Switch Konosuba 2nd VN: Wiz Ending

5th Konosuba 2nd VN Ending post is here and 2 more left to go!  This time it is the Gentle Undead Lich Shopkeeper, Wiz's turn! I never did make it to post her 1st VN route, but I recalled Wiz's route is probably one of the weakest in that game. However while the 2nd VN treatment for Wiz as mid-card heroine is not too much different, She did have some pleasant surprise in her route in this game which make her to have one of the best route in this game. To be honest if Konosuba followed proper Fantasy RPG rule, we won't have a lawful good Lich as Kazuma's potential waifu, but since this series deviate from the rules we have gotten ourselves a Lovable dorky undead waifu!

Realm of Darkness Sakura Taisen I-IV Masterlist

 

 It has been quite a long time since I got into Sakura Taisen series around 2014! This is one of the few Mecha series that will always have a special place in my heart even if Sega had no idea what to do with the series anymore and I already got my dose of reality check with Japan. Seriously Sakura Taisen really make me put on Rose Tinted Glasses when it comes to Japan until I had my hands-on experience myself.

 Eitherway Sakura Taisen Original Tetralogy will always be the definitive experience of the series because it is one-of-a-kind masterpiece created by some of the Top talents of the time assembled together and creating something special leaving lingering fond memories for the fans. 

SRW OG Super Minipla Banpreios

 It has been almost 2 decades since SRW Alpha 3 released and while it took some time, at long last the successor of the Invincible Super Robot SRX; Banpreios has made it here! Bandai is able to achieve what Kotobukiya didn't able to do with the SRW IP back then and release this Goliath from Alpha 3 albeit in Super Minipla Form that did have apparent flaws with SRX. Standing whopping 45 cm tall, SMP Banpreios will be scheduled for April 2024 with 40000 Yen Price Tag.

 Quality issues aside, this is probably one of the biggest Minipla Product released which stands even taller than the Minipla SRX this year. Just like the Alpha 3 version, Minipla Banpreios won't have Gattai gimmick for its massive frame, But it comes with tons of weapon effect accessories to replicate its signature attacks including the Massive ZO Sword with the splitting gimmick!

 While I thought the Minipla Banpreios could have incorporated the Gattai Gimmick that Banpreios didn't reveal back in Alpha 3, I suppose the engineering is still too difficult despite Katoki did have the blueprint for the individual units. With Bandai generous treatment for SRW OG series, one might think SRW OG3 is planned to be released in near future and the recent influx of SRW Diecast and I do hope Dis Astranagant could make an appearance too since even Banpreios that only had appearance in single SRW game to this day can make it after so many years.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Ghost in the Shell Special

 The Second Final Gear Mechatalk Crossover edition is here! The 19th Final Gear Mechatalk is dedicated for the Cyberpunk Ghost in the Shell series featuring Major Motoko Kusanagi kicking some asses with Tachikoma accompanied by her ever loyal buddy, Buddy in the world of Final Gear. GITS Collab event is actually quite a special case because it is one of the Final Gear collab event that apparently never made it in Mainland China because the original GITS is one of those IPs that got trouble with censorship just like Psycho Pass. Still wonder why series like Evangelion and Sakura Taisen can make it safely even though some of the themes from those two IPs could easily ruffle feathers with the Censorship too.

Switch Konosuba 2nd VN: Darkness Ending

 4th Konosuba 2nd VN Heroine Route is here and we are already halfway through this VN route series! Now the 2nd Main Heroine of Kazuma's Party, Darkness is the one being featured this time. Compared to the 1st VN, Darkness Route is actually one of the best this time with generous amount of good fanservice from this Masochist Crusader. Seriously this one's gap-moe fanservice from Darkness is quite Top Tier because for once we got to see more wide variety of Darkness personality instead of her typical Masochist behavior who got easily turned on from any slight sadistic action directed toward her.

Pacific Rim Flame Toys [Kuro Karakuri] Gipsy Danger

 The Mecha vs Kaiju movie series Pacific Rim is getting love again! This time we are getting another Diecast Toy from Flame Toys albeit more liberal take of the Original design. The Posterboy Gipsy Danger is getting another one after the last Soul of Chogokin and this rendition comes with Weapon parts from other fellow Jaegers in the first movie ranging from Striker Eureka Chest Missile to Coyote Tango Gigantic Cannons. This Kuro Karakuri version of Gipsy Danger will be sold for 370 USD with October 2024 schedule release.

 Standing 21 Cm tall, I knew this diecast product for Gipsy Danger will be pricey when Flametoys is going to be the manufacturer but the biggest problem lies somewhere else. The Inherited weapon parts from other Jaegers are cool but the biggest offender of this particular product lies in Gipsy Danger's proportion which has no necessity to be altered at all. For some reason the Designer thhink that making Gipsy Danger's Torso Proportion even slimmer would be cool of all things but it is a mistake in my opinion. Unfortunately Pacific Rim is not a shonen Mecha series but a gritty Giant Robot vs Giant Monster all out brawl that is porrayed to be as grounded as possible. With that lanky body, Gipsy Danger will only get thrown around like Ragdoll by Kaijus and those new fancy weapons will not help at all. In any case I will stick around with Infinity Studio as their's still seem to be the best option available at the moment.

Densetsu no Yuusha Da Garn The GATTAI Seven Changer

 One of the most anticipated Yuusha to make its Toy reappearance has come! Hailing from the 3rd Yuusha series Da Garn, The Yuusha with many forms, Seven Changer has made it to The GATTAI lineup! The Manufacturer made a long due revisit to Da Garn after finishing Mightgaine for A Special Yuusha who boast 7 transformation forms thus aptly named Seven Changer. Scheduled for September 2024 Release and Standing 26 cm tall, The GATTAI Seven Changer will be sold for 29000 Yen Price tag.

In terms of accessories, Seven Changer comes with a Sword as its main weapon but the main selling point will be Seven Changer Main Body which still maintain proper size proportion whether it is in the Mecha form or Transformed form. For those who had the DX Yuusha Toys as a Kid can really appreciate that this huge improvement bestowed upon this version of Seven Changer even if it takes almost 30 years to reach this point. Seven Changer is easily the Yuusha that had the best gimmick among its peer with the complexity level of 7 Forms of Transformation

In Da Garn, Seven Changer is the Rival Character who acted aloof toward the main cast at first but eventually helped Da Garn against the main antagonist. Just like Da Garn, Seven Changer was a guardian of a Planet who took care the only survivor of the said planet fell victim to the main antagonist. Among its 7 Forms, I recalled Seven Changer often seen in its Panther or Griffon form when it is not in its mecha form.Interestingly Seven Changer is the first Yuusha that veteran Seiyuu Takehito Koyasu lent his Voice in before later making a return on Dagwon as the main cast yet again.

Here is the reference for Seven Changer Transformation forms to show why Seven Changer transformation gimmick is kinda a big deal.

Yami's 6th Year with Fate/Grand Order

 Initially I have planned to skip this yearly regular post of FGO altogether due to severe burnout I got from this Gacha hell yet again. To be honest if I got lousy treatment by other game like what FGO did to me, that particular game would have been thrown into the gutter at instant notice without any hesitation. But yet again this Typemoon's malnourished cashcow had proven itself to be an exception. 

Mechatalk Final Gear: Sakura Taisen Special

  After 17 Mechatalk articles featuring Final Gear original units, now it is time to do something more special! For the next 2 Final Gear Mechatalk articles, I will be will be covering Final Gear Crossover units starting with Sakura Taisen! The series might have been neglected for good amount of years but it doesn't mean that my fond memories with Sakura Wars will fade away and the collab event of this series is pretty much my main reason why I stick with Final Gear even if their own Devs doesn't care anymore long time ago. I might have made some Sakura Taisen x Final Gear crossover articles before, but this one will provide more in depth informations compared to the previous ones and I will also add some materials from the original Sakura Taisen 2 game as well. Something that I feel Sakura Taisen and Final Gear deserves before Final Gear server inevitably concluded their service in near future. 

Switch Konosuba 2nd VN: Sena Ending

  Third Konosuba 2nd VN route post now has made it! This time featuring Sena the Royal Prosecutor of Axel City who becomes the new cast joining the Konosuba heroine team. Considering Sena just recently got her status to be elevated, her route is overall one of the weaker one and thus this Konosuba VN Route article series. However Sena still got some decent fanservice despite her route is running on bare minimum as she filled the archetype of Christmas Cake Teacher role in this game. I am quite surprised that Veteran Seiyuu Hitomi Nabatame is the one who provided the voice for Sena.

Fate/Grand Order 龙山重工 1/6 Jeanne Alter 3rd Ascension

 Usually China Hobby Manufacturer tend to release Diecast Robots as High-end Collectibles but for once we are getting some kind of 1/6 HotToys for Fate/Grand Order series by a manufacturer called Longshan Heavy Industry featuring Jeanne Alter in her 3rd Ascension form. Sold for 1580 RMB, but the overseas market tend to sell this one around 38000 Yen with Q2 2024 schedule, Longshan promise to deliver a luxurious 1/6 movable collectible toy which comes with parts made from fabric and diecast.

 From a manufacturer that has less well known track record so far, Longshan actually have made 1/6 product for Jeanne and Jalter 1st ascension before and Jalter's 3rd Ascension is their third product so far. I am not too sure with this company capability but I think will still have problems to stand since Jalter's hair parts will be quite heavy just like what I experience with her Max Factory Dress version PVC figure. If I am a 1/6 Scale Toys collector, I might have giving this figure a try since Jalter 3rd Ascension is a rarity. However I will still look forward to Longshan surviving long enough to produce 1/6 Saber Artoria in her 3rd Ascension. 

In terms of accessories, Longshan Jalter comes with stuffs that are pretty much similar to the Figma counterpart but given her clothing made of fabric and diecast, who knows her clothing can be changed with something else which open the path to another potential.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Primarch Rogal Dorn

 Joytoy outdone themselves this year! After Guilliman and Lion, Imperial Fist Primarch joins in to complete the Primarch Hattrick! While probably there are other Primarch that 40k fans anticipated more, Rogal Dorn announcement is a fitting beginning for Joytoy's Horus Heresy lineup being the Stalwart defender of Terra and Imperium of Man. Scheduled for March 2024 release, Joytoy 1/18 Rogal Dorn will be sold for 145 USD SRP.

 In terms of accessories, Rogal Dorn might appear underwhelming as his wargear pales in comparison to what Lion and Guiliman had with their 40k version but Joytoy just got to replicate whatever Games Workshop gave them to work on. In the Joytoy version of Rogal Dorn, he comes with his Storm Teeth chainsword and Bolter that feels to small for him. But Rogal Dorn's biggest selling point would be his golden Auric Armor which makes him synergize well with Custodes and might be able to order them around considering his status as the Commander in charge of Terra Defense. Thus Rogal Dorn would be a good addition for anyone Joytoy 40k collection if they seek some commander to command Imperium's elite units along with their Imperial Fist and Black Templars collection. Personally I am still on the fence whether to add Dorn into my collection or not since I am not collecting Imperial fist army but it would be a good investment nonetheless. So far my prime Primarch candidate for Joytoy wishlist would be Sanguinius, Vulkan and Konrad Curze which I believe Joytoy may consider for 2024 release.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Arlene - Ode to Joy

 17th Final Gear Mechatalk is here! Final Gear might have its last update and it is just matter of time before the server close down but this Mechatalk series will keep going until the server officially closes down which could be around end of this month or maybe even early next year. This time the Final Gear Mechatalk features the SSR Sniper class Arlene which is surprisingly one of really good unit from one of the last banner before the maintenance mode and requires rather minimal investment to be one of the Top BP unit out there. At the same time this particular lady had one of the most polarizing design among Final Gear mechs.

Switch Konosuba 2nd VN: Aqua Ending

  The second Konosuba: Love for these Clothes of Desire Heroine route post is here! Considering Aqua still remains my favorite main heroine from Konosuba to this day being the ever lovable useless goddess of all things。 So she gets the preferential treatment and the one who will be featured this time! But to be honest as much as Aqua remains to be my favorite Konosuba Heroine, her 2nd VN route is unfortunately the weakest among the main 3 Heroines. If you expect some romance flag in Aqua's route be prepared to be thoroughly disappointed but you will still be entertained if you just want to see Aqua behave like Aqua.

Gundam UC Engage Future UR Banner Highlights

 Considering there are seriously lack of materials related to Gundam UC Engage future contents, I might as well contribute something pertaining to this matter. Also yes, it is right! UC Engage have Gundam Aerial for one of its future banner which the Global server will also obtain at some should they survive that long which is possible as long as Bandai let the Dev kept the game's content fresh.

 In Gundam UC Engage, while you get assorted variants of popular Protagonist Mecha such as Nu Gundam or Unicorn Gundam as Bandai's favorite money maker in this game, UC Engage is do feature cool MSVs Mobile suits as available UR Banner. While we haven't get some of the best MSVs such as FA Hyaku Shiki or those rad MS from AOZ yet. But given the game's track record in JP Server so far, I do believe those MS do have a good shot popping up someday because Bandai do plan making UC Engage as robust platform connecting all Universal Century series in a single vessel. Considering UC Engage provide an inexpensive means for Bandai to promote Universal Century series for worldwide audience instead of seasonal marketing campaigns.

 Down further below are some of the select future banner lists that caught my interests and the ones I plan to save for. The rough estimate appearance of these banner are calculated by subtracting the banner deadline date on each picture with 11/26.2021 date which is roughly the time UC Engage JP is on Service and then subtract another 1 week which are the usual banner duration on JP Server. If you seek for more detailed banner lists you can check on the UC Engage JP Wiki link on this blog's right tab. Perhaps at some point I might also make another UC Engage articles to highlight some cool MS in this game that doesn't make any appearance in main gundam series.

City Hunter

  One of the legendary Shonen Jump Manga in 80s which I just got to finish reading until now, published in the era where Hokuto no Ken series reigns supreme, City Hunter do make good use of the similar artstyle, carving a name for its own. City Hunter is a modern setting Japan action manga featuring the story of a Ryo Saeba, a skilled Sweeper which are freelancers skilled with fireweapons doing oddjobs that tend to involve underworld society most of the time. However despite being one of the best in his craft, Ryo Saeba is a chronic skirtchasing lecher who only takes request from beautiful damsels in distress most of the time and his lecherous antics often results him getting punished by assistant Kaori with comically large hammer. City Hunter is a big name in manga industry simply being one of the pioneer that marks the Manga genre transition from hyperviolence era of mid 80s into Slapstick lighthearted adventures which will spawn big titles such as Ranma 1/2 and Ghost Sweeper Mikami.

  I was first exposed City Hunter series when I was a kid in early 2000s reading some magazine which featured this series as one of its articles. It was only until now that I managed to finish reading City Manga which is to be frank an anticlimactic experience for me. Perhaps because I had read several 90s big title mangas with Slapstick comedy, City Hunter does not particularly resonate strongly with me despite it is being the OG of this archetype. As the main selling point of City Hunter does not have particular strong effect on me, City Hunter's glaring flaw become more apparent which is the lack of main overarching story to build hype for the main character. 

 Thus as a result I feel that City Hunter never really put main strength of Ryo Saeba into good use whose true nature is a man of danger who can act perfectly as a ruthless efficient killer or a ladies man. Instead we got a skirtchaser who act like a buffoon most of the time in manga despite he can easily make any top tier ladies fall in love with him. One thing that is undeniable is that artwork quality of City Hunter is a Top tier classic of its era, an echo of the past that will never return as the mangaka had done his part dutifully. At some point I will probably give Angel Tears a read which is some sore of spiritual successor of City Hunter even the latter is not exactly my cup of tea.

R-Type Tactics I・II Cosmos

 Hailing from one of the classic Arcade shooters R-Type series, the Spinoff SRPG R-Type Tactics is making a comeback with HD makeover of its previous 2 Games dubbed R-Type Tactics Cosmos! Irem may be long dead but Publishers still do try make a good use of their IP and R-Type Tactics definitely deserve another chance to make appearance in Modern console.

 No set schedule so far other than 2024 release and NIS America could have done better job in promoting this game because the only trailer that R-Type Tactics Cosmos had is a 30 second shorts that doesn't showcase the gameplay at all. While I never managed to play R-Type Tactics 2 Operation Bitter Chocolate myself, I had great experience in playing R-Type Tactics which is futuristic Strategy game using Hexagonal Grid system that offers a great experience if you like mecha stuff. You will get to lead a fleet of motherships with Squadron of Arrowheads space fighters pitting against Bydo Empire aliens. I kinda regret not able to finish R-Type Tactics before my PSP broke down and definitely will look forward to play this game once securing a physical copy for Switch.

Mobile Suit Gundam UC Engage

  Some new Gundam Gacha game that just made it to Global server by Bandai which caught my attention. Apparently this one called Gundam UC Engage was released mid October last month when I was on my Japan trip and the server have been running around 3 weeks. Personally I never played any Gundam game on mobile before and looking for successor candidate for Final Gear, I decided to give Gundam UC Engage a try on my Android Tablet.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Aya Kujou - The Ronin

 One more week before the moment of truth, whether Final Gear Global server receive the final update or disappear into oblivion quietly. 16th Final Gear mechatalk has come and it is the perfect Samurai Lady, Aya Kujou who make it this time. Glad I am not rushing this one as I grinded Aya's mecha unit properly, taking 3 weeks worth of Grinding for the 4 Substats complete set and then make it in time to obtain her UR upgrade. It was a hassle to grind for a dying game but the end result totally worth for the Final Gear's Yamato Nadeshiko.

Switch Konosuba 2nd VN: Chris Ending

 After a week of playing Konosuba: Love for these Clothes of Desire, finally I am ready to start writing the Heroine routes story for this VN starting with Chris as the first one! Chris is actually one of my favorite heroine in Konosuba after Aqua and I do kinda feel not writing her route from the first VN. Therefore to amend things up, the first Konosuba VN2 route article goes to Chris!

52Toys Beastbox BB-60 Hurrican

 I might not be as active posting products related to 52 Toys nowadays but I do still keep a close tab on this lineup up until now despite I don't have time to unbox my Cartons worth of loots for this series. On their recent addition, 52Toys release another flagship addition as the BB-60 Hurrican! Taking form of Scorpion mecha, this new entry for Beastbox series is one of the the largest addition yet! stretching over 43 cm on full length, Beastbox Hurrican Box Form comes in the size of 7x7cm which are larger than the standard size 5x5cm which most Beastbox had. BB-60 Hurrican is sold for 58 USD and will be scheduled for Q4 2023 release.

 While the Giant Scorpion Beastbox design is very cool and remind people of Zoids Deathstinger, the biggest selling point of BB-60 Hurrican for me are the Pilot figure which this edition gives out 3 pcs. Some of the Beastbox had Cockpit gimmicks before but I think this is the first time that the Beastbox got mini pilot figures excluding mini Beastbox Jojo figure. Who knows that someday we will have the Giant version of some beastbox like Leviathan or its future Land or Sea equivalent. As a parting gift, I will send the size comparison reference of the BB-60 Hurrican box form.

Konosuba: Love for these Clothes of Desire

 It has been several years since I wrote articles for my Konosuba VN playthrough on Vita. Surprisingly to this day these posts remain to be popular for Realm of Darkness visitors. I have been disconnected with Konosuba series for quite some time considering the series are not exactly active on animation scene for a while. And it is only until my recent trip that the opportunity for me to reconnect with Konosuba series present itself in the form of the Video game sequels. Among Konosuba games that I acquired in Japan, the one that will be featured in this post is the 2nd Konosuba VN Game which is the sequel of the Vita VN dubbed "Love for these Clothes of Desire" which I was able to secure a Nintendo Switch copy. This post will serve as primer for those who planned to play this VN in near future and provide some general guiding informations on what to expect from this particular Konosuba game. I will try to make this one Spoiler-free as much as possible and lastly don't expect Character Ending CGs on this one.