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Bandai Ultra Collection

The history of the Bandai Ultra Collection is the story of how Japanese soft vinyl (sofubi) transformed from stylized, abstract children's toys into highly accurate, globally collected pieces of pop-culture history. Launched in 1983, this foundational line established a toy-making blueprint that Bandai has maintained for over four decades. Before 1983, Ultraman toys were produced primarily by companies like Marusan and Bullmark. These vintage figures were often deliberately disproportionate, featuring bright, non-canonical neon colors meant strictly for children. When Bandai launched the Ultra Collection in 1983, they fundamentally changed the market by focusing on screen accuracy. For the first time, figures perfectly mimicked the actual live-action rubber suits worn by actors in the Tsuburaya Productions television shows.

This attention to detail immediately attracted an older, dedicated collector fanbase alongside children. 

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We have acquired a selection of these sought after Ultraman Series Vinyls including a fantastic rare range from the original line up and from subsequent releases.

 

The Original 41 Assortment (1983–1985)

The initial phase of the Ultra Collection rolled out over roughly two years.

 

The line-up comprised of 41 distinct figures, meticulously chronicling Tokusatsu history from the black-and-white era of UltraQ through to Ultraman Taro.

Certain character moulds—such as Gudon, Twin Tail, and Aboras—were discontinued after this brief initial window. They were not re-sculpted or re-released until 1989 and 1992, making the stamped 1983 originals some of the rarest items to find.

Rather than being sold in boxes, these toys were hung on retail racks and had a "plastag" swing label attached

  • The Front: Featured a vibrant, full-colour live-action photo of the Ultra Hero from that specific creature's home series.

  • The Back: Displayed a photo of the corresponding monster, its official name printed in both Japanese and English, its statistics (height/weight), and its respective episode appearance number. 

Because Bandai periodically retired moulds during the late 1980s, certain 1983 first-edition figures are exceptionally rare on the secondary market today. Characters like Gudon, Twin Tail, and the blue-skinned Aboras were phased out of production shortly after their initial run.

Original 1983 pressings of these figures—identifiable by their distinct paint finishes and the "1983" stamping on the foot—frequently command high premium prices from collectors.

Production of these items moved to China in the late 1990's

SEE BELOW FOR PRIVATE SALE, OUR LATEST AVAILABLE ITEMS 

1983 Bandai Geronimon with original tag

​A highly sought-after, 100% authentic 1983 Bandai Ultra Collection Geronimon soft vinyl figure. This is the true first-generation release from the debut assortment of Bandai's legendary Ultra Monster Series. It comes complete with its incredibly rare, original laminated cardboard hanging tag.

1983 First Edition: Features the crisp, original 1983 production stampings molded into the bottom of the feet, verifying its first-generation status 

Includes the rare, vintage laminated cardboard tag attached via the original plastic hanger. Tag shows minimal edge wear commensurate with age.

  • Brand: Bandai

  • Character: Geronimon (Monster Chief)

  • Franchise: Ultraman / Ultra Collection

  • Year Manufactured: 1983

  • Material: Soft Vinyl (Sofubi)

  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan

  • Condition: Used (Very Good Vintage Condition)

Condition Report

Overall Grading: Very Good Vintage Condition.

Vinyl Body: Firm vinyl structure with tight, functional joints. No warping.

Paintwork: Excellent paint preservation. Only minor, negligible paint rubs on high-friction edges, typical of a 40+ year-old collectible. No major gashes or discoloration.

Tag Condition: Intact and legible. Slight softening at the corners and minor surface scuffs, but free of major creases, tears, or ink fading.

 

Group 1

9 Vintage 1983 Bandai Ultra Collection

Vinyl Figures

Released under the all-inclusive "Ultra Collection" banner, these characters from the popular cult Japanese Ultraman series of the 1960's debuted in 1983 to bring high-quality, durable vinyl figures of Tsuburaya Productions heroes and monsters

 

​(Back row) Gomora, Telesdon, Aboras (Middle row) Gandar, Zetton, Alien Baltan

(Front row) Bemstar, Garamon, Black King

All items with appropriate production stamps on the soles of the feet

BANDAI 1983 MADE IN JAPAN and Tsuburaya Productions in Japanese 

  • Condition: Used

  • Brand: Bandai

  • Franchise: Ultraman / Tsuburaya Productions

  • Series: Ultra Collection (First Edition Assortment)

  • Year Manufactured: 1983

  • Material: Japanese Soft Vinyl (Sofubi)

  • Item Height: approx. 16-18 cm)

Group 2

9 Vintage 1983 Bandai Ultra Collection

Vinyl Figures

Released under the all-inclusive "Ultra Collection" banner, these characters from the popular cult Japanese Ultraman series of the 1960's debuted in 1983 to bring high-quality, durable vinyl figures of Tsuburaya Productions heroes and monsters

 

​(Back row) Telesdon, Zetton, Alien Guts (Middle row) Black King, Bemstar, Red King

(Front row) Bemular, Neronga, Gubila

All items with appropriate production stamps on the soles of the feet

BANDAI 1983 MADE IN JAPAN and Tsuburaya Productions in Japanese 

  • Condition: Used

  • Brand: Bandai

  • Franchise: Ultraman / Tsuburaya Productions

  • Series: Ultra Collection (First Edition Assortment)

  • Year Manufactured: 1983

  • Material: Japanese Soft Vinyl (Sofubi)

  • Item Height: approx. 16-18 cm)

Group 3

9 Vintage 1983 Bandai Ultra Collection

Vinyl Figures

Released under the all-inclusive "Ultra Collection" banner, these characters from the popular cult Japanese Ultraman series of the 1960's debuted in 1983 to bring high-quality, durable vinyl figures of Tsuburaya Productions heroes and monsters

 

​(Back row) Electing, Zetton, Kanegon (Middle row) Gyeron, Alien Icarus, Bemstar

(Front row) Geronimon, Namegon,  Neronga

All items with appropriate production stamps on the soles of the feet

BANDAI 1983 MADE IN JAPAN and Tsuburaya Productions in Japanese 

  • Condition: Used

  • Brand: Bandai

  • Franchise: Ultraman / Tsuburaya Productions

  • Series: Ultra Collection (First Edition Assortment)

  • Year Manufactured: 1983

  • Material: Japanese Soft Vinyl (Sofubi)

  • Item Height: approx. 16-18 cm)

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