5 Inch Series:
Great Mazinga is probably the most popular of the 5 inch series. Here are both the 1st and 2nd edition. On most of the 5" toys, the first year releases had features that were removed (probably to cut costs) on the later year releases. In this case the early Mazinga has better leg articulation, more decorative highlighting, came with 4 fists and swords (later reduced to 2) and a nicer wing design (see below).
[Technicly, I've heard that there are variations between even the later years on 5 inch toys. However, these are very minor compared to the changes made after the first year. With so many other great toys out there, I've never had an interest in pursuing such minor variations.]
Later releases of Poseidon seem to be the most common of the Shogun Warriors toys. Not having "robot punch" fists helped becasue that's one less thing to loose!
The early release featured swing-back rocket launchers and drop down treads on the legs. Both of those are fixed in position on later releases. There are also a few cosmetic changes.
Shown here at the early and later releases of Dragun. The main difference is that the axe-hand on the early version will launch off in a "robot punch" and that it is fixed in place on the later versions. There are also some cosmetic differences.
From my experience, Raider seems to be the least common of the 5" toys. But, it's not particularly impressive, and I've never seen people specificly looking for one, so I don't think there's any added value in that fact. I believe that Raider also came with a fists that can used in place of the drill and launcher. Mine is missing those pieces.
6 Inch Two-in-One Series
The Two-in-Ones represent some of the first Japanese transforming robots to be mass marketed in the USA. Although the transformations and alternate modes were lacking, at best, these could be considered the predecesors that paved the way for the later Transformers, Gobots and Power Rangers lines.
Raydeen is the archer robot that changes into a bird. This toy has probably the best of the transformations in this series.
Shown are the both the American and Japanese releases of the Dangard Ace toy. The differences are only cosmetic. Dangard Ace isn't really much of a Two-in-One as it doesn't transform. In the cartoon, the robot rearranges into a flight mode, with the head detaching and becoming a small fighter jet (see my Action Vehicles page). While the head does shoot off like a missile, this version does not have the transformation.
Easily the most popular of the Two-in-One series is Gaiking. On this toy, the legs detach, the arms and head fold in and this toy becomes the skull head to the space dragon Daiku-Maryu.
Three inch series:
Not much to say about these. They are pretty common and don't really have any features. But they are nice to have...
Combattra, Leopoldan and Poseidon
"17", Grandizer and Gaiking
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