Super #1 Robot: Japanese Robot Toys, 1972-1982

by Matt Alt, Matt Alt, Robert Duban

Shogun Warriors. Godaikin. Micronauts. They came in their legions, leaping straight from Japanese TV sets onto toy shelves. Shiny, outrageously colorful, sporting spring-powered missiles and "rocket punches"they were unlike anything seen before. Super #1 Robot showcases these unique action figures created during the heyday of Japanese robot toys, 1972 to 1982. From Popy's classic "Chogokin" Mazinger Z to Takatoku's Valkyrie (the first seamlessly transforming toy), these are the pinnacle of modern Japanese robot toys, and transformed not only themselves, but also today's toy culture.

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2005

About the author

Matt Alt lives in Tokyo with his wife and frequent collaborator, Hiroko Yoda.

Reviews

[Michael DeGregorio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all pictures so I don't know if I should get credit for "reading" a book, but oh well. Many excellent pictures of robot toys!!! WOO!!!!!! BAM ZAP POW

[Douglas Summers-Stay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pictures of Japanese robot toys from the 70s and 80s. These were the precursors to Transformers, like Mazinger Z, Gundam, and Voltron (Future Beast Combination Golion.) Many had die-cast parts. They tended to be primary colors, black, white, and silver.

[Erik Erickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randomly discovered this book in my sporadic web searches for early 80s Godaikin robot toy info. I love the essential history at the front and the full-color illustrations of selected Japanese robot toys in chronological order. And having the information about manufacturer, TV show, model, and character name is great. I just wish the book were larger, like 12” tall to fit the subject better. And I wish it had more complete examples of the key lines. But we’re lucky to have a book like this at all! And the creators did such a good job. Im very happy to have discovered it. I bought two copies: a cheaper copy in poorer condition to keep out - literally on the coffee table - and one that’s in really good condition to sit on the shelf. Like a good collector.