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.
Gamu and yuki bune review the Bandai Saint Seiya Myth Cloth Crystal Saint Figure Ou exclusive figure from the Saint Seiya series.
G.S.R reviews the Bandai Gundam STANDart Gundam Mk II (A.E.U.G) candy toy. (Related: reviews of STANDart Zaku, STANDart Wing Gundam Zero.)
G.S.R reviews the Kabaya ChangeDasher candy toy kits. The separate models combine into a Master Grade Gundam-sized super robot.
Hirohiro reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Miniature EVA-00 figure from the Rebuild of Evangelion movie.
yuki bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformesr Beast Wars 10th Anniversary Rhinox figure.
Ganhoo reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Super Valkyrie VF-1A (movie version) figure. (See also reviews by Gamu, Mojya, Goe and SR../Blood Zwei.)
Takanishi reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Hydra Soldier figure.
Hinatatiki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Movie Dropkick figure. (See also.)
Blast from the past
Gamu reviews 2006 Yamato Macross Zero 1/60 VF-0S figure.
Damien Sancho reviews the 2005 Unifive Huckebein Mk II (Trombe version) figure from the Super Robot War game.
G.S.R reviews the 2000 Banpresto Change Robo Collection Combattler-V figure. (See also.)
Hikutori reviews the 2003 Bandai BB Senshi Kidou Bujin Tengaiou tranforming kit.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the 1986 Takara Transformers Broadside figure.
The head snake
A photo by cornfed1975 of graffiti found in Barcelona. (Creative Commons-licensed.)
(See also.)
Toy links
My Little Transformer.
Funny fan-created videos starring Transformers and other toys. We highly recommend Episode 64 to start with.
ChaseHound.
This cool super robot Mugenbine fanmode by murasamecchi is made from two ChaseDober figures.
Optimus Prime helmet.
A brilliant photo by agel tio. (See also.)
Lego Porkins.
A fantastic blocky recreation of the portly Star Wars character by countblockula.
“Jauhar of Budo”.
A G.I. Joe meets a sad end.
Smoking kills: before
A photo by loop_oh. (Creative Commons-licensed.)
In Optimus Prime We Trust
Pinky at the Louvre
A photo of a Pinky:Street figure by beketchai. (Creative Commons-licensed.)
Wacky toys
Fanmode earlier linked to a Cracked article titled the 25 Most Baffling Toys From Around the World which is now making the rounds. (Here’s another take on the same theme.) We thought, however, we could top those with some of the figures we’ve encountered over the years.
Titanic-Bot.
Should we expect Hindenburg-Tron soon?
Mutant doll.
Barbie and the Abominable Snowman got together one night …
The Avenging Unicorn.
A mime is a terrible thing to waste.
Poo-Pooing rabbit.
“Rabbits are cute.
When they’re running and hopping.
And now here’s a way
You can eat what they’re dropping!”
Mara.
(Scroll way down.) This one is a Kotobukiya gashapon figure based on a videogame boss and is Not Safe For Work because you would most definitely get some Really Strange Looks from co-workers if you had it on your screen. Mara is Japanese for “Mr Happy” so you can probably guess what it is. But then it’s so screwy you may not. It’s like a Gamma-irradiated Mr Happy that has undergone a secondary mutation.
“Attack and wipe out the fighter plane.”
A NASA space shuttle that transforms into a robot (with a Voltron head, hands and feet) combines with Transformers Combaticons and includes a Power Ranger. Can one toy truly be so completely awesome? (Answer: no.)
Dog Toy.
Dog Toy, Mara. Mara, Dog Toy.
What toys would make your list?
Tiny Robot, Big City
A photo of Shiny Things‘ Bandai BB Senshi Strike Noir Gundam model. (Creative Commons-licensed.)
Be sure to see the rest of Tiny Robot’s adventures.
Toy review roundup
Crazyjaco does a video review of the Hasbro Transformers Movie Ultimate Bumblebee figure. Excerpt: “There are four things I’m going to talk about today for Ultimate Bumblebee and that’s articulation, sound effects, transformation and size …” (He also made a separate video of the transformation.)
Scott Rubin reviews the Stikfas Ninja Duel set. Excerpt: “The crazy articulation of the G2 Alpha Male is perfect for Ninjas (even though it can be frustrating at times because the joints tend to pop out).”
Artemis reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends She-Hulk San Diego Comic Con exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… if you want a Fantastic Four She-Hulk, you’re probably better off saving your pennies for the statue.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four Invisible Woman figure. Excerpt: “It’s a completely new sculpt of a character that was only available previously in an expensive box set, and presented in a comic-accurate costume that’s never been done before.”
yo go re review the Hasbro Marvel Legends Fantastic Four Namor figure. Excerpt: “This isn’t the best figure in the line, but it is good, and deserves a spot in your collection.”
Jason Devall reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Black Queen Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Hasbro still has a long way to go to even meet most of the collecting communities’ standards for these figures that Toy Biz/Marvel Toys worked so hard to create and maintain.”
Igadevil reviews the Bandai H.G.C.O.R.E Kamen Rider Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 gashapon figures. Excerpt: “… when it all comes down to it, the High Grade Gachapon figures are my favorite ongoing line of Kamen Rider toys bar none.”
Josh Bernard reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Strike Valkyrie VF-1S (movie version) figure. (See also.)
Blast from the past
Thomas Wheeler reviews the 1990 Hasbro G.I. Joe Freefall figure. Excerpt: ” … FREE FALL is really a superb G.I.Joe figure, one that I tend to think is often overlooked in the collection for no other reason than the year of his origin.” [via]
Thomas Wheeler also reviews the 1993 Hasbro G.I Joe Headhunter Stormtrooper figure. Excerpt: “… a very impressive figure, and is one that is generally very well-regarded in the collectors’ community …” [via]
Mike’s Forgotten Figures reviews the 1987 Hasbro G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Cobra Commander figure. Excerpt: “When I think of Cobra Commander, I don’t think of this uniform design.” [via]
Simon Skey does a video review of the 1987 Hasbro Transformers Punch/Counterpunch figure. Excerpt: “He’s two Transformers in one in robot mode.”
Actar does a video review of the 2000 Bandai Digimon Adventure 02 Chou Shinka Paildramon combiner set (part 2). Excerpt: “… definitely pick this figure up … if you can find him.”
mechanical_wunder reviews the 1988 Tomy Zoids Brachios kit. Excerpt: “It will definitely make any owner proud when placed along side with other vintage Zoids.”
Rocket punch gone wrong
A photo of a 1987 Kenner Sky Commanders General Summit figure from the Rollerpack pack.
Sky Commanders was one of the 80s lines that came and went really, really fast. It was a two-wave toy line and a single-season show. I guess it was loosely inspired by mountaineering with motorised backpacks that enabled the action figures to slowly climb up towering tables and chairs and traverse the vast chasms of a child’s playroom.