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 Medicom Toy Real Action Heroes Ultraman Tarou Father of Ultra 1/6-scale figure.
Gamu (part 2) reviews the Bandai Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite Limited Z Plus (red version) set from Gundam Sentinel. (See also.)
Yuki Bune, Maruo, Yo and Alfes review the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Den-O Momotaros figure from Kamen Rider Decade.
Yuki Bune, Yo and Alfes review the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Hibiki Ongekiko figure from Kamen Rider Decade.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Kiva Arrow figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Series Ryuki Dragreder figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Nuu, Itsuki, F2, Lem and ledmb4da review the Max Factory Figma Hiiragi Kagami (cosplay version) figure from the Lucky Star OVA.
Taoo reviews the Bandai Chogokin GE-46 Phone Braver 7 toy from the Keitai Sosakan 7. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GE-42 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie (Alto Custom) figure and VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Super Parts (Alto Custom Color) Tamashii Web exclusive accessory set from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Tettsun reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth God Cloth Pegasus Seiya (original colour version) Tamashii Web exclusive figure. (See also.)
Nuu reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Appendix Gemini Saga (original colour edition) Tamashii Nation 2009 exclusive accessory set from Saint Seiya.
Mojya reviews the Medicos Entertainment JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure J.P. Polnareff figure. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars Magnaguard figure. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Shinkenger Samurai Gattai Series Tora Origami toy. (See also.)
Gangu Shiro, Yo and Itsuki review the Bandai Minipla Shinkenger Samurai Gattai DaiTenkuu Kabuto Origami, Kajiki Origami and Tora Origami candy kits.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Minipla Shinkenger Samurai Gattai Shinken Oh candy kits. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Itsuki reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin Spec XS-07 Black Sarena set from the Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness movie. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai Super Imaginative Chogokin (SIC) Kamen Rider Garren (Jack Form) ToeiHero.net exclusive figure from the Kamen Rider Blade series. (See also.)
Gangu Shiro reviews the Enix Dragon Quest Armor of Legend Hero Sky Armor figure from Dragon Quest IV.
Itsuki reviews the Bandai Saint Seiya Saint Cloth Series Sea Horse Baian figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Super Link SC-19 Wheeljack figure.
Esuyu reviews the Takara Transformers Super Link SC-16 Ariel figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-87 Wipe figure from Transformers: The Headmasters.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars Transmetals 2 Sonar mail-order figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Jam Metalforce Koumorimecha toys.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Advanced Mobile Suits in Action (AMSIA) Aegis Gundam figure from Gundam SEED.
Ramuna reviews the Tomy Zoids RPZ-02 Gustav kit. (See also.)
Ramuna reviews the Tomy Zoids EMZ-31 Sea Panzer kit. (See also.)
Toy links
Choujin Neiger.
Damien Sancho’s custom of Akita’s superhero combines a Taito prize figure with added articulation courtesy of a Bandai Movie Realization Kamen Rider figure.
Nightmare Rukia.
An impressive Busou Shinki custom by Hikutori based on the Shinra Bansho character.
AcroOgre.
Another cool Microman custom by misodrill.
Leo.
A cool shot by dedbeats.
Yo y Optimus Prime.
Adolfo Tavizon wonders why Optimus Prime needs an axe while we wonder who made that awesome statue.
Toy review roundup
Jeff Parker reviews the Hot Toys M-Icon Michael Jackson (Billie Jean/History Tour version) 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “To me, it’s in many ways a more important figure than any Batman, Terminator or Stormtrooper … because it’s a brave move and represents a popular cultural icon that was a huge part of the landscape …”
Michael Crawford reviews the Cast-A-Way Toys The Phantom FX Show exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Unfortunately, it was the body that caused me the most issues.”
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Gentleman Ghost figure. Excerpt: “Gentleman Ghost may not be a DC elite or appeal to every little kid out there, but there’s some definite charm coming through this figure.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Jakks Pacific WWE Deluxe Build N’ Brawl Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy figures. Excerpt: “The one shame in this line is that it won’t likely last much longer.”
Artemis reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Warp Collection Sulu 6-inch figure. Excerpt: “… nothing glaringly wrong, but pretty middle-of-the-road.”
Artemis reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Warp Collection Spock 6-inch figure. Excerpt: “… these are effectively the collector’s option, and by that standard the so-so quality just can’t be ignored.” (See also.)
Erin Snyder reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Galaxy Collection Spock and Original Spock figures. Excerpt: “If you’re only planning to buy one, I strongly endorse ‘Original Spock’, provided you find one that looks good.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends A.O.A. (Age of Apocalypse) Sunfire Hasbro Toy Shop exclusive figure. Excerpt: “The transparent yellow body works exceptionally well …” (See also.)
Retro review
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin (S.O.C.) GX-29 Black Ox figure from Tetsujin 28. Excerpt: “Microsoft has Macintosh, Coke has Pepsi, Marvel has DC, Amuro has Char, Miracleman has Kid Miracleman, the Doctor has Russell T. Davies – and Tetsujin 28 has Black Ox.”
Toy links
Riot Loader.
An outstanding Microman-sized BJPM exo-suit by misodrill.
The ghost of Lobster Johnson.
A beautiful shot by Carlo Montoya of the Mezco Toyz figure.
Murderfly.
A custom by John Harmon.
Mega Saurer.
A Zoids-ish Assemble Borg fanmode by moromisox. (Click on the photo for a better look.)
Cobra-a-a-a!
“Using an old photo of me and running it through obamiconme.pastemagazine.com”
Médecins Sans Frontières.
Real Universal Heroes.
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.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Megahouse Action Works Hermann Blassreiter figure.
Kaz reviews the Soldier Story USMC 1st MSOB (Marine Special Operations Battalion) 1/6-scale figure.
Gamu reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin VF-25 Messiah Valkyrie Super Parts (Alto Custom Color) Tamashii Web exclusive accessory set from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GE-42 VF-25F Messiah Valkyrie Alto Custom figure from Macross Frontier. (See also.)
Yo reviews the Atelier Sai Shining Blade Balflear (Imperial Knight version) and Rising Force (Imperial Knight version) trading figures. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Megahouse Variable Action Linebarrels of Iron Linebarrel figure. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Garazzo (Bring custom) figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Blade Blade figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the McFarlane Toys Halo 3 Spartan Soldier EVA (white version) figure.
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Cobra Trooper (version 14) and Cobra Viper (version 16) figures. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Kabaya Keitai Changer Corecellder, Mobeagle, Wolfgear and Elephanshot candy kits. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Kamen Rider Decade Hissatsu! Chouhenkei Rider Kuuga Gouram candy kit.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Kamen Rider Decade Hissatsu! Chouhenkei Rider Ryuki Dragreder candy kit.
G.S.R. and SR../Blood Zwei review the Bandai Capsule Gattai Shinken-Oh Shishi Origami, Ryu Origami, Kame Origami, Kuma Origami and Saru Origami prize toys.
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai Kamen Rider Decade Kit 2 Machine Decader candy kit.
Retro reviews
Gangu Shiro reviews the Enix Dragon Quest Armor of Legend Loto figure from Dragon Quest II.
Tom reviews the Kotobukiya S.U.G.O.I. (Super Ultimate Great Original Item) SPT Layzner figure.
Itsuki reviews the Takara Brave of Legend Da-Garn Pegasus Saber set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Galaxy Force GD-04 Landbullet figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars C-6 Convobat figure.
Yo reviews the Bandai Digital Monsters D-Real Gargomon figure.
Itsuki reviews the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Crystal Saint Figure Ou exclusive figure from the Saint Seiya series. (See also.)
Toy links
Devil Dinosaur.
In an age when giants walked the world–he was the mightiest of all!
Barrels Speeder ver. traditional.
A more conventional look for the Assemble Borg vehicle. (Click on the photo for a better look.)
Werewolf.
A Barrels Speeder fanmode inspired by Cloud Strife’s Fenrir. (Click on the photos for a better look.)
The trouble with flocked hair.
Damn Adventure Team hippy.
Davros.
A photo by Tony Case.
BJPM
BJPM (Block Joint Plastic Model) is an instrument of construction little known outside Japan. Despite the name, BJPM eschews the studded blocks of Lego and Mega Bloks, and features instead plastic parts with 5mm ball joints.
These ball joints make BJPM creations well-articulated while the 5mm size makes BJPM parts compatible with Microman, Zoids Blox, and other lines that make use of 5mm joints.
Unlike block construction toys, there’s work to be done with BJPM even before you get to the creation phase as it’s sold in kit form and parts need to be snipped off sprues. If there’s one criticism to be made, most BJPM creations look distinctly skeletal, but that’s unsurprising since BJPM was originally intended to form an inner framework for garage kits.
Originally created by adult doujinshi artist Mikoshiro Nagito for sale at fan events in Japan, BJPM was sold commercially when he partnered with Atelier-Sai. Both would later go their separate ways with Atelier-Sai selling a similar line called Geneblock and Mikoshiro establishing his own company and line, Gimmick & Steels. All these lines are more or less compatible due to the common 5mm ball joints used though part tolerances may be a bit iffy.
Here are some BJPM links to check out:
BJPM Hall.
Click on the links on the left sidebar to see a huge collection of BJPM creations.
BJPM image board.
Fan-submitted creations.
TransGals Predaking.
Fanmode frequently links to misodrill’s BJPM creations and this Geneblock interpretation of the Transformers combiner may be his finest.
Magnesion.
A BJPM combiner by ku6gane.
Wikipedia (Japanese).
The origins of BJPM as well as links to other compatible lines.
Toy links
Kamen Rider Raia.
A S.I.C.-style custom by Killing Monkey.
Lego Genesis Evangelion.
A Johnny Tang MOC.
Xiphos ver. centaur.
Scroll all the way down to see a Gullwing fanmode combining the Busou Shinki figure with Zoids Lanstag.
Starscream at sunset.
A fine shot by frog DNA.
Henshin Cyborg catalogues.
Over three decades later, the Cyborg Rider sets remain astonishing.
Toy review roundup
Artemis reviews the Playmates Toys Star Trek Warp Collection Cadet McCoy 6-inch figure. Excerpt: “… could pretty much stand for the line as a whole: not bad, but could’ve been plenty better. ”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Spider-Man Juggernaut figure. Excerpt: “He plays well, give or take a few joints, and he looks very nice.”
NewtonGimmick reviews the Hasbro X-Men Origins Wolverine Cyclops (Comic Series) figure. Excerpt: “I find myself liking Cyclops more because of this figure.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the McFarlane Toys Halo 3 Spartan Soldier ODST (Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive brown version), Spartan Soldier EOD (GameStop exclusive steel version), Spartan Soldier Rogue (Suncoast exclusive gold version), Spartan Soldier CQB (BigBadToyStore.com exclusive violet version) figures. Excerpt: “… all cool additions …”
David Yeh (part 2) reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Masterpiece MP-8 Grimlock figure. Excerpt: “He’s definitely one of the best Transformers I’ve ever owned.” (See also.)
Corey Tincher reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Collect and Connect Atom Smasher figure. Excerpt: “As good as Atom Smasher’s sculpt is, I’m amazed how badly they botched his paint.” (See also.)
Michael Crawford reviews the Hasbro Marvel Universe Captain America, Thing and Hulk figures. Excerpt: “… I’d sell my soul for a line like this for DC.” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Chogokin GD-60 Kahen Senshi ZZ Gundam 1/144-scale figure. Excerpt: “… a big, amiable, slightly dim bruiser.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Takara Microman Magneforce MagneMicroman Achilles, MagneMicroman Theseus, MagneMicroman Icurus, MagneAcroyear Phobos, MagneAcroyear Atlas and MagneAcroyear Metis figures. Excerpt: “They are superbly detailed, superbly articulated, and they look darn cool.” (See also: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.)
Brent Johnston reviews the Hasbro Transformers Soundwave figure. Excerpt: “… one of my favourites, and I spent a great deal of money just to have him.”
Darren Cilenti reviews the Hasbro Transformers Shattered Glass Goldbug BotCon 2008 exclusive figure. Excerpt: “A good convention exclusive, with colours and a head that make you forget how ordinary the mould is …”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Saga Collection Firespeeder Pilot figure from Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Excerpt: “… a nice design – it’s just the idea of a firefighter …in space! that’s silly.” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Bandai Motion Revive Series Kamen Rider Kiva (Kiva Form) figure. Excerpt: “… this is one of the guys to get if you want to try out these new fangled Motion Revive Series toys …” (See also.)
Nathan Newell reviews the Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzaface figure. Excerpt: “… just plain fun.”
Toy links
Zitz, Rash and Pimple.
Cool Battletoads customs by G Brand.
AcroKali.
A Microman custom by misodrill.
Haruhi, ikimaasu!
An Assemble Borg fanmode by katsuboy.
Force 101.
The first lesson: the ability to speak does not make you intelligent.
Of Muppets and Men.
Erin Snyder’s retrospective of the Palisades Muppets line.