Maul, the younger years
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by Photo David.
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.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Mojya, Gamu and Damien Sancho review the Bandai S.I.C Kamen Rider Soukou Hibiki (Sengoku Jidai version) Hobby Japan exclusive mail order figure from the S.I.C. Hero Saga Masked Rider Hibiki Edition Seven Ogres story.
Yuu-yui reviews the Volks A3 Total Eclipse Muv-Luv Type 97 Fubuki (with Over The Horizon cannon) Wonder Festival Winter 08 and mail-order exclusive figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Pregoods Asoblock Beetle set.
Gamu reviews the Kotobukiya Square Enix Final Fantasy VII Play Arts Sephiroth figure. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Shocker Rider figure from the Kamen Rider the Next movie.
Tom reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Kiva (Dogga Form) figure. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai HCM Pro Gundam Heavyarms 1/200-scale figure from the Gundam Wing series. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Banpresto Special Creative Model (S.C.M) Ex Hyaku Shiki figure from the Zeta Gundam I movie.
G.S.R. reviews the Banpresto Special Creative Model (S.C.M) Ex Z Gundam, Hyaku Shiki and the SCM Re (Real Edition) Gundam Mk II prize figures from the Zeta Gundam series. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Kabaya Great Dash Vehicle trading figures. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-01 Convoy (clear version) International Tokyo Toy Show 2008 exclusive figure. (See also.)
Toybu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Snarl and Blackarachnia figures. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Cybertron Mode Optimus Prime and Voyager class Grimlock figures.
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-05 Hot Rodimus figure. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Trans Scanning TS-01 Optimus Prime set. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Premium Series MA-22 Battle Mode Bumblebee figure. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Movie MD-19 Thundercracker and MD-20 Recon Barricade figures. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Real Gear Robots MD-21 Wire Tap V20 and MA-17 Night Beat 7 toys. (See also.)
Yuu-yui reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech YF-21 (Guld version) and YF-19 (Isamu version) figures from Macross Plus. (See also.)
Yuu-yui reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Lazengann figure from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. (See also.)
Hirohiro reviews the Kaiyodo Fraulein Revoltech Futami Ami (Snow Strawberry version) Friend Shop exclusive figure from The Idolmaster game.
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Tomica Hero Rescue Force Rescue Gattai Series Rescue Turbo toy.
Ebi reviews the Bandai Go-onger Play Movie Series DX Handle Blaster and Engine Attache case.
Sappy reviews the Banpresto Zaku Sound Action Figure Zaku II figure.
Retro reviews
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Takara Microman Magneforce MagneMicroman Theseus figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Masterforce D-312 Turtler figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Car Robot D-005 Gelshark figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-58 Wave figure.
Yuki Bune reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Hades Shun from the Saint Seiya Hades OVA. (See also.)
Building blocks
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by Mr Conguito.
Toy links
Transforming bikes.
Very cool Lego MOCs by tkh. (More.)
Snapdragon + Apeface = Sky Lynx.
A creative, albeit old-timey, Transformers fanmode. (Click on the image for a closer look.)
Trap Jaw.
An impressive custom by Madtinker76 of the Masters of the Universe character.
Big in Japan.
“Japan’s pop culture has managed to elevate toys, once the sole domain of children, to a level of respectability.”
Toys for Liberia.
“A containerload of toys donated by hundreds of French schoolchildren left Paris on Friday bound for Liberia, where the playthings will be given to children forced to flee their homes during the West African nation’s civil war … more than 1,500 children and about 60 schools all over France have taken part in the project and donated hundreds of toys.”
Mobile
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by Mr. T in DC.
Toy review roundup
BigGuido reviews the Mezco Toyz Hellboy II: The Golden Army Hellboy (cigar variant), Liz Sherman and Johann Krauss 7-inch-scale figures. Excerpt: “The paint on all of Mez’s Hellboy figures has been above par for the most part, but these figures aren’t up to Mez’s usual standard.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Heroes of the Rebellion Han Solo Smuggler: Tatooine Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “It is an improvement over the Bespin Han, and it is recognizable as Solo, but this isn’t going to be the be all end all version.” (See also.)
WIKD reviews the Takara Tomy Zoids Malder Guylos Specification e-Hobby/International Tokyo Toy Show 2008 exclusive kit. Excerpt: “… a welcome addition … ” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Hasbro Iron Man Iron Monger (opening cockpit version) figure. Excerpt: “The new Iron Monger (v2, as it’s known among collectors) is superior in every way to the first version except for one thing …” (See also.)
David Yeh reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figures. Excerpt: “There are a few things that I wish were handled differently or better, but overall I really enjoy having these characters join the rest of the Fellowship at last.” (See also.)
Josh Bernard reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Lazengann figure from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Excerpt: “Lazengann is a typically great Revoltech release, if you can overlook the wrists.” (See also.)
EVA_Unit_4A reviews the Bandai Go-Onger Engine Gattai Series Engine Gunpherd toy. Excerpt: “It’s a good little toy, though a bit featureless compared to some of the others.” (See also.)
Michael Crawford reviews the Medicom Star Wars Vinyl Collectible Dolls Wicket figure. Excerpt: “This figure was one of the bigger disappointments in awhile.”
Shogundan reviews the Taito Super Mechanics Cosmo Zero prize toy from the Space Battleship Yamato series. Excerpt: “… I was disappointed with the lack of paint detail on this model.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Mezco Toyz Cinema of Fear Nancy Thompson diorama from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Excerpt: “… I can’t really bring myself to like this ‘figure’ that much – for all that it’s an interesting attempt …”
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Metal Joe Fighter Lock, Dial Lock, Armor Lock, Chain Lock and Sword Lock figures. Excerpt: “… anyone who likes cute twists on the transforming robot idea – not to mention high quality manufacturing and some good, compact designs – should keep an eye out for these little guys.” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
Leonardo Flores reviews the Bandai Spiral Zone Protect Suit Bull Solid 1/12-scale figure. Excerpt: “… 30 years later they still hold their value and art design very well …” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Comic Book Pack # 26 Tommy Arashikage, Lonzo R. Wilkinson and Classified three-pack. Excerpt: “It would be worth buying this set just to get the comic, let alone the three figures!” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Godaikin DX Bio Man, DX Daimos and ST Laserion sets.
Tom Prankerd reviews the Popy The Chogokin ST Voltes V figure. Excerpt: “Whatever the faults of the ST figure as a transformable toy, it can’t be denied that it looks good in robot mode.” (See also.)
Tom Prankerd reviews the Select Convertors Bulldozer figure. Excerpt: “The robot is an odd looking thing …”
I see
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by pinknblack73.
Toy links
Shinobitron’s Batbike.
“I used the TFA Prowl and repainted the entire body black. I … replaced (Prowl’s head) with a Batman head from some figure from the mid 90s.” (See also.)
Transformers Animated Arcee.
A custom figure by pisuwo based on the Blackarachnia figure.
Kamen Rider Caucasus.
A SIC-style custom figure by Killing Monkey of the character from the Kamen Rider Kabuto movie.
La la la la la la la.
A Smurfing photo by paalia.
Lego artist Nathan Sawaya interviewed.
“… the sculptures are selling for tens of thousands of dollars.”
Qee
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by Stephen Hynds.
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.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Gamu reviews the Yamato Bubblegum Crisis Transforming Moto Slave and Priss (part 2) 1/15-scale set.
Mojya reviews the Kotobukiya Square Enix Final Fantasy VII Play Arts Sephiroth figure.
G.S.R, Gamu and Tom review the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Shocker Rider figure from the Kamen Rider the Next movie.
Ken Murasame reviews the Bandai MSIA (Mobile Suit in Action) Tieren Ground Type figure from the Gundam 00 series.
Kaz reviews the Bandai Mugenbine MugenKnight, MugenLio, MugenUnicorn, MugenLeviathan, MugenPhoenix and the combined form, Mugen Arthur, from Mugen Kenseijyuu trading toy set. (See also: 1, 2, 3, 4.)
Gamu and Mondo review the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Gloucester (Cornelia version) from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Macross Plus YF-21 figure. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech YF-21 (Guld version) from Macross Plus. (See also.)
The G reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Lazengann figure from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. (See also.)
Acro_characin reviews the Max Factory Figma Koizumi Itsuki (Uniform version) figure from The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Cobra Viper figure. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro Indiana Jones Colonel Dovchenko figures from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. (See also.)
Pokotannu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager Cybertron Mode Megatron figure. (See also.)
Pokotannu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Optimus Prime figure from The Battle Begins: Optimus Prime versus Megatron set. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Hasbro Transformers Allspark Power Overcast figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers MD-17 Payload figure. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Tomica Hero Rescue Force Hero Tools Series DX Rescue Crusher role-playing toy.
Hikutori reviews the Plastica Outerskin Yovkodori (black and white versions) costume accessories for Busou Shinki MMS figures.
Retro reviews
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Takara Microman Magneforce MagneMicroman Achilles figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Kenner Transformers Beast Wars Iguanus figure.