Takatoku Robot Combat Action Goshogun
  
Where's the Beef?? HERE's the robot Beef-- meaty, chunky, solid, diecast, whack-a-mole heft. Standard diecast is not enough for Takatoku, here they added brass in case you had doubts about their engineers. Combat Action Go Shogun by Takatoku was made to last and sink your toy shipping budget.
  
Diecast robot collectors are fond of lumping the robo world into two categories, one for DX gestalt combiners, like the Godaikin Voltes V and Voltron DX, and then the ST world of 5" static pose robots. There is this sub culture for engineering deviants that just defy a category. This is a "Medium sized" transformer that fits between the "ST" Goshogun and the DX gestalt. I believe the anime never mentioned a battle tank; engineers willed its existence.
 
First take a 10" by 11" box and swaddle the toy in an overabundance of Styrofoam. Next add a red ninja-peacock back fan for kicks. Have it fold up into a single blade OR expand to five cloven back fins. Secure a yellow Egypt-esque ornament on the forehead. Inject over seven inches of primary colored diecast and you've got the beginning of Goshogun. This guy has soul.
Features include shooting toes, shooting fists, folding back fins, a chrome sword, a battle axe, a missile shooting backpack, and a transformation into a tank. I can feel the essence of Time Bokan Daikyojin.
  
Begin the transformation by sliding each shoulder down towards the knees via a slot in the side of the chest. Compress the arm, shoot the fists off, and cajole the removable arm and hip armor. Separate the chest directly in half and rotate the head into the chest cavity. This feature reminds me of Popy's Daidenjin.
  
With the head securely tucked into the chest you will need to push it upward just a tad for a détente fitting. The head press fits into a snug holder so that the brass wheel can operate.
 
On to the toes. Point the toes downward and then grab those luscious weighty treads out of the leg cavity. Again no expense is spared here by Takatoku and the rollers are brass. Wheel holders are made of a sturdy diecast metal that resembles an aluminum alloy. Slide each toe window towards the other, mind the male and female tabs, and then you have a cockpit.
Rotate the peacock tail into a single blade, secure the backpack into two shin slots, add the missiles, and you're ready to shoot away. Goshogun transforms into a space age tank with cobalt blue windows. We've got magic here.
Now I haven't been to Japan, I didn't see these sold originally, but I do have a feeling this is quite a rare toy.; Collectors claim that Goshogun is not that Popular in Japan, so hundreds of thousands of these gems weren't made. I can also vouch that US auctions don't see these sell too often. They have tried to slip into the recesses of toy legend, but alas!, we have a sighting here. I hope you enjoy these photos of a rare bird indeed-- Combat Action Goshogun by Takatoku.
Weight-- 4 1/2 of 5 stars
Transformation-- 3 of 5 stars
Design Beauty-- 5 of 5 stars
Rarity-- 4 of 5 stars |
