1980s VOLTRON PART 12 - 1981 GB-36 POPY BEAST KING GOLION

It's finally here today! The original Popy Beast King Golion GB36! I've been wanting this for years but was not willing to pay sky-high prices for it. Few years ago I saw this locally in Malaysia selling for RM6K and it's missing the instructions manual. Then I saw this in Osaka last year, also super expensive. Last month went to Hong Kong and found it but it cost a whopping HKD14,800.00 (about RM8++K). So I decided to fish in eBay. Found one that is sort of complete (except for a few missiles), still has a nice box, cheaper than buying locally and most importantly to me, it has the instruction manual!

I already had the US Godaikin Golion. Why do I still buy this?

Few reasons

1-My Godaikin Golion is mint and complete but is missing the instruction manual. I thought I could find a loose Godaikin Golion manual for sale but I was wrong. Been hunting for it for years and couldn't find it in eBay, FB groups etc. I wanted to make copy of the manual and put it in this set, so it looks more complete.

2 - I like the Japanese packaging art

3 - There are some difference between the Japanese version and the US version. And being a Voltron collector, I gotto have one of these!

There are tears to the corners of the box.

Nice art work on all sides of the boxes.

Luckily the inner cardboard is still very clean and crisp.

The weapons are all accounted for. It would be nice if I can find those blue cardboard casings, then this set will look awesome.

I was worried that this might be KO Lionbot or the USA Godaikin Golion. So the first thing to inspect is the butt of the black lion. It is suppose to have a red Popy logo sticker. Yes it''s there! Phew! This confirms to be the earlier version of Golion. Note: The USA Godaikin Golion doesnt have this sticker.

It has sharp teeth.

Next thing to look out for is the chrome joints and tails on the red and green lion.

In the later versions of Popy Golion, their joints are half chrome and half grey. The USA Godaikin Golion version have grey joints and grey tails.

The firing gimmick still works although the spring inside is weakened.

These lions have chrome wear especially on the yellow and blue lion. Their joints are still ok as all lions can still stand on its own.

Lastly here are weapons.

Something interesting - two of the weapons is in red color compared to the Godaikin Golion which is blue.

One small missiles baggie still have the Popy instruction sheet inside.

The instruction manual have 20 pages - in full color!

There won't be "Let form Voltron" for this toy. The toy is already 36 years old (as of this year) and I am afraid of breakage. And it's quite expensive too. In fact, this is the most expensive toy I've bought todate. (No more toy shopping for the next few months...) Actually the toy is reasonably priced but the shipping cost is crazily expensive.

Overall I am satisfied.