Votoms at 40
April 1, 2023 marked the 40th anniversary of Votoms‘ debut on TV in Japan. Over the year that followed, this milestone was observed through events, new product releases, and an extended celebration for this groundbreaking series. Here’s a roundup of this well-earned birthday celebration.
40th Anniversary Exhibition
Organized by Bandai Namco Filmworks and Hobby Japan, this mini-festival took place from September 1-24 (2023) at Seibu Shibuya Movida in Tokyo. On display were newly-created objects from the “Votoms world,” a huge lineup of model kits and dioramas, production artifacts, original art, and more. And where exhibitions go, commemorative merch follows.
Photo gallery with synth narration
The 38th Kamigusa Model Club Radio show (with photos)
Exhibition merch
Pamphlet
This 48-page beauty sported a new cover painting by Kunio Okawara and offered capsule coverage of all the major works in anime, games, and spinoff stories. (Not as comprehensive as it could have been, but certainly good enough for 48 pages). See it from cover to cover here.
Fabric posters
Postcards
Art panels
Seiko watch
Toolbox by Toyo Steel
40th Anniversary Official Settings books
It’s hard to come up with a better product than this one to mark a big anniversary. They are nothing less than a set of encyclopedias containing every piece of Votoms production art within reach of Bandai and Sunrise, collected in four A4 size softcover books. This includes animation model sheets, color guides, rough sketches, package illustrations, concept roughs, and more.
The first set was published in December 2023 and the second followed in June 2024. They were only sold online in limited numbers. Here’s how they break down…
Bonus item: those who ordered both book sets from the online A-on store received this incentive item, a CD titled Rochina’s Question. In it, Banjo Ginga reprises his role as Jean Paul Rochina in a 35-minute dialogue with Ryosuke Takahashi about the origins of the Votoms TV series. In keeping with Rochina’s character, the interchange is staged as an interrogation, which gets more heated whenever Chirico is mentioned. Includes music and TV narration drop-ins.
Toys and Models
Hi-Metal R Scopedog Red Shoulder Custom, Bandai (Mar 2024)
A preassembled figure with all the option parts for the classic RSC. Bandai followed up with a Turbo Custom later in the year. See a photo gallery of both here.
1/24 Scopedog model, Wave
Takara was the pioneer of Votoms models in 1/24 scale back in the day, and though plenty of garage kits followed at that scale, it took this long for another company to go for a plamo. Fittingly, it was Wave. See a photo gallery here.
1/24 Plamax models
Wave went first, and then Max Factory said “hold my beer” before rolling out the first-ever 1/24 Strikedog plastic model. The first-ever 1/24 Bloodsucker was then announced for November 2024. See a photo gallery of them both here.
HG model kits, Bandai
Bandai took their first step into the 1/35 world (at least, that’s what they look like to me; scale is not indicated on the boxes) with a Scopedog in 2023, a Burglarydog in 2024, and a series of option parts for both (currently up to set 5). See a photo gallery here.
1/8 Scopedog, Hachette
Hachette specializes in large scale models doled out in weekly volumes over extended periods. In May 2024 they announced their intention to release a massive 1/8 Scopedog with a large platform (designed by Kunio Okawara) to provide movement and interactivity. The finished A.T. will stand a whopping 19″ tall when completed.
With a product of this magnitude, a test market phase is conducted to gauge customer interest. After the test run (which put four volumes out into the world), the project was withdrawn for retooling. It was announced for nationwide release in September (see info at the official website here). It will run for 120 volumes, which means it will take until late 2026 or early 2027 to complete.
See a photo gallery here.
Nacchin models, Kotobukiya
One the weirder side of things, Kotobukiya has been releasing their version of Funko Pop figures in the form of these oddly-shaped kits called Nacchin. A scopedog version was created and released in both Gilgamesh and Melkian colors. See a photo gallery here.
MechatroWeGo models, Hasegawa
On the VERY weird side of things, Hasegawa has their own line of oddly-shaped models that are just as adaptable as the Nacchin. They jumped onto the 40th anniversary bandwagon with tie-ins for both Chirico and his Scopedog. A Brutishdog is also in the works. See a photo gallery here.
MeChaCoRo-style models, Choypla
This series has been around for a while, but two new additions were announced at the 62nd Shizuoka Hobby Show, May 2024.
On display were a Brutishdog and a Red Shoulder Custom, both built upon the existing A.T. body frame.
1/48 Scopedog, Takara Tomy
Also announced at Shizuoka was this upcoming stab at a 1/48 Scopedog. It’s referred to as “third time assemble” because Takara launched 1/48 model kits in the early days, and Takara Tomy teamed up for the 1/48 Actic Gear series in 2005. Clearly, they believe there is more to be explored at this size.
1/24 Berserga Phantom Arc Edition, Gaianauts
Another one from Shizuoka: a newly-minted Berserga resin garage kit to match the version seen on screen in The Phantom Arc. Always room for one more!
1/2 scale Brutishdog
And finally, the most impressive Votoms sighting at Shizuoka had to be this huge 1/2 scale Brutishdog with Fyana figure. Constructed out of cardboard over a wood frame, it followed specs found in the Brutishdog Paper Figure published on CD-ROM by Inner Brain Inc. in 1998. See a photo gallery here.
Honorable mention: 1/1 Armor Magnum water gun by Fullcock (reissue)
Things to come: Armored Trooper Votoms Comprehensive Model Exercise, a model kit diorama exhibition to be held November 2024 in Tokyo. Click here for info.