Toy links
The Chupacabra.
A fantastic custom wrestling figure by loosecollector.
Barrels Speeder fanmodes.
misodrill investigates the compatibility of the Assemble Borg toy with Revoltech, Fraulein Revoltech and Microman figures.
Biotronic Robotman.
“To make this, you need an extra Machine Tiger. Just cut the feet down to the size that they fit Biotron’s boots snugly, and voila!”
Las Vacaciones de Optimus Prime en Costa Rica.
Gustavo Vargas’s Revoltech Convoy gets around.
What happened to quality control?
“… with all of the issues I’ve had with action figures lately one of the next ‘toys’ I buy may very well be a Dremel.”
The Murderous Toy.
“Curiosity killed the cat, and the dog was next to go
The parakeet beat a fast retreat, as the wall began to glow”
Ninja update
Updated Busou Shinki and S.H.Figuarts checklists and added Shishioh to the blogroll.
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.)
Shishioh and Gamu review the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Hypnos figure from Saint Seiya.
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Bandai Soul Of Chogokin (SOC) GX-31V Voltes V Respect for Volt in box set.
MaruH102 reviews the CM’s Corporation Brave Gokin Baldios (anime colours version) limited edition set.
Mojya reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Assemble Borg Mr. Assemble figure. (See also.)
The G and Kaz review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Assemble Borg Mr. Assemble and Barrels Speeder toys. (See also.)
Shishioh reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Shin figure. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Danbo Mini (Amazon.co.jp version) exclusive figure from the Yotsuba&! manga. (See also.)
Shishioh reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Hercus figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto: God Speed Love. (See also.)
Gamu and Damien Sancho (part 2, part 3) review the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider Zeronos and Deneb Imagin set. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii 00-Raiser Trans-Am Set from Gundam 00.
Kanon reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Union Flag Custom II figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Guren Type II figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Gawain figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Esuyu reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Encore 13 Trailbreaker figure.
Ebi and Transformers Baka Ichidai review the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-13 Hound figure. (See also.)
Red and Transformers Baka Ichidai review the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-12 Cybertron Cheetas figure. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-11 Ironhide figure. (See also.)
Red reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe G2 series Voyager class Inferno figure. (See also.)
Red reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Soundwave figure. (See also.)
Taoo and Hikutori review the Konami Busou Shinki Ninja Fubuki Konami Style exclusive figure. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Devil Strarf Bis figure.
Syuuamamori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Angel Arnval Tranche 2 figure. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Bandai SDX Knight Gundam figure. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Destro (single-carded version 14) figure. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Bandai Power Rangers Super Legends Retrofire High Octane Megazord, Retrofire Mighty Morphin’ Megazord and Retrofire Wild Force Megazord figures.
Syuuamamori reviews the Atelier Sai Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu Moving Chidori (A and B versions), Ren Mikihara, Saeki Ena, Tokiwa Kyoko, Inaba Mizuki and Teletha Testarossa (A and B versions) trading figures.
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Taito Flashing Wave Motion Gun Yamato toy and Wave Motion Gun Trigger accessory from Space Battleship Yamato.
Retro reviews
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Blue SWAT Pladela Striker set.
MaruH102 reviews the Aoshima Shin Seiki Gohkin Mazinkaiser (metallic paint version) limited edition figure.
MaruH102 reviews the Aoshima Shin Seiki Gohkin Mazinkaiser (black wing version) limited edition figure.
MaruH102 reviews the Aoshima Shin Seiki Gohkin Mazinkaiser (black wing version for overseas sales) limited edition figure.
Red reviews the Hasbro Transformers Action Masters Inferno with Hydro-Pack figure.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers New Year Special Lambor e-Hobby exclusive figure from the New Year Special Lambor and Alert set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-95 Rollbar figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Car Robot C-009 Ox figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars Metals C-43 Metals Rattle figure.
Hikutori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Santa Claus Tsugaru (Blue Xmas version) Konami Style exclusive figure. (See also.)
Esuyu reviews the Bandai Minipla Dekaranger Robo Full Blast Custom Blast Buggy candy kit. (See also.)
Toy links
Jimbo ver. Stikfas.
“… my custom of James Garner from ‘the Rockford files’ I made for my brother for Christmas. He absolutely flipped when he opened it up …”
Iron Man ’44.
“… I envisioned an exoskeleton that would basically have the vibe of a walking Sherman Tank …”
Yotsuba & Moo.
Damien Sancho wanted something ox-themed for the year so he created this custom inspired by Yotsuba & Opposites.
Transformers Universe Ramhorn.
pisuwo’s repaint of the Transformers Galaxy Force Saidos figure.
Just who the hell do you think I am?!
An Assemble Borg creation by Vintage.
“Making new friends …”
A creative and amusing photo by ANVRecife.
Happy Moo Year.
Lego MOCs for the Year of the Ox.
Extra Powers. [via]
“In 1989 I had customized the few first Extra Powers (EP) figures … About half the people I talked to understood what I was saying that I ‘customized’ or ‘made’ the figures.”
Bootleg Action Figures.
“This site DOES NOT condone the production or sale of bootleg toys. Bootleg toys are inferior in quality and are not safe for anybody to play with or handle in any way.”
Toy review roundup
yo go re reviews the Hasbro The Incredible Hulk Bi-Beast figure. Excerpt: “Bi-Beast has some definite flaws (his shins, his action feature, his paint) but the design is good, and it’s not like he’s ever had a figure before.”
Artemis reviews the DC Direct All Star Batgirl figure. Excerpt: “Maybe DC Direct figures don’t grow knees until they’re 16?”
Michael Crawford reviews the Mattel Batman The Brave and The Bold Battle Slam Batman, Ray Blaster Kanjar Ro, Sea Spear Aquaman and Skiff Ripper Black Manta figures. Excerpt: “These figures are intended to hit that 5 – 7 age range, very much like the cartoon.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Snow Serpent figure. Excerpt: “… this may be yet another arctic-suited action figure, but he’s no cheap variation …” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Resolute Cobra Commander figure. Excerpt: “… here we have a Cobra Commander for the world of today …” (See also.)
Nathan Newell reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Wonder Woman figure. Excerpt: “There are a few things that need help, like her gaudy creases and Amazonian height, but overall, she’s worth the dough.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Firestorm figure. Excerpt: “… it’s hard to really dislike a figure that otherwise looks this good …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Lobo San Diego Comic Con exclusive set. Excerpt: “… Mattel has done a really superb job with this figure.” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classic Ironhide figure. Excerpt: “A really good toy with its share of issues, Ironhide gets undeserved hate.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Lanard Toys The Corps! Team Mission Sea Squad, Terra Team, Flying Force and Covert Command sets. Excerpt: “… a very capable, well-done, and generally well-made and well-thought-out action figure line.”
Artemis reviews the Zizzle Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales Swashbucklers Elizabeth Swann figure. Excerpt: “… there’s just nothing really appealing about her.”
Sanjeev reviews the Aoshima Shin Seiki Gohkin Goten-Go 1/350-scale toy. Excerpt: “… this might be the perfect scifi ship collectible.”
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Thinkway Toys WALL-E Clean ‘N Go M-O toy. Excerpt: “… my vote is N-O on Clean-N-Go M-O.”
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Lego Star Wars 7665 Republic Cruiser Toys ‘R’ Us and Lego online shop exclusive set from Star Wars Episode 1. Excerpt: “… this really isn’t meant to be banged around like smaller sets are- this belongs on a shelf to be admired, and pulled down once in a while to dust it off, and fiddle with the features.”
Retro reviews
WIKD reviews the Irwin Techno Zoids Zoidzilla kit. Excerpt: “An interesting piece of Zoids distribution history …”
Philister reviews the Hasbro Transformers Reflector mail-away set. Excerpt: “… it still looks pretty good.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars Comic Packs Carnor Jax and Kir Kanos set from Star Wars Crimson Empire. Excerpt: “… if you’re a Star Wars fan, who perhaps enjoyed ‘Crimson Empire’, or just likes the Imperial Guards, you will definitely want to acquire this set.” (See also.)
Shogundan reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Starfighter toy. Excerpt: “… I like this ship.” (See also.)
Mike reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Firefly figure from the Comic Pack # 49 Scrap Iron, Serpentor and Firefly set. Excerpt: “… the best version of a major character for a fraction of the cost of the original figure.” (See also.)
Toy links
Top Spin.
“Silly basic figure that he was, he (and Twin Twist) were always 2 of my favorites. When I saw Shinobitron’s version that he posted a while back I knew I had to ‘borrow’ the recipe.”
AssemBull Borg.
Scroll down for an Assemble Borg fanmode to suit the year.
Guess who’s coming for dinner?
Another cool digirama by Q’b.
yo go re’s Toy of the Year.
“The ToYs are the voice of the real fan community, covering what’s really the best of the best.”
Malcolm Denniss, “Mr. Toy Safety,” interviewed.
“Communicating to a designer that the item he or she has so carefully worked on may have to be changed to ensure it is safe is often times a difficult task.”