In the 1970s, these toys became all the rage in Japan, but they only produced Hero Robots. Villains were made only as store displays to be featured on endcaps in dioramas. Fans wanted the villains, so Popy cranked out a limited number of each just to satisfy immediate demand. Nowdays, Jumbo villains are one of the rarest toys for Japanese collectors. The rarest of all is Garada K7, as Garada was considered a "lost" toy, with no proof that the store display versions were ever even sold at retail. No one could even produce a photograph of one, let alone show the real thing. UniFive's toy was the first time collectors had a chance to own a Garada K7.

Lo and behold, Gangu Jinsei magazine (translates as Toy Life) issue #2(published this past October) has now printed the first ever photo of Garada K7, confirming there is at least one in existence. But...the photo also revealed that the UniFive Garada paint scheme is totally incorrect!

The Previews Exclusive version of Garada K7 will be the original correct paint scheme, which is the first time ever collectors will be able to have the rarest of Japanese toys as it was meant to be presented. This is the first time since Mattel brought the Shogun Warriors to the US that there has been a Shogun/Jumbo made just for the US collector. UniFive is making this baby just for Diamond, so it will not be for sale in Japan. It will be in the existing Garada brown/blue box with the addition of a Previews Exclusive sticker in the lower right hand corner. Retail price is $120, and this will be promoted as a "Featured Item" in the January issue of Previews (on sale December 20th) and is schedule to ship in April 2001. No alterations have been made to the sculpt itself.

At this time, Diamond will not be importing the Regular or the Black VariantGarada.

[Posted 12/18/2000]