Toy links
Chuck D. Head.
Mark Patraw’s custom of the character from Decap Attack.
Sigma 6 diorama set.
“… I can easily change this from a Joe ‘office’ to a Cobra ‘office’ by replacing a couple of accessories and turning the crate around.”
Red Skull.
SykotikScarecrow’s Marvel Universe-scaled custom of the villain.
The spectrum of lanterns.
Minimate customs by Shamrock.
The Jackal King.
“All I did for this was set the figure down into the sands of Lake Michigan and snap shot after shot as the waves rolled over and around.”
Cobra-a-a-a!
A poster by Alessandro Von Victor.
What’s cooking at Tokyo Toy Show 2009.
“Although many industries have struggled in the global recession since last year, the domestic toy industry suffered only a 1.2 percent drop in market size in fiscal 2008.”
“By the power of Greybeard, I HAVE THE POWER!”
Hauntingly familiar cards from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game.
Tin titans.
“A Japanese toy designer took a discarded tin can in 1945 and hammered it into the shape of a U.S. Army jeep. Just inches in length, crudely painted by hand, and powered by nothing more than an elastic band, Matsuzo Kosuge’s jeep spawned a huge automotive industry–in miniature.” (Previously.)
“An $8 toy isn’t considered expensive at all any more.”
A Time article from 1959.
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.)
Toy links
Gianni Lopergolo’s insight.
“… a 128-page, full-color collection of Gianni’s photography, featuring images from the G.I Joe, Star Wars and Marvel product lines and even including some previously unreleased images. Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the National ALS Association, its Rhode Island Chapter and the Gianni Lopergolo Foundation, a private fund established for Gianni’s three young sons. … At the young age of 39, Gianni has been living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease for three years. No longer able to work, but still as passionate about photography as ever, he has compiled this collection of images, which he hopes will teach, entertain and inspire.”
Micro-Decade.
Scroll all the way down to see koujouchou’s completed Microman-sized custom Kamen Rider Decade.
Assemble Rider-X.
An Assemble Borg fanmode by nappa. (Click on the photo for a better look.)
Cobra-a-a-a!
A photo by David Julian.
Yo Eo.
skipthefrogman makes a connection. (See also.)
Star Wars Episode IV: extra special edition.
The characters and events depicted in this Niktom photocomic are fictional. Any similarities to actual persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental.
Turbo Shek.
ultravinz captures the 1/6-scale figure of the Dragon Tiger Gate character in action.
Kato.
kenmoo’s photo of the 1/6-scale Enterbay figure. (More.)
Hi-keebarbie.
A photo by photosur.
Rot Tot.
Presumably not coming to a TRU near you.
Toy links
Michael Bay’s My Little Pony.
Okay, not really. (YouTube, 2:43.)
Bushin-Blade.
An Assemble Borg mecha by moromisox. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Assemble Throne.
An Assemble Borg fanmode by nappa. (Click on the photo for a better look.)
Orange.
A Lego mecha MOC by bigfatslob.
Apocalypse now.
Digirama by dedbeats.
Prime time.
A nice black and white image by Livio Ramondelli of Optimus Prime.
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.)
Gamu reviews the Yamato Macross Dynamite 7 Kanzen Henkei VF-22S Sturmvogel II (Gamlin Kizaki type) 1/60-scale figure.
Toyhunter reviews the Aoshima Happy Well Roadbot Lamborghini Murciélago 1/18-scale figure.
Itsuki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Scout class Dune Runner figure.
Gamu reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-04 Sideswipe figure. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RD-05 Sideways figure. (See also.)
Ken Murasame reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-11 Chromia figure. (See also.)
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Fast Action Battlers Devastation Blast Long Haul figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen EZ Collection Optimus Prime and Jetfire figures.
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe The Rise of the Cobra Baroness (Attack on the G.I. Joe Pit version) figure.
Nekonekokoara and Gun0826 review the Hasbro G.I. Joe The Rise of the Cobra Conrad “Duke” Hauser (Reactive Impact Armor version) figure.
Kaz reviews the Kaiyodo Assemble Borg Jarknoid XO figure. (See also.)
Mojya reviews the Max Factory Figma Drössel figure from Fireball. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi Arch Gurren Lagann figure. (See also.)
Yo reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Queen’s Blade Airi figure. (See also.)
Yo reviews the Atelier Sai Shining Blade Blind Guardian, Balflear, Arc-Enemy and Rising Force trading figures.
Kaz reviews the Bandai Mugenbine Mugen Gensei-juu Mugen Elf, Mugen Dorcus, Mugen War Scythe, Mugen Spider, Mugen Goblin and Mugen Hornet candy kits. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Downshift (Transformers Station mail-order exclusive) figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars Metals Rampage figure from the VS-41 Silverbolt vs. Rampage set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Car Robot C-017 Wrecker Hook figure.
Ebi reviews the Bandai DX Chogokin GD-15 Victory Robo set from Go Go V.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the McFarlane Toys Cyber Units Viral Unit 001 (green version) figure.
Mojya reviews the Banpresto Max Factory Figma.BP Lelouch Lamperouge figure from the Code Geass series. (See also.)
Toy links
Tygra.
“I’m planning on making the rest of the cats. Panthro’s already in process, with Cheetara in the parts-scrounging stage.”
Diablo II Stikfas.
Jay Javier’s customs of the Paladin, the Barbarian and the Amazon.
Panther Red Eyes.
A cool Assemble Borg fanmode. (Click on the images for a better look.)
Tachikoma.
A Lego MOC by tattun inspired by Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.
Legoman.
A sculpture by Henning Birkeland.
Destroy … destroy …
A photo by Philip Ng.
Fist of Khonshu.
A photo by cradea2.
Sensodyne.
Most recommended toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Bad day at the office.
“He knows he is a ‘Expendable Asset’ of Cobra Commander, his life has gone from what he perceived as bad to worse. There is no way out!”
G.I. Joe, ninjas, Norton Internet Security 2009.
One of these does not belong with the others.
Toy links
Noel Cruz’s Michael Jackson.
“His song ‘Black or White” sends a very powerful message about embracing racial diversity and I thought that I would create a doll befitting of his iconic image. (Check out his custom Madonna, too.)
Bong. Doctor Bong.
A custom of the supervillain from Howard the Duck.
Just who the hell do you think I am?!
Vintage’s custom figure combines MagneMicroman Achilles, Revoltech Lagann and a generous amount of drills.
Transformers 2 auditions.
“We just need fast cars, hot chicks, and big explosions go boom!”
Eco-labeling toys.
“Growing numbers of toys and children’s products have been making environmental claims like ‘all natural’ and ‘earth friendly’ without consistent meanings to the terms and without providing any proof of the accuracy or relevance of the claims …”
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 (part 2) reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Supreme class Constructicon Devastator set.
Hinatatiki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe class Interrogator Barricade figure. (See also.)
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Alternity Nissan GT-R Convoy (Vibrant Red version) figure. (See also.)
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the Takara Tomy Neon Genesis Evangelion Katsuragi Misato in CG 1/6-scale figure.
Itsuki reviews the Yamato VMF (Variable Motion Figure) Ryomou Shimei (maid version) 1/7-scale figure from Ikki Tousen: Dragon Destiny.
Mojya reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi Arch Gurren Lagann figure. (See also.)
Natsume reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi EVA Production Model-03 (new movie edition) Revoltech taizen emotional movements exclusive figure from Evangelion 2.0. (See also.)
Shishioh and Gamu review the Max Factory Figma Drössel figure from Fireball. (See also.)
Damien Sancho reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Another Agito figure from Kamen Rider Agito. (See also.)
Damien Sancho and Tom review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Crossbone Gundam X-1 figure. (See also.)
Tom (part 2) reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Nirvash type Zero spec2 figure from Eureka Seven. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Zecter Kabuto figure from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews Hasbro Marvel Universe Ms. Marvel (modern version) figure.
Lem (part 2) reviews the Bandai Mugenbine Mugen Furyuukibine Littlebine, Stagbine, Mantisbine, Capturebine, Dwarfbine and Beebine candy kits. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Yo reviews the Bandai Digital Monsters D-Real Black Wargreymon figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Toy Biz Marvel Legends Showdown Booster Pack Elektra (white costume version) figure.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the McFarlane Toys Cyber Units Brute Unit 001 (green version) figure.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the McFarlane Toys Cyber Units Battle Unit 001 (green version) figure.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the McFarlane Toys Cyber Units Infiltrator Unit 001 (green version) figure.