n 2199, the Earth was under attack by Gamilon forces, whose constant radioactive bombardment had made the planet’s surface uninhabitable. With even the underground cities in danger of destruction, the inhabitants were forced to send a mission to the planet Iscandar to retrieve a machine that would rid the world of the deadly contamination. To make the journey, the battleship Yamato, sunken during World War II, was rebuilt as a space ship christened the Argo.
The TV series Space Battleship Yamato originated in Japan in 1976 and aired in the United States as Star Blazers. It remains to this day one of the most popular anime TV series, spawning several subsequent chapters, and is the focus of many attempts at revival, with fan clubs and Web sites dedicated to re-airing the episodes.
Recently, Toycom brought fans an eight-inch die-cast metal and plastic model of the Argo that would be the jewel in the crown of any Star Blazers collection. This model is a reproduction of a 1978 toy that would be a difficult find for most. With the influx of nostalgic toy reproductions, this model allows many to enjoy the thrill of owning the original without having to pay vintage prices.
The bow of the ship features an aperture which houses the massive Wave Motion Gun. The deck of the ship features five rotating main guns and a static battery of smaller weaponry. Underneath the hull of the Argo is a button that deploys a pair of red plastic swept-back wings, while a hatchway opens to reveal a squadron of three tiny Tiger fighter ships.
The model also comes with a display stand that tilts the Argo up on an optimistic angle indicating its mission into space. The stand features vital statistics in Japanese which reveal that this is a 1:1300 scale model, and includes the dimensions and tonnage of the ship.
A model of rugged reproduction
Recalling a more elegant era in toy manufacturing, the die-cast and plastic features of this model are reminiscent of ones produced in the 1960s and 1970s by companies such as Corgi and Dinky, which married rugged, accurate modeling with excellent play value rich with buttons, switches and gadgets.
This model, however, is somewhat more delicate than its kin, making it much more a collector's treasure than a toy for the younger audience. Some of the plastic parts of the ship’s superstructures are ill-fitted onto the metal frame, and feel quite loose. The protrusions seem overly delicate, and though they are made of a malleable plastic that can probably take some abuse, there is a tendency to be overly cautious in handling this model, for fear of breaking a fairly pricey item.
The wings open with a satisfying sound that brings back memories of the good old days and the good old toys. The hatchway is somewhat difficult to open without the aid of some small tool, which is a mixed blessing. While it is harder to launch the squadron of Tigers, the trio of ships are relatively safe in a hatch that isn’t going to fall open at the slightest nudge.
The weight of this toy is impressive. Die-cast metal adds substance to this beautifully intricate model. Holding it is as satisfying as gazing at it, despite the fear that something could break if fingers slip.
Fans of Star Blazers can rejoice in the ownership of this sleek and detailed model. Its main drawbacks are based on an assumption that this is a toy, when in reality it probably shouldn’t be presented as such. This is more in line with Franklin Mint models and, though it is a reproduction, probably deserves to be handled and treated as a vintage toy.
