Jumbo Machinder collector "Nekrodave" (who also contributed imagery to Yokai Attack!) found these specimens of Dangard Ace around the world. The original Japanese version is at top left. Witness Dangard's de-resolution as it was successively bootlegged in Italy (top middle), Peru (top right) and Argentina (bottom row). Aside from the official version, which came out in 1978, it's nearly impossible to date when these came out. One would assume the late Seventies and early Eighties.
By the time Dangard hit South America, he'd obviously seen better days, but it's still amazing to see the penetration of anime characters into the farthest reaches of the globe decades before the "Japan Cool" phenomenon.
Awesome!
Posted by: Aceface | November 27, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Back when Japan was cool, before "Japan Cool".
Posted by: hillsy | November 29, 2008 at 01:47 AM
I'm From Peru, and i remember this robot toy, this toy was manufacturing by BASA TOYS in the Middle of the 80's,
Posted by: Jim | February 05, 2009 at 12:59 AM