
Not sure if you have seen this, but I’m pretty excited. BBTS has a new listing for a “Godzilla 12″ Head To Tail Action Figure.”
From one of the most anticipated movie releases this year, the relaunch of the classic Godzilla franchise. This 6″ tall figure is highly detailed and fully articulated, and over 12″ long from head to tail! Over 25 points of articulation and a bendable tail. This classic movie monster has never looked so good in toy form.
I like the idea of having a NECA Godzilla to put with my NECA Pacific Rim figures. I had thought NECA only had the license to do large scale figures (as they do for Marvel, DC, and others). A 6″-7″ figure seems like it might be stepping on the toes of Bandai and Jakks, who are also making toys. I have a suspicion that these figures are labeled 12″ Head to Tail (for the 6″) and 24″ Head to Tail (for the 12″) in order to skirt around this issue. I hope we get a look at these and the other Godzilla offerings next month at Toy Fair.
–PresidentJuggernaut
I did see that, and found it very interesting. You’re right that the clarification about the height versus the length is intriguing. I actually went ahead and pre-ordered the 24″ long (12″ tall) version. I grew up with Bandai’s 8″ vinyls, and while I collected a number of the 6″ vinyls in the early 2000s, I’ve always felt like Godzilla toys should be bigger – which may be one reason why I was never really able to commit to S.H.MonsterArts.
So, long story short, I’m excited about NECA’s figures. I don’t expect S.H.MonsterArts-level articulation, but I do expect more than the “swivel arms, legs, and tail” of the Bandai vinyls. It may actually hit the perfect sweet spot between those two extremes. Here’s hoping!
It is curious that NECA’s making these when Bandai USA is producing their own 6″ figures (and JAKKS is producing oversize figures). Bandai USA is the master toy licensee, but obviously that doesn’t preclude either the JAKKS or NECA figures, begging the question, what exactly does being the master toy licensee get you? According to this source (whose veracity I can’t speak to, but it’s the only one I could find on a quick search), “the [master] toy licensee receives the right to control virtually all licensed products in the toy and game category.” If true, does that mean Bandai USA had to sign off on – or perhaps even arranged – the NECA and JAKKS deals?
I don’t know the truth behind it all, but I think the NECA products represent a promising (if somewhat more expensive) option for adult collectors. I agree the specific “head to tail” phrasing by NECAÂ is weird, but I’m skeptical it’s a semantic workaround for the potential legal complications of making an official 6″ or 12″ figure – I can’t see that holding up in court. Of course, it’s always possible it’s something Bandai USA and NECA worked out ahead of time. Or maybe NECA just wanted to be really clear on what the figure was going to look like.