Fate/Grand Order Nendoroid 1491 Okita Souji

 October has been a good month for Saber Okita after being the butt joke of the game throughout this year. From getting her long needed Strengthening and new Costume, now Goodsmile is announcing her Nendoroid. Scheduled for June 2021, Nendoroid Okita Souji is coming in two editions, regular and DX with 4800 and 5800 Yen price respectively. For additional 1000 Yen, Nendoroid Okita Souji comes with her Shinsengumi Haori and her iconic coughing and daishori pose. I think Nendoroid Shinguji Sakura's kimono would work well for her 1st Ascension which makes me considering getting her.IIRC FGO version of Okita Souji is the first limited SSR Saber servant in the game and her debut proves to be popular as it was the first salt trap for many players at the time before Scathach. For some reason Okita is often paired with Nobunaga in FGO as pair of joke characters and occasionally with Musashi as well. I wonder if the Figma version will come with Haori as well though i am quite aware the limitation that figma possess to pull it off.

Yuusha Tokkyu Mightgaine

 The last of the 8 Yuusha series to be cleared in order to finish my Journey with Yuusha series and no doubt Mightgaine is the most Obari of all Yuusha series. I have watched the Mightgaine partially back then, but It took me 3 years after Dagwon just to finish watching this series since it was not fully subbed. Nevertheless i was determined to finish the business after SRW V which took me a while but no doubt i settled the Debt.

Jin

  Some manga that i read a long time ago whiic was similar to Tezuka Hidamari no Ki as it covers the Bakumatsu period through a perspective of a Doctor. It was not until recently that i got to see the conclusion of the series which spanned over 20 volumes. In Jin, A Japanese Surgeon in modern Japan found himself travelled back in time to the Turbulent Bakumatsu Period where reigning Tokugawa shogunate saw itself in steady decline. With his expertise in medicine, the surgeon tried to save many people but his noble intent saw many oppositions from conflicting interests, Nevertheless his deed makes him encounter many famous figures in his period from Geishas to future leaders of modern Japan with Sakamoto Ryoma served as significant role in this one. The manga had a very strong beginning but had some awkward moments nearing the conclusion probably due to clash in ideas. In any case Jin is a good manga to look at after finishing Hidamari no Ki

Yuusha Retsuden Collection Vol 1

  Yuusha series collectibles are quite a rarity nowadays but Bandai attempted another affordable entry with their Candy Toys lineup. Dubbed as Yuusha Retsuden collection, this new lineup will feature main protagonist mecha from all 8 Yuusha series divided into two volumes for the initial release! The first volume will be scheduled for February 2021 release sold at 3600 Yen consist of the 4 main protagonist Mecha from the first half of Yuusha series; Exkaiser, Fighbird, Da Garn and Mightgaine! 

 This new lineup allow mecha collectors to obtain Yuusha series collectibles for affordable price. While i don't really mind the 900 Yen Price tag, personally i think Ensemble Frame could work better for the Yuusha series. Considering that Robot Concerto series which shared the same frame system with Ensemble had something that had similar characteristics with Yuusha series Mecha. But i guess collector still able to compromise with moveable arms at least.

 I think Bandai definitely gauging interest with the initial roster before deciding possible continuations, If the lineup should prove popular enough, we could see the Supporting Character Yuusha make appearance as well. I think at very least there will be demand for the more popular Supporter Yuushas like Super Build Tiger or Captain Shark.

Gundam Converge EX-33 Alpha Azieru

 I might not be collecting Converge anymore but their EX series are always worth looking at as it one of the few means for Bandai to release affordable collectible for Gundam series Mobile Armors. After Neue Ziel II, the next Converge Mobile Armor is the behemoth from Char's Counter Attack, Alpha Azieru! Scheduled for February 2021 release, Converge-EX Alpha Azieru will be sold for 4000 Yen. As usual separate optional parts are available for purchase for Alpha Azieru which include damaged Re-Gz, Funnel effect parts and extended arms. Alpha Azieru is quite forgettable MA for me because the pilot is literally the worst character in CCA though it was quite useful secret unit back in Alpha 3. But Converge Alpha Azieru would actually complement quite well with my Ensemble collection and having 3 Converge Mobile Armors wouldn't be a bad idea either. IIRC there was a Forte version of Alpha Azieru which cost slightly more expensive than the current Converge so i am curious which one stands taller in the end.

Megabox AMTS-12 Landbreaker Review

First step into the Megabox series!

52Toys Megabox AMTS MB-13 Deep One

  52 Toys have been quite active in showcasing their Beastbox and Megabox new products early this month and we are getting another Heavy-Duty Mega Box this time. After Landbreaker, 52Toys are ready to reveal their second Two Combiner Megabox design which is nautical themed called Deep-One. I think the product will be released soon with 50 USD Price Tag like the Landbreaker and should be available in few months.

 Having fiddled around with my copy of Landbreaker recently, Deep One should be a worthy purchase because the Landbreaker has proved its value as a solid Collector Toy with its Robust framework and playability. Megabox Deepone no doubt will complement well with Aquatic themed beastbox which 52Toys already had some and the vehicle mode is quite cool too. At this rate i think 52Toys will definitely attempt a Sky variant of the Two Combiner Megabox eventually and they could add more flyer type beastbox while at it.

Arknights Chess Piece series Vol 3

 The continuation of the Arknights Deformed Figure series featuring Reunion Elite Operators this time! This time the Deformed figure set features Patriot, W and Frostnova as the roster which among them only one is the recruitable operator. Arknights Chess Piece Vol 3 figure set are scheduled for January 2021 release with 8500 Yen Price tag and unlike the previous iteration, this one appears only to be sold as a set.

 Perhaps due to handover of Distributor from Emon Toys to Apex Toys, the designation name become rather inconsistent as there were no 2nd Volume unless the previous individual figure set count as one. Probably this has to do with Chinese manufacturers rushing too fast on capitalizing the Arknights franchise which could be detrimental for the series future.

As for the Arknights game itself, it is a wonder how the series lose its momentum quite fast after 9 months. The game was quite something during its global debut garnering so much hype similar to the recent Genshin Impact. However Hypergryph and Yostar didn't pay too much attention after the game launch as the contents of the game are quite stale at this point with only handful events worth a damn. I will keep investing for Arknigts until the 1st anniversary but if it is not getting any better by that time, i might as well abandon the ship.

Fate/Grand Order Pop Up Parade Saber Lily Review

 The Princess Knight sets upon her first journey!

Yoroiden Samurai Trooper Sentinel Kourin no Seiji

 Yoroiden Samurai Trooper series got some toy revival by Sentinel starting from last year and now they are ready to release the second entry for the lineup. As expected Seiji Date is the one who made it next after Ryou considering his Nodachi is probably the coolest weapon from the five Yoroiden. Sentinel's Kourin no Seiji is scheduled for June 2021 release schedule with 15000 Yen Price Tag. At a glance, it appears that Sentinel version of Yoroiden barely include Diecast parts, a stark contrast to Bandai's Armor Plus which make it difficult to justify the pricing that Sentinel charges. In Yoroiden series, Seiji Date represent the Courtesy Virtue with his green colored Armor of Halo. Seiji is easily my favorite character from Yoroiden because he is the cool archetype of the cast and the Nodachi just look kickass. I think the next Yoroiden that Sentinel will make is probably the Spear guy even though they definitely attempt to complete the set. Hopefully Bandai will consider to make a move to Yoroiden once again after they stopped milking Saint Seiya series.

Mobile Suit Gundam Ensemble Vol 12 Review

Featuring G-Self as the Posterboy!

Samurai Champloo

 For a long time i have heard this series being highly regarded and this one definitely doesn't betray the expectation. If you have Cowboy Bebop story formula put into Feudal Japan setting, Samurai Champloo is the result. Just like Cowboy Bebop, Samurai Champloo is a misadventure of group of misfits who travel together after some fateful encounter. This time the group of misfits consist of two skilled swordsmen led by a teenage girl travelling around Edo Period Japan to seek a person with a single clue of "a samurai who smell like sunflower". As an Anime, Samurai Champloo got the complete package of Action, Comedy and Tragedy with the unquestionably superb storytelling since the series is handled by veteran anime screenwriter Dai Sato! Apparently Samurai Champloo is the first work by Studio Manglobe which made Ergo Proxy and these two series are easily the Crown Jewel of now-defunct anime studio.

 Overall Samurai Champloo makes a good gateway for anime with its complete package and i feel it is more upbeat version of Cowboy Bebop as it had much less depressing ending compared to former. I felt that Samurai Champloo could have another season to expand its story, but the 26 Episode of its single season is a solid experience already.

July - September 2020 Loot

 Another Heavy Duty accumulation of Loots over past three months with Mecha and FGO being the usual business. This time's loot is rather expensive due to Sentinel items being part of the haul with Riobot Legioss and Johanna easily account for half of this loot's overall value. For the Mecha series there are new series that join part of my collection as i invest on Beastbox and Joytoy which are some recent Chinese made Mecha Toys that seems to have Potential. As for FGO series, i got myself some Figmas and non-Banpresto Prize Figures for a change. While i usually restrict myself in getting Figmas only for the Servants that have visited my Chaldea, i am willing to get Proto Saber in advance so the Bishie King is willing to grace a visit next year just like Gilgamesh already did in recent Gilfest. As usual Prize Figure will likely get the earliest opportunity for Reviews but i will try to prioritize the Beastbox this time.