

        1. Well, if you’re impatient like me and don’t mind dropping $30 on shipping, then go for the EMS. It’s fast as hell and will be at your house in three to four days. Definitely worth the price if you don’t want to wait.

          Amiami’s a good site. If you’re ever looking for imports, check them first. They usually have the cheapest prices.

      2. I ordered this particular figure via Sideshow, due to a coupon they had at the time, but DAMMIT they haven’t got it in yet.

        I’ve pre-ordered pretty much everything else for the future via AmiAmi. Didn’t know shipping was so much, though…$30 a pop for EMS? Really?

        1. Yeah, I about choked when I saw the shipping total on my payment request. Those shoulders give him a bit more weight than Godzilla. His box is also a couple inches bigger, which I didn’t expect. I guess together it brought him up a couple levels in shipping costs.

          I can’t wait to see what kind of rape shipping prices Ghidorah’s going to be. I don’t like doing it, but I may have to go SAL on him.

          1. I may switch to registered SAL, then. I just can’t justify spending that much money solely on my own impatience. Not that I don’t totally get where you’re coming from – I just can’t spend that much, especially since I’ll be dropping something in the area of $70 for the SDCC exclusive Burning Godzilla around the time some stuff will be shipping…

  3. P.S. Bluefin recently stated they’re going to have a new SHM poll for new monster suggestions. Seems like it could expand past Heisei. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

  4. Bloody fine review, excellent pics. Too damn’ expensive for me. Only toys I buy that’re that expensive are the larger TransFormers, and these kaiju are only about 6″ tall, right?

    Those two little fighting ogre guys at the bottom of the group shot look familiar. I’m getting a vague recollection of seeing something like them on the Saturday morning / afternoon creature-feature bonanza on Channel 43 (WUAB) when I was little. Man, those were good times, with all the rubbery monsters or lizards on tiny sets.

  6. I’m sorta hoping they make a Ver 2.0 of Godzilla with all the improved range of movement that Space-G has.
    Also I’m not to thrilled about the recently announced price for Ghidorah at $125.00 or more.

  8. Nice review! Yeah this thing is incredible. I’d recommend SHM SpaceGodzilla to fans and non fans alike.

  9. I really wish they’d expand into the Millennium series for one major reason; Kiryu. He’s far and away the best version of Mecha-G ever designed. If they include him in this line, they’ll have me hooked.

    1. There are Super Articulated figures of both Kiryu and Showa MG already, so I don’t see the point. The priority ought to go to kaiju who have yet to receive figures in this vein.

    1. There is a Chogokin Kiryu (also made by Bandai), along with a Chogokin Showa Mechagodzilla, Millenium gigan, and the cutesy 2006 Gamera. They are quite expensive though, but then its to be expected from SA figures.

  12. *Read quite expensive as pretty damn pricey. They generally go for a little more than the Monsterarts.

    1. Yeah, I’ve been digging around for that Chogokin Kiryu, and it looks like it’s going for around $150 shipped at minimum, which is about double what the Monsterarts seem to be going for. And while it looks damn nice, it’s still almost 10 years old and not quite as articulated as a Monsterarts, so I stand by my desire for a new one.

  14. ‘Sir Real’

    If it’s like my Chogokin Mecha Godzilla GD-98, then it’s a little over 7 inches.

  15. Man I love the pic of him with some of the other Kaiju. Makes me wish I had gotten on board with the Revoltechs and these couple of Monsterarts because they look awesome together.

  16. You still can ”StrangePlanet” BBTS has a sweet selection of Revoltechs and S.H.Monsterarts available.

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