Toy links
Drössel versus Asimo.
Digirama by Tamaki’s Little Treasure.
Public enemy.
“Custom sculpted, hand made figure with the likeness of John Dillinger, with 30 points of articulation, allowing any pose, includes period clothes, and shoulder holster with 38 revolver, and a Tommy gun.”
MOC Lisa.
A Lego creation by Arthur Gugick.
Optimus Prime rocks.
Graffiti at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark. (See also.)
Photo ops are the right of all sentient beings.
At Disney World.
Toy links
Ryuk.
A Johnny Tang Lego MOC of the Shinigami from Death Note.
La-la-la-la-la-Lego.
A smurfin’ Lego MOC by blokjes.
Deckard.
An Aneses custom of the Blade Runner character.
ROM the Spaceknight.
“He’s retro, cool looking and not likely to get an official figure any time soon. Perfect!”
Sword spirit.
A striking portrait by Luke Walton.
My Little Thriller.
A custom by Mari Kasurinen.
Cospla-a-a-ay!
A Baroness looking appropriately sultry.
A use for twisty ties.
“Here are some tips on using them in your custom work …”
Plastic decay.
“We’re only now at a point in the history of plastics, which are only around 100 years old, where we can actually see the first signs of decay, and it spells out a whole mess for collectors.” (See also.)
Buriki.
“What is fascinating is the way the toys combine craft and manufacturing with an attention to detail and quality that foreshadowed the achievements of Japanese manufacturing to come.” (See also.)
Toy links
Denjin Zaborger.
A very cool 1/18-scale transforming custom by basil. (Thanks for the link, s.a.!)
Frame action.
A highly posable Lego MOC by optimus-convoy.
Walking machine.
A Microman-sized Asoblock creation by Gun0826.
Barrels Sucker.
Mr. P gets domestic with this amusing Assemble Borg fanmode. (Click on the image for a better look.)
Cobra-a-a-a!
A cool shot by atjoe1972 of a Rattler in flight.
Toy movie concepts.
“… I challenged Slate readers to come up with their own movie titles and tag lines based on a toy from their youth. And you rose to the occasion like a Jenga set.”
Robert Bradford’s toy art.
“The father-of-two got so sick of discarding his kids’ unwanted toys that he decided to make good use of them, and now sells his creations – each containing up to 3,000 toys – for up to £12,000 each.” (See also.)
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.)
Gangu Shiro (part 2), Itsuki and Yo review the Bandai Mugenbine Mugen Furyuukibine Littlebine, Stagbine, Mantisbine, Capturebine, Dwarfbine and Beebine candy kits.
Koshihara Hitoshi reviews the CM’s Corporation Brave Gohkin Time Mechabuton toy from Time Bokan.
Itsuki reviews the Yamato VMF (Variable Motion Figure) Queen’s Blade Leina 1/7-scale figure.
Mondo reviews the DC Direct Justice League of America Wonder Woman figure.
Shishioh and Nuu review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Hokuto No Ken Revolution Thouzer figure.
Mojya reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi EVA Test Type-01 (new movie edition) figure from Evangelion 2.0. (See also.)
Natsume reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi EVA Production Model-02 (new movie edition) figure from Evangelion 2.0. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi EVA Production Model-03 (new movie edition) Revoltech taizen emotional movements exclusive figure from Evangelion 2.0. (See also.)
Yo and Natsume review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi EVA Provisional Unit-05 (new movie edition) figure from Evangelion 2.0. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi Gurren and Lagann set from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Alternity Nissan Fairlady Z Megatron (Premium Le Mans Blue version) figure.
Red reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Alternity Nissan Fairlady Z Megatron (Blade Silver version) figure. (See also.)
Itsuki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe class Ravage figure.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe class Decepticon Bludgeon figure from the Master of Metallikato Autobot Whirl vs. Decepticon Bludgeon Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive two-pack.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Allspark Power Voyager Class EVAC figure. (See also.)
Maruo reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-02 Ironhide figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RD-06 Rampage figure. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Aoshima Happy Well Roadbot Toyota Celica (tuner version) 1/18-scale figure.
Gamu reviews the Alter Mechanical Model Collection ARX-7 Arbalest 1/60-scale figure from Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid. (See also.)
Ramuna (part 2) reviews the CM’s Corporation Mecha Action Series Mechander-Robo (DX version) set. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Agito (Ground Form) figure. (See also.)
K3 reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Another Agito figure from Kamen Rider Agito. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Bandai Robot Tamashii Crossbone Gundam X-1 figure. (See also.)
Maruo reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Kamen Rider Decade (Complete Form) figure. (See also.)
Soh-dr reviews the Bandai DX K-Touch role-playing toy from Kamen Rider Decade. (See also.)
Kaz reviews the Barrack Sergeant Soldiers of the World Combat Uniform Series 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 1/6-scale accessories.
Retro reviews
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the McFarlane Toys Cyber Units Guardian Unit 001 (green version) figure.
SR../Blood Zwei reviews the McFarlane Toys Cyber Units Defender Unit 001 (green version) figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Toy Biz Marvel Legends Showdown Booster Pack Daredevil (yellow costume version) figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Bandai Machine Robo MR-41 Apache Robo and MR-52 Tomcat Robo figures.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Bandai Machine Robo MR-39 Zero-sen Robo figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers D-319 Guzzle, D-320 Sizzle and D-321 Javil figures from Transformers: Super-God Masterforce.
Itsuki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-05 Hot Rodimus figure. (See also.)
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe vs. Cobra SpyTroops Black Out figure from the Flint and Black Out two-pack. (See also.)
Arch Checklist
Updated the Revoltech checklist with Arch Gurren Lagann review links.
Toy links
By the power of art.
“He-Man is back, along with many of his co-stars, in Double Punch Gallery’s ‘I Have the Power’ show. With over thirty artists, this show packs a nostalgic punch.” (See also.)
Michael Bay’s He-Man. [via]
Okay, not really. (YouTube, 5:57.)
Clash of the Titans.
Neat customs of Tytus and Megator by argenta-2008.
Battle Cat.
Madtinker76 took a different route with this custom of the Masters of the Universe character.
Barricadia.
“With Barricade’s absence in the new Revenge of the Fallen film I decided to make an original character in his image…but a female version!”
Snake Eyes.
Cosplay by Tommy Eastwood. (See also.)
Assemble Suit. [via]
Third-party created clothes for Assemble Borg figures.
Adventure awaits.
A cool photo by Andrew Gutierrez. (More.)
Toy voices.
“… talking toys are everywhere, from the Napoleon Dynamite beer bottle openers to the Jesus Messenger of Faith dolls. Behind each, there’s a person.”
Real Canadian Heroes.
“They’re giants who saved Canada, so why aren’t their action figures taking the country by storm?” (See also.)
News roundup
Due to time constraints, Fanmode is regretfully dropping its English-language review roundups published on Tuesdays and Fridays.
The purpose of these roundups was to get readers to better appreciate action figures and other toys, and towards that end we made a concerted effort to highlight reviews of substance. Poor reviews simply describe toys; the best reviews provide insight into what makes a toy good and how a disappointing toy falls short.
Having done the roundups for 1½ years, we believe Fanmode’s readers would by now have a good idea where they can go for quality reviews especially since most came from a small pool of dedicated reviewers committed to producing honest, thorough, thoughtful and interesting reviews.
Fanmode will, however, continue its Japanese review roundups published on Mondays and Thursdays as the language barrier might otherwise prevent readers from checking out new designs from Japan.
In other news, Fanmode will be undergoing some long-overdue changes to its format over the next few weeks. The upcoming format tweaks and experiments may result in display oddities in some browsers, RSS feed glitches or fall of civilisation as we know it, but we hope Fanmode’s readers will bear with us as we work these problems out.
Readers disgruntled by all these changes are advised to contact their nearest Fanmode customer service representative, complete the required paperwork in triplicate, and wait for a full refund.
Toy links
Cobra-a-a-a!
A Marvel Legends-sized Cobra Commander custom.
Masters of the Universe Classics Goat Man.
A custom of an obscure character.
JarkChimera.
A very creative Assemble Borg fanmode constructed only from weapons and special assemble parts. (Click on the photo for a better look.)
Robot Chicken.
A transforming Lego MOC by Matt Armstrong.
WheeRanger.
Scroll down for a misodrill fanmode combiner made out of G1, Henkei and Revenge of the Fallen versions of Wheelie.
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 and Nuu review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi Arch Gurren Lagann figure.
Natsume and Yo review the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi EVA Test Type-01 (new movie edition) figure from Evangelion 2.0. (See also.)
Nekonekokoara reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Yamaguchi EVA Production Model-03 (new movie edition) Revoltech taizen emotional movements exclusive figure from Evangelion 2.0. (See also.)
Tom reviews the Alter Mechanical Model Collection ARX-7 Arbalest 1/60-scale figure from Full Metal Panic! The Second Raid. (See also.)
Gamu (part 2, part 3) reviews the Bandai Soul of Chogokin GX-46 Dygenguar and Außenseiter set from Super Robot Wars: Original Generation. (See also.)
Mojya and Mondo review the Bandai Super Imaginative Chogokin (S.I.C.) Limited Kamen Rider Nega Den-O Tamashii Web exclusive figure from Kamen Rider Den-O & Kiva: Climax Deka.
Tom reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Agito (Ground Form) figure. (See also.)
Gamu reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Another Agito figure from Kamen Rider Agito. (See also.)
Gangu Shiro reviews the Bandai Final Form Ride Kamen Rider Decade (Complete Form) figure. (See also.)
Yo, Hiitan and Lem review the Max Factory Figma Drössel figure from Fireball. (See also.)
Itsuki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Scout class Scalpel figure.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe class Smokescreen figure.
Alfes reviews the Hasbro Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Deluxe class Deep Desert Brawl figure. (See also.)
Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RA-04 Sideswipe figure. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen RD-05 Sideways figure. (See also.)
Itsuki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-06 Skyfire figure. (See also.)
Maruo and Red review the Takara Tomy Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Gravity Bots GB-02 Bumblebee figure.
Itsuki reviews the Bandai Minipla Keitai Sosakan 7 Next Phone Braver 7 Boost Phone Observer and Boost Phone High Seeker candy kits.
Damien Sancho reviews the Banpresto Kiba Musha 5 Musha Nu prize figure. (See also.)
Retro reviews
Nekonekokoara reviews the Toy Biz Marvel Legends Showdown Booster Pack Invisible Woman figure.
Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe vs. Cobra SpyTroops Flint figure from the Flint and Black Out two-pack. (See also.)
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Brave Exkaiser Blue Raker figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Brave Exkaiser Ultra Raker combiner.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Daigunder Remocon Daigunder toy.
Toy links
Barbiemus Prime.
An entry for Shibamura Prime’s art contest.
A cut above.
A super-articulated Edward Scissorhands custom.
Hannibal King.
“Personally I think that’s about as close as anyone is going to get to making a Hannibal King that actually resembles Ryan Reynolds.”
Right hands of doom.
Groovy.
Cake is the right of all sentient beings. [via]
“The Transformers have been a smash everywhere they go and now they’re here on an energy-charged transformer cake pan kids will love.”
The Many Looks of Optimus Prime.
“From the original animated series to Revenge of the Fallen. and everything in between, these are the looks that have kept Prime on top all these long years.”
Jarreau Wimberly’s G.I. Joe package art.
“I had way too much fun painting these, especially Cobra Commander and Destro.”
Rainbow Warriors.
“Something I’ve always liked about G.I. Joe … is that it took a progressive approach to things like race and gender …”
The Fall of the Revengers.
“… when audiences feel hammered down by a film, they are less likely to fall for another marketing campaign.”
Transformers: the gaming legacy.
“It always struck me as strange that we never saw much in the way of Transformers games back in the day, but in retrospect it makes sense.”