Beast King GoLion (1981)

Popy Chogokin Golion, 1981 The chogokin many Americans owned without knowing the name. The US miniature Voltron III that Matchbox sold in 1984 is largely based on this Japanese toy, and side by side the differences show, down to the lion-head teeth, which are sharper on the Popy version. It is almost all metal apart from the arms, wings and head, and each arm fires a lion-headed fist that can also hold the sword and shield. Pictured is Bandai's reissue in the original's form, due in Japan in March 2027 at 14,850 yen, an easier route in than a vintage original.