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Remember when the Power Rangers toys came out, everyone looked at them and went 'why the heck would anyone want to spend money on toys from a show this dorky?' Ah, who woulda thought? Well, Bandai has finally busted-open the toy-vaults in Japan and started to REALLY send stuff state-side. Ok, so if you spent your money on the imports, you're pulling your hair out. Hey, welcome to the global economy. Woohoo!
Not only do these guys have Power Rangers, which is STILL selling, but now they're overwhelmed us with Gundam!!!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!! And to keep things nice and diversified, they're also throwing in another anime piece; The Big O.
Gundam
So what happens when you have about 20 YEARS worth of cartoons and toys? You have a marketing bonanza that will keep fans and toy-nuts going ga-ga for a very, very, very, VERY long time. Now Bandai America brings 'Gundam Zeta' to these shores for the 'toon and toys. AND we see more figures from EVERY OTHER FREAKING GUNDAM SERIES as well. Wow. That's a lot of figures. Oooooohhhhhhhhhhh.
Good; Ah, more VERY cool figs from the umpteenth Gundam incarnation.
Bad; Hey, how about those FIXX figures coming state side?
Ugly; Pay rent... buy figures... pay rent... buy figures...
Power Rangers
I believe these toys, world wide, have earned $1 BILLION. Why? Sure, the show feels like 'Saved by the Bell' Meets 'The Superfriends' but the toys rock. What other toy line gives you sooooooooo many vehicles, figures, and combining robots?
Good; Woohoo! More might merging, morphing mechs! Yes, I was worked hard to get that one..
Bad; When are y'all gonna finally produce some villains to fight the giant merging mechs?
Ugly; But when does the bottom drop out?
The Big O
A very cool cult anime piece. Think Batman Meets 'Johnny Socko and his Giant Robot.' Ok... that's a scary thought, but it does work. Trust me. Hey, bad-ass main-character controlling giant robot fighting OTHER mean-nasty giant robots. Need I say more?
Good; A VERY cool 'toon with all the right toy elements; giant robots, cool main-character.
Bad; Unfortunately, the robot doesn't do much besides make like Godzilla and beat-up stuff. No transformations, no cool hand-weapons, just lots of punches.
Ugly; If you haven't heard of this 'toon... unfortunately, you aren't the only one. :-(