Review: Kaiyodo Assemble Borg Mr. Assemble
This will be a curious review, one that almost gives the reader every reason to avoid the figure yet improbably conclude it is one of the coolest action figures available now.
But then this is a curious figure. It features modern engineering with design elements that harken back to the 70s. It’s recognisably a Kaiyodo figure but it is spiritually a Takara figure. It was designed to be played with but is aimed at a demographic that does not play with action figures so much as collect them and relegate them to shelves.
Assemble Borg comes from Kaiyodo, a company best known to toy fans these days for its Revoltech line. Kaiyodo sold over two million Revoltech figures since 2006 mainly by playing it safe. Sharply sculpted, well-articulated figures of popular characters, robots and mecha are bound to sell well when they’re affordably priced.
Assemble Borg represents a very big gamble by Kaiyodo. The figures are costlier than Revoltech figures and look less impressive, the characters are original creations with no nostalgic appeal and there is no manga or anime to push the line. This is a line that will live or die purely on the appeal of its play pattern.
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Toy links
It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear …
Johnny Tang absolutely will not stop creating cool Lego MOCs. Ever.
“Even other monsters fear him …”
A Quake-inspired custom by Mark Patraw.
Hyper Blue Fighter.
Scroll all the way down for some impressive fanmodes created from multiple Kabaya Duel Knights. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Off the rails.
Art by Nova-X Crew. (See also.)
One-sixth the man.
A cool portrait by Tatsuru.
Toy review roundup
Artemis reviews the Diamond Select Toys Battlestar Galactica Razor Kendra Shaw figure. Excerpt: “I don’t forgive her anything because of affection for the character, but her technical quality alone makes me quite fond of her.”
Updatedude reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series (MRS) Kamen Rider Special Best Selection Kamen Rider Kabuto trading figure.
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Star Wars Transformers Crossovers Shock Trooper to V-Wing Starfighter figure. Excerpt: “Making the arm joints more useful and adding pegs to keep them together in vehicle mode would have made this toy a LOT better.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection Joker Squad Lord Maleval, Sergeant Harkas, Anson Trask, Jes Gistang, Hondo Karr and Vax Potorr Entertainment Earth exclusive set. Excerpt: “… this is a very good deal.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection Emperor’s Shadow Guard figure from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Excerpt: “Not a lot of work went into designing the Emperor’s Shadow Guard – he’s just a Royal Guard toy with the colors reversed.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Mattel DC Universe Justice League Unlimited Green Lantern, Captain Atom and Supergirl Fan Collection 3 Pack. Excerpt: “(Re: Captain Atom) … an excellent representation of a popular animated character …”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Ares Series Crossbones Wal-Mart exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Personally, I might have given him some minorly redesigned legs, to cut some of that height and bring him down to the 6’4″ the cardback says he is.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Swindle figure. Excerpt: “… act now! Supplies are limited and operators are standing by.” (See also.)
Monkey Boy reviews the Hasbro X-Men Origins Wolverine Deadpool (Comic Series version) figure. Excerpt: “Despite having a giant weapon that belongs in an entirely different scale, tiny Deadpool is really an awesome figure.” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Dreadnok Torch (single-carded 2009 version) figure. Excerpt: “There are other ‘must haves’ that you can get first.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai New Material Model Turn A Gundam figure. Excerpt: “… sadly, only a qualified success.” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Deluxe class Frostbite figure. Excerpt: “An over complicated mould that failed the first time, and it fails again on this random repaint which overdoes the colours.”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Classic Legends class Autobot Whirl figure. Excerpt: “A good Legends mould and an aesthetically appealing set of colours make this a nice toy.”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Classic Legends class Bumblebee figure. Excerpt: “One of the lazier repaints in the Classics Legends …”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Legends of Cybetron Vector Prime figure. Excerpt: “… it’s significantly flawed …” (See also.)
Nathan Newell reviews the Kenner Batman: The Animated Series Turbojet Batman figure. Excerpt: “I was looking for a basic Batman, but this is good enough.”
Philip Reed reviews the Select Convertors Maladroid Volcan figure. Excerpt: “… you can tell that he was designed as a cheap alternative to Transformers.”
Toy links
Do you remember love?
Tamaki’s Little Treasure updates with digiramas based on Macross Frontier.
Darkwolf.
monsterforge was inspired by Ralph Bakshi’s Fire and Ice.
Soldier Regan.
Misodrill used the Microman Shishioh Guy figure as a base for this custom.
Jarknoid Grave, Jarknoid Onyx, Jarknoid Balrog.
Vintage’s custom combinations of Revoltech and Assemble Borg figures.
Cobra-a-a-a! [via]
“Revisiting my costume for Halloween 2008 … I was inspired after seeing the 12″ figure by Sideshow Collectibles.” (More.)
Matt Doughty interviewed. [via]
“I want people to be creative and restore the genuine feeling of happiness that playing with simple toy can bring.”
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, Mojya and Damien Sancho review the Bandai DX Chogokin GE-44 VF-25G Messiah Mikhail Blanc Custom from Macross Frontier.
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Bandai Twist Action Form Kamen Rider Kuuga figure.
Yo and Mondo review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Akatsuki Jikisan Custom figure from Code Geass.
Mojya reviews the Bandai 00 Region # 2301 Gundam Exia figure.
Gamu and Damien Sancho review the Bandai Saint Cloth Myth Aries Shion (dark cloth version)/Pope Shion Tamashii Nation 2008 in Asia exclusive set from Saint Seiya.
Taoo reviews the Bandai Tamashii Spec XS-11 Falguen figure from Metal Armor Dragonar. (See also.)
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the CM’s Corporation Sunrise Mecha Action Series Busou Gattai Fighbird figure. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Zangetsu figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Turn X figure from Turn A Gundam. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Blade Blade figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Ryuki Dragreder figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Encore Ironhide (Protect Black version) e-Hobby exclusive figure.
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-10 Streak figure. (See also.)
Tettsun reviews the Max Factory Figma Juohmaru (JPWA Tag Tournament version) figure from Pla-Wres Sanshiro. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Max Factory Figma Kagamine Len figure from Vocaloid2. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Zoids 25th Rebirth Century HRZ-010 Tiga Godos 1/ 72-scale kit. (See also.)
Soh-dr reviews the Bandai Henshin Belt DX Decadriver role-playing toy from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-348 Dai Atlas set from Transformers Zone.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers C-307X Nucleon Quest Super Convoy Toys ‘R’ Us Japan 10th Anniversary exclusive set. (See also.)
Ramuna reviews the Tomy Zoids RMZ-27 Cannon Tortoise 1/72-scale kit. (See also.)
Toy links
Defensor.
This phenomenal custom of the Autobot combiner stands 47cm tall. (More.)
Snowstorm in a Kup.
This pisuwo custom of Chear makes use of a Transformers Super Link figure for a base.
Vic Viper.
An Assemble Borg fanmode inspired by Gradius. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Samurai Gun.
A Stikfas custom by hemish.
The Great Spirit.
A Lego Bionicle MOC by Kovolta. (More.)
The Silly Walks Brigade charge into battle.
A photo by Papa Flab.
Have gun, will travel.
A beautiful portrait by Mark.
Dad?
A touching family reunion captured by Kristin.
Toy review roundup
MicroBry reviews the Onell Design Glyos System Buildman Ranic Phalanx Set. Excerpt: “… it doesn’t get much more fun than when you have a toy designed to allow you to rebuild it however you want …”
MicroBry reviews the Freeing Sky Girls Sonic Diver Rai-jin set. Excerpt: “With the huge range of posability, interchangeability with other action figures and 3 alternate modes, this is a pretty fun piece to own, marred really only by its delicate construction.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Enterbay 24 Jack Bauer and David Palmer 1/6-scale figures. Excerpt: “I think using the word WOW here is not an overstatement.”
Newton Gimmick reviews the Character Options Doctor Who Bannakaffalatta figure. Excerpt: “… if you’re a fan of the character you can’t go wrong with this figure. ”
Philip Reed reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Green Goblin figure. Excerpt: “The Green Goblin comes with more accessories than any other Marvel Universe action figure I’ve seen so far.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the McFarlane Toys Halo 3 Multiplayer Spartan Scout (tan version), Spartan Soldier EOD (olive version) and Spartan Soldier Hayabusa (red version) figures. Excerpt: “… good, solid figures, well-made.”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Infinite Heroes Crisis series Green Arrow figure. Excerpt: “… I just don’t see how you’ll enjoy this figure all that much.” (See also.)
Jeff Parker reviews the Hot Toys US Secret Service Emergency Response Team (ERT) (male with G36C and female with P90 versions) 1/6-scale figures. Excerpt: “… because of the cool weapons and kit a lot of these will undoubtedly be parted out and end up in the hands of many kit-bashers.” (See also.)
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Shattered Glass Evil Grimlock Botcon 2008 exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… a good exclusive …”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classic Silverstreak figure. Excerpt: “… between the parts that didn’t want to move and the parts that just plain fell off, this guy was a bit of a pain.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Space Heroes 2 Pack Adam Strange and Starfire Mattycollector exclusive two-pack. Excerpt: “Adam’s too big, Starfire’s too small, and both of them are under-detailed because Mattel insists on using the most generic sculpts possible.” (See also.)
Monkey Boy reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Nightwing figure. Excerpt: “… solid, if slightly phoned-in …” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Sgt. Airborne figure. Excerpt: “Airborne isn’t the flashiest figure, but he does look distinct from the rest of the Joes, and is overall fairly exotic.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Bandai Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Super Legends White Ranger figure. Excerpt: “… a superb likeness of the classic Power Rangers character.” (See also.)
Retro reviews
Philip Reed reviews the Kenner M.A.S.K. Jungle Challenge set. Excerpt: “A perfect toy for 1986 but a not-so-great collectible for 2009.”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Classic Legends class Autobot Jetfire figure. Excerpt: “… while he’s fairly static, Jetfire is a good Legends toy …” (See also.)
Erin Snyder reviews the DC Direct Green Lantern Ganthet and Guardian two-pack. Excerpt: “… not too shabby.”
Toy links
Transfarmer.
More than meets the E-I-E-I-O. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Morituri te salutant.
A Stikfas custom by Terry Hollister.
Ride-on ver. 3.0.
A busy-looking three-mode Assemble Borg fanmode by shikku. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Cassino.
A diorama by castor photo.
Big Gun.
A cool portrait by Faiz Zaki.
That’s My Face. [via]
“Just upload a photo of your face to ThatsMyFace.com, and preview your action figure head before buying just the head itself, or a complete action figure with clothes and even optional military gear. Our heads are specifically designed to fit onto HotToys/DiD/Dragon action figure necks, but can be adapted to fit most 12" action figures.”
Checklist painted tranche 2
Updated Busou Shinki checklist with Angel Arnval Tranche 2 (repaint colour version) review link.
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.)
Kaz reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Enkidudu Figure Ou exclusive figure from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
Yo reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Blade Blade figure from Kamen Rider Decade.
Hikutori reviews the Konami Busou Shinki Angel Arnval Tranche 2 (Repaint Colour version) Konami Style exclusive figure.
Gun0826 reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series (MRS) Kamen Rider Special Best Selection Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form) trading figure.
Shishioh reviews the Bandai Soul Of Chogokin (SOC) GX-31V Voltes V Respect for Volt in box set. (See also.)
Natsume reviews the Volks N.E.X.T. Linebarrel (Volks and Super Limited versions) Volks exclusive 1/144-scale figures. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Ryuki Dragreder figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Kuuga Gouram set from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Trans Scanning TS-01 Optimus Prime set. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager class Shockwave figure. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Blackarachnia figure. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Encore Ratchet (Emergency Green version) Transformers Visual Works limited figure. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii GN-X III (A-Laws version) figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Street Fighter Online Baichoufu figure. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Hasbro Iron Man Repulsor Power Iron Man 12-inch figure. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro X-Men Origins Wolverine Wolverine (Comic Series blue and yellow costume version) figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Comic Pack Hard Master and Snake Eyes two-pack. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Flint (From the G.I Joe Cartoon Series card version) figure. (See also.)
Yo reviews the Bandai Minipla Samurai Gattai Shinken Oh candy kit from Shinkenger.
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Micron Densetsu Convoy (Super Mode) set.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Comic Pack 32½ Crimson Guard and Scarred Cobra Officer two-pack. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Good Smile Company Nendoroid Tachikomans Silver toy from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.