


Perhaps Popy's most enduring legacy, the Chogokin (named after a fictional "superalloy" from the animated Mazinger Z series) diecast metal "action figures" caused a sensation when first released in Japan.
#Poppy z metal gobot series
Other notable successes included the Jumbo Machinder series and the Chogokin series of diecast metal robot toys, most notably that of Super Robot characters such as Mazinger Z. It proved a major success as well and paved the way for a massive wave of vinyl and diecast metal renditions of characters from the Japanese kids' shows that dominated the Japanese toy market for more than a decade. (It would eventually go on to sell some 3.8 million units.) In the wake of the success of the "Henshin Belt," Popy introduced a palm-sized, diecast metal version of the bike ridden by the show's title character. Although other companies selling similar products, only Popy's incorporated a light-up mechanism, making it a smashing success despite its then-high retail price of 1500 yen. Its first major success in this vein was a child-sized version of the "Henshin Belt" worn by the hero of the Kamen Rider television series.
#Poppy z metal gobot license
Before long, the company began to license characters and vehicles from popular live-action ( Tokusatsu), Anime and Manga series. Popy was formed by Bandai in July 1971 to distribute products intended for candy shops and other retail outlets outside of the usual toy stores.
