Toy links
Desert Red Shadows.
babyjelly used the Indiana Jones Temple Guard figures as bases for this Action Force-inspired customs.
Gangaroo.
This Assemble Borg fanmode by Fugae includes a pouch for its mecha-joey.
Battle of the Century Kings.
These guys are S.I.C.
WhY mY ShOuLdErS hUrT?
JaAM! (Related.)
The terrible, terrible Pan.
Photo by _therestisnoise.
Loved by good, feared by evil.
Beautiful art.
Evil Lord of Destruction.
Pencilled by Tone Rodriguez, coloured by Rachelle Rosenberg.
Transformers Animated Gobots.
Fan art by Malunis.
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.)
Yo (part 2) reviews the Bandai Gakuengattai Moebine Ninjutsubu Endou Takane & Homura Hawk, Kamitsuki Kyouko & Fuma Viper, Kamaguchi Tamami & Raiden Toad, Oogami Uruha & Kouga Wolf, and Sarutobi Sally & Shinobi Ape trading figures.
Mojya reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GE-45 RVF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Luca Angelloni Custom from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Super Parts (Ozma Custom Colours) accessories from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Bandai S.I.C. (Super Imaginative Chogokin) Kamen Rider Den-O Climax Form and Urataros Imagin set from Kamen Rider Den-O. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider New Den-O (Strike Form) Yahoo! Japan limited figure from Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O The Movie: Final Countdown. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form) figure. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii 00 Gundam Trans-Am (clear version) Tamashii Nation 2009 exclusive figure. (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Universe Armada Series Hot Shot figure. (See also.)
Toybu reviews the Max Factory Figma Seto San figure from Seto no Hanayome. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Max Factory Figma Kagamine Len figure from Vocaloid2. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Banpresto Gundam Series Humable Model God Gundam prize figure. (See also.)
Maruo reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Spider-Man figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Flint and Lady Jaye figures from the G.I Joe Set 5-pack. (See also.)
Tom (part 2) reviews the Bandai SDX Full Armor Knight Gundam figure. (See also. )
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Brave Police J-Decker J-Decker set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Brave Police J-Decker Gun Max set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Galaxy Force Gasket Patrol Type Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive figure.
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Valor vs. Venom Dr. Mindbender figure from the Hi-Tech and Doctor Mindbender set. (See also.)
Toy links
A mighty and raging fury.
Digirama by J. Thomas Tantiangco.
Danbo Death Ray.
Flee, villains!
Snake Eyes.
Miguel Angel Lacal’s interpretation of the G.I. Joe character.
Scarlett.
Art by Bob Strang.
Sanguine Tenor.
Steven Tze has more character designs inspired by Xevoz and Sigma 6.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Sackboys.
Custom Little Big Planet skins.
Ol’ Joe.
The original action figure looks his age thanks to Harry Hendriks.
Transformers Henkei checklist
Updated 1 May ’09 with Smokescreen review links
Transformers is the successful result of a decades-old collaboration playing to the strengths of two renowned toy companies. Takara (now Takara Tomy) has some of the cleverer toy designers around while Hasbro, the creator of the original action figure, has outstanding marketing talent at its disposal.
Takara Tomy’s Transformers Henkei (sold by Hasbro as Transformers Universe Classics with less embellishments at a cheaper price) is a line that cleverly blends modern toy engineering and old school robot designs. With cross-generational appeal, these updated versions of classic characters are among the most enjoyable Transformers designs ever produced.
The following checklist of Transformers Henkei figures released thus far (which excludes the exclusive figures) includes links to Japanese pictorial reviews.
C-01 Convoy (Mar. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Ebi, Transformers Baka Ichidai.
C-02 Bumble (Mar. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Toybu, Hinatatiki.
C-03 Grimlock (Mar. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Hinatatiki, Red.
C-04 Ligier (Mar. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Transformers Baka Ichidai.
D-01 Megatron (Mar. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Ebi, Hinatatiki.
D-02 Starscream (Mar. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Hinatatiki.
D-03 Astrotrain (Apr. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Ebi, Red.
C-05 Hot Rodimus (Jun. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Hinatatiki, Ebi.
C-06 Skyfire (Jul. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Remu, Itsuki.
D-04 Ramjet (Jul. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Transformers Baka Ichidai.
C-07 Sunstreaker (Sep. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red,.
C-08 Prowl (Sep. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Toybu, Red.
C-09 Lambor (Oct. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Maruo.
C-10 Cybertron Streak (Oct. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red.
D-05 Destron Octane (Oct. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Yo.
C-11 Ironhide (Nov. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Ebi, Maruo.
D-06 Galvatron (Nov. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Gamu, Maruo.
C-12 Cybertron Cheetas (Dec. 08)
Reviews: Red, Yo, Maruo.
C-13 Hound (Dec. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune (part 2), Red (part 2), Ebi.
D-07 Cyclonus (Jan. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Ebi, Red.
C-14 Ratchet (Feb. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red.
C-15 Cybertron Inferno (Feb. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Yo.
C-16 Dinobot (Mar. 09)
Reviews: Yo, Maruo, Onbashira.
C-17 Cybertron Hot Rod (Mar. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Yo.
C-18 Minibot Attack Team (Mar. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Maruo.
C-19 Minibot Spy Team (Mar. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Maruo.
C-20 Alert (Apr. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Transformers Baka Ichidai.
C-21 Smokescreen (Apr. 09)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Red, Itsuki.
Transformers Universe USA Edition
Onslaught (Sep. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Hinatatiki, Maruo.
Silverbolt (Sep. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Maruo.
Powerglide (Sep. 08)
Reviews: Yuki Bune, Maruo, Onbashira.
Toy links
Panzer Dragoon.
“Assuming the Germans had come up with Antigrav mechanics along with reflex technology, they created mechanical dragons that were linked to the minds of their riders.”
Head Cook.
“A deranged, decapitated, culinary master.”
The huggable Megatron.
“… he’s worth at least 50 hours of work and is made almost entirely of silver or black shiny material.”
Two things are certain in life: Death Star and taxes.
Niktom serves a timely reminder.
Of mice and men.
An amusing photo by s^n+ºrrºs+rº.
Cobra-a-a-a!
A photo by Super Agent Steve.
Pew pew pew.
A photo by Zamborzadeh.
The Cyborg Stone.
A photo by fengschwing.
Toy review roundup
Poe Ghostal reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock figure. Excerpt: “… a superb tribute to one of the most popular Transformers ever.” (See also.)
Poe Ghostal reviews the Playmates Toys Terminator Salvation T-R.I.P. Resistance Infiltrator Prototype (Deluxe version) 6-inch figure. Excerpt: “… it’s nice to have an Endoskeleton in the 6" scale.”
Michael Crawford reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Galaxy Collection Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Original Spock and Nero figures. Excerpt: “… what I’ve seen so far indicates the quality of the sets will be much higher than the figures.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Ronin figure. Excerpt: “… Mattel’s Infinite Heroes are amazing disappointments in every imaginable way, and Hasbro’s ‘Marvel Universe’ line has blown them out of the water with its first releases.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars Comic Packs 14 Wedge Antilles and Borsk Fey’lya two-pack from the Star Wars X-Wing Rogue Squadron comic. Excerpt: “… we’ve never had any Bothans before.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Samurai Prowl figure. Excerpt: “… if you did buy Prowl early, the differences between that release and this release are substantial enough that you won’t feel screwed by getting this one.” (See also.)
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Big Barda (helmeted version) figure. Excerpt: “… she’s just a solid, though not amazing value.” (See also.)
Jeff Parker reviews the ZC Girl Bank Robber Carol 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “The only slight let down is the simplicity of the sculpt …”
Artemis reviews the Mezco Toyz The Spirit Sand Saref figure. Excerpt: “… she’s a decent if unremarkable figure of an attractive woman standing still and aiming a pistol.”
Erin Snyder reviews the International Playthings Mighty World Ken’s Kayak Adventure set. Excerpt: “… this guy kind of looks like Charlie Brown grew up and then, one day, he just snapped.”
Scott Rubin reviews the Bandai Ben 10 Alien Force Alien Collection Big Chill and Brainstorm 4-inch scale figures. Excerpt: “… two excellent figures with great designs and cool features.”
Artemis reviews the Lego Bionicle 8954 Mazeka set. Excerpt: “… a properly complex build that ought to satisfy any serious-minded Lego enthusiast.”
Retro reviews
Darren Cilenti reviews the Takara Transformers Masterforce C-305 Ranger figure. Excerpt: “A somewhat bland mould, Ranger avoids the unusual colours used on Joyride and goes for a more orthodox colour scheme.”
Nathan Newell reviews the Kenner Batman The Dark Knight Collection Iron Winch Batman figure. Excerpt: “… one of the few Batman repaints with a color scheme that actually seems like something Batman would wear.”
Philip Reed reviews the Kenner Star Wars AST-5 Armored Sentinel Transport toy. Excerpt: “A weird-looking contraption that’s either a flying machine, a stationary gun emplacement, or some combination of each …”
Toy links
Mani.
A very cool custom inspired by Brotherhood of the Wolf.
Hellboy.
A Johnny Tang Lego MOC.
AssembleQT.
ikuma used Fraulein Revoltech Asahina Mikuru for this quirky Assemble Borg fanmode. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Barrels Warrior R.
A fine Assemble Borg fanmode with hands from a plastic model kit. (Click on the image for a better look.)
The adventures of the plastronaut. [via]
The Playmobil Astronaut gets around.
Ninja critic.
Stealthily killing artists’ careers.
Beldar, Prymatt and Connie.
No, wait …
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 Takara Tomy Genx Core Kerberos Saga Kai Tetsuro GSDF Type-61 Protect Gear 1/6-scale figure.
Ken Murasame, Ramuna, Goe and Koshihara Hitoshi review the Megahouse Variable Action Linebarrels of Iron Linebarrel figure.
Gamu reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Super Parts (Ozma Custom Colours) accessories from Macross Frontier.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Super Parts (Alto Custom and Ozma Custom Colours) accessories from Macross Frontier.
MaruH102 reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin (SOC) GX-41B Black Raideen figure.
MaruH102 reviews the CM’s Corporation Brave Gokin Tetsukyojin (anime colour version) figure from Panzer World Galient: Crest of Iron. (Related.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Iron Man Concept Series Iron Man Inferno Armor figure.
Alfes reviews the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider Kuuga (Mighty Form and Titan Form) figures. (See also.)
Gamu and Damien Sancho review the Bandai S.H. Figuarts Kamen Rider New Den-O (Strike Form) Yahoo! Japan limited figure from Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O The Movie: Final Countdown. (See also.)
Gamu and Damien Sancho review the Bandai Robot Tamashii GN-Archer figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars Clone Trooper and Clone Trooper (501st Legion) Wal-Mart exclusive figures. (See also.)
Kanon reviews the Banpresto Gundam Series Humable Model Master Gundam prize figure.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the Banpresto Special Creative Model (S.C.M.) EX (Special Assort.) Gouf prize figure. (See also.)
Onbashira (part 2) reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock figure. (See also.)
Onbashira reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei D-07 Cyclonus figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-18 Minibot Attack Team set. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Encore 10 Pipes figure from the Bumble & Minibot set.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Waspinator figure. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Disney Label Mickey Mouse Trailer and Mickey Mouse Trailer Monochrome figures. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Yo reviews the Bandai GD-51 Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Exceed Gills figure from Kamen Rider Agito. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Super Link SC-07 Airglide figure.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Collection 14 Drag figure from the TFC-12 Minibot Team set.
Ramuna reviews the Tomy Zoids RBOZ-006 Dibison kit. (See also.)
Toy links
Musha Gundam.
An extraordinary Lego creation.
Ninja-Bot B.A.T.
A striking G.I. Joe custom by Obi-Shinobi.
Mecha Hulk.
“All I needed was a flashlight with spotlight mode, a dark room, a camera on a tripod.” (More.)
Keep low.
Digirama by Oleg Tovologuine.
Germinate, germinate.
The agrarian Dalek.
Disco never dies.
Run away, run away.
Speed Trap.
Another thuggish pocket biker caught.
Transformers customiser Sabrina Ng interviewed.
“… the fresh graduate’s fascination with Transformers toys is helping her make a steady income at a time when her peers are finding it tough to get a job.”
500!
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