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 reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Kenshiro (final fight version) figure.
Yo reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi Gurren and Lagann set from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Romando Glorious Muscles Akuma Shogun figure.
Gamu reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin GX-45 Mazinger Z figure from Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z Hen. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kyokagaikokkaku Zero figure from Kakugo No Susume. (See also.)
K3, Gamu and Tom review the Bandai Robot Tamashii 0 Gundam figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Max Factory Figma Tsuruya-san (Cultural Festival maid version) figure from The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi series. (See also.)
Maruo reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Robot Replicas Autobot Ratchet Tomy Direct exclusive figure.
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RD-03 Demolishor figure. (See also.)
Itsuki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RD-05 Sideways figure. (See also.)
Itsuki and Soh-dr review the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-03 Bumblebee figure. (See also.)
Ken Murasame and Yo review the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RD-04 Soundwave figure. (See also.)
Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-06 Rollbar figure. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-07 Knock Out figure. (See also.)
Itsuki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-05 Breakaway figure. (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Timelines Flak Botcon 2009 exclusive figure.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Timelines Scourge Botcon 2009 exclusive figure.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Timelines Kup Botcon 2009 exclusive figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars Clone Commander Cody figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Kabaya Keitai Changer Corecellder candy kit. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Kabaya Keitai Changer Mobeagle candy kit. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Lem reviews the Volks Super Robot Wars Original Generation Full Action Figure DX Valsione Dengeki Hobby Magazine exclusive figure.
Mondo reviews the DC Direct Batman and Son Action The Joker figure.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers C-367 Dump Shovel W Team set from Return of Convoy. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers 13 Cliff figure.
Toy links
Demoman: the younger years.
Aye, that’s the way ye do it.
Warpath.
A custom of the Marvel character.
Doc Walro.
A custom inspired by the Tigersharks character.
Downsized.
A Star Wars photocomic by Niktom.
Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy.
Resistance is futile.
More than meets the Cobra-a-a-a!
These G.I. Joe/Transformers crossovers are getting odder.
Fanmode interview: Bryan Wilkinson (part 4)
Long-time Micronauts and Microman fan, Bryan “MicroBry” Wilkinson, is one of the select few who’ve made the transition from toy fan to toy designer. His website was one of the earliest to draw attention to Transformers’ (then) little-known origins, and he was given the opportunity to work on Palisades’ Micronauts revival in 2002. As Transformers celebrates its 25th. anniversary and Microman celebrates its 35th., we thought it only appropriate to ask him about Micronauts, Microman, Transformers, fandom, and making the transition from consumer to creator.
(Due to its length, the interview will be presented in several parts. Parts one, two and three were published earlier.)
When did it become clear the Palisades Micronauts line was seriously flawed?
It wasn’t clear at first if the early reports of bad product were just a fluke or not so Palisades had no clue just how extensive the damage to the line was until well after it was far too late to recall the product.
We started getting the first shots back from the newly commissioned factory in China in June 2002, and they looked fantastic. Those of us who have owned preproduction samples can vouch that the initial hand-made prototypes were of excellent quality that matched or even possibly outdid their originals.
Furthermore, Ken Lilly (head of Palisades’ product development then) went to China in September, saw the production floor and was given a number of samples. He sent back photos which included a nice, sturdy clear-cast Baron Karza that not only could form the centaur form properly but even hold the classic “rearing up” pose that the original toy could do so effortlessly. (The Karza that shipped could not form the centaur mode without serious modification and even then didn’t fit together this precisely.) The stuff was pretty solid and just about to enter full production.
Micronauts copyright © 2002 AGE, Takara, licensed to Palisades Toys.
Photo by Ken Lilly for Palisades
What none of us knew until much later was that Ken had been given a total dog and pony show by a dishonest company acting as Palisades’ middleman responsible for subcontracting the factory (this was very similar to what Patrick Calello experienced).
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