Koutetsu Steel Jeeg - BE@RBRICK
The Steel Jeeg toy line and anime unknowingly set the standard for mecha toy media production in 1975. Relatively unknown in the US, the series has a huge fan following in Japan and Europe. The titular robot, Steel Jeeg, served as the first model for full range motion and magnetic interchangeable parts for mecha toys. Its distinct design receives a new, adorable form in Medicom Toy's "BE@RBRICK Koutetsu Jeeg 400%" figure.
Steel Jeeg and BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Medicom Toy began their production of Steel Jeeg figures in 2014. As of 2021, only two figures have appeared in the BE@BRICK line.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
Steel Jeeg's first Medicom Toy figures came out between 2014 and 2017. These figures depicted Steel Jeeg and its alternate forms in traditional action figure style. In June 2018, BE@RBRICK unveiled the Shiba Hiroshi figure. Steel Jeeg the mecha received a BE@RBRICK figure as well the following month.
BE@RBRICK Koutetsu Jeeg 400%
The titular magnetic robot Steel Jeeg receives a new bear-shaped form in this figure from Medicom Toy. Steel Jeeg's regularly bulky proportions have been adjusted to a smaller, cute design. Its unique saturated color scheme of green, yellow, and red has been vividly reproduced. The proton beam generating weapon at its navel now takes the form of an oval on the bear's round tummy. The aerodynamic fins flanking its face now sit slightly higher up, curving along the contour of bear ears. Careful line work on the face depicts the technical aspects of the design and conveys pilot Hiroshi's serious demeanor.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Koutetsu Jeeg 400%
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Painted & articulated plastic figure
- Height (Approx.): 280mm | 11"
About Steel Jeeg (Show)
Steel Jeeg, also known as Koutetsu Jeeg, is an anime and toy line from Takara. The series originated the Magnemo, or Magne Robo, toy genre. Magnemo featured magnets as connection ball joints as a gimmick for interchangeable parts and moving action. In contrast to the brand's popular Chogokin line, the Magnemo toys had a wider range of motion. They also did not use the die-cast method for production. Originally, only the Steel Jeeg, Big Shooter, and Pansaroid figures received full-sized models. The Magnemo line went on to produce the Magne Robo Gakeen television and toy series in 1977. The line ended in 1978 with the Balatack series.
From its inception, Steel Jeeg was considered a tie-in line for television and toy sales. Takara pitched the story by Go Natai to Kodansha and Toei Animation in early 1975. The production style of coordinating product launches with narrative media became the industry standard for future robot media. The short-lived series was popular in Japan and received international broadcasts in Europe and Latin America. A sequel series by Bandai aired in 2007. The 2015 Italian superhero action film They Call Me Jeeg is a tribute to the anime series.
About Steel Jeeg (Character)
Steel Jeeg is the titular giant robot and ultimate weapon of the anime and manga series. Created by Professor Senjiro Shiba, Steel Jeeg can only form with the help of Hiroshi Shiba. By putting his gloves together, Hiroshi becomes the biocybernetic head and spirit of Steel Jeeg. The robot forms after Hiroshi first becomes the head. Then the pilot Miwa Uzuki fires the other components at him from the Big Shooter. These components combine by using magnetic wave energy. Once formed, Steel Jeeg stands over 11 meters tall and weighs 12 tons. Steel Jeeg's weapons include the Knuckle Bomber, a double piercing mallet, Spin Storm, a proton beam, and Jeeg Beam, gamma rays. The robot can also create a larger Jeeg Bazooka form and a centaur form with the H-305 Antares module.
Other Important Steel Jeeg Characters
Steel Jeeg's secondary characters round out the cast and draw connections between history and fiction. Their presence also establishes the continuity with the 2007 sequel series.
Miwa Uzuki
Miwa Uzuki is Professor Shiba's assistant and the pilot for Big Shooter. Big Shooter is a large jet engine that houses the individual components of Steel Jeeg. Orphaned at a young age, Miwa joined the Shiba family and grew up with Hiroshi like brother and sister. She has a strong sense of loyalty to Professor Shiba as a result of him taking her in. She survives the final conflict of the series and ends up outside of the Kyushu containment zone, never seeing Hiroshi again. Miwa appears in the 2007 sequel series as the grandmother of Tsubaki Tamashiro.
Haniwa Monsters
The Haniwa Monsters, or Haniwa Ghosts, are the animated rock monsters created by Queen Himika to fight Steel Jeeg. Their name references a real historical artifact, much like how Queen Himika refers to the shaman queen Himiko. Haniwa are clay statuettes depicting objects, animals, and people from the third century. These figures were made for ritual use involving funeral practices. Archaeologists found many of these figures in modern-day northern Kyushu. Their use as a vessel in Queen Himika's army is based on the theory that haniwa were meant to contain souls of the dead.
The Three Major Executives
The three major executives, Ikima, Mimashi, and Amaso, are Queen Himika's loyal retainers and serve as her army generals. Ikima is the leader of the executives and their intellectual tactician. Mimashi is Queen Himika's most loyal retainer and expert of brute force operations. He also leads the executives in a failed rebellion against the Dragon Lord to avenge Queen Himika. Amaso is the least developed of the executives due to a failed resurrection. As a result, he acts instinctively, often as a coward.
Links
BE@RBRICK Koutetsu Jeeg 400%
BE@RBRICK Series
Shiba Hiroshi Steel Jeeg - BE@RBRICK
BE@BRICK Label