Customer Reviews
Incredible overview of classic chogokin 
2008-06-26
This book contains stunningly beautiful pictures of japanese chogokin (=die cast metal) toys from the 1970's and 80's. Many of the toys are quite rare and hard to find pictures of (like toys made by Takatoku, Nomura, Marushin and Nakajima), even in Internet times. Highly recommended!
Essential book for the Japanese robot collector. 2007-11-07
In addition to Tim Brisko's incredible photography, Matt Alt and Robert Duban provide a brief history of Japanese toys that explains how these toys fit into the grand scheme of things. Recommended!
Great book! 2007-02-24
I bought this book for my husband because he's obsessed with transforming robots. He squealed when he read it. The photography is wonderful and it is like a history book for the ultimate transforming robot fan.
It's About Time 2007-01-04
It's about time an American book in english came out on this subject, authored by people who know what they're talking about and thankfully NOT including tin and wind-up robots from the 60s and earlier. This little paperback is what chogokin collectors would humorously refer to as "robot porn." It's a glossy, high-quality picture book that causes salivation and drooling with the turn of every page. Unfortunately it is by no means a complete encyclopedic manual for all toys diecast during the 70s and 80s, but that can't be expected, considering such an undertaking would produce a book (or morelike a series of books) far heftier than this little paperback. Since that expectation is unreasonable, it is entirely forgivable since this little tome covers quite a chunk of the chogokin, vinyl and plastic market, and a nice variety, as well.
First off the book construction is sweet - small and easily handled, it's like a mini coffeetable book with a glossy softcover. I wasn't expecting such a nicely made little book. There is minimal chitchat and all the talent is poured into the photography of the most mint-looking chogokin robots I have ever seen. I think the thing that I was most tickled about was there was a picture of a mint Tetsujin 28 in the front of the book, and a beat up, played-with, broken and paintchipped version of the same robot in the back of the book. The wear on the used robot shows more as a sign of how much that toy was loved, not abused, and anyone who loves collecting chogokin, I think, would get the same tingly warm feeling looking at that beat Tetsujin 28 as the shiny minty one.
There are a few vinyl robots included in the line-up, and I could think of quite a few chogokin that were left out that could've taken up the pages of the vinyls, as I'm not much of a vinyl collector myself; vinyls are a whole other collector market and I can see why they were included in the book, but then again, I would've preferred that they weren't. Vinyls were usually monsters, but the ones that depict robots were the ones focussed on. All in all they don't take up a lot of space. Also the book is an almost even mix between the comical/humorous chogokin like Robocon and Robodachi and the more serious robot gladiators and team robots like the Godaikins; again these are (more or less) two different collector markets and not everyone collects both. As well, there are some Giant Machinders included, which is not even a scratch on the surface for them since there are quite literally hundreds if not more to collect in that category, but this book is really not meant to be a catalogued record of every robot ever made. Even though one will be able to think of some robots that were left out, all the major ones were included. The only complaint I have is that a lot of them are shown not holding a weapon, when many of them are known for their specific or characteristic weapon(s). Some are shown with a weapon, like Garbin, but too many are just robots standing weaponless. Again, though, this book isn't meant to be an official catalogue, so don't expect accessories to be featured.
If you want lists and cataloging of every robot ever made during the 70s and 80s, there are plenty of online sites that attempt to accomplish such a massive undertaking. But if you want to flip through a nice hefty little book just to get the tingly warm feeling of joy gazing upon the robots of your childhood, this book is totally worth it. It's a little window peephole into the past, but man is it worth peeping.
Fantastic world of J-bots! 2006-10-13
Hi, this is hubby James writing this review...
I just got SUPER #1 ROBOT and it totally rocks. As much as I thought I knew about J-bots, this really showed how much I didn't know. Even if you are well-versed in "super robots" and anime mecha, expect to be surprised by some really far-out machines you've never seen, from shows you've never heard of (but wish you had)!
The photos are wonderful, shot from a proper low perspective, giving these tiny giants their respect. They look like huge works of art here, which in some ways, they truly are. Great work! I am looking forward to Alt's next book very eagerly.
A JAPANESE ROBOT LOVERS DREAM COME TRUE! 2006-03-29
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.
Pure Super Robot Joy 2005-08-03
Finally, an English language book about the Japanese toy robot phenomenon that swept the world in the 70s! Awestruck by Shogun Warriors and Micronauts in those days, I always suspected there was much more to these mysterious visitors from Japan. As an adult, I have rediscovered my childhood robot friends and have been learning about them and even collecting them. If you are just starting on this path as well, this book will be like finding a long lost family album of Super Robot relatives that you never knew existed!
Matt Alt and Robert Duban's tight, capable writing allow the brief 22 pages of text to be informative and entertaining while leaving the rest of this 256 page book for outstanding full page color photos by Tim Brisko. This photographic emphasis shows that the authors truly understand the appeal of Super Robots and their kin. The fantastic designs, colorful forms and dramatic lines of these extraordinary creations captured the imaginations of children across the globe and it's that aesthetic value that takes the spotlight in this book. Let's face it, these rocket punching, brightly colored enamel painted die-cast and plastic toys are exciting to behold and no descriptive text, historical account or checklist could be as satisfying as high-quality photos. The book makes no attempt to be a comprehensive checklist or field guide. Instead, it highlights what the authors believe to be the best of the best Japanese robots from the Super Robot era with an emphasis on representing as many different characters as possible. From Mazinger Z to Gundam, there are plenty of wild creations by toy companies like Popy, Bullmark, Takara, and more! Chances are that your favorite is in there!
Super #1 Robot is a wonderful book, chock full of Chokogin, jammed with Jumbo Machinders, and suitable for both novice and expert Japanese robot enthusiasts!
Super book on Super Robots! 2005-07-29
Excellent photography! At last a coffee table book for the geek in all of us. This is not a book to use as a collector's bible, but to admire the love and craftmanship that was involved in the creation of this tome.
The text is a great introduction into this hobby that is gainins some momentum in the US and speaks of the love and enthusiasm a true afficionado possesses.
And there are some pretty rare toys in here too, just to make the connaisseur drool...
Super7 Likes Super 1 ! 2005-06-19
Got an advance copy and the crew at Super7Magazine highly recommend this must have book...the first in all English with awesome pics by Tim Brisko and prose by Alt and Duban !
Order today !!!
