Let's talk about the latest information on SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GX-104 GAOFIGHGAR!

In this blog post (Part 2), we'll show off the prototype and introduce the Final Fusion process into the completed GAOFIGHGAR. We'll also talk about the post-fusion play value and details, and take a look at the first ever sculpting of the Hypersonic Flight Mode form!

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Shizu-Mecha here! We'll continue from last time with the Mega Fusion!

Following the Part 1 of the review, which introduced GaoFar and the new GaoMachines, we'll now explain (calmly!) what happens after Final Fusion is authorized!

>> Click here for Part 1 of the review!

SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GX-104 GAOFIGHGAR retains and improves upon points from SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GX-68 THE KING OF BRAVES GAOGAIGAR (hereafter referred to as GX-68 GOAGAIGAR), and has compatibility with tools such as SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GX-69 GOLDYMARG. Those reviews are linked below, so please have a look.

*The product described in this article is GX-69R GOLDYMARG [Ultimate King of Braves Ver.] (Tamashii Web Shop orders have been closed). However, it has the same shape and compatibility with the GX-104 GAOFIGHGAR as the GX-69 released in 2015.

* The images displayed in the article are of prototypes. They may differ from the actual finished product.
*Due to the nature of the article, some explanations have been simplified, and some of the images don't contain all of the parts. Please refer to the instruction manual included with the actual product.
*Click or tap the image to display an enlarged pop-up.

■ Final Fusion into GAOFIGHGAR

Start by deploying the Phantom Ring generator on the chest. In the photograph, you can see that, beneath the shutter than can be opened and closed, there is a structure that can be rotated. The Final Fusion begins when the hexagonal opening appears!
Return both of GaoFar's legs to the Phantom Gao form, then rotate the waist 180 degrees, just like GaiGar, and unfold the side skirts.

Split Drill Gao II into left and right pieces, then fold the drill and back pieces (GAOFIGHGAR's feet) and insert GaoGar's legs. There is a concave joint on the GaoFar side and a convex joint on the inside of the drill, and the leg is locked by folding the drill toward the knee.

Next is Liner Gao II!
The auxiliary rocket from the first part of the review returns with a bang! I'm sure you've seen the gimmick video, so after firing the 6 auxiliary rockets, calmly put them away along with the removed base, and unfold the main body until it's completely straight.

Pull GaoFar's shoulders and arms behind its back. This is the part where GaoFar's unique transformation structures, such as arm direction and the folded Z-shaped base, are most apparent. Lower the plate-like parts on the back to lock both arms in place.

Here's the torso piercing scene you've been waiting for!

It can also be reproduced with the GX-104 GAOFIGHGAR.

(For the purpose of this explanation, only Liner Gao II has undergone the transformation.)

Pass the Liner Gao II with the wings folded at the tip through the GaoFar, and bend both ends to make a shoulder shape. The GX-68 GAOGAIGAR’s gimmick of expanding its back when combined with Liner Gao that delighted fans is alive and well. And what’s more, with the GX-104 GAOFIGHGAR...

...the width of the upper arms expands with a built-in spring when the arms stored in Liner Gao II are expanded.
These gimmicks come together for three features: the transformation of the GaoMachine, a fusion sequence that recreates the excitement of the anime, and GaoFighGar's arresting proportions.

Finally, Stealth Gao III joins up for the Final Fusion finale!

Stealth Gao III is also an exciting part full of original toy elements. I know we've gone over a lot of information already, but... Stay with me, okay?!

Lower the embedded parts that will become GAOFIGHGAR's forearms and lower chest pieces and open the bottom of the machine. GAOFIGHGAR's helm and GaoFar's post-fusion exposed neck fits inside. Here, slide the entire block up and around the head.

Put GaoFar's arms inside the base of Stealth Gao III and dock it. For GAOGAIGAR, this arm storage space in the bottom of the machine is like a special box for the arms, which makes it very stable.

Pass the lower chest parts under the armpits and fix them to the left and right of the phantom ring generator. Then cover the GaoFar's head with the front and rear split helm.

Just like the GX-68 GAOGAIGAR, the G-Stone on the forehead comes out when pushed from inside and the fists rotate when they come down. The original toy interpretation preserves the robust transformation and ensures that every point that makes the Final Fusion a true Final Fusion has not been left out!

GAO!

FIGH!

GARRRRR!

Reborn to protect mankind from all threats,
the fighting mechanoid, also known as the King of Braves!

GAO!

FIGH!

GARRRRR!

The King of Braves is born anew with the SOUL OF CHOGOKIN!

This figure stands at an overall height of about 260 mm, the same as the GX-68 GAOGAIGAR. Due to the almost completely new body shape and the Stealth Gao upgrading to III, however, the width has been increased. In addition, the colors have been desaturated, giving it a more solid look. Eight years after the release of the GX-68 GAOGAIGAR, this is the moment when the King of Braves is born again!

GaoFighGar stands out by using G-Stone technology comprised only of machines made on Earth. From a design perspective, GaoFar uses same gray as ChouRyuuJin and others, which gives it a more authentic manufactured feeling compared to GaoGaiGar. SOUL OF CHOGOKIN focuses on this point, and by adding molds and surface configurations, the figure's sense of density while emphasizing its mechanical impression is increased.

Excluding the parts that attach to the main body of GAOFIGHGAR (such as the head, interchangeable hands, etc.), pictured above are the leftover parts when GAOFIGHGAR is complete. The parts structure is much more complicated than GAOGAIGAR, but in the SOUL OF CHOGOKIN style, there is a concave-convex fit at the connection points. When transformed correctly, the GaoMachines combine securely with each other.

Even after the Final Fusion, this GaoMachine is jam-packed with gimmicks that are fun to play around with!
The calf tracks can be attached or detached either before or after combining. They're fun to look at when combined, or just to touch when detached!

For the head, you can choose between the front-and-back-split type built into the Stealth Gao III or switch it out with the the more appearance-oriented interchangeble head (as seen in the above image).
It's completely up to you whether you want to play with the fearless front-and-back-split type for complete transformation, or with the appearance-oriented type attains a detailed sculpting of its powerful face. Both of them look great!

The neck has an arched rail at the base of the helm, which you can turn left and right while Stealth Gao III and the helm are connected. The front-and-back-split type has a lighting hole on the top of the head, and if you shine a small, bright light (a smartphone light is recommended) on it, the translucent parts of the head, such as the forehead's G-Stone, will glow. This is one of its classic toy gimmicks.

The appearance-oriented head features a base with axis rotation, which allows for complex poses such as turning the neck while looking to the side. Both faces look great, so either can be recommended for both play and display! They were molded with particular attention given to the face when viewed from below—a perspective often seen in the tranformation sequences.

"I'll show you GaoFighGar's Evolual Ul-Tech power!"

Add cover parts to both wingtips of the deployed Stealth Gao III to reproduce the activation of the Ul-Tech Engine! The shining green light was captured by painting silver and metallic green over clear material. In this form, the figure is even bulkier! The metallic texture really shines in GAOFIGHGAR's design.

Protect Wall!

Broken Phantom!

All five finger joints on the hands are movable. Combine that with the fixed forearm and Phantom Ring set, and you can reproduce both offensive and defensive techniques with both arms! You can also recreate the firing pose of the Broken Phantom technique by using a TAMASHII STAGE (sold separately).

The action is also reborn with SOUL OF CHOGOKIN's GAOFIGHGAR! Liner Gao II has a built-in drawer extension structure, which allows the extended parts to twist. This makes it possible to twist the shoulders (upper image). Shoulder poses can bring a variety of techniques to life.

Let's not forget the most powerful special move from the GaoGaiGar era, Hell and Heaven!

Swap the chest and hand partsfor specialized ones to recreate the technique.

In the "FINAL" OVA, Hell and Heaven was unleashed in order to stop Repli-Mamoru, who had strayed from the path. Then it was used a second time against Palparepa. Both scenes ended in tragedy...not only because of Guy's passion, but also because of his courage. They're iconic scenes that really make you feel the tragic determination of Evoluder Guy.

That's what makes GaoFighGar so cool!

GAOFIGHGAR can be equipped with the Dividing Driver from the GX-68 THE KING OF BRAVES GAOGAIGAR and the GX-69 (or GX-69R) GOLDYMARG (sold separately). GAOFIGHGAR comes with the same clear green figure and hammer support pedestal (pictured above) as the GX-68X STAR GAOGAIGER OPTION SET [The Ultimate King of Braves ver.].

■ Hypersonic Flight Mode

"The King of Braves GAOGAIGAR" novel (as well as the currently serialized comic based on the novel) "The King of Kings ~GaoGaiGar vs Betterman~" depicts the true chronological ending after "FINAL." Now, for the very first time, SOUL OF CHOGOKIN has recreated the Hypersonic Flight Modeas featured in the novel!

While structurally a combination of GAOFAR and GaoMachines, the joint parts dedicated to the transformation create the complete form of GAOFIGHGAR. With a length of approximately 400 mm in its completed state, this hefty figure is a must-see.

The one with courage is the one who wins!

The March 2023 issue of "Monthly Hobby Japan" (on sale now) contains an interview with Director Yoshitomo Yonetani about the SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GAOFIGHGAR. We have some special pictures from the review and comments from Director Yonetani below!

Yonetani: This handshake picture is wonderful. It's fun to imagine that it might be possible in the world of "The King of Ruin." You might think that it's simply a matter of arranging GAOGAIGAR and GAOFIGHGAR side by side and having them shake hands, but it would be difficult with a normal toy because the Stealth Gao would knock against each other or the hands wouldn't reach. I think this is a picture that will go down in history!

Please check out the full interview in the magazine, which includes his thoughts about SOUL OF CHOGOKIN, the secret story behind the birth of GaoFighGar, and even more special photos and comments. We owe Director Yoshitomo Yonetani a big thank you!

＞＞Monthly Hobby Japan Official Website

＞＞The King of Kings ~Gaogaigar vs Betterman~ the COMIC Official Site

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First, the important figure that stands proudly at the forefront of all eight entries in the Brave Series: GaoGaiGar. Next, the heroic robot that stood against the strongest God of Destruction, Genesic GaoGaiGar: GaoFighGar. In this two-part review, I hope I've adequately described how thoroughly SOUL OF CHOGOKIN has captured the totally unique appeal of both the character designs and the character concepts, sparing no detail.

Above all, I expect the heroic readers who have stuck with me this far will no doubt remember the courageous figure of GaoFighGar, whose great deeds stood out in "The King of Kings," and whose heroic destruction was seared into the minds of viewers in a way that GaoGaiGar and Genesic GaoGaiGar could never depict. GaoFighGar is a figure that will forever be tied to mythos of "The King of Braves GaoGaiGar." 

Grab the key to victory, SOUL OF CHOGOKIN GX-104 GAOFIGHGAR, in July 2023!
Retail reservations begin February 9!

©サンライズ

Writing/Photography: Shizu-Mecha (@shizumeka)

* The images displayed in the article are of prototypes. They may differ from the actual finished product.
*Other SOUL OF CHOGOKIN items appearing in photos are sold separately.