It's an awesome sauropod. The first time I saw it, I couldn't believe it existed and was sure it was exagerrated somehow! Then I learnt later, not by much!

Glad you like it! Have you gotten any PNSOs lately?

Nope

Definitely agree, but part of me is still hoping PNSO would return to some hollow vinyls that will give us both 1:35 scale sauropods, but also more affordability for PNSO and us. Win-win! That said, I'm glad I held out for this. Was very tempted for the CollectA, but just way too small to be satisfying for me.

May I ask what caused the backlash?

@Killershrewfan's Glad to hear it! I think PNSO sometimes is a victim of its own high standards, so that a fault that would be forgiveable on another model is scrutinized and ridden hard. The fact that prices have increased also hasn't been favourable. But when I weight everything out, the pluses on this model far outweight the minuses!

@Robert Valknut I'm not sure what Killershrewfan is referring to specifically, but if I were to guess it's the poorly painted nails, teeth, and also the still controversial beak. The small 1:45 vs 1:35 scale is also a little disappointing.

@@DinosDragons their beak explanation sounded quite logical to me. However, the model showing off its teeth seems to me quite inconsequent and like an unnecessary additional effort on the part of PNSO.

Thanks as always, Rik! Glad you found it useful. I did a lot of reading on Mamenchisaurus when they proposed the change in posture a few years ago, and it's always been very fascinating to me how most sauropods in the end, might look more towards the brachiosaurid form than the apatosaurine bauplan.

Thanks for your support as always, Sayan! Glad you found it informative. Mamenchisaurus is one of the sauropods I've been watching very closely, ever since revisions for its new form started appearing. I still find that tail club a little inconclusive, but it's nice that in this model we at least have all the latest ideas together in one figure. Time will tell with newer discoveries!

You really hit it on the head and I wish I'd mentioned it in my review. There was a lot of care and indeed, love put into this dinosaur. You can just see it in Zhao Chuang's video explaining the origins of this model, and all the past artwork he has done through the years on this species. Indeed, the only thing I really wish was it was 1:35, but otherwise even the little paint slips are easily overlooked. When you receive yours, take your time to enjoy the bonus packet with all the lovely artwork. It's a lot better than I show in this video because of limited time. Indeed a labour of love here by Zhao Chuang and PNSO.

@@DinosDragons btw you mention in the video that the tail club is likely sensitive structure...does this mean the tail could not be used as defense? because if it did use it it sounds like it would hurt, it doesnt seem defense problem for the big species but it kinda does for small ones like youngi huh...

Thank you for your support as always Rajitha! I'm glad you enjoy my content, as I really don't want to do a straight toy review without also sharing about the amazing animals behind them. I love sauropods and Mamenchisaurus is one I have been following a long time, and I have been very fortunate that sauropod experts like Dr Scott Hartman and Dr Matthew Wedel taken the time to reply to amateurs over the years. In fact I have found many of the experts in their respective areas very cordial. So very happy to share that knowledge too 😁 It's indeed sad that the price seems to be an issue now with so many collectors remarking they would have gotten such and such a model, except for the price. Fans in Europoe for example, are really getting hit by that VAT. Hopefully things will change or at least stabilize!

Hats off and much respect to you

Lol don't! Every since PNSO opened their AMZN shop, most people are getting them super fast too. It's only a matter of days in fact. My friend actually got his Stegosaurus earlier than I did. Besides better to let others buy first and decide whether you want to get in on it 😁 But wow, as far as this model goes, PNSO really nailed it for me. Except for the nails and teeth, everything else is making me very happy here!

¡Muchos gracias por su apoyo! Los saurópodos son mi grupo de dinosaurios más favorito. Entonces tengo mucho que decir jaja! Creo que esta es la versión de Mamenchisaurus más actualizado, ahora mismo. De hecho, ¡también puede considerar que esto es un individuo pequeño!

It is really amazing. I still have it on my desk. Hasn't been placed on the shelf since I did the review!

The more I look at the CollectA, the more of a triumph I think it is! I think you would be very happy having just that! 🙂

Thank you, it's an awesome dinosaur! 😁

Yes I can see how you would have to be very selective. I heard about the VAT... that is really crazy! I wonder if PNSO could consider a European store, whether that would help at least saving on shipping. Scale-wise, even though I absolutely love it, I can't help thinking how much more impressive it would be at 1:35!

I agree with you. It's disturbing to see how sunken the eye is in that orbit, and that antorbital fenestra might as well be bone. I also didn't like the general colour scheme so I didn't buy it. Otherwise I like how they interpreted the spines.

Thanks and good suggestion! It certainly could represent a smaller Mamenchisaurus individual or species, since to my knowlege there are not obvious differences that could be seen externally give or take a tail club. Still if it's to be 1:45, then I really hope PNSO can keep all large size figures to 1:45 so that we can maintain some sense of scale. Right now it at least scales with some of the larger marine animals. We'll have a clearer sense of PNSO's direction when they release their next sauropod!

Thanks for the reply. I am curious to see the remainder of the PNSO reveals for this year. I saw a reference estimate of ~55 feet for for m. youngi earlier today. I am looking forward to a Tsintaosaurus review! Do you have plans to review any of the older PNSO releases from 2017-2019.

@@indy1935 Unfortunately no, for the simple reason that they didn't really catch my attention until about 2019. Believe it or not, I'm actually not a PNSO completist. It seems that way because since 2019, they produced models that fulfiled my three criteria for making a purchase in a way no other company has. Sculpted detail, paint application, and most of all scientific accuracy, and I think you can see that even their _ordinary_ releases now are as good as _specials_ from other companies. I have reviewed those I have, like the Amargasaurus, Basilosaurus, Mosasaurus, Huanghetitan, and Ceratosaurus. I'm not fond of Megalodon as a genus so I have sold the large one, while keeping the small version. The Yangchuanosaurus and Chunkgingosaurus I bought a very late run one with mediocre paint applications so there would be nothing to say about it. Shangtungsaurus I donated it to a children's charity, and as for the Giganotosaurus and Spinosaurus there are already so many good reviews that I wouldn't add any value doing another one.

I believe the CollectA is a very good model. I was quite put off by the small scale, and thought I would hold out for the PNSO and see. I don't regret getting this, but if I have the funds, I will definitely also be getting the CollectA, because as you noted, it's actually close enough to 1:40 scale using M. hochuanensis. The word you used "presence" nails it on the head. When you have a sauropod, you really want it to make a statement because that's one of the group's characteristics: BIG. I bought the CollectA Argentinosaurus, my Holy Grail sauropod, and its tiny size reinforced for me that I would not be getting any more of these small scale sauropods unless there was something truly special about it. There's just something anticlimactic about a sauropod on a small scale that feels very deflationary.

Now I think white would be a very cool colour for a sauropod! As far as color and its effect on body temperature, there are quite a number of factors that go into it making this a rather complex topic. In general dark surfaces will absorb more solar radiation, but considerations like the environmental conditions, integument composition, whether an animal is ecto- or endothermic. I think you would be very interested in Stuart-Fox et al 2017 Thermal consequences of colour and near-infrared reflectance. It should be freely available online.

Yikes! I completely forgot to make an honourable mention of the tiny PNSO Mamenchisaurus figure I have!

plus the head is super tiny, in close up it may seem empty but it really is extremely good detail for such tiny size

It's really a pity that it's pretty expensive for my friends in the West. Especially if you live in the EU, those new VATs are a real killer. Hopefully prices will stabilize and show more clarity in the order of pricing for different figures. A few of us have feedback to PNSO and they are usually good about paying attention to that. Let's hope that this pricing issue will become better for you!

No why do you ask?

@@DinosDragons because mine is coming by ups also had to pay a import fee

I'm glad to hear it! This is one of the most famous sauropods from China, and it's great they've updated it to reflect most of current thinking when it comes to this splendid sauropod!

All things considered, including price, unless you're in China or Asia, I would say the CollectA. I believe I actually had a quick comparison of the two in my Favourite CollectAs Part 2 video, so check that out! 🙂

@@DinosDragons thanks a lot. I ve bought yesterday the collecta one for 19 euros. I think it s really a good deal!

As far as I know dinosaurs grew allometrically, so proportionately a juvenile would no scale proportionately with an adult. However I guess ytou could consider this just a small adult and it should be fine! After all, who is to say? 😉

@@DinosDragons do you think a smaller adult individual with the proportions given in this figure would make sense as a 1:35 or would that be kind of a stretch? Also thanks for the responses love your vids :)

They probably wanted to replicate the half exposed teeth postulated by Wiersma but at that size, I think it's too big and so it reminds me a little of Skids. But at regular viewing distance, I don't think it's an issue. I have mine on my desk right now, and it doesn't 'stick out'. Other than this though, the other plus points really far outweigh this for me!

@@DinosDragons agreed by the way how do you feel about the olorotitan based on the promos

You are right. In fact splitting an animal in component parts in clever ways will save on the volume of the box. The weight will still be substantial though, unless they used a different plastic or made it hollow. Your idea of seam lines through skinfolds would certainly solve any fitting problems too!

Haha yes sadly many of us would prefer our sauropods to be large! 1:35 preferably for me.

I guess that they were going for the more drab colours many people believe megafauna would have, but in this small size, I definitely would have liked some patterning too!

I like it, simple but well made. This Model is a Male or a Female?