Retro fanmodes
Fanmode the site takes its name from fanmodes — creative, cool or goofy fan-created looks for toys. While some toys were deliberately designed to facilitate fanmodes (e.g. construction block toys, Mugenbine, Assemble Borg, etc.), some fanmodes are the result of creative fans ignoring the instructions and designer intentions, and simply thinking outside the box. This site was created in part to call attention to the ingenuity of these toy fans.
Here are five older toy sites with fanmodes still worth checking out.
Fumi.
It’s a good thing navigating through this expansive Japanese fan site is a cinch thanks to the English text because there’s a lot to take in. Be sure to see his clever use of Transformers Car Robot figures as Henshin Cyborg power-up armour.
Katchy.
At its height, Katchy’s site featured some of the cleverer fanmodes around for Transformers Car Robot figures (with a few dozen fanmodes for Gigatron alone!) and Gaoranger mechas. Sadly, most of the content is missing now but you can get an idea of his over-the-top creativity from his Perfect Mode God Fire Convoy which incorporates every single part from Fire Convoy and God Magnus.
Bryan “MicroBry” Wilkinson.
Unlike the other fans featured here, MicroBry is still coming up with creative Microman-related fanmodes and toyjackings. See his LiveJournal for his newer stuff.
ZaRas.
The Freestyle section has some inventive mix-and-matches from different toylines.
Sakio.
The Machine Robo Rescue combinations on display here are nothing short of audacious. (More.)
Toy links
Skeletor is totally metal.
It appears this custom was based on Rescue Heroes Spider-Man.
Luke Porter’s Minimate customs. [via]
Check out the Big Daddy.
Justin Manny’s Windcharger.
“Did some more minibots to make up for the ones that Hasbro missed …” (He’s got a Tailgate custom as well.)
Vader’s Fist in Levi’s pants.
(See also.)
Scopedog.
“I made a little diorama for my 1/48 Votoms toys.” (More.)
Cobra-a-a-a!
Cosplay at Megacon 2009. (See also.)