Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

Back in 1998, Trendmasters began development of an extensive toy line based on the hit Saturday morning cartoon show GODZILLA: THE SERIES. The toys were canceled before they went into production.

SciFi Japan looks back at the unproduced G:TS line with never-before-seen photos of the prototype action figures, design sketches, catalog pages, and advertising art created for the toy series.

http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2011 ... -toy-line/

Fantastic article guys! I remember, along with many other fans, being pumped for this line. The large scale Godzilla and Cyber-Godzilla especially. I was so disappointed when I learned the line had been canceled. That C-Rex looks amazing!

There was actually a dealer selling one of the "playable" prototypes for the large scale Godzilla. I was told so by Matt Frank anyway, I combed the dealer room looking for it but unfortunately I couldn't find it. I suppose someone shelled out the dough (I believe he said it was $200) and bought it. I did see a picture of Matt holding the figure however, so it definitely was there. I just wish I could have had the chance to see it in person, hell, I probably would have bought it. I would have loved to see what they would have done with the El Gusano monster. He was always a favorite of mine.

I never understood why Trendmasters wanted to include the human characters. I recall the G-Force characters and the 1998 human figures always being in large supply on the shelves of toy isles. They didn't seem to sell very well, I remember buying one of the G-Force characters just so I can own the keen hard plastic G Force badge that came with each figure. I know they are main characters but it was pretty obvious that kids were more interested in the monsters. You would figure TM would learn from past mistakes. Maybe a box set including all of the human figures together with N.I.G.E.L. (which I think looks alot better then the collector thinks and looks pretty faithful to it's animated companion despite what the collector states) but individual pieces? Not a good idea if you ask my opinion. To a lesser degree, I have the same feelings about the vehicles. I remember seeing the tanks and choppers always sitting on the shelves and the earlier GARUDA ship also not really selling (GARUDA was however, a little difficult to track down. I think the ship, along with the G Force characters were produces in smaller quantities as opposed to the monsters). I believe that is why Trendmasters chose to simply repackage the chopper and jet from the film, I'm sure that had a ton of unsold vehicles gathering dust around their factory like I'm sure they did previously when they were part of their Independence Day line.

Thank you so much for this article. Wow, what a treat to see close up photos of each figure! I really wish I could have gotten my hands on that large scale Godzilla and Cyber Godzilla (and it would't hurt to own the Ultimate animated Godzilla and C-Rex as well). Keep up the fantastic work guys!

I should have bought that prototype at G-Fest I was so excited for this line way back when. I especially wanted the Cyber-Godzilla and C-Rex. Great stuff, and a great article!

Like I said on facebook, this article is awesome! I was not aware of this planned line of toys, so all of this is new to me. I only recently had heard of the Gamera toys.

Great article, I luckily have most of these prototypes and used to have a Hard Copy of the Cyber Godzilla it was awesome.

This cartoon was great and all they had to do was give Godzilla fire breath lol