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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.
Shishioh (part 2), Damien Sancho (part 2) and Hima-toy review the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider X and Apollo Geist set.
SR../Blood Zwei, Mojya and Goe review the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Kiva (Basshaa Form) figure.
Mondo reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Gloucester (Gilford version) from the Code Geass series.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai MSIA (Mobile Suit in Action) Gundam Throne Zwei figure from the Gundam 00 series.
Satocchi reviews the Banpresto SCM (Special Creative Model) EX Z Gundam figure from the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam series.
Gamu reviews the CM’s Corporation Sunrise Mecha Action Series Testa-Rossa (weathering version) figure from the Votoms Blue Knight Weather Version event exclusive set.
Hikari, Shishioh and Gamu review the Bandai Saint Cloth Myth Scylla Io figure from the Saint Seiya series.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Premium Series MA-21 Battle Mode Optimus Prime figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Trans Scanning TS-01 Optimus Prime (part 2, part 3) set. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei Megatron figure. (See also.)
Kaz and Yuu-yui review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Gurren Lagann figure from the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann series. (See also.)
Hirohiro reviews the Kaiyodo Fraulein Revoltech Futami Mami (Snow Strawberry version) Friend Shop exclusive figure from The Idolmaster game.
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Fraulein Revoltech Amami Haruka (Snow Strawberry version) Friend Shop exclusive figure from The Idolmaster game. (See also.)
Hikutori reviews the Atelier-Sai Duel Maid II Over Drive Berlinetta (version 2), Pantera, Elite and Excel trading figures.
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Atelier-Sai Duel Maid Lutecia (normal version) trading figure.
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Tomica Hero Rescue Force Rescue Gattai Series Rescue Drill toy.
Ganhoo reviews the Bandai Capsule Engine Vehicle Engine Speedor, Engine Bus-on, Engine Bearrv, Engine Birca, Engine Gunpherd and Engine Carrigator toys from the Engine Sentai Go-onger series.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Sgt. Flash figure. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro Iron Man Iron Man Prototype figure. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Damien Sancho reviews the Yamato VF-1S Valkyrie (Roy Focker version) 1/48-scale figure from the Macross: Do You Remember Love movie.
Ramuna reviews the MegaHouse Palm Action Orguss and Nikick figures.
Fanmode favourites
Fanmode presents a few hundred toy-related links every month and it’s possible a few may have slipped your attention. Here are ten of our favourites for May ’08.
Bumblebee beats Optimus.
A smooth stop-motion video by Patrick Boivin. (See also.)
Iron Monger diorama.
A phenomenal piece by Passion Designs.
Trans Scanning Minerva.
If this had been a straightforward repaint of Trans Scanning Bumblebee, it would have been impressive enough but Pisuwo kicked it up a notch by incorporating the Headmaster gimmick as well. (See also.)
Lego Action Comics # 1.
It’s been 70 years since Superman’s debut and Lego fan levork decided to mark the occasion with a Lego version of that classic comic cover.
Robot-Models Transformers sculptures.
It’s good to know somewhere in this world there exists a 2-metre-tall Optimus Prime metal sculpture weighing 250 kilogrammes and costing almost five grand.
Classics Devastator.
Ptitvite finally completed his homage to the original Transformers combiner and what a stunning piece of work it is. The individual Constructicons look wonderful and Devastator is a thing of beauty.
Kamen Rider Garren King Form.
Kamen Rider Garren never received a King Form power-up so we’re glad to see figure customiser kenosyokutaku put his imagination and tools to good use.
My Little Godzilla.
The king of monsters, cutesy-style.
Toy packaging: then and now.
It’s not a topic usually covered or even considered so this article was welcome.
Yujin’s capsule toys.
PingMag talks to the folks at Yujin about the craftmanship and design of their 100 yen toys.
Toy links
Cutar.
Izzo’s cute little MOC is based on a drawing by his son. (More.)
Femtrooper.
A neat custom Lego minifig by Don Solo.
Installing LED lights in a figure.
A guide by Jin Saotome.
Re-energising old toys.
“Some manufacturers … deliberately create unique power systems that force customers to purchase batteries made by that company. When these manufacturers go out of business, the customers are left with inoperable items.”
The Princess Diaries.
“ToyFare takes you inside the Crystal Castle for a look at this classic 1980s heroine, as well as her friends and foes!” (See also.)