Anybody collect Sentai mecha along with your TFs?

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 2:31 am

Sentai being the Japanese version of what is butchered into Power Rangers for US audiences (especially since Disney got a hold of it.. urgh). I got started on Power Ranger mecha ("megazords"), but thanks to the Internet, I've been able to get ahold of the Japanese toys which, like TFs, are in many cases superior to the US versions.

The mecha for the soon-to-be-ending GoGo Sentai Boukenger are particularly sweet IMO, with 13 different vehicles being able to interact with one another (not counting the last mecha, DaiVoyager, of which only the arms can combine with the others).

Anyone else into the sentai mecha?

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 2:48 am

I've been getting those too, just the first ten so far. Which was before I heard about what they'd be doing to him for the PR version - seen the DriveMax Megazord yet? My god, it beats out every Hasbro screwover in TF history, bar none.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 5:43 am

Yeah, I had DaiBouken and the other five GoGo Vehicles before pix of that hideous pile of dog vomit they call the DriveMax megazord came out. And you're right, nothing Hasbro has hacked up even comes close to the atrocity that is DriveMax. Amusingly, once pix of the DriveMax started hitting the 'net, there was a run on Boukenger mecha at various online retailers. I was lucky to get SirenBuilder when I did, as I expect the price will go up a bit. I could afford DaiVoyager, but it just doesn't do anything for me.

I also have the DekaRangerRobo from Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, which has pretty decent light/sound features as well as the superb paint apps that the Japanese versions are known for.

Haven't quite made up my mind on the mecha for the upcoming sentai, Juuken Sentai Gekiranger, but supposedly there's going to be over twenty mecha (animal-themed), with varying degrees of interconnectability...

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 2:26 am

Neo Challenger wrote: I also have the DekaRangerRobo from Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger, which has pretty decent light/sound features as well as the superb paint apps that the Japanese versions are known for.

Wasn't able to get that one (wound up with a knockoff, which surprisingly has lights and sounds still) but fortunately got the Blast Buggy well ahead of time - PRSPD toys are hitting Singapore now, and chances of the US Blast Buggy making it are Kate Moss-slim.

I remember getting the four Abaranger arms well ahead of time as well, thank goodness - turns out that Zord Pack with the Parasaur and Ankylo wasn't going to be released here, so I nearly couldn't build this bugger.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/ ... uuOh02.jpg

One funny thing about the wide Asian release of PR toys is that they're starting to get lazy, but in a GOOD way - taking some sentai toys and simply reprinting PR boxes and English instructions for them. It started with Ninja Storm, with the Green Samurai weapon and morpher turning out to be identical to the sentai version. Hopefully this is how they settle the DriveMax debacle.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:50 am

Managed to snag a DekaBikeRobo for a pretty decent price; UPS brought it today. It just blows my mind how the Japanese come up with these mecha, and then the various combinations... The RidingDekaRangerRobo is pretty cool, aside from the idea of a giant mech riding a giant motorcycle, and combining the two into SuperDekaRangerRobo makes a big ol' funky mecha.

Man, I loves me some sentai mecha...

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 10:37 am

Not taking any chances now. Went toyhunting today and snagged Siren Builder (sixth ranger mecha) for US$32.50. Will probably give DaiVoyager and Zuban a miss though.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 7:34 pm

Yeah, I can't justify spending that much $$ for DaiVoyager. I mean, the ship mode is cool, but the robot mode is meh IMO.

Still haven't decided on the GekiRanger stuff; more pix would help me make up my mind tho.

Hound · Post by **Hound** » Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:41 pm

I am intrigued. Post some pictures!

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:40 am

You mean Gekiranger or the other stuff?

Here's some Gekiranger stuff:
http://rangerboard.com/showthread.php?t=97974

shaxper · Post by **shaxper** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 1:56 am

There have been some great Sentai designs over the years. Bioman is still a favorite of mine. More recently, I dig the DX Rescue Megazord and Astro Megazord. Even the recent SPD Combiner (merge team plus motorbike) was pretty sweet.

In addition, I dig the Takara Brave and Popy Chogokin bots. Great stuff!

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:03 pm

I actually have the Astro Megazord and Delta Megazord, from Power Rangers in Space, with Autobot stickers on 'em as well as new names and bios. I have quite a few transforming toys from other lines, such as Power Rangers or Macross, that I've "adopted" as Autobots or Decepticons. Some of the non-transforming Sentai mecha, like the SPD or Boukenger mecha, I've worked into my stories as Cybertronian designed, human-piloted mecha, allowing for search and rescue ops during a Transformer battle.

One of these days I'll write up my fanfic, really I will...

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Tue Feb 06, 2007 5:26 pm

Neo Challenger wrote:I actually have the Astro Megazord and Delta Megazord, from Power Rangers in Space, with Autobot stickers on 'em as well as new names and bios. I have quite a few transforming toys from other lines, such as Power Rangers or Macross, that I've "adopted" as Autobots or Decepticons. Some of the non-transforming Sentai mecha, like the SPD or Boukenger mecha, I've worked into my stories as Cybertronian designed, human-piloted mecha, allowing for search and rescue ops during a Transformer battle.

One of these days I'll write up my fanfic, really I will...

That's kind of interesting. Normally I don't go between toylines myself when I try that - check the Fanart forum for a toy comic called 'Prime Directive', where I cooked up an Alternators Blaster to fill the ranks.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 2:48 am

That 'Prime Directive' is freakin' hilarious!! Your other toy comics are funny too.

Let's see.. "adopted" toys..

-VF-19 Fire Valkyrie and VF-17S Stealth Valkyrie, from Macross 7, as Autobot "Neo Challenger" and Decepticon "Nightmare", respectively
-VF-1S Valkyrie (Skull One) from the original Macross as Autobot "Valkyrion", an Autobot WMD
-YF-21 Omega One/Sturmvogel from Macross Plus as "Voidhawk", an agent of Unicron, and VF-11B Thunderbolt (also from Macross Plus) as Autobot "Ghosthawk"
-Power Rangers Time Force Time Shadow Megazord as Autobot "Deftwing"
-Power Rangers in Space Astro Megazord and Delta Megazord as Autobots "Thunderhammer" and "Deltamax", respectively; they combine into "Hammerblast"
-Masterpiece MP-B01 King ExKaiser as Autobot "Radiant Prime"
-VFA-6Z Alpha Veritech from Robotech (Invid Saga) as Autobot "Omni Superior"

Oh, and some KO combaticons as well as several Star Wars TFs, and I'm sure there's a Power Ranger mecha I'm forgetting. It's only the vehicle-to-robot PR mecha that I adopt and sticker.

At last count, I have 713 TFs (including the adopted ones). About one hundred of that count are Microns/Minicons. I'm sure there are bigger collections, but I'm proud of mine

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 3:58 am

That black Sentai repaint that TRU Japan had during the holidays almost had me buying it a couple of times. I eventually passed on it, though.

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:33 am

Neo Challenger wrote:That 'Prime Directive' is freakin' hilarious!! Your other toy comics are funny too.

Let's see.. "adopted" toys..[...]

My god, that's a lot. All I can remember from my own renamed toys (apart from alt Blaster) is a Dorvack-clored G1 Whirl that I slapped a big fat sticker on, and G2 Dreadwing and Smokescreen - I painted Smokescreen black and renamed the two Thundercracker and Skywarp.

*starts checking for toy to represent Neo Challenger in 'Special Guests'*

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 10:25 am

Here's some pics I took in the office, long before SirenBuilder joined the family, with the help of an extra-large office paper roll.

The first nine vehicles, GoGo Dump, Formula, Gyro, Dozer, Marine (in tractor trailer mode), Drill, Shovel, Mixer and Crane. Yes, it looks like it was shot at night. I call this one Power Rangers: Operation Overtime.

Daibouken in his Optimus-inspired tractor trailer mode.

Daibouken, the starting mecha of the series, in full robot form.

Daibouken with Drill and Shovel arms.

Daibouken with Mixer and Crane arms.

Daibouken with all four auxillary vehicles attached, an official form called Super Daibouken - or KyoDaiBouKen as I call him.

A look at all ten vehicles - Dump, Formula, Gyro, Dozer and Marine come seperate this time. Featuring our first look at GoGo Jet, the extra-large tenth vehicle.

GoGoJet carrying Mixer. Yes, that's the Aaron Hong's pasty-ass white hand.

GoGoJet carrying Crane, which could be used for extracting fallen comrades.

Daibouken with Jet attached, but as cannons instead of a jetpack.

DaiTanken, which looks like a cheap way of sticking the last 5 vehicles together, and doesn't get used often in the show, but it does fill the need for a close-quarters brute-type.

DaiTanKen with Daibouken's Dozer and Marine arms. Upon hindsight I shoulda put the sword in there...

At long last, the final combination of all ten vehicles. Ultimate Daibouken, or ChouKyoDaiBouKen as I call him.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:36 pm

Nice pix! I love the Boukenger mecha, all the various combinations plus the massive mecha cluster**** called Ultimate DaiBouken. In the Ultimate Formation, you can attach the GoGo Vehicles 12 and 13 (from SirenBuilder) to the back of the GoGo Jet, using the pegs that connect the arms in DaiTanken mode. Mmm, sentai mecha goodness!!

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 7:31 pm

http://ooebihara.sakura.ne.jp/toys/sent ... gogoX2.htm

Scroll down to the second last pic and try not to cough blood.

http://ooebihara.sakura.ne.jp/toys/sent ... iren02.htm

Even more here...

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 5:11 am

Yeah I've seen those, just a bit on the "too much time on his hands" side IMO. I used his pix of building MagiKing when I misplaced my instructions for the PR Mystic Force Titan Megazord, tho.

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:52 am

Finally got off my arse and took some proper SirenBuilder pics.

The entire GoGo Rescue team in all their glory. GoGoFire (11), Aider (ambulance, 12) and Police (13). Maybe because they didn't like unlucky number 13 on an ambulance, I dunno.

SirenBuilder features electronics and a unique one-step transformation - it's built like a carjack, and elevating to robot form is apparently called 'Jack Up' - the source of many guffaws in the fan forums.

SirenBuilder fully Jacked Up... sorry.

SirenBuilder with Dozer and Marine arms. Was used in the show, allowing SirenBuilder to borrow DaiBouken's usual finishing strike...

...leaving DaiBouken with SirenBuilder's arms, that just fire these little lasers. What a gyp.

SirenBuilder Drill and Shovel. Appeared on the show. Sadly the Drill arm's finishng move contains the word 'Penetration', which in addition to SirenBuilder's Jack Up ability is something that is a little hard to live down.

SirenBuilder Mixer and Crane. I don't think this ever went on the show.

SirenBuilder Jet. Considering the rescue theme, this one actually has practical applications - EAT DIRT, RAMPAGING FOREST FIRES!!

Just to round off, I give you something I like to call Ultimate SirenBuilder. Somehow it's just not the same...

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:01 am

Can't believe I'm posting this here, but here goes...

I had a dream last night. About DaiVoyager. And this is significant because every time I dream about toys they usually turn out to be badly malformed, not semi-molten but just built very differently, with extra parts and so on. but DaiVoyager turned out spot-on correct, down to the little gears in the body that power the spinning fists. It had elbows that could bend, so that might count... maybe this means I should consider it...

Back on topic, this local collectors' store I know might be bringing in the GekiTohJya next week. That'll be something to watch out for. I read from someplace that apart from the light-up chest and fists, there's lights hidden in the back so that any back attachments will light up as well.

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:31 am

Got the Delta Squad Megazord over the weekend. It's just onemecha for now so I can't quite get the 'big ol' funky mecha' level that Neo does, but I've got something else to dress it up with.

One of these things is not like the others... that would be the Blast Buggy, that gunmetal vehicle in the back. It's a movie-exclusive vehicle that most people didn't think would make it into the Power Rangers SPD toyline, but by some miracle of marketing eventually did.
http://www.jacklynes.com/timefire/extra ... ol_set.htm

Delta Squad Megazord in all his combined glory. Dismantle the Blast Buggy, slap it on and you get...

...DekarangerRobo Full Blast Custom, or the Delta Blast Megazord as I call him.

Switching to this configuration allows the four gatling guns on the Blast Buggy wheels to fire as well. I call this one Delta Blast Megazord: Judgement Blaster Mode.

That's not the end of it though - it turns out that the interconnectability that forms the major feature of the Dekaranger/SPD line even extends to previous seasons. Observe.

Add the Shark, Tiger and Elephant Wild Zords from Power Rangers Wild Force to get the Delta Squad Megazord: Riot Control Mode.

Slap on the Black Bear and Polar Bear Zords to get the Delta Brawler Megazord.

Delta Squad Megazord: Undercover Mode uses the Wolf and Hammerhead zords from the originally evil Predazord of Wild Force.

Delta Storm Megazord borrows the Storm Power Megazord's Lion Turbine arm (from Power Rangers Ninja Storm). The Turbine powers the spinning action of that drill weapon you see in his hand.

Slap on the Samurai Star Megazord as an arm to get the Delta Hurricane Megazord. I don't think he's intended for that kind of payload so I'll just stop here.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 4:18 am

I was kind of hoping that the mecha interconnectability from Wild Force up to SPD would continue with the Boukenger toys, but such was not the case. Oh well. There're enough animal mecha from just GaoRanger/Wild Force to make an obscene amount of combinations, then add to that SPD and Hurricanger/Ninja Storm...

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:20 am

Apparently the arm pegs in Boukenger are the same size as the ones from Abaranger. The one with all the dinos. Actually plugging them together is a different story because of peg length - the holes on Bouken arms are too shallow for the pegs on Aba shoulders.

As you can see here, it works better the other way round. [Pic is not mine btw.]

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Thu May 17, 2007 4:27 am

So I managed to get an OmegaMax Megazord a while back...

and decided to put together this monstrosity below.

EDIT: Saw this posted on another forum.

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:23 am

Hot news. The second mecha from Gekiranger has been unveiled, and it looks like some Beast Wars influence definitely got into this one.

http://www.modxtoy.com/board/index.php?showtopic=33626

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Thu May 24, 2007 2:13 am

Aw, horsefeathers! I wasn't planning on getting into the Gekiranger mecha, but damn those are sweet!

Time to knock off a bank or two to pay for my habit...

Professor Smooth · Post by **Professor Smooth** » Thu May 24, 2007 4:15 am

I'll sell them to you at cost plus whatever shipping is.

Aaron Hong · Post by **Aaron Hong** » Thu May 24, 2007 10:33 am

There's been quite a flood of new Geki toy pics. I'm darned if I know why.

So on top of the three-part mecha from my last post, there'll be three more animals. There's two other confirmed beasts released earlier, an elephant and a bat, which adds to like 11 now.

Neo Challenger · Post by **Neo Challenger** » Thu May 24, 2007 9:28 pm

Professor Smooth wrote:I'll sell them to you at cost plus whatever shipping is.

I'll probably take you up on that, Prof!!