Super Galaxy checklist
Updated Revoltech and Robot Tamashii checklists with Super Galaxy Gurren Lagann, Tristan and Crossbone Gundam X-2 Custom review links.
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.)
Itsuki and Nuu review the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth Andromeda Shun (God Cloth) figure from Saint Seiya.
Nuu and Hima-toy review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Tristan figure from Code Geass.
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Crossbone Gundam X-2 Custom figure.
K3 and Gamu review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Crossbone Gundam X-1 figure. (See also.)
Shishioh reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Nirvash type Zero spec2 figure from Eureka Seven. (See also.)
Yo, Mojya, Nuu and F2 review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi Super Galaxy Gurren Lagann figure.
Gamu reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi Arch Gurren Lagann figure. (See also.)
Itsuki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Leader class Jetfire figure.
Yo reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen EZ Collection Overload, Mixmaster, Rampage, Scavenger, Scrapper, Long Haul and Hightower figures.
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Alternity Nissan GT-R Convoy (Super Black version) figure. (See also.)
Maruo reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Robot Replicas Skids Tomy Direct exclusive figure.
Maruo reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Robot Replicas Megatron Tomy Direct exclusive figure.
Toybu reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Robot Replicas Jetfire Tomy Direct exclusive figure. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe The Rise of the Cobra Wallace “Ripcord” Weems (Delta-6 Accelerator Suit version) figure.
Kaz reviews the Soldier Story 82nd Airborne Division Combat Medic D-Day 1944 1/6-scale figure.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the McFarlane Toys Spawn Classics Manga Spawn 2 figure.
Toyhunter reviews the Ichimura Shouten Super Train Robo figure. (See also.)
Hima-toy reviews the Bandai SDX Satan Gundam figure.
Kaz reviews the Bandai Kamen Rider Decade Hissatsu! Chouhenkei Rider Agito Tornador, Faiz Blaster, Blade Blade and FA (Fighting Action) Kamen Rider Diend candy kits. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Bandai Kamen Rider Hibiki Complete Selection Henshin Onsa Onkaku role-playing accessory set.
Retro reviews
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Micron Densetsu MX-01 Doubleface figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-302 Bullhorn figure from Transformers: Super-God Masterforce.
Fanmode interview: Bryan Wilkinson (part 5)
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 is presented in several parts. Parts one, two, three and four were published earlier.)
What is Takara SF Land?
Takara SF Land is the term sometimes used by fans to refer to Takara’s science-fiction-themed toys starting in the early 70’s with Henshin (Transforming) Cyborg. It not only includes Henshin Cyborg, Microman, and Diaclone, but also a number of smaller lines such as Magnemo (see also: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7), Blockman, Bloccar, Timanic, and others, and is generally associated with the latter part of the Showa era of Japanese history (1926-1989), as are most of the old “classic” mecha and hero-robot properties.
Most of these toys tend to share interchangeability across the lines either with 5mm or magnetic “magnemo” joints and often have electronic/cybernetic detailings and other shared stylistic resemblances and art direction. Much of the style was influenced by popular Showa era SF-themed artists such as Ishinomori Shotaro, Matsumoto Leiji, and Nagai Go, and more than a few contributing freelancers who were or became well-known mecha designers in the anime industry.
While the Takara SF Land era is generally considered to run up to the advent of the Transformers, Transformers also inherited this legacy as many of the designers still working with Takara in 1985 on the SF Land properties went on to work on Transformers.
Photo copyright © Bryan Wilkinson. Used with permission.
(Click on the photo for a better look.)