Skull One
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by Eneas.
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.
Tom reviews the Konami Great Impact Model Series Gurren Lagann (part 2) from the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann series. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Banpresto Gundam Kiba-Musha Den Real Type Musha Gundam and Musha Kiba prize figures.
Damien Sancho reviews the Kotobukiya Square Enix Final Fantasy VII Play Arts Cloud and Hardy Daytona set. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite C.A. (Char Aznable) Gundam ver. Ka Casval’s Custom 1/100-scale figure from the Mobile Suit Gundam: Gihren’s Ambition game. (See also.)
MaruH102 (part 2, part 3) and Tamabase review the Bandai Soul of Chogokin GX-41 Raideen and GX-41S Raideen DX Fade In sets. (See also.)
The G reviews the Kaiyodo Fraulein Revoltech Amami Haruka (Gothic Princess version) figure from The Idolmaster game.
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Suzuki figure from the Doko Demo Issho game series. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Toro (head variant) figure and Kuro (head variant) Friend Shop exclusive figure from the Doko Demo Issho game series. (See also.)
Machu reviews the Max Factory Figma Suzumiya Haruhi (uniform version) figure from The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Lancelot figure from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Sutherland (Normal version) from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
Len reviews the CM’s Corporation Mecha Action Series Gaiking the Great (the combined form of Gaiking, Raiking and Balking) from the Gaiking: Legend of Daiku-Maryu series. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Beast Wars Tele Omocha Series TM-SP DX Convoy figure.
Retro reviews
Gamu reviews the Volks Super Robot Wars Original Generation Full Action Figure Series 021a Guarlion Custom Trombe limited edition figure and 006a Grungust figure.
Acro_characin reviews the Bandai Saint Cloth Myth Unicorn Jabu figure from the Saint Seiya series. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Car Robot C-025 Super Mach Alert figure.
They await you, creator
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by woodleywonderworks.
Toy links
Super-sized Stikfas.
Noli Coronado’s creation is over 6 feet tall.
Hitman.
Another fine Kyle Robinson custom figure.
Decisions, decisions.
Shinkis take forever to get ready.
The hallucinogenic adventurer.
G.I Joe is about to take a trip.
Wheeljack.
Another cute Transformers plushy by Suzy Wong.
The Baroness.
Art by Scott Blair.
Secret lives of Stormtroopers. [via]
The Official Star Wars Blog interviews Cindi Geeze, creator of the Stormtroopers Flickr group.
The First
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by Fuyoh!
Review: Takara Microman Acroyear A-301 Red Star
The original Microman line produced by Takara from 1974 to 1984 was an influential and well-connected toy line with ties, direct and indirect, to other notable lines like Henshin Cyborg, Micronauts, G.I. Joe and Transformers. It’s perhaps underappreciated these days but even a casual look through its rich catalogue ought to reveal its true import.
There was incredible diversity in the line during that decade-long run with Takara producing die-cast action figures, magnetic action figures, mecha, transforming robots, impressive bases and even a spectacular remote-controlled starship that split apart to become smaller vehicles and role-playing toys. There certainly were clunkers but on the whole, the designers deserved credit for continually trying new things.
Microman’s standard action figure designs were remarkable as well. At a time when Kenner was dominating the US action figure market with designs that made do with a mere five swivel joints, Takara was producing action figures of a similar size for the Japanese market with 14 points of articulation including ball-jointed wrists and an O-ring waist joint.
Yet it’s the connectivity and interchangeability based on Takara’s classic 5mm pegs and ports standard that stands out, and no one Microman figure in the original line represents that better than the classic Acroyear.
Read more
Talk to it
Strike a pose 29/52.
Toy links
Junkion Commando.
Shinobitron used an Autovajin figure from Kamen Rider Faiz for this cool custom.
Lego Snoopy.
An MOC by MisaQa. (More.)
Shinkiformer.
A Busou Shinki Zelnogrard figure with Trans Scanning Bumblebee parts.
Indiana Jones and the deeply confused bounty hunters.
An amusing photo by Decepticreep.
Cloud.
A fine portrait of the Play Arts figure by Edward Lee.
Maschinen Krieger S.A.F.S. ver. Robocon. [via]
A 1/6-scale Super Armored Fighting Suit kit painted to resemble the classic tokusatsu character.
Circus of Disemboweled Plush Toys. [via]
“You’re about to view the most hideous collection of plush-toy tragedies. The following photographs of these disturbing abominations will surely shock & horrify even the most courageous viewer.”
Ho!
Thundercats fanart by Alexandre Costa.
Classic toys parents hated.
“Welcome to the eight toys that will forever delight children and annoy adults.”