Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Bandai HCM Pro Gundam Exia and Gundam Dynames figures from the Gundam 00 series.
Ganhoo does a two–part review of the Bandai Soul of Chogokin Irongear figure from the Xabungle series. (Related.)
Gamu reviews the CM’s Corporation Brave Gohkin 07 Mobile Police AV-98 Ingram 1 and 2 set from the Patlabor movie.
Ken Murasame reviews both the Kaiyodo Revoltech Macross Super Valkyrie VF-1J (TV version) and the Strike Valkyrie VF-1S (movie version) figures.
Autobase reviews the Hasbro Transformers Robot Replicas Optimus Prime and Jazz figures.
S.R../Blood Zwei reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Giant Robo (OVA version) and GR-2 figures.
Esuyu reviews the Bandai Boukenger Go Go Jet and the merged form, Ultimate Dai Bouken.
C-Zone:A reviews the 2001 Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider G3 figure and the Guard Chaser motorcycle from the Kamen Rider Agito series.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews both the G1 and Transformers Micron versions of Ultra Magnus.
Soundwave
A Hasbro Transformers Action Masters Soundwave figure from 1990. Eagle-eyed readers will note the figure is not quite in mint condition.
Toy links
Brickfilms. [via]
“We are a community dedicated to the art of stop motion animation. Our main focus is the animation of plastic building toys, or bricks (LEGO, Mega Bloks, Best-Lock etc), which we call ‘brickfilms’ (these films are also commonly called ‘LEGO Movies’).”
Yokohama doll museum.
As of 2004, the museum had nearly 13,000 dolls from 140 countries. Flickr user NelC has a photogallery here. We note Mazinger is there but we would’ve thought the Henshin Cyborg version of the character would have been more suitable.
Transformers Jazz custom.
A nice kitbash of the Transformers movie Bumblebee 08 Camaro figure by Ambrose Yin. He’s got more customised Transformers movie toys on his site.
Mini Lego Optimus Prime.
Another neat transforming MOC by SuperSmashShows. (See also.)
Protoform Prime in G1 colours.
(See also.)
Gundam 00 merchandise. [via]
Model kits and figures from the latest Gundam series.
In Prime We Trust
Optimus Prime in training.
We understand that visualisation aids self-improvement but we’re not sure about the “pew! pew!”
Princess Prime.
We won’t talk about this if you won’t.
Optimus Prime has a Second Life.
We won’t talk about this if you won’t.
Take heart, shoppers.
Optimus Prime will ensure no Decepticon shenanigans will interrupt your shopping experience. More: 1, 2, 3.
Optimus Prime: the younger years.
He wasn’t always as imposing as he is now.
The costume is done. [via]
“6 weeks, $180 (CDN), and about 3000 swear words later …” (Previously.)
Optimus Prime: Guitar Hero.
“You rock, Optimus, you rock.”
Optimus Prime’s commute.
Nice tote bag. (NelC caught this guy at the Yokohama WorldCon.)
Optimus Prime says, “Eat me.”
A tasty rendition of our hero.
Toy links
Lego Starfighters. [via]
Peter Morris’ excellent designs.
Industrial Zeek Deux.
An imposing Keybots fanmode by Gee.
Transformer Jetfire custom.
Pisuwo used a Revoltech Macross Super Valkyrie figure as a base.
P.R.C.C. [via]
YDR’s Japanese G.I. Joe Sigma 6 archive. It’s unfortunately incomplete.
Snake on a desk.
Wait, what? Kojima Productions will be duly informed.
Operation: Titanus. [via]
Wheeljack had a plan to counter Devastator.
Strike a pose 19/52
As he prepared for his ultimate battle, the rikishi slightly regretted his gastroplasty.
Toy review roundup
waziwazi reviews the Takara Tomy i-SOBOT robot. Excerpt: “It comes with an entertaining array of abilities: the cute little robot can walk, kick, punch, somersault, utter some 200 words and even act out impersonations of Jack Bauer and Clint Eastwood.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Character Options Cyber Controller Cyberman figure from the Doctor Who series. Excerpt: “I can think of several large American toymakers that could take some quality lessons from this Character Options company.”
WIKD reviews both the original and new Japanese-releases of Tomy Zoids Storch kits. Excerpt: “Both kits in hand made for a great night of building and review making.”
Adam Pawlus reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Destro San Diego Comic Con International exclusive figure. Excerpt: “This is an item that’s pretty much worth owning purely for bragging rights or to show off to your friends as an example of just how screwed up your hobby is and, by association, how screwed up you are.”
Dan Wakerhauser reviews the Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Big Foot mail-in premium figure. Excerpt: “The scale problems are a major issue for the figure and may be more than enough to turn many people off.”
Jeff Parker reviews Hot Toys Prison Break Lincoln Burrows and Michael Scofield figures. Excerpt: “The facial sculpts on these two are exceptional.”
yo go re reviews NECA Player Select Pixel Simon Belmont figure. Excerpt: “‘Pixel Simon’ started life as a joke that one of the main sculptors did, but everyone soon recognized what a cool little marketing tool it would make.”
Toy links
Toy production: making the mould. [via]
Symbiote Studios is blogging about the toy production process.
CustomCon. [via]
“CustomCon is a fictional toy show showcasing the work of several customizers. You will not find these toys in your local toy store.” We particularly like the Marvel and Legion of Super Heroes customs done in the distinctive Justice League Unlimited toy style.
Samurai and his lady.
A classy photo of cleric’s Dollfie dolls.
Lego town growth.
The man on the box of this year’s 10184 Town Plan set is the kid who was on the 248 Town Plan Board set from 1967.
Light your darkest hour.
A neat Autobot-logo pumpkin for Halloween.
Microman on Hoth.
The Micro 100 Wars blog has the Microman commandeer the Hasbro Star Wars Power of the Force Hoth Battle playset and then later unwind at the Mos Eisley cantina bar.
Win a signed copy of Tokyo Underground.
“All you have to do is be a CollectionDX member and leave a comment below. One winner will be pulled at random from the comments October 31, 2007.”
Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
Tamabase looks at the Takara Tomy Microman Wecker Signa figures. He provided a comparison of bust sizes in case that influences your purchasing decisions.
Tamabase also looks at the Takara Best of Cool Girl Alternative CG-EX3 Ash figure.
Ken-O looks at the transforming Ace figure from the South Korean CGI series Ironkid (a.k.a Eon Kid).
Yusuke looks at the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yotsuba figure. He also created two digirama starring the figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai does a multipart review of the 1995 Takara God Silverion DX boxset from the Yuusha Goldran series.
Len looks at the Tomy Zoids Kadou Ou Berserk Fuhrer figure from 2001.
Esuyu reviews Takara Transformers Car Robot Fire Convoy from 2000. One of the finest Optimus Prime toys produced.
Hinatiki reviews the Takara Transformers Binaltech Dead End figure from 2004.
Silencer reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Encore Starscream figure.
Misodrill reviews the Toy Biz Mega Morphs Thing figure from 2006.
Blogroll updated
Added Inner Space Online and Bug Eyed Monster to the blogroll.