Battra (4” & 6”) (Trendmasters)

We’ve already looked at a couple different Mothra figures so now it’s time to look at Mothra’s villainous doppelganger, the dark moth, Battra. Battra isn’t evil per se, he just wants to rid the world of humanity. He regards humans as a blight on the planet that he is supposed to protect, which is fair. But this leads him into conflict with the benevolent Mothra. It’s a Magneto and Professor Xavier sort of relationship that finds the two kaiju eventually teaming up to fight Godzilla. Battra made his big screen debut in the 1992 film Godzilla vs. Mothra and although he’s since been featured in video games, comic books, and other media, he has not appeared in a movie since then. The name Battra is a combination of the words Battle and Mothra. Battra’s abilities include prism beams that he can shoot from his eyes and horns, and energy pulses. He can also create hurricane strength winds and fly in space.

Today we’re looking at two Battra toys by Trendmasters, both from 1995. The smaller toy is the 4” figure that was included in a Toy Liquidators exclusive two-pack with Supercharged Nuclear Godzilla and in the King of the Monsters 40th Anniversary Set. The other is the 6” figure with sound that was sold under the King of the Monsters line and repackaged in the Godzilla Wars line. A version of this figure that didn’t make sounds was also made. Trendmasters also made a collector’s edition Battra with a trippy looking white, neon green, and purple paintjob that I would love to get my hands on.

Although the Trendmasters Mothra didn’t fare well under scrutiny the Battra toys are rather decent for what they are, mostly film accurate in design with decent detailing. Like Mothra, the wings are still too small though. Over the face we get deep grooves and furrows that give Battra a menacing appearance. Toothy cream-colored projections surround his mouthparts. His eyes are red and yellow, which is accurate, and there are three yellow horns that adorn his head.  

The body is dark gray, and the wings are patterned with jagged, electric looking markings of red, yellow, and black. The spikes on the front edge of the wings are yellow. The underside of the wings is entirely red when they should also have patterning like the above surface, but they at least have sculpted veins on them. Six legs are sculpted on the underside. On the smaller toy the legs are directly sculpted against the body, but they hang down on the larger figure and each leg is articulated. Yellow spikes poke out on the back of the abdomen.

The bodies have a bumpy texture over the thorax and lines etched into the abdomen, mimicking Battra’s armored appearance. Short red spikes run down the thorax and abdomen with larger spikes along the sides of the abdomen. Details are minimal on the underside but what is there is appreciable. The larger figure has a hard plastic body and rubbery wings while the smaller toy is entirely made of soft rubber. In addition to articulated legs the 6” toy is also articulated at the base of the head and wings.

Battra is a cool looking kaiju that doesn’t seem to get enough love and the toys by Trendmasters decently represent him. Larger wings with patterns on the underside would have been ideal but the toys are good for what they are. Of the Trendmasters toys that I have, these are some of my favorites. Must haves for Trendmasters collectors or Battra fans. The 4” figure can be found loose on eBay for about $20 but the 6” one appears to be rarer and commands a higher price, with packaged copies going for $80-$100+. I couldn’t find any loose copies at the time of this writing.