Preface
This review is the second review in my review of Transformers: Super-God Masterforce God Ginrai. To read my previous review of Super Ginrai, please click here. Due to Godbomber mainly being an accessory to Ginrai, this review will be rather short.
about the character/toy
Godbomber debuted in the Transformers anime Transformers: Super-God Masterforce as a power-up for the Autobot commander Ginrai. Godbomber was a lifeless drone that was animated by Ginrai's Chokon Power and would act in response to his needs. He could also carry the Transtectors of the Headmaster Juniors, who could also drive him from his cockpit and, in one instance, caused him to transform by uniting their own Chokon Power when Ginrai's power was reduced to the point where he couldn't animate Godbomber. Godbomber's main purpose, however, was to combine with Super Ginrai to form God Ginrai.
Godbomber's toy was released only in Japan in 1988, both individually and in a giftset with Super Ginrai using the name of their combined mode, God Ginrai. The giftset was reissued in 2001 and was released in the United States as Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor in 2003. (With Godbomber becoming the Apex Bomber)
Godbomber's toy was released only in Japan in 1988, both individually and in a giftset with Super Ginrai using the name of their combined mode, God Ginrai. The giftset was reissued in 2001 and was released in the United States as Powermaster Optimus Prime with Apex Armor in 2003. (With Godbomber becoming the Apex Bomber)
Vehicle mode
Godbomber's vehicle mode is an armored trailer. He's not a very particularly good looking one, either. Looking at him from the side and back really shows how gappy he is. On top of his vehicle mode is the God Cannon which is spring-loaded and can fire a Tachyon Missile. (The figure actually comes with two)
Ginrai can pull Godbomber, both by himself and in addition to his own trailer. When you have Ginrai just pulling Godbomber, simply plug Godbomber into Ginrai's trailer port. When you want to have Ginrai pull both his trailer and Godbomber, you have to partially separate the rear of the trailer and slide in the sides of Godbomber's hitch into the slots and close it up.
Ginrai pulling Godbomber, especially in addition to his trailer, is actually rather nice looking, mainly due to length and the fact that Godbomber continues with the blue striping of Ginrai's trailer.
As far as show accuracy, Godbomber has decent show-accuracy in vehicle mode. While he is certainly gappier than in the show (and he obviously can't carry the Headmaster Juniors in vehicle mode), he still does look like what you'd see in the cartoon, just with the caveats of what you need to make a toy vs animation.
Godbomber's vehicle mode measures about 5.3 inches long and all combined with Ginrai and his trailer is about 19.6 inches long.
Ginrai can pull Godbomber, both by himself and in addition to his own trailer. When you have Ginrai just pulling Godbomber, simply plug Godbomber into Ginrai's trailer port. When you want to have Ginrai pull both his trailer and Godbomber, you have to partially separate the rear of the trailer and slide in the sides of Godbomber's hitch into the slots and close it up.
Ginrai pulling Godbomber, especially in addition to his trailer, is actually rather nice looking, mainly due to length and the fact that Godbomber continues with the blue striping of Ginrai's trailer.
As far as show accuracy, Godbomber has decent show-accuracy in vehicle mode. While he is certainly gappier than in the show (and he obviously can't carry the Headmaster Juniors in vehicle mode), he still does look like what you'd see in the cartoon, just with the caveats of what you need to make a toy vs animation.
Godbomber's vehicle mode measures about 5.3 inches long and all combined with Ginrai and his trailer is about 19.6 inches long.
Robot mode
To be blunt, Godbomber's "transformation" to robot mode sucks. He is the prime example of a partsformer, you entirely take him apart, just flip out his feet and head, and then just put him back together.
However, despite Godbomber partsforming, his robot mode is, I feel, the better of his two modes. While looking at it from the side shows that his arms and head are too close to the front of his body, he also lacks the gappiness that plagues his vehicle mode. Godbomber is armed with his God Cannon still, which can either be placed over his shoulder or in his hand.
Articulation wise, Godbomber can swing his arms forward and back, however, he can only swing them forward a little bit otherwise his arm will hit the edge of his wins. You can pop his arms off and place it back on if you want him to pose with his arms pointed completely forward.
For show accuracy, Godbomber's robot mode is actually fairly show accurate. The only real differences are that his head and arms are in a more "normal" position in the show than on the toy.
Godbomber's robot mode measures about 9.5 inches tall.
However, despite Godbomber partsforming, his robot mode is, I feel, the better of his two modes. While looking at it from the side shows that his arms and head are too close to the front of his body, he also lacks the gappiness that plagues his vehicle mode. Godbomber is armed with his God Cannon still, which can either be placed over his shoulder or in his hand.
Articulation wise, Godbomber can swing his arms forward and back, however, he can only swing them forward a little bit otherwise his arm will hit the edge of his wins. You can pop his arms off and place it back on if you want him to pose with his arms pointed completely forward.
For show accuracy, Godbomber's robot mode is actually fairly show accurate. The only real differences are that his head and arms are in a more "normal" position in the show than on the toy.
Godbomber's robot mode measures about 9.5 inches tall.
God Ginrai
The true shining jewel of Godbomber and Super Ginrai, the two of them can actually combine in two ways: as God Ginrai and the lesser known God Breaster (that is what it's called). The God Breaster is nothing special, it's simply Super Ginrai with Godbomber's shiny chrome front on his chest and his wings plugged into his shoulders.
Godbomber however, utilizes all of Godbomber's parts. To combine Super Ginrai and God Ginrai, first make sure that you've taken everything off Super Ginrai. Next, snap Godbomber's legs into Ginrai's feet (make sure the wheels are facing on the inside) and attach the cannons to the ports on the legs. Snap Godbomber's arms over Ginrai's arms. Plug Godbomber's front onto his chest and attach his Godcannon via the side port, otherwise it will stick out too much. Finally, attach Godbomber's wings to what makes his robot mode front, lift up the post resting on his back, plug in the piece with the wings, and fold the post back down.
God Ginrai is easily the best part of this whole set. He's big, imposing, and the chrome chestplate really adds to his look. His only flaw, in my opinion, is how small his wings look. Even his head, which looked too big on Super Ginrai, looks much better in proportion as God Ginrai's head.
Articulation wise, God Ginrai has all the same articulation as Super Ginrai and he can rotate the guns on his legs. So he is a total brick, but he is a very pretty brick.
For show accuracy, he is fairly show accurate to his appearance in the anime. The only differences are his wings are much bigger in the anime and his feet are sloped more like normal feet and not blocks. (If you look at God Ginrai from the side, you can see that this is still sculpted into his feet, but obviously they couldn't change the shape of those parts, so I give them points for at least trying)
God Ginrai measures about 12 inches tall in robot mode.
Godbomber however, utilizes all of Godbomber's parts. To combine Super Ginrai and God Ginrai, first make sure that you've taken everything off Super Ginrai. Next, snap Godbomber's legs into Ginrai's feet (make sure the wheels are facing on the inside) and attach the cannons to the ports on the legs. Snap Godbomber's arms over Ginrai's arms. Plug Godbomber's front onto his chest and attach his Godcannon via the side port, otherwise it will stick out too much. Finally, attach Godbomber's wings to what makes his robot mode front, lift up the post resting on his back, plug in the piece with the wings, and fold the post back down.
God Ginrai is easily the best part of this whole set. He's big, imposing, and the chrome chestplate really adds to his look. His only flaw, in my opinion, is how small his wings look. Even his head, which looked too big on Super Ginrai, looks much better in proportion as God Ginrai's head.
Articulation wise, God Ginrai has all the same articulation as Super Ginrai and he can rotate the guns on his legs. So he is a total brick, but he is a very pretty brick.
For show accuracy, he is fairly show accurate to his appearance in the anime. The only differences are his wings are much bigger in the anime and his feet are sloped more like normal feet and not blocks. (If you look at God Ginrai from the side, you can see that this is still sculpted into his feet, but obviously they couldn't change the shape of those parts, so I give them points for at least trying)
God Ginrai measures about 12 inches tall in robot mode.
Final thoughts
[Disclaimer about bias towards Masterforce and Godmasters goes here]
I feel that Godbomber is an ultimately flawed toy with a mediocre robot mode, a poor excuse for a transformation, and a good robot mode. He is most definitely not worth buying individually.
However, if you were to buy him nowadays, you'd most likely get him in a set with Super Ginrai and I feel that the two of them together is a much better deal than then individually (even though Super Ginrai is fine by himself). As I said in my Super Ginrai review, he usually goes for around $150 at the cheapest, which may be a bit expensive depending on your view of "total bricks" or how much a fan of Japanese Transformers characters is. Despite this, I truly feel that God Ginrai is a fantastic toy that adds plenty of detail to Super Ginrai, albeit one that is more meant to be displayed, rather than played with.
Viola rates Godbomber:
4/10
Viola rates God Ginrai:
9.5/10
I feel that Godbomber is an ultimately flawed toy with a mediocre robot mode, a poor excuse for a transformation, and a good robot mode. He is most definitely not worth buying individually.
However, if you were to buy him nowadays, you'd most likely get him in a set with Super Ginrai and I feel that the two of them together is a much better deal than then individually (even though Super Ginrai is fine by himself). As I said in my Super Ginrai review, he usually goes for around $150 at the cheapest, which may be a bit expensive depending on your view of "total bricks" or how much a fan of Japanese Transformers characters is. Despite this, I truly feel that God Ginrai is a fantastic toy that adds plenty of detail to Super Ginrai, albeit one that is more meant to be displayed, rather than played with.
Viola rates Godbomber:
4/10
Viola rates God Ginrai:
9.5/10