#chodo

Hot on the heels of the announcement of Ultraman Blazar, it has been revealed that the titular hero of the new series is the last figure in the recently-revealed CHODO α6; alongside Z Delta Rise Claw, Geed, Zero and Belial. Even more than Decker last year, this marks the shortest amount of time it has taken for an Ultraman to join the CHODO line; only a month after the series starts airing.

The candy toy figure features a heavy amount of red, blue and black paint to recreate Blazar's very unique appearance, with the crest on the head and the complex colour timer on the chest also fully realized. A comparison below shows that the figure comes very close to fully representing the suit, with only certain black details missing. Interestingly, the effect part included is a punch rather than a beam; implying that may be Blazar's signature finisher in the series.

CHODO Ultraman α6 releases at general retail in August 2023 for 720 Yen per box.

So this puppy was waiting for me at the comic book store yesterday.  I ordered it a few months ago, and after how well Mezco did with the Popeye 5-Points Boxed Set that I purchased a few weeks back, I was excited to get this home and open it.

Mezco’s 5-Points line of figures consists of smaller, 4-inch tall figures with only 5 points of articulation.  Now, normally, I tend to avoid action figures with minimal articulation.  But this is Mezco doing Ultraman, so I had to check it out!

The box sets come with cardboard dioramas that you can assemble for more play action!  The Ultraman and Red King set comes with a diorama of Tatara Island, where they first clashed.  I didn’t assemble the diorama because there is no safe way of disassembling it afterward, and I don’t have a spot to display it.

At first glance, Ultraman is a pretty solid figure..  The sculpt is nice, opting for the more muscular build Ultraman has been sporting the last few decades, as opposed to the slimmer build he had in the original series when he was played by Bin Furuya.

I am, however, disappointed that the silver portions of his costume have been painted a drab gray.  I can see a paint job customization in this fellow’s future.

Ultraman is articulated at the neck, shoulders, and hips (his 5 points).

This doesn’t give him a large range of motion.  And because his feet are rather small, it’s difficult to keep him standing up without using the base that is included .  Luckily, if you were to display this Ultraman separately somewhere, the base is small and doesn’t take up more real estate than the future itself.

Ultraman also comes with two interchangeable arms, so you can pose him firing his Spacium Beam.

The Red King sculpt is also very good, considering the smaller size of the figure.  Red king has such a distinctive look that someone would have to do a very bad sculpt job to make him unrecognizable (and yes, I’ve seen quite a few of those in my day).

Red King’s feet are large enough that he doesn’t need his base to stand.

His 5 points of articulation are his shoulders, hips, and the base of his tail.

Red King also comes with his favorite boulder with which he can throw at or smash Ultraman over the head.

Oh, it’s a duel to the death!

I don’t know whether Red King is surrendering or he’s upset because he dropped the boulder on his toe.

After the battle, it’s time to practice their ballroom dancing.

All in all, I’d give Mezco a solid B+ for this set.  I’m glad that they’ve obtained the Ultraman license, and I’d love to see them do more conventional action figures (One:12 Collective, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!) of Ultraman , his cohorts, and their kaiju opponents.

I like the 5-Points line from Mezco.  I know it’s marketed as a more affordable option for collectors (especially as the prices for everything seem to be climbing).  However, while I think the limited articulation was great for the Popeye Boxed Set, I don’t think it’s the best option for Ultraman.

Besides, you can still do a smaller figure, for less money, and not sacrifice articulation.

As an example, allow me to introduce you to Bandai’s Shodo/Chodo (I’ve seen it spelled both ways) line of articulated 4-inch figures:

Here is the Shodo/Chodo Ultraman figure I just took down off my shelf (he’s not hairy, just dusty) next to Mezco’s 5-Points Ultraman.

The Shodo/Chodo figure is actually painted silver.  He comes with four additional hands (many figures in the line come with even more) that attach to a stand.  The figure also has 16 (!) points of articulation.

The Shodo/Chodo figures are sold in individual boxes which include instructions and a piece of gum (it looks like a Chicklet, if anyone these days knows what those are).

And the retail price is $5-$8 USD.  I could’ve bought between 4 to 7 Shodo/Chodo figures for the price of the Mezco set.

Bandai has dozens of Shodo/Chodo figures that they’ve produced in the last ten years or so.  There is a Kamen Rider line that I’m aware of, but my focus has just been on Ultraman figures.  Here you see my Ultraseven Shodo/Chodo figure next to his older brother.

I will be the first to admit that the stands the figures come with are not the best, although they are great for storing the extra hands each figure comes with.

In addition to the extra hands, the Shodo/Chodo line also has accessories bundles available that contain other different items for the Ultras, including beam effects.

One of the items available in the accessory boxes are stands that attach to the figure via the hole in the back.  These stands, which have clear plastic arms, allow you to place the figures in flying or leaping poses.  I don’t have any out on my shelves right now (shelf space is very much at a premium right now) or I’d post a photo.

I have nothing near a complete collection, but the Shodo/Chodo Ultraman figures I have, including the two shown here, are: Tiga, Zero, Ace Killer, Gomora, Alien Temperor, Belial, King Joe, Bemstar, Baltan, Darkclops Zero, Ultraman 80, Alien Magma, Astra, Zoffy, Leo, Geed, Taro, Jack, Ace, Rosso, Blu, and Ultraman X.

Mandarake used to be my go to place to get these figures, but since the pandemic hit their shipping rates have been astronomical.  You can find plenty of these figures on eBay, but the prices are super-inflated; I’ve seen Shodo/Chodo figures going for over $90!!!!!  A bunch of goniffs, if ya ask me!

My point being, after all that long-windedness, is that it is possible to provide an inexpensive, well-articulated, small-scale figure figure.  Heck, if I were in charge of Mezco (hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?) I’d strike a deal with Bandai to produce the figures for their box sets.

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Chapters: 1/1

Words: 6,345

Fandoms: 呪術廻戦 | Jujutsu Kaisen (Anime)

Relationships: Choso/Todo Aoi

Summary:

“Todo is very important to me,” Yuuji said sternly. “As strange as he can seem sometimes, he’s kind and very dear to me, so I need you to make an effort.” Choso stared into the bottom of his steaming hot cup of tea, his nose scrunched in annoyance at even the thought of having to make an effort with Todo of all people. “Can you do that, Choso?” Choso couldn’t refuse. The universe was against him. “...Fine.” “You don’t sound so sure…” “I can do it. I said I can do it.”

@jjkrarepairfest prompt 11: Enemies to Lovers

Being a line that begun with a Z form and has been releasing many more along the way, it is perhaps no surprise that CHODO α's sixth wave reveals start with the popular New Gen Ultra's final form; Delta Rise Claw. Coming with a Zestium Beam effect and pose hands, the form's characteristic gold, red and blue colouring is recreated with paint throughout the body.

Continuing the candy toy wave's lineup is another popular New Gen Ultra, Ultraman Geed; in his base Primitive form. The figure's head is newly molded to be much more accurate than the last SHODO release of the character, and the included Wrecking Burst beam effect is laced with lightning molding.

Third in the wave is yet another release of Ultraman Zero, included again in his base form due to his popularity making his release in the second wave hard to find. To differentiate him, this release comes with an alternate head with the sluggers detached rather than a beam effect.

The fourth figure in the wave is the popular villain and rival to Zero, Ultraman Belial. Cast in black plastic with red paint detailing and a purple colour timer, this figure stands out with his bulky body and large clawed hands making for a unique appearance. The Deathcium Beam effect is included launching from his open palm.

For the accessory box of the wave, Delta Rise Claw's partner and sword Beliarok is included; as is Geed's Geed Claw. To go along with his slugger-less alternate head, Zero receives both his twin sluggers and the Zero Twin Sword. Finally, Belial's Giga Battlenizer staff weapon is included as well.

However, this is not all there is to the wave -- one more figure is to be included that is not yet revealed, to be shown at a later date; making this a wave of 5 figures total.

Ultraman CHODO α6 releases at general retail in August 2023.

Following the latest episode of Decker last night, the official Bandai Candy Toy blog has officially revealed the fifth wave of 4' Chodo α Ultraman figures. Most notable is the inclusion of Taiga, who the blog notes was a popular request from fans in surveys; and as such the wave is somewhat themed after him, including both his father Taro - Ultraman No. 6 - and his archnemesis Tregear. Also included are new versions of the popular Mebius, and the leader of the Ultra Brothers Zoffy.

As-is the case with all Chodo α figures, each Ultra includes in addition to alternate hands an extra hand with a beam effect -- Taiga's Taiga Blaster, Taro's Strium Beam, Zoffy's M87 Beam and Mebius' Mebium Shoot. Tregear however deviates from this pattern, instead including a hand holding the Tregear Eye; his signature transformation item. Tregear is also noted to come with various character-appropriate alternate hands to recreate his expressive nature on the show.

A sixth box includes extra accessories for the wave, including the Supreme Blaster as a second beam option for Taiga; the Beta Capsule held by Zoffy in the final episode of the original Ultraman; an alternate wrist for Taro featuring his King Bracelet; Taro's Bracelet Lancer; an finally a building setpiece, specifically based on the building Mebius used as a shield in his first episode.

Chodo α Ultraman 5 releases at general retail in May for 590 Yen per box, with pre-orders to begin on December 20th.