{"id":20869,"date":"2012-09-14T09:07:45","date_gmt":"2012-09-14T14:07:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20869"},"modified":"2012-09-14T22:47:47","modified_gmt":"2012-09-15T03:47:47","slug":"vault-review-s-h-monsterarts-fire-rodan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20869","title":{"rendered":"Vault Review: S.H. Monsterarts
Fire Rodan"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Theme weeks are always fun, but they sometimes put me a little behind on reviews I really wanted to get to.\u00a0 I have some really great Transformers, Figuarts, and LEGO Minifigures articles coming down the pike.\u00a0 But before that I thought I\u2019d get the newest S.H. MonsterArts figure out of the way.<\/p>\n

Fire Rodan made his first appearance in the 1998 movie Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II<\/em>.\u00a0 He was one of two eggs that absorbed large amounts of radiation, which mutated the prehistoric creature into a power pterosaur that protected the second egg.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Fire Rodan eventually battled both Godzilla and Mechagodzilla.\u00a0 But his ultimate goal was the protection of the second egg.\u00a0 So when Big G was critically wounded by Mecha G, Fire Rodan gave up his life by transferring all his energy into healing and resuscitating Godzilla.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Fire Rodan\u2019s sculpt has all the great attention to detail that I\u2019ve come to expect from the Mosnterarts line.\u00a0 The body sculpt has the interesting mixed look of armored plates and wrinkly flesh that I never really noticed while watching the movie.\u00a0 But details like this easily jump out at you when posing and playing with the figure.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The choice of Fire Rodan really isn\u2019t a surprise since Bandai of Japan seems to be sticking to the 90\u2019s and 2000\u2019s for figure inspiration.\u00a0 This is good news for fans because it allows them the option to display these new figures with the Showa era inspired designs of the Sci-Fi Revoltech line.\u00a0 I do believe Bandai will eventually get to versions of these Showa characters (Jet Jaguar!), but for now it keeps collectors like me placated with the knowledge that my Revoltech line isn\u2019t obsolete yet.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When looking at a Monsterarts head sculpt, I always get the feeling that the designers spend a little bit more time in this area.\u00a0 Not only do the figures look like they should, but the sculpts themselves give off a definite personality that makes taking pictures more enjoyable.\u00a0 Fire Rodan is no different.\u00a0 I really enjoy the contour of the three spikes from the back of his head.\u00a0 Also, his mouth doesn\u2019t close perfectly like previous figure, which gives him a grumbling look.\u00a0 Even his eyes have that hunting-for-food bird-like quality.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It is interesting comparing Fire Rodan with the Revoltech character, which was based on his solo movie appearance back in 1956.\u00a0 Although both figures share similar design qualities, their sculpts definitely give off a very distinct feeling.\u00a0 I love the Showa Rodan for what he is, but design wise Fire Rodan takes the cake with his sleek and dangerous look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Speaking of sleek, Fire Rodan has the smallest body of all the Monsterarts figures released so far.\u00a0 Sure, his wings do give him more width than the other characters, but the overall figure is still tiny compared to the rest of the figures.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mind his stature at all.\u00a0 He\u2019s still in scale with the other figures, and Bandai actually used his smaller size to include additional accessories in the box.\u00a0 I think this is a pretty cool move on their part, especially since two of the accessories aren\u2019t even Rodan\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Fire Rodan\u2019s accessories include his own attack beam effect, a new Godzilla beam effect, and an alternate head for Mechagodzilla.<\/p>\n

Rodan also comes with three stand bases, three arms, and two adaptors that hold the figure in specific positions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Fire Rodan\u2019s effect part is a translucent purple swirling beam of energy.\u00a0 Like previous effects parts, this one can be held by the classic Bandai arm and base.\u00a0 I really like the look of the effects piece itself, but it\u2019s definitely not molded to the shape of his mouth as well as previous pieces.\u00a0 This caused me to take more pictures because the piece kept moving or falling out of his mouth.\u00a0 Continue to page 2…<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Next up is the alternate Mechagodzilla head.\u00a0 This is Mechagodzilla\u2019s resulting look after Rodan attacked him physically and destroyed one of his eyes.\u00a0 The head itself is the exact same piece as the original.\u00a0 The eye piece has a new sculpt though and I love that you can see a darker spot in the center.\u00a0 This piece isn\u2019t necessary, but it\u2019s still a cool option.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The last accessory is another new effects piece that goes with Godzilla.\u00a0 This new heat beam is a bit less than eight inches long, while the original was only five and a half.\u00a0 This new piece also has a sculpt which better resembles fire.\u00a0 This is only enhanced by the added tendril-like bits the spiral around the outside.\u00a0 The translucent orange and red plastic also gives it a much better feel than the mostly plain and constant color of the original.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rodan also comes with three extra stands and two adapters.\u00a0 All of them are the classic flat Bandai base.\u00a0 All three are translucent plastic with gold glitter added in to give them an interesting look of floating cinders.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0One of the stands is labeled \u201cFire Rodan\u201d and has a picture of his silhouette.\u00a0 The second stand has a pterodactyl image with the words \u201cPteranodon Forever, Kazuma Aoki\u201d.\u00a0 This is a reference to one of the characters in the movie who made a tiny readable pterodactyl.\u00a0 Yes, I\u2019m entirely serious<\/a>.\u00a0 This wasn\u2019t really necessary, but again it was a nice touch.\u00a0 The last stand has no writing or pictures.<\/p>\n

As for the adapters, one is designed to hold the figure in a standing position just slightly above his base. The other holds the figure in a flying position.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

This super long heat breath is my favorite accessory in the set.\u00a0 But all three extra pieces really go a long way in making you feel like you got your money\u2019s worth.\u00a0 That\u2019s what really counts, especially with a smaller figure like Fire Rodan.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I want to jump back to Rodan\u2019s paint job, which is really nice.\u00a0 Most of his body seems to be molded the appropriate color, but there are so many really nice highlights that accentuate the curves of his armor or the thinner skin of his wings.\u00a0 My camera couldn\u2019t even pick up slight details like the wispy blue veins that are painted on his wings.\u00a0 They even made his eyes a bit metallic so they\u2019d have that glossy look.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Last but not least is Rodan\u2019s articulation.\u00a0 His mouth and wing flaps use hinged joints, while all the others are made up of swivel\/hinges or ball joints.\u00a0 The most go to his neck (which has three), and his tail (which has eight). \u00a0The wings also connect to his body with ball joints, so moving them for various positions is easy.\u00a0 His hands, hips, knees, and ankles are made up of the swivel\/hinges.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rodan\u2019s not really my favorite character, but the figure is definitely well done and I think fans would appreciate the work that went into him.\u00a0 But even if you aren\u2019t interested in the character, those extra accessories for Big G and Mecha G are definitely nice to have.\u00a0 Rodan\u2019s also the cheapest Monsterarts character so far, retailing at about $35.\u00a0 This makes splurging on the character a lot easier to handle.<\/p>\n

-Vault<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Theme weeks are always fun, but they sometimes put me a little behind on reviews I really wanted to get to.\u00a0 I have some really great Transformers, Figuarts, and LEGO Minifigures articles coming down the pike.\u00a0 But before that I thought I\u2019d get the newest S.H. MonsterArts figure out of the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20886,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[34,10],"tags":[445,1702,543,1704,1703,1701,841,1092],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/frodTN.jpg?fit=50%2C50","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pObc6-5qB","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15825,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=15825","url_meta":{"origin":20869,"position":0},"title":"Vault Review: S.H. MonsterArts’ Mechagodzilla 2","date":"December 9, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Just a couple weeks after Bandai\u2019s Godzilla release, the second figure in the SH MonsterArts line is already here.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad I didn\u2019t have to wait too long.\u00a0 My Godzilla was getting bored just beating up all of my Revoltechs.\u00a0 Now he has a challenge. For his first incarnation in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/mgod12.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":27595,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=27595","url_meta":{"origin":20869,"position":1},"title":"Vault Review: SH MonsterArts Godzilla 1964","date":"April 10, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Film & TV"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/shgz4.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23341,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=23341","url_meta":{"origin":20869,"position":2},"title":"Vault Review: S.H. MonsterArts Garuda & Mechagodzilla Effects Parts","date":"May 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"With the SH Monsterarts Destoroyah released and King Kong almost here, I thought I\u2019d take a quick look at one of the early items in the line.\u00a0 The Mechagodzilla effects parts and Garuda aircraft have easily become my favorite bonus set so far, even at its inflated price. Bluefin has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/05\/mgef11.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":27919,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=27919","url_meta":{"origin":20869,"position":3},"title":"Bluefin Reveals S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla 2014","date":"May 16, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"","rel":"","context":"In "Film & TV"","img":{"alt_text":"marts1","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/marts1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":22606,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=22606","url_meta":{"origin":20869,"position":4},"title":"Vault Review: S.H. MonsterArts Godzilla Junior","date":"February 7, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"While Noisy is busy draining his wallet on MP Transformers, my funds are condemned to a different fate.\u00a0 I\u2019m not really sure when I'll have to tap out (Biollante will probably test that), but for now I\u2019m pretty happy to currently complete my collection with Godzilla Junior. Godzilla Junior made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/godj9.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":20580,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20580","url_meta":{"origin":20869,"position":5},"title":"Vault Review: S.H. MonsterArts Little Godzilla","date":"August 28, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019m following up our Reviewapalooza II week with a figure from one of my favorite toy lines, Bandai of Japan's S.H. MonsterArts.\u00a0 I never expected the line be so extensive that I'd get a Little Godzilla figure.\u00a0 But I\u2019m certainly glad they made him, even if he isn\u2019t entirely perfect.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Reviews"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/lilg7.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20869"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20869"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20900,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20869\/revisions\/20900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20886"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}