Toy review roundup
Corey Tincher reviews the Mezco Toyz Hellboy II: The Golden Army Hellboy (black-shirted version with cat, six-pack and Samaritan) 7-inch- scale figure. Excerpt: “It might be a few dollars overpriced, but he’s just a really well made figure that uses a strong, heavy plastic that feels like $16 in your hands.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Diamond Select Toys Star Wars Ultimate Quarter Scale Darth Maul figure. Excerpt: “I had to actually get THREE of these figures, because the first two broke right out of the package.”
Jeff Parker reviews the Hot Toys British Army Blues and Royals Regiment in Afghanistan Lieutenant and Tank Commander 1/6-scale figures. Excerpt: “It’s great to have a couple of good British figures in the series and I shall display mine with a certain amount of patriotic pride!” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Red Hulk Series Union Jack Target exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Both weapons are rubberbanded to his hands in the package, which of course means they’re both warped all to hell by the time he’s shipped from China …” (See also.)
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Black Lightning Wal-Mart exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Unfortunately I got one with a crappy paint job …” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Allspark Power Voyager class Mudflap Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive figure. Excerpt: “This movie repaint doesn’t correct any of the old problems, and you’ll be better off not buying him.” (See also.)
Josh Bernard reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars R2-D2 figure. Excerpt: “This toy may be the best 3-3/4 scale Artoo ever released.” (See also.)
Richard Eubanks reviews the Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select Iron Man figure. Excerpt: “While not my favorite version of the armor, it is still nicely done …”
Jorge Pelaez reviews the Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select Red Hulk Big Bad Toy Store exclusive figure. Excerpt: “In terms of movement, the Hasbro version of Red Hulk completely out-performs this one by offering almost twice the articulation.”
Retro reviews
Engineernerd reviews the Kenner Butch and Sundance: The Early Days Butch Cassidy figure. Excerpt: “He looks a bit more like a vintage Han Solo figure with a hat than anything else.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Saga Legends 501st Legion Trooper (Super Articulated version) figure from Revenge of the Sith.. Excerpt: “Hasbro has finally done right by the 501st Legion.”
Leonardo Flores reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Starduster (version A) mail-away exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Although Starduster is a recolored parts figure something about how it was done makes it a standout figure.” (See also.)
Tom Prankerd reviews the Takara Transformers Collector’s Edition 91 Clamp Down e-Hobby exclusive figure from the Clamp Down and Deep Cover set. Excerpt: “Clamp Down is a tricky figure to evaluate.”
Tom Prankerd reviews the Hasbro Transformers Generation One Commemorative Series Red Alert figure. Excerpt: “He’s very sensible-looking, but lacks a certain amount of individuality.”
Toy links
Trap-Jaw. [via]
max-cant’s stunning reimagination of the Masters of the Universe character. (See also.)
Trap-Jaw.
A fine custom by Cerebus. (See also.)
Kaneda’s Speeder.
Scroll down for an Assemble Borg fanmode inspired by Akira. (Click on the image for a better look.)
MTX-009.
A Bionicles MOC mecha.
Major greetz flying out from Planet V, yo.
Some sort of alien throws up some sort of gang sign.
G.I. Joe for the vets.
“There’s not a better cause for the G.I. Joe money to go to.”
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.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Studio Half Eye Kanzen Henkei Dangaioh set.
Gamu (part 2) reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25S Messiah Ozma Custom from Macross Frontier.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Yamato Macross Destroid Defender 1/60-scale figure.
Soh-dr and Onbashira review the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-12 Cybertron Cheetas figure.
Red (part 2) reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-13 Hound figure.
Toybu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Jetstorm and Jetfire set.
Toyhunter reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager class Skywarp figure. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai Super Imaginative Chogokin (SIC) Kamen Rider G3 Mild Toei Hero Net exclusive figure from Kamen Rider Agito.
ledmb4da reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Ninja Fubuki Konami Style exclusive figure.
Syuuamamori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki High Speed Trike Ach Stradale Dengeki Hobby Magazine exclusive set. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Shin figure.
Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Toki figure. (See also.)
Mojya and Hinatatiki review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Danbo Mini (Amazon.co.jp version) exclusive figure from the Yotsuba&! manga.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii 0 Raiser toy from Gundam 00.
Mondo and K2O review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Guren Type II figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Glasgow Tamashii Web exclusive figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Ramuna reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Gran Kaiser figure from Gravion.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Gran Kaiser and God Gravion figures.
Goe reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou God Gravion figure. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Ketaros figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Caucasus figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Banpresto Kiba-Musha Den Real Type Figure Bangai Hen Shingen Gundam, Kenshin Gundam and Kiba Musha prize kits. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Mighty Form, Kamen Rider Kuuga Rising Pegasus Form, Kamen Rider Blade and Kamen Rider Garren (battle damaged version) trading figures.
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Scarlett (2007 single carded version) figure. (See also.)
Retro reviews
G.S.R. reviews the Megahouse Palm Action Orguss figure. (See also.)
Yuu-yui reviews the Bandai Tamashii Spec XS-06 Dragonar 1 with Cavalier set. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Collector’s Edition 88 RoadHauler e-Hobby exclusive figure from the RoadHauler and Sunstorm set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Galaxy Force GD-02 Demolisher figure.
JJ9 reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin GD-24 Kamen Rider Kuuga Pegasus Form set.
JJ9 reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin GD-25 Kamen Rider Kuuga Titan Form set.
Sousuke reviews the Bandai CORM DX Kabuto Extender toy from Kamen Rider Kabuto.
Toy links
Meet the Team.
Sixth-scale customs of the maniacs from Team Fortress 2. (See also: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.)
Transgals Predaking.
Another cool Transformers-inspired BJPM creation by misodrill.
Cobra-a-a-a!
A Lego MOC-inspired by the Cobra Ferret. (More.)
Barrels Tractor.
This unusual Assemble Borg fanmode is made from two Barrels Speeder sets. (Click on the image for a closer look.)
The most powerful pony in the universe.
A typically awesome custom by Mari Kasurinen.
Toy review roundup
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G1 Series Deluxe class Starscream, Autobot Hound with Ravage, Cyclonus with Nightstick and Beast Series Deluxe Cheetor figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Autobot Hound) Makes Alternators Hound look like it was designed by a high school student, by comparison. And Ravage is just icing on the cake.” (See also.)
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G2 series Voyager class Inferno figure. Excerpt: “… a good toy, and a worthy new addition to the size class.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Comic Pack Deep Six and SSgt. Rock ‘N Roll two-pack. Excerpt: “These are both good Joes, so this set is a nice pairing.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Juno Eclipse figure from the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed game. Excerpt: “Nicely designed, looks good, an excellent range of articulation, a good height — really a superb addition to anyone’s Star Wars collection.” (See also.)
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Soukou Sharin Go-Roader GT toy from Engine Sentai Go-onger. Excerpt: “The biggest draw for me … is the awesome level of articulation allowed for posing- which I have been wishing, hoping, and begging for almost 16 years to happen.” (See also.)
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Atom Wal-Mart exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… a decent action figure but it definitely feels like we’ve seen this figure before due to the re-use of body parts.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Indiana Jones Indiana Jones with Ark set from Raiders of the Lost Ark. Excerpt: “How can you NOT have it in your collection?” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro Indiana Jones Mutt Williams (without jacket version) and Sallah figures.Excerpt: “… if you see them on clearance, they’ll do nicely to bolster your background characters.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Bandai Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Mission Response Sentinel Ranger, Moltor and Kamdor figures. Excerpt: “… I am especially pleased to note that Bandai gives the villains almost as much articulation as they do the Rangers these days. Such has not always been the case.”
Jeremy Kaufmann reviews the Takara Actic Gear AG-V08 Scopedog Turbo Custom 1/48 scale set from the Votoms series. Excerpt: “This is probably favorite Actic Gear out of the few that I own, and served as a good holdover before Yamato released their massive 1:12 scale Scopedog Turbo Custom.”
Toy links
Barrels Segway.
Another unusual Assemble Borg fanmode.
Espadia.
Gullwing comes up with a few different fanmodes for the Busou Shinki figure.
Strike Gundam, Sword Grasper and Launcher Grasper.
Neat Gundam SEED-inspired Lego MOCs by tkh. (More.)
Black belt.
Red face.
Cloverfield of dreams.
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell, it knocked upon the mountain and recoiled upon the flat … Tolucky, mighty Tolucky was advancing to the bat.
Checklists +
Updated Figma checklist with Ryomou Shimei review link and updated the S.H.Figuarts checklist with Kamen Rider Hercus and Kamen Rider Ketaros review links.
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.)
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom from Macross Frontier.
Mojya, Gamu and Tom review the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Hercus figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love.
Gamu reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Ketaros figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love.
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider Zeronos and Deneb Imagin set.
Kaz reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Limited Kamen Rider Den-O Rod Form and Kamen Rider Den-O Ax Form set. (See also.)
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Guren Type II figure from Code Geass.
K2O and Mondo review the Bandai In Action Offshoot Glasgow Tamashii Web exclusive figure from Code Geass.
Reisende reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou God Gravion figure. (See also.)
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the Banpresto Kiba-Musha Den Real Type Figure Bangai Hen Shingen Gundam, Kenshin Gundam and Kiba Musha prize kits.
Tettsun reviews the Fewture Models EX Goukin Series Robo Shi Works Juoumaru figure from the Pla-Wres Sanshiro series. (See also.)
K2O, Gamu and Tom (part 2) review the Bandai Tamashii Spec Limited Yatenkou and Muzura Tamashii Web exclusive set from Martian Successor Nadesico. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Arc and Kamen Rider Rey B-Shop exclusive set from Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Atelier Sai Duel Maid DX Berlinetta Shadow (Seraphic Form) figure.
Syuuamamori reviews the Atelier Sai Duel Maid DX Pantera (Seraphic Form) figure. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Atelier Sai Duel Maid DX Berlinetta (Seraphic Form) figure. (See also.)
Shishioh reviews the Max Factory Figma Ryomou Shimei figure from Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians.
Nekokami Sigma reviews the Max Factory Figma Hiiragi Kagami (winter uniform version) figure from the Lucky Star series and the Santa Costume Set Christmas campaign bonus accessory set. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Max Factory Figma Shana (Enpatsu version) figure from Shakugan no Shana. (See also.)
Kanon, Hikutori, Hinatiki, Toybu and Cagalli-bi review the Bandai SDX Knight Gundam figure. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Snake Eyes (version 30) figure. (See also.)
Ebi (part 2) reviews the Takara Tomy Tomica Hero Rescue Force Rescue Vehicle Series DX Rescue Diver set.
Ganhoo reviews the Bandai Soukou Sharin Go-Roader GT toy from Engine Sentai Go-onger. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series Kamen Rider Kiba Emperor Form and Kamen Rider Rising IXA trading figures.
Esuyu and Pokotannu review the Bandai Go-onger Final Weapon Go-Roader GT candy kit.
Retro reviews
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Combat Clothes 5 Silvernic Gear Hyper Sho figure from Blue SWAT.
JJ9 reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin GD-22 Kamen Rider Kuuga Mighty Form and Growing Form set. (See also.)
JJ9 reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin GD-23 Kamen Rider Kuuga Dragon Form figure.
Kanon reviews the Bandai Tamashii Spec XS-05 Dragonar-1 from Opening Silhouette figure. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Transformers D-58 Frenzy figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Galaxy Force GC-09 Guardshell figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Galaxy Force Coby’s Rumble figure from the EX-02 Sonic Convoy Toys ‘R’ Us Japan exclusive set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-367 Dump Shovel W Team set from the Return of Convoy series.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Cobra H.I.S.S. online and Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive set.
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Buzzer figure. (See also.)
Esuyu reviews the Bandai Minipla Magiranger Robo Series Magilegend kit. (See also.)
Toy links
Catwomen.
Two different Catwoman customs by GrownNerd.
Big face.
An unusual Assemble Borg fanmode.
Transgals Headstrong, Tantrum and Divebomb.
More Transformers-inspired BJMP creations by misodrill.
Now I have a tank. Ho ho ho.
You’re smiling now but when they start getting into actual M1A2s, blood will be spilt.
Toys for Tats.
“Big Jay Baker at the House of Ink wanted to help kids have a merry Christmas, but didn’t know exactly how a tattoo artist could it.”
Henshin Cyborg
Released in 1972, Takara’s Henshin Cyborg was arguably the line that established the Japanese toy company’s reputation as the creators of clever action figures.
Strangely enough, Henshin Cyborg owed its existence to the Vietnam War. Takara had licensed G.I. Joe from Hasbro but an action figure of an American soldier did not sell well in Japan during American interventionism in Asia. Takara, thinking fast, used the same mould to create a clear plastic figure, added some mechanical innards, created a sci-fi backstory and reaped the rewards. The toy sold like hot cakes.
Initially, however, the line seemed mostly unremarkable. The ability to transform a Henshin Cyborg figure into popular heroes of the day through costumes made it little more than a Japanese variation of Captain Action. The line earned its place in action figure history when Takara realised the removable parts, which made it easier to put on costumes, could be exploited in more imaginative ways. New parts could be attached to power-up the Cyborg or more ambitiously, transform him into a completely different toy.
Ironically, this ambitious new direction may have also resulted in Henshin Cyborg’s demise. The price of oil in the Seventies and the large scale of the line made the manufacture of vehicles and playsets costly so Takara switched focus to a new (and considerably smaller) line of action figures.
Though it lasted only a few years, Henshin Cyborg had a lasting impact. Some of the designs remain impressive even today and the line inspired the signature features of the highly influential Microman line, which would go on to greatly expand upon Henshin Cyborg’s interchangeability play pattern.
Here are a few links to get you up to speed on this classic Japanese line.
Cyborg origins.
“… Takara licensed G.I. Joe from Hasbro, but Japanese kids weren’t amused by a U.S. military hero. So Satoh backed a plan to create Henshin Cyborg, a clear-plastic doll pressed from the same injection mold. ‘We made up a crazy story about how he was an alien from the year 2025,’ Okude told me, ‘and he sold like hotcakes.'”
Japanese Wikipedia.
The Henshin Cyborg entry notes the Cyborg was first released in July ’72 while Takara Tomy’s corporate brochure claims it was released a few months later in October.
Cyber Metamorphosis.
“I established this website in order to let you know about an absolutely cool Japanese toy soldier …”
U-Ya’s photo galleries.
This essential Japanese site covers the Henshin Cyborg, Shonen Cyborg, Cyborg Jaguar, King Walder 1, Cyborg Rider, UK Cyborg and Neo Henshin Cyborg figures. (Click on the thumbnails to see detailed galleries of each type and variant.)
Henshin sets.
This fantastic Japanese page has galleries devoted not only to the 45 different Henshin Cyborg 1 costumes but also the Seigi no Mikata (lit. “Ally of Justice”) series for Takara’s New G.I. Joe figures that preceded Henshin Cyborg. (Click on the yellow arrows to see detailed views of the individual costumes.)
Denys Fisher Android, Cyborg and Muton.
“In the the mid 1970s UK toy manufacturer, Denys Fisher, produced their own range of the 8″ Shonen Cyborg toys. They changed the names of the toys from the original Android A to Android, Shonen Cyborg to Cyborg, and King Walder to Muton.”
DX Henshin Cyborg Shishioh Guy.
Japanese pictorial reviews by Transformers Baka Ichidai, Ganhoo and taku1 of the 1997 Takara GaoGaiGar figure which kick-started the brief Henshin Cyborg revival in the late 90s.
Microforever.
Paul Lorphanpaibul’s Microman site has good overviews of the original Henshin Cyborg 1 line as well as the Neo Henshin Cyborg, Cyborg 99 and X-Borg lines.
Neo Henshin Cyborg.
Rik Ruff looks at the Shishioh Guy, Neo Henshin Cyborg and Cyborg 99 figures and provides a checklist.
Neo Henshin Cyborg versus Cyborg 99.
Jim Stelling runs through the differences.
Visible Innards.
An English forum with reviews and discussion about Henshin Cyborg and related lines.