by Baltan II » Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:35 pm
Ok, I didn't bother to mention it - it felt "wrong" to interrupt the off-topicness earlier, but that's subsided - but a couple of days ago my MH Gigan arrived.
The unpainted green figure's still a few weeks away, but the green Gallery version arrived very quickly. Getting charged $3 shipping yet receiving it in only a couple of days was a very nice surprise. Anywho, the figure itself.
As my first Marmit experience, I was slightly surprised by the thicker, heavier vinyl. This stuff could easily survive a drop on a hard surface, though I will never risk that! It's not unlike the harder plastic that Bandai once used on its older figures - I don't have 80s vintage stuff to compare, but several older Ultraman Gaia kaiju made from the stuff, and they do feel more similar than comparing the Marmit vinyl to a modern squishy Bandai.
With Marmit, Size Does Matter. Half of what makes Gigan so impressive is that he's got height on his side. This is a kaiju that begs to have brethren in-scale with him, because keeping him among 6" figures is useless. Eight-inch Bandais probably aren't a bad fit, but it's been a year since I've owned one, and the style is clearly different.
Monster Heaven Gigan has the same Marusan/Bullmark influence as similar figures (like Marmit's other stuff) but with increased emphasis on accuracy. Gigan looks slightly "vintage" but doesn't have the exaggerated appearance of predecessors. Also, the Gallery version has no bizarre sprays, but relies on proper colors and a detailed sculpt. The only thing intentionally missing is paint on the underside of Gigan's claws, a move I don't understand but does not bring down my love for the figure either.
Rather than try to present an accurate suit like a Bandai Movie Monster would do, Monster Heaven Gigan captures something closer to an ideal character accuracy, at least that's the best way I can express it. He brings nothing new to the table in terms of poseability or design, but this is an intriguing sculpt with a beautiful coat of paint (the green vinyl is good enough on its own, but the body of the figure is coated with a metallic sheen) that will, perhaps forever, be held on a pedestal as THE Gigan figure in my collection!
