Shogun Warriors (toys)

Shogun Warriors was a line of action figures released by Mattel in North America from 1977 to 1980. The line consisted of several imported figures based on Japanese anime mecha.

TypeAction figures

Invented byPopy

CompanyPopy (Japan)
Mattel (USA)
Toynami (2010)

CountryJapan

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Shogun Warriors

Type	Action figures
Invented by	Popy
Company	Popy (Japan) Mattel (USA) Toynami (2010)
Country	Japan
Availability	1977–80, 2010 (revival)
Materials	Plastic
Features	Giant robots and monsters, including Great Mazinger and Godzilla

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The line was drawn from toys originally produced by Japanese company Popy, based on several anime and tokusatsu shows featuring giant robots. They were originally manufactured in three sizes: 24-inch (610 mm) plastic versions, 3.5-inch (89 mm) die-cast metal versions, and slightly taller but much more detailed 5-inch (127 mm) die-cast versions. Many of the robot’s original names were altered, such as Getter Dragon (Dragun) and Great Mazinger (Great Mazinga). Several vehicles were also offered, as well as a set that could be put together to form the super robot Combattler V (here renamed Combattra). Later on in the line, Mattel introduced toys of Godzilla and Rodan.

The toys featured spring-loaded launcher weapons such as missiles, shuriken and battle axes. Some were able to launch their fists, while the later die-cast versions also had the ability to transform into different shapes. Raideen (here renamed Raydeen), for example, could become a birdlike spaceship. These "convertible" versions were in a sense the precursors to the Transformers line of toy robots.^{[citation needed]} Toward the end of production, Mattel proposed the inclusion of plastic toy vehicles for the 3.5" figures to ride in exclusively in the United States, but these toys were never released for purchase.^{[citation needed]}

Similar to other toy lines during the 1970s, the Shogun Warriors toys came under pressure over safety concerns regarding their spring-loaded weapons. The concern was that children might launch the weapons and hit other children or pets in the eyes. There was also a risk that small children might choke on the small plastic missiles and other parts. Toy manufacturers then faced new regulations as a result of reported injuries received while playing with these toys. Consequently, many toy companies were forced to remodel existing toy lines with child-safe variations such as spring-loaded "action" missiles that would remain attached to the toy. Missiles were also reshaped to have a flat head instead of a pointed one. Because of this, as well as declining sales, the Shogun Warrior toy line was discontinued by 1980.^{[citation needed]}