Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther
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Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 9:23:28 AM
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3for$10
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MONTHLY ZOIDS GRAPHICS VOL.7 - SEAPANTHER
Zenevas Empire
Hermit Crab Type
Manufacturer: TakaraTomy
Date of release: 29 Jul 2008
Suggested Retail Price: 1800yen
Photos and text by mechanical_wunder
Monthly Zoids Graphics box art. A booket and bonus part are included.
History of the Seapanther
Seapanther was the last of the small wind-ups released by Tomy in 1987 before the toy maker concentrated on it's HI-1000 series.
It was a unique toy design that breaks away from the typical dinosaur theme that Tomy had done for zoids in that period, particularly
a hermit crabtype. Seapanther was never been reissued during the NJR period. Till the recent reissue of the Seapanther under the
Monthly Zoids Graphics, it was regarded as one of the most expensive wind-up to acquire.
Seapanther in the OJR battle story was developed as an amphibious assault zoid with the role of storming enemy's coastal defence
and securing beach head. The zoid, togather with Wardick provide a formidable force against the republic's coast defenders.
It's heavy armour compensated the zoid's slow land speed with powerful weapons like the high output beam cannon, topedo and
missile launchers. Seapanther was also known as "Sea Tank", and the panther was a famous German tank during the WWII era.
However, there are some differences between the OJR and the new reissue version. This will be covered below as the article goes.
Mechanics and Functions
Upon a complete winding of it's motor, the wheels beneath it's body will move forward with the 3 pairs of legs, mimicking a real-life
hermit crab. Truely a fascinating moment as one watch the zoid move. The missile hatch located at the top of the zoid can be slided
in and out to prep the zoid for missile barrage or for the opening of the cockpit. However, the Seapanther houses only 1 pilot.
Top right side view. The front eyes resemble a true hermit crab's.
Top left side view with cockpit opened.
Slide the top hatch to the rear will expose the missile launcher.
Difference between the Old and New
Technically, the sprues remained as 4 pieces with the reissue having an extra bonus part sprue. As mentioned previously, there are some
areas that are different between the old and new Seapanthers:
1. Tones of the colour differ with the new one been slightly dull.
2. The sticker sheet is printed on foil instead of clear with labels mis-coloured and less detailed.
3. In the new, signs of mould deteration is present, especially on the left side of the main shell.
4. Cockpit will have "Made in China" printed on it for the new. Older version will have either Singapore or Japan.
5. Plastic density on the older version feels harder and solid compare to the new version which steer towards softer and hollow side.
While the differences between the two are quite obvious, having a Seapanther is a dream come true for those who had never owned one.
Rear side view. The main shell showcased as one of the most detailed zoid ever designed.
Conclusion
Many collectors expecially of the American and European regions were hard sworn in getting the Seapanther for their collection. It was
ranked top togather with the famous Grade-Up zoids for been most wanted and commanded high premium that shunned many. Now that
TakaraTomy has reissued the Seapanther for it's 25th Zoids Anniversary, the dream of owning one can be realised at last. But the problem
is... there's not enough for everyone. Go through sources and grab one soon before it disappear.
Lastly, the Monthly Zoids Graphics Seapanther is definitely much cuter than your girlfriend's hamster!!! And get some spares cause the value
will escalate faster than the zoid's actual movement.
Pros: Near exact replica of the older version plus it's so darn cute!
Cons: Mild colour tone difference, weak sticker sheet and mould defect on the shell.
Rating: 8.5/10
Flanked by it's older siblings. And 3 makes a good number.
< Message edited by mechanical_wunder -- 13/8/2008 10:08:06 AM >
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 10:50:25 AM
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wmeng72
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Thanks for the WUNDERFUL review bro. still have not worked on mine yet (cannot wait to start on it).. now still in the office.. 
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 10:54:13 AM
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Ender
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great stuff, cannot bluff!
seapanther's one of my all time fav zoids ....
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 10:54:43 AM
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EDMAESTRO
Posts: 1823
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hehe the tone seems to be similar to twinhorn. guess they cant do a perfect match after all.
Sticker on paper foil?? Same as Twinhorn orignal & reissue. Guess that will be a huge difference compared to the original. Pssst... dont sticker ur zoids.
btw, that is not a mould fatique. I had those streaks on my OJR as well. Those are poor mould fabrication hence "flow marks" appears. Sometimes there are uneven surface in the mould that causes the plastic to flow unsmoothly. When the flow speed is interupted, the cooling time differentiates hence the streaks. The flow marks will be more visible if the moulded parts have different thickness.
overall superb review!
< Message edited by EDMAESTRO -- 8/8/2008 10:56:52 AM >
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 11:00:51 AM
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melvinfong
Posts: 483
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oneword...speechless.......................
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 11:26:20 AM
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stormhawk
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Haha Jeff, you beat me to it. 
Excellent review once again. Take a shot of the 2 crabs side by side, OJR and Graphics, to show the differences clearer.
And yes.. I don't like the foil stickers. 
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 12:37:35 PM
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liemzoids
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Great pics and review once again.
Even the fading artbox looks stunning under your camera
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 2:42:07 PM
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3for$10
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My sincere thanks to you bros!
It comes to me no surprise that TT cocked up the sticker sheet as Jay told me earlier ;)
And Ed, thanks for the education on plastic behavior during manufacturing. If you see the 3rd pic closely somewhere behind the cockpit,
you'll see a "pimple" there, not that big but it came just like that. First time I've seen this.
Lastly, Doc I've found out that taking pic of box can be difficult yet challenging. I want to break away from the standard way of shooting.
I'll take a pic of the old and new hermits for a clearer reference ^^
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 2:46:31 PM
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Maethius
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Well done and very appreciated review... I have the OJR but opted out of getting the Graphics (though I would love to collect that series, the constraints of impending marriage have returned me to a "pick-and-purchase" collection strategy). While I was really tempted to get another Panther, news of the sticker sheet and mould errors make me think twice. If I had a few more bucks (and Lidier wasn't incoming!) I would buy a crab!
(looks like I'll await the parts on ebay!)
Great review!
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 3:51:37 PM
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Charlie
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Good comparison with the old ones. You should also include a review of the extra parts.
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 4:17:24 PM
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vasha
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Very good review.
I didn't know about the missiles from sliding head though.
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 8/8/2008 10:32:41 PM
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android 17
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Nice review and superb pictures as usual! I always look forward to seeing reviews like this(w/ comparisons to earlier versions) since I don't have the older kits to compare.
Two more weeks and I'll get my hands on one of this! 
By the way, may I ask what model/brand of digital camera you use for those?
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 1:25:50 AM
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liemzoids
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Must state that the head piece of Sea Panther tends to break off esp if one is not careful when closing hatchet while playing.
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 2:01:24 AM
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Ender
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quote:
ORIGINAL: liemzoids
Great pics and review once again.
Even the fading artbox looks stunning under your camera
yeah, MW's photo of the artbox's makes it sharper than it is in reality...
I've always marvelled at the design of the SP... if only TT wld come up with more of such designs
< Message edited by Ender -- 9/8/2008 2:04:16 AM >
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 3:01:08 AM
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3for$10
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Thanks alot to Maethius, Philip, Charlie, Vasha and Android 17 for the compliments :)
As for box shooting Philip, it wouldn't be free. How about a carton of nachos for the effort? xD
I overlooked this common problem found in the OJR Seapanther, thanks Doc for the reminder.
Regarding the head breaking due to the larger sized hardpoint at the frame and smaller hole of the cockpit...
I can say that, surprisingly, TT solved this issue! Now the head can fit in nicely without the use of force.
Sliding the hatch several times did not result in weakened head area. The problem of the OJR was often due to the size difference between
the connectors and insert the head onto the frame area will weaken that joint. The "drop head" sympton will accelerate when sliding the hatch
often or by crude force.
Lasty, thanks athiven for the cute real hermit crab, so that's where Seapanther takes it concept from, interesting!
I had some hermit crabs before but they die too quickly when they got here from Australia... :(
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 3:03:58 AM
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3for$10
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Ender, lighting and which technical approach played a critical role in the outcome of the pic composition.
Oh I forgot, Android 17, I'm using only Canon Powershot S5. It's not about how good the camera is, it's about how
one learns and play with all available settings, hope this help in assisting your future photography skills :)
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 3:07:15 AM
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EDMAESTRO
Posts: 1823
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hmm im still curious whether the hatch is still loose? It does slide easily with a slightest motion. It always does the 1st gear rav wheelly!
Oh and another thing, will the cannon fall off easily?
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 3:08:31 AM
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3for$10
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Triple post, triple whammy.
Additional pictures. Can you spot the difference? No editing was done, only downsizing. Infact I can't tell the colour difference
till I hold both in my hands and stared for sometime.
Lastly on the bonus sprue, no plans on it yet but I believe this one will come in handy in future ;)
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 3:11:03 AM
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3for$10
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quote:
ORIGINAL: EDMAESTRO
hmm im still curious whether the hatch is still loose? It does slide easily with a slightest motion. It always does the 1st gear rav wheelly!
Oh and another thing, will the cannon fall off easily?
As we all know Ed, things slide often will wear off the natural friction and it will move about freely since. As for the famous wheelie due to hatch opened...
Hahaha, it's still there :D Some things can't be improve much since it's inherent from the original design.
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 3:32:26 AM
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EDMAESTRO
Posts: 1823
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nice comparison pictures. Just felt that the OJR has a sharper color to it but without the stickers it's hard to tell them apart just by looking at it.
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 4:24:09 AM
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vasha
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Whats the extra sprue for?
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RE: Monthly Zoids Graphics Vol.7 - Seapanther - 9/8/2008 8:27:43 AM
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melvinfong
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mechanical_wunder
quote:
ORIGINAL: EDMAESTRO
hmm im still curious whether the hatch is still loose? It does slide easily with a slightest motion. It always does the 1st gear rav wheelly!
Oh and another thing, will the cannon fall off easily?
As we all know Ed, things slide often will wear off the natural friction and it will move about freely since. As for the famous wheelie due to hatch opened...
Hahaha, it's still there :D Some things can't be improve much since it's inherent from the original design.
cansingeroilorwd40solvethewearandtear?
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What you are is what you have been, and what you will be is what you do now
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