Spotlight on Studio HalfEye

Led by Mr. Hajime Takashima who is perhaps THE best engineer in the toy industry, Studio HalfEye is a little known, garage toy company that produces some of the most amazing, intricate, and expensive toys on the market today. Studio HalfEye is known for it's $500 transforming die-cast Getter Robots. I have posted a couple of their fantastic feats of engineering marvel before including their stupendous transforming Go Dannar Robot. They should also be known for what they bill as the "smallest fully transforming robots" including the tiny four (4) inch Getter Robot below. Yikes! That's like a transforming mini figure! I like it! I even abandoned my thoughts of getting all three Soul of Chogokin Getter Robots in favor of the mini transforming Getter Dragon shown here. If you consider the total transformation of the robots, I think the engineering puts your run-of-the-mill Transformers to shame!

This kind of toy engineering is not cheap either: On the average of $250 upwards to $500 for each piece of artwork. They recently decided to make smaller robot versions - around 4-5 inches for less than $100. I think it's completely worth the investment. I would rather spend $75 on a fully transforming 5" inch figure you see above than a non-transforming 7" inch Soul of Chogokin figure which does nothing.

Text and pictures courtesy of Hobby Link Japan:

"Studio HalfEye's engineering in making Getter Robo's transformation a 3-D reality is second to none--but such precision work doesn't come cheap, with their masterpiece sets usually priced at over 25,000 yen. Now Studio HalfEye comes through with a transformation of a different sort: a line of mass-produced, more affordably priced Getter Robo sets! This entry in the line is the transformable 11cm Getter Dragon, formed by combining the Dragon, Raiga, and Poseidon vehicles. Add the included two Getter Tomahawks, and Getter Dragon is ready for action!"
5 inch transforming Getter Dragon above for $73 not including overseas shipping.

"This entry in the line is the Getter Robo 1 Last Battle Version, featuring a fully transformable Getter 1 (about 10cm, or 4 inches, high) with serious battle damage and missing one arm. Includes one Getter Tomahawk (the packaging has a space for a second one, but this set comes with a single Tomahawk), and a Getter energy generator unit that is either gray or clear yellow. The yellow variation is the rarer of the two, but they are packed randomly, and we cannot see which version is in the package. We cannot promise customers exactly which version they will receive. Please place your order for this item only if you are willing to receive either type."
Getter Robo 1 Last Battle Version above for around $70 not including overseas shipping.

Studio HalfEye's Takashima-san has long been demonstrating that he is probably the best model engineer in Japan who's not working for one of the major firms. His Perfect Change Compact Version Shin Getter continues that tradition. This completed model transforms from the component sections - Shin Eagle, Shin Jaguar and Shin Bear into Shin Getter 1. The transformation is amazing. Comes with a 15 page manual on the inner workings of the model plus very detailed. Step-by-step photos and instructions on doing the transformation. Even includes a small screwdriver so you can tighten the joints if necessary. One incredible feat of engineering. Perfect Change Compact Version Shin Getter above for around $225 not including overseas shipping.

More superb hand-held transformable fun from Studio HalfEye! This time the God Gravion gets the mini treatment, at a whopping 12 cm tall! That's about five inches, for those of you who aren't metrified! The set contains the Grankaiser, G-Attacker, G-Driller (two -- one becomes the left arm, one the right), and G-Shadow. Put them all together to form God Gravion, and arm him with his Gravitonne Sword and Gravity Crescent, both included! All parts are resin and pre-painted. Pose him wherever you need a miniature giant robot to protect you! Five Inch Transforming God Gravion above for around $142 not including overseas shipping.

More superb hand-held transformable fun from Studio HalfEye! This time the Sol Sigma Gravion gets the mini treatment, at a whopping 12 cm tall! That's about five inches, for those of you who aren't metrified! Due to be released in December, this new addition to the Studio HalfEye Line-up will sure to please the die-hard fans! Five Inch Transforming Sol Sigma Gravion right for around $208 not including overseas shipping.

Beautiful full-action transformable model of "Dan of Thursday" ("Dann", according to the box) can be transformed between Sword Mode and (humanoid) Robot Mode. Superbly constructed, as is to be expected from Studio Half-Eye. Step by step transformation instructions are included; the text is in Japanese but photographs accompany each step to make it easier. Non-scale; in Sword Mode, it measures 18 cm long. Six Inch Transforming Dan of Thursday above for around $79 not including overseas shipping.



Fully Transformable Getter Robo above for around $479 not including overseas shipping. Everything you see here is included.

This gorgeous, mostly-completed piece from Studio Half-Eye requires some construction (a screwdriver is included to allow you to change the armour parts). Everything you see in the photos is included in the box. Fully Transformable GoDannar above for around $434 not including overseas shipping.

There you have it mecha fans! Studio HalfEye: the most innovative, highly engineered transforming toys on the planet. Spend the big bucks and get the GoDannar for $500 or be like me and spend $75 on a mini transforming nugget of Getter Dragon!