The Godzilla Monsterverse is not optional in Mephitsu towers thanks to the passion and knowledge of my son who has embraced all of the various Godzilla eras and can tell you about the varying storylines from the Showa to the Heisei series and beyond. It was his fandom that led me to the review of a selection of NECA Godzilla figures - and he has assisted in the following, fact-checking and making sure I am aware of the backstory for each! Not bad at age 11.
After a series of blister-carded Godzilla figures spanning 2014 to 2018, NECA moved to a boxed Ultimate format in 2019 for all of its Godzilla products. The line was invigorated by the Godzilla : King of the Monsters movie, and that led to re-releases and new sculpts for many of the older Godzilla appearances.
The 2003 Godzilla from Godzilla : Tokyo SOS was a 2020 release in the new Ultimate boxed format and based on the 2003 movie from the Millenium series.
As is the way with most Ultimate series releases from NECA, the box is fully enclosed and uses artwork from the original movie poster, including the Japanese text which is then subtitled in English underneath. The box front is an opening flap, held in place by Velcro, and once opened the figure is revealed as is an image of the figure on the inside of the front flap. The rear of the box uses the same logo for the movie, but we now see a couple of panels showing off more shots of the actual figure in a NECA diorama photo shoot. Under this sits a short synopsis for the movie, that reads.
"Godzilla awakens at the bottom of the sea, one year after surviving a vicious battle against Mechagodzilla. Now baring an enormous scar from the battle, Godzilla makes landfall again. As Mechagodzilla is prepared to defend Japan once more, Mothra and the Shobojin appear and offer a vital clue to the reason why Godzilla continues to attack. Now the government must make a crucial decision - follow the Shobjin's orders or battle both Mothra and Godzilla"
The box front is an opening flap, held in place by Velcro, and once opened the figure is revealed as is another image of the figure on the inside of the front flap. Once opened you are presented with the main figure and the tail as separate pieces. All the Godzilla figures need assembly this way and a small insert instructs you how to do this by soaking the tail in hot water first. The fit on the tail is not great, and the tail has a habit of falling out of the socket.
2003 Tokyo SOS Godzilla follows the usual execution of a Godzilla figure from NECA with a solid heavy plastic body cast in grey with ridged, reptilian skin texture across the body. His scar, inflicted by Mechagodzilla, is sculpted into his chest. While his spines are cast in a softer material and plugged and glued into sockets on the back. He measures an impressive 7.5-inches tall and a staggering 17-inches from tail to nose, making him on of the longest Godzilla figures from NECA - predominantly because of the tail length.
Paint apps include a lighter grey applied to the body to define the skin texture further, and an even lighter application to the spines on his back. The nails on the hands and feet are picked out in a brown bone finish. And the eyes are picked out in white with black pupils. The inside of the mouth is painted in a deep fleshy red, with the teeth painted in a bone white colour.
Articulation on 2003 Godzilla is a hefty 27 points of articulation, with the monster tail jointed in no less than 9 positions making it very poseable including the ability to start bending it round to the side of Godzilla. The legs are a standard three joints with limited movement due to the bulk and shape. The arms are much more mobile and articulated down to and including the fingers. A further three body joints on the torso and neck add some further motion, although the rubber skirt applied around the neck to give the 2003 Godzilla his unique shape does restrict movement. Again we have an articulated jaw.
Godzilla 2003 is a beast in terms of size and weight with an impressive articulation count. He is well sculpted and painted and there is not a great deal to bemoan other than the way the tail connects and doesn't seem to want to stay connected. If you are a fan of the Tokyo SOS Millenium Godzilla look, then this is a figure to track down before they disappear completely now NECA no longer holds the Godzilla license.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, NECA, godzilla, toho, tokyo SOS