American Samurai Zords vs. Japanese Shinkenger Mecha: Which is Better?
 

Alright, first time poster here witha serious query.

I've been collecting the American Samurai zords, because while I haven't paid attention to the Power Ranger TV series very much within the last few years, I'm still fascinated with (or if you prefer, a sucker for...) combining mecha, and the combining Zords have always been my favorite things about Power Rangers. So I've been collecting the components to build the Samurai Gigazord (and ignoring that awful looking brick that was released recently).

Out of curiosity, I browse about online to look at images of the Japanese Shinkenger toys, and other than Shinken-Oh coming with the shield and its components able to fold into their Origami forms, I don't see anything special about it that would justify the $95+ price tag I'm seeing JUST for Shinken-Oh!

What I'm trying to ask is are the Japanese toys a better quality than BoA's American offerings, or did Bandai actually somewhat outdo Japan's take on Shinken Haoh (I believe that's what the Gigazord is called in Japan, I apologize if I'm wrong)?

I still fully intend to complete the US version because it'd be cheaper, but I was honestly curious and thought I would ask the experts here on the board.

Typically the Japanese versions of the mecha are superior in build quality (i.e. plastic type, die cast, etc). The biggest difference between the Samurai Megazord and Shinken Oh is the Origami mode (or in the formers case, the lack thereof). The Dragon Zord for Shinken Oh is also more accurate to the show instead of the long brick that the Samurai version is. Shinken Oh also has gold chrome bits where the Samurai has gold paint. Shinken Oh is a bit "chunkier" than Samurai but I actually prefer the Samurai Megazord's slimer proportions. Overall it comes down to preference and willingness/ability to part with money. If I had the money I'd always buy the Japanese versions. I actually prefer to buy the minipla/candy toy versions as they are A) fun to build B) transform pretty much like the DX mecha C) have WAY more articulation and D) are typically WAY cheaper than the DX mecha.

Ah, I do recall the new Dino Megazord being less quality than the original release, which was imported... The American version sounds like the cheaper alternative that I'd like to stick with for now. But I'll give some thought to the minipla/candy version you mentioned though!

Thanks for that bit of info. :)

Well the DX ShinkenOh IS coming over here next year:
SDCC 2012 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Display
http://www.tokunation.com/attachment...4&d=1342065228
Sentai Series ShinkenO Megazord

Along with the Dragonzord, right? :p

BoA hasn't announced one yet. Back in 2010 they were planning it iirc but it was canceled.

Oh... I'll be damned. XD That'd be neat,but I can see that being a Toys R Us exclusive though.

That was the joke. I seriously doubt this will get released, just like the 2010Dragonzord.

I would say the Japanese releases are definitely of better plastic quality, but in no way are the Samurai Zords shabby releases. They're both solid toylines. The Clawzord, for instance, should be the standard for down-sized mecha in the future. I don't have the full Gigazord, but I did hear that the connections are not up to the Haoh's standard. Also, most of the time the Japanese toys are more screen accurate, too, with the folding feature and accurate transformations.

However, the Samurai Zords do have a few nice touches that the Shinkenger mecha don't. The individual Megazords are often more proportionate than the Japanese mecha, such as the Samurai Megazord, Clawzord and Bullzord. The Samurai Megazord also allows you to store the sword in individual Zord form, something that would be annoying for the Shinkenoh with its shield and sword left aside. Finally, the biggest difference is the price, I don't think it's really affordable to collect all 11 Shinkenger Origami as they can be monstrously expensive.

Was there ever a 2010 Dragonzord announced and shown? Or was it just fan speculation?