Attempts at Accurate Sizes

This is a continuation of our previous size and scale post. This post serves to highlight examples on why you should not exclusively pursue a “True Scale” and instead stick with a nice aesthetically pleasing approximate scale, or same size versus movie scale.

“True Scale”

One thing I’ve heard a few people mention when discussing MechaStellar or other mecha tabletop gaming is to try and keep things in True Scale, I would actually recommend against that. 

It’s a fun goal, but it can be incredibly cost prohibitive and sometimes it can end up looking worse due to the proportions or being off. That’s why we will always recommend “Approximate scale” or same size “Vs Movie scale”.

True scale is a bit of a misnomer since the majority of figures are non-scale, so perhaps it would be better to say correct height. This is fine if you exclusively do scale model kits but if you’re trying to do this with figures from various mecha series it can be an exercise in futility. Allow me to demonstrate why in three steps.

#1 The Price

First thing to consider is the price. When you are trying to have your figures represent an accurate height you will need larger figures, and larger figures are often expensive. Very expensive, especially for a young person getting into the hobby. So I don’t encourage anyone who is going to jump into robot collecting for display or for tabletop gaming purposes to go down the true scale rabbit hole because it would require extreme amounts of money.

When it comes to classic super robots Soul of Chogokin is one of the cheaper entry points for large figures which range from 7″ to 11″, with a few 14″ being the DX version of some iconic super robots. A lot of SOC range from $150-400 on secondary markets depending on how rare it has become and the overall condition while DX versions might be anywhere from $400-700. 

There are smaller manufacturers out there who also put out beautiful figures, Sentinel is one of my favorites but you are still looking at $150-400 for a large figure based on rarity and condition, or you can wait and hope for a reasonably priced re-release.

An outlier I’ll point out is the 16.5″ Ideon figure by threezero which is undeniably gorgeous. It is also $1000. https://www.threezerohk.com/product/space-runaway-ideon/

There are also small shops in SEA will custom make figures for you to a scale of your request but this will still run you a couple hundred dollars per figure. Trying to go for correct heights for your collection is only something you should pursue if you have endless amounts of disposable cash.

We want tabletop mecha gaming to be a fun hobby and not an eternal money sink so that’s why we don’t recommend ‘true scale’.

#2 The Size Doesn’t Exist

The majority of robot figures out there are going to be 5-10″ in height. (The exceptions being some soft vinyl figures at 12″ and expensive diecast figures at 11-14″.) This means if you want to mix and match different franchises and maintain a true scale generally the only way to accomplish this is to choose robots with similar heights. 

Many mecha shows are centered around ~18m robots like Mazinger, Gundam, L-Gaim, Xabungle, etc. A lot of Super Robots are in the 20-30m range or the 50-60m range. If you are trying to mix and match those you will likely have a hard time finding figures to perfectly match.

For instance a 55m robot is 3x the size of an 18m robot. So if you go to the upper end of the spectrum and find a 12″ figure for your 55m robot, then the tallest your 18m robot can be is 4″. This isn’t an impossible problem, but it is a limiting problem because you are limiting the figures you can use since the majority of 18m robots are going to be ~5″ as 1/144 scale model kits or figures. 

This gets even harder when you want to use an iconic tall robot like Ideon, Daitarn or Gunbuster who are x5 to x10 taller than an 18m robot. Should you manage to find a 2″ 18m robot and a 10″ Ideon for instance there are other problems when it comes non-scale proportions.

Additionally when it comes to warships, the largest you can find for Gundam is a 1/400 scale White Base, Musai or Ptolemaios. To get a 1/144 scale warship you’ll need to custom build it like the incredible Kawakami Makoto above.

#3 The Proportions

The majority of robot figures out there are non-scale figures. What this means is that even though the height may correspond to a certain scale the rest of the proportions (width, depth, thickness of individual limbs, etc.) may not match the scale. This is common sense since a lot of detailed or unusual mecha don’t translate well into a toy or figure without some adjustments in the manufacturing stage. 

(Many of the classic 70s and 80s robots were designed with toys in mind since they were sponsored by a toy company who would be producing the principal robot as a toy. In contrast, the 90s during the OVA boom mechanical detail overall went up and not every mecha show was relying on a toy company sponsor. 

Decades later if a company wants to adapt an older property they may need to simplify certain things or adjust certain proportions in order to manufacture a model kit or figure, especially if they are trying to produce a transforming robot or similar complicated gimmick.)

The long and short of it is, you may have two figures from two different series and their heights may be correct based on the scale but the rest of their proportions may be completely off. Even if the proportions are mostly correct, the sheer size difference might look odd while you’re playing. 

For example the RX-78-2 and Mazinger are both 18m robots, triple their size is 54m so we could use Shin Getter is 55m or Combattler V at 57m and either figure should be ~3x the size of Gundam or Mazinger. 

Here’s an example with the SOC FA Combattler V (18cm) and the 1/300 RX-78-2 Gundam (6cm). While the heights may be accurate it looks a little funny on the tabletop, which is why I’d recommend going with approximate scale and using a larger Gundam figure or a smaller Combattler figure.

To further complicate things if you are pulling from several different manufacturers each with their own unique style it’s going to become very noticeable when they are all side by side. You’ll notice that in some of the photos below.

Keep reading if you want to see a few examples of what correct height would look like. As someone who loves collecting robots but prefers not to spend a fortune on it, you’ll notice most of the figures used in the examples are cheaper finds with the larger more expensive figures discussed but absent. As I mentioned before, true scale can be a fun pursuit but there’s no reason to make it a hard requirement.

Let’s start with the 1/400 scale figures.

• A 18m tall robot like Mazinger or the RX-78-2 Gundam is 1.8″ tall (4.5cm)
• A ~30m tall robot like GaoGaiGar or Giant Robo is around 3″ (7.5cm)
• A ~40m tall robot like Getter Robo or the Psycho Gundam is around 3.8″ (10cm)
• A ~50m tall robot like Raideen or GoShogun is around 5″ (12.5cm)
• A ~60m tall robot like GoLion or Combattler V / Voltes V is around 6″ (15cm)
• A ~100m tall robot like Ideon is around 10″ (26.3cm)
• A ~120m tall robot like Daitarn 3 is around 12″ (30cm)
• A ~200m tall robot like Gunbuster is around 20″ (50cm)

For Gundam there is of course the 1/400 collection and Mazinger has had a few gashapon releases, pictured above is my personal favorite SRW gashapon.

For GaoGaiGar there are 3.5″ trading figures from Yujin or the more recent but SD 3″ Yuusha Retsuuden figures.  (The Exkizer / Baan Gaan Yuujin figures are unfortunately not the same scale as GGG)

For Getter Robo I found a figure nearly 3.7″ from the Bandai Super Robot Wars Best Posing figure collection.  For the 55m (1/400 = ~5.5″) Shin Getter the Revoltech figure or the older Banpresto SRW figure would be a good fit.

Raideen and GoShogun have SRW gashapon of soft plastic but unfortunately are not close to 5″.  The Super Robot In Action series is 12cm which would be perfect for either of these, however, neither of those made into the SRiA collection as far as I’m aware.  The SRC for Raideen is 5.5″.

When it comes to GoLion the two small figures I’m familiar with are the 4″ Super 7 recent release or the 7″ / 18cm Super Minipla.  But with how popular Voltron is I’m sure there are other small ones out there, perhaps a 6″ one as well.

Likewise for Combattler & Voltes V the SMP and SOC FA are both a little taller.  The Yamato Video Anime Robot Collection from Italy has them at 5.5″ which is fairly close.  The best bet would be the Action Toys – Mini Action Series which is 6″.

For Ideon the 8″ Yamato figure is a bit small while while the SOC is a bit too tall at 12″.  Daitarn 3 on the other height works great as a 12″ figure but unfortunately the SOC is just over 10″ tall.  Good luck finding a 20″ Gunbuster XD

Let’s look at the 1/300 scale figures.

• A 18m tall robot like Mazinger or the RX-78-2 Gundam is 2.4″ tall (6cm)
• A ~30m tall robot like GaoGaiGar or Giant Robo is around 4″ (10cm)
• A ~40m tall robot like Getter Robo or the Psycho Gundam is around 5″ (13.3cm)
• A ~50m tall robot like Raideen or GoShogun is around 6.5″ (16.7cm)
• A ~60m tall robot like GoLion or Combattler V / Voltes V is around 8″ (20cm)
• A ~100m tall robot like Ideon is around 14″ (35cm)
• A ~120m tall robot like Daitarn 3 is around 15.7″ (40cm)
• A ~200m tall robot like Gunbuster is around 26″ (67cm)

Starting at the top there is the Gundam 1/300 S.O.G. (Strategy of Gundam) figures.  The Gundam Gashapon HG Mobile Suit Selection is similar in height but closer to 1/280 in scale. 

Unfortunately none of the Mazinger Gashapon I have perfectly match this size, with most being slightly taller as seen above.  This is fine for Great Mazinger who is taller than 18m but not perfect for Mazinger, Garada K7 or Doublas M2.

There are some larger trading figures of GaoGaiGar floating around made by Yujin but the quality is pretty low.  Pictured above is a 3.5″ Genesic GGG.

For Getter Robo the SMP are close to ~4.25″ while the SRC and Revoletch are closer to 5.5″.  For Psycho Gundam there’s an ancient 1/300 Gunpla kit.

On the topic of ~40m robots, the Evangelion units have wildly different heights depending on the episode of NGE, but the early SRW listed them at 40m tall.  The later rebuilds have them as 75m (80m at the pylons) iirc.  For the 40m version, the Revoltech figures are 5″ a good fit here.

The Yamato Goshogun figure is 6.5″ and I’ve read the CMs figure is 7″ but haven’t confirmed.  The moderoid for Raideen is 7″ as well.

For GoLion the SMP is 7″ and there is a Super 7 figure is at 7.5″.    For Combattler V & Voltes V the SOC GX-50 is at 9″ which is fairly close.

As for Daitarn and Gunbuster I’m not aware of any figures at those particular sizes.  For Ideon the recent threezero release is 42cm / 16.5″ which is a bit taller but who cares when you’ve got such a beautifully and terrifying figure to dominate the table. 

Another 100m robot, the SMP for King J-Der is 12″ and fairly close.

Let’s look at the 1/220 scale figures.

• A 18m tall robot like Mazinger or the RX-78-2 Gundam is 3.2″ tall (8.2cm)
• A ~30m tall robot like GaoGaiGar or Giant Robo is around 5.5″ (13.6cm)
• A ~40m tall robot like Getter Robo or the Psycho Gundam is around 7″ (18.2cm)
• A ~50m tall robot like Raideen or GoShogun is around 9″ (22.7cm)
• A ~60m tall robot like GoLion or Combattler V / Voltes V is around 10.5″ (27.3cm)
• A ~100m tall robot like Ideon is around 19″ (47.7cm)
• A ~120m tall robot like Daitarn 3 is around 21.5″ (54.5cm)
• A ~200m tall robot like Gunbuster is around 35.8″ (90.9cm)

I chose the 1/220 scale since a lot of the modern Gundam trading figures, while non-scale, are very close to 1/220 scale being slightly smaller than the older 1/200 HCM pro figures.  The 1/220 range includes Gundam Standart, Gundam FW Ultimate Operation, Gundam Assault Kingdom, Gundam Universal Unit.  (The newer G-Frame figures are unfortunately a bit larger and closer to the MSIA range which is roughly 1/170).

The Mazinger gashapon shown in the last comparison are the right height for the 1/220 scale Gundam figures, however, their proportions are not as bulky except for the more recent Shin Mazinger gashapon.

At 5.5″ for GaoGaiGar there are a number of options out there with the more recent SMP (15cm) or the SRC (6″).  For older figures the Kaiyodo Robot Museum is aroud 5.5″ (pictured above is a 5″ Kaiyodo next to a 5.5″ SRC of Chouryujin) and the CMs figure is close to 6″. 

For Giant Robo the 6″ SRC is the closest.  For a 30m robot like Grendizer the Italian Go Nagai Collection fits that size.

For Getter Robo at 7″ the SOC at 18cm is a perfect fit.

For Raideen I’m told the Miracle Action Toy is 9″ but I have not verified yet.  The Sentinel figure is 8″ while the SOC is 9″.

The SOC GoLion is 11.5″ and close to 12″ at the wingtips.

I’m not aware of any Ideon, Daitarn or Gunbuster figures available commercially at that size.  Although I’m sure custom orders are possible like the 24″ Doba figure from Getter Robo. https://www.shima-x.com/getterrobo-doba-eng

Let’s look at the 1/170 scale figures.

• A 18m tall robot like Mazinger or the RX-78-2 Gundam is 4.2″ tall (10.6cm)
• A ~30m tall robot like GaoGaiGar or Giant Robo is around 7″ (17.6cm)
• A ~40m tall robot like Getter Robo or the Psycho Gundam is around 9″ (23.5cm)
• A ~50m tall robot like Raideen or GoShogun is around 11.5″ (29.5cm)
• A ~60m tall robot like GoLion or Combattler V / Voltes V is around 14″ (35.3cm)
• A ~100m tall robot like Ideon is around 24″ (61.8cm)
• A ~120m tall robot like Daitarn 3 is around 28″ (70.6cm)
• A ~200m tall robot like Gunbuster is around 46″ (118cm)

This is the approximate scale for the wildly popular Mobile Suit in Action range for Gundam. 

For GaoGaiGar there’s the RG at 7″ / 18cm.

For Getter Robo the the Sentinel T-Rex figure is on the short side at 6.5″ so it would need to be at the 8.5″ Shin Getter size. (And Shin Getter would need to be 12.5″)

The Pose+ for GoShogun is listed at 27cm (10.5″) although when I checked Gold’s review it looks as though the horn is slightly over 11″.

For GoLion the old hot wheels Voltron was around 15″ (mine was sold at a garage sale a long time ago though)

For Combattler the SOC DX is 14″ (35.5cm) with Voltes at 36cm.

Let’s look at the 1/144 scale figures.

• A 18m tall robot like Mazinger or the RX-78-2 Gundam is 4.9″ tall (12.5cm)
• A ~30m tall robot like GaoGaiGar or Giant Robo is around 8.2 to 8.5″ (20.8-21.9cm)
• A ~40m tall robot like Getter Robo or the Psycho Gundam is around 11″ (27.8cm)
• A ~50m tall robot like Raideen or GoShogun is around 13.7″ (34.7cm)
• A ~60m tall robot like GoLion or Combattler V / Voltes V is around 16.4″ (41.7cm)
• A ~100m tall robot like Ideon is around 29″ (72.9cm)
• A ~120m tall robot like Daitarn 3 is around 33″ (83.3cm)
• A ~200m tall robot like Gunbuster is around 55″ (138.9cm)

For Gundam there is the worldwide best selling HG 1/144 scale Gunpla. Robot Spirits / Damashii releases and Gundam Fix Figuration are generally at the 1/144 scale with some deviations.  Mazinger also has a lot of different options including the HG 1/144 scale kits from the more recent Infinity movie or the ~5″ Super Robot Chogokin.

For Giant Robo the recent moderoid is 8″.  I have yet to assemble this one, but here’s a 7″ Mazin Emperor G for comparison. For Mazin Emperor G I don’t know if they ever gave it an official height, but if it’s the same as Great Mazinger at 25m then the 17.5cm SRC is a perfect height.

For GaoGaiGar I know there’s been a lot of figures produced but I’m not aware of any of the OG or Star GGG at 8″.  The SOC for instance is ~10″.  For Genesic GGG the Amakuni Genesic GGG is ~9.5″ but the max factory is ~8″ iirc.

For Getter Robo there’s a 12″ sofubi vinyl figure from Yamato Toycom, Medicom also put out a 12″ figure.

All the remaining examples are now at heights you won’t see for commercial toys.  Although if anyone has a custom built 55″ Gunbuster I’d love to see it!

At the end of the day, buy and use figures you like and don’t get hung up on the small things like having perfectly accurate scale.