Lufia II: Rise of Sinistrals playthrough complete!

 While I got into Lufia series through the Gameboy Color title; Lufia The Legend Returns, I have always heard that Lufia 2: Rise of Sinistrals are held in high regards. Long story short I am only able to pay my pilgrimage for this Hidden JRPG Gem of SNES after more than 20 years since I got into Lufia series for the first time through its GBC title. Overall Lufia 2 is a Hidden Gem of SNES JRPG which have some glaring flaws but at the same time possess many strengths that allows it to leave a mark upon the JRPG Legacy as a whole.  

Mechatalk Final Gear: Bernadette - Cerberus

 41st Final Gear Mechatalk is here! and one more to go before the series conclude its run! As of now, Final Gear CN server has officially ended its service and Global will follow suit in a week or so. Even if the Global server ends prematurely than what the dev promised, the last article for the Final Gear Mechatalk series will still conclude as planned and it will be a UR unit. As for the 41st Final Gear Mechatalk, I have prepared yet another special character even if she is not UR but probably one of the Dev's favorite given her special treatment. It is no other than the Guardian Knight of the Devil's Order Bernadette! One would imagine what kind of favor she will be given had Final Gear able to flourish.

KEMOTOYS 1/24 Knight of Skyfog

 Chinese Hobby Manufacturer had plenty of 1/18 and 1/25 action figures option by Joytoy that could substitute for Hexagear, and this time there is yet another new challenger for Kotobukiya's 1/24 lineup. While it is just a miniature soldier model kit, this one look promising and one of the better looking Knight Type Hexagear model kit. Released by 默启/Kemo Toys for mid-2024 release, This promising new model kit called Knight of Skyfog will be sold for 78 RMB.

The main selling point of this particular Knight of Skyfog product is the Flight Backpack that this Knight use which is capable of transforming into Centaur exoskeleton. Without the backpack itself, I have been quite interested with this Knight of Skyfog since it reminds me of a particular Candy Toys from Lotte Bubblegum that I used to have and probably will discuss at this blog at some point. While Kemo Toys haven't got any proven track record so far as long as they make the playability of their product to be robust enough, they will be able to carve themselves a market in Hobby Toys industry.

Super Robot Wars OG HG Huckebein Boxer

 When Bandai released Model Kit for Huckebein MkIII, Fans have expected that the Boxer Unit going to follow suit at some point after AM Gunner and Bandai decided now it is the time to fulfill the expectation! Released yet again as P-Bandai item, Bandai's take on Huckebein Boxer Unit definitely surpass the Kotobukiya counterpart more than a decade ago and a worthy successor for the baton to be passed on. HG Huckebein Boxer will be scheduled for 11000 Yen with July 2024 release schedule.

Harvest Moon Nendoroid Farmer Claire

 In Late 90s and early 2000s, a farming-sim game series Harvest Moon was one of the hottest commodity in its time and released plenty of iterations as it changes its name to Story of the Seasons. After more than 2 Decades with no merchandise to be seen on horizon, Harvest Moon make a surprise appearance in GoodSmile Nendoroid format even though the choice was a particular one. For the first entry of the Nendoroid Harvest Moon, Claire the female main character of Harvest Moon for Girls is being chosen! Scheduled for September 2024 release, Nendoroid Farmer Claire will be sold for 6900 Yen.

Nendoroid Claire comes with respectable amount of Accessories for its Price tag complete with Farming Tiles and Animal companions of Cow and Baby Chick. I suppose Claire got released first because GSC feels that Waifu sells easier but I do feel Claire's Male counterpart Jack/Pete still have a good shot nonetheless and might as well throw some playsets into the equation. When I was a kid, I played Harvest Moon alot too even if it is not the main PSX Game but starting from GBC Harvest Moon 2 then transition into Friends of Mineral Town which I played alot even though never made it to have my tools upgraded into Mythic Level. Perhaps I might consider revisit FOMT too If my game backlog has easen up more.

Fate/Grand Order Nendoroid Doll Saber Artoria Pendragon 1st Ascension

 I have been feeling very apathetic toward FGO series lately, and the Gacha drought over past three months doesnt make things any better. But I will still keep going nonetheless given it is one of my oldest Gacha that I still play and so does GSC even if the series wasn't as big anymore. Fate series might not be getting as much merchandise compared to its Zenith but there will be always something available every year and this one another surprise in Nendoroid Doll Form! I think it has been quite sometime since Fate returned this particular GSC lineup and the eternal heroine Saber Artoria is always the safe choice to join the fray! Released in her 1st Ascension version, Nendoroid Doll Saber Artoria will be scheduled for October 2024 release with 9800 Yen Price tag.

Having Saber released as Nendoroid Doll in her 1st Ascension version is a rather peculiar choice but it is probably have to do with testing the waters since GSC are not confident that they can release Saber's 2nd Ascension let alone 3rd Ascension within reasonable price. The accessories and outfit quality is rather lackluster but I am willing to pay some attention with this lineup considering that Saber Alter's 3rd Ascension would work very well in Nendoroid Doll format. In any case this one is an easy skip for me but still hoping for further development of Fate Series for this particular lineup.

Gundam Seed Freedom Movie

 Ever since the premiere in Japan early this year, Gundam Seed Freedom screening is no doubt one of the most anticipated moments by Gundam Seed fans for this year. After SEED franchise being dormant for almost two decades due to some trainwreck from unnecessary drama, Gundam Seed Freedom definitely doesn't disappoint for the fans and personally I got the opportunity to attend the premiere screening on my local movie theater last week. Overall Gundam Seed Freedom Movie is a whole level of a treat for SEED Fans and really live up to the expectation for the long awaited and much needed fanservice for the fans!

Mechatalk Final Gear: Sumora - Steel Fortress

 40th Final Gear Mechatalk is here! Nothing as fancy as the previous one but an appropriate option as the closure for Hexel Faction. The possible third last Final Gear Mechatalk Features the Head of Designers Family, Sumora! This lady pretty much held the responsibility of keeping Hexel Faction Military Machine going under the guidance of Steel Witch Noctris. Despite the pacifist nature, you will encounter plenty of her creations in Final Gear as opponents.

Macross Plus Tiny Session YF-19

After Macross Frontier, Delta and 7 got their share of Tiny Session, Bandai finally make it to Macross Plus as well with the protagonist YF-19 becoming the first joining into the fray! Following the tradition of this new lineup, Tiny Session YF-19 will come with mini figure of Myung, the Female love interest of the Macross Plus love triangle. Tiny Session YF-19 will be scheduled for August 2024 release with 5500 Yen Price tag.

Just like other Tiny Session, the accessories are as barebone as it gets as the main selling point of this lineup remain to be affordable Macross Valkyrie Fighter Collectibles that still maintain its transformation gimmick. I would expect YF-21 will come with Sharon Apple mini figure if it ever get a Tiny Session which is quite likely given it won't be Macross Plus without Isamu and Guld duo rivalry. Considering YF-19 could get Chogokin and Tiny Session, I would expect Hi-Metal would be within high realm of possibility someday.

Gundam Wing G:Unit HGAC 1/144 Gundam Burnlapius

 Among Alternate Universe Gundam Sidestory, I do have quite a soft spot on G-Unit which was a Gundam Wing sidestory available in 3 Tankoubon Manga which feature some really cool Gundam and Leo variants Mobile Suit design. I never thought the original G-Unit series will have a continuation when it comes to merchandise after quite sometime but it is a pleasant surprise that Aesculapius Gundam upgrade unit Burnlapius do get a HG Model Kit!  Scheduled as P-Bandai release on July 2024 with 3800 Yen Price tag.

Canned Squad Unit - Blockade Division

 Some more interesting product released by Chinese Manufacturer which resembled Bandai's Gundam Ensemble/Robot Concerto Lineup which is created by a manufacturer called 百川模型 under the lineup dubbed Canned Squad Unit. Wonder if this one will get into hot waters with Bandai since the product use the Gundam Ensemble Joints but certainly this one will have a upper hand if they ever have a smooth sailing as this products open up plenty of avenue by denying Monopoly by Bandai. Having 3 Mecha variants as the part of early roster dubbed Blockade Division, Canned Squad Unit will be sold for 49 RMB each with June release schedule. 

Fruity Robo Yilichuangwan Pineapple Slasher Model Kit

 One of the Chinese Robot Model kit that I overlooked but soon regain my attention because  I am a sucker for any mecha that got Cockpit gimmick. After being under radar from International Market for so long, There is this particular Chinese Robot cartoon series called 果宝特攻 / Fruity Robo make a resurgence with some very cool looking Mecha Model Kit by a manufacturer called 壹理创玩 /Yilichuangwan starting with the mecha called Pineapple Slasher. Slated for Q2 Release these Bite-sized Mecha Model kit will be sold for 99 RMB and you will expect these won't be the last of it!

 Apparently this Fruity Robo series has been around since 2009 and the model kit served as 15th Anniversary for the series. On the first glance, Fruity Robo is reminiscent of B-Daman series with its SD Sized Mech design. Not only this Fruity Robos come with Cockpit Gimmick but they also came with Combiner Mecha gimmick which is why I decided to pay attention to Pineapple slasher once again despite I dismissed this fellow as cheap Gundam Exia Copy at first. This Pineapple Slasher is actually part of Combiner Robot called 果宝战神 or Fruity Wargod and you can expect Yilichuangwan will commit all the way to bring all of the Combiners into the series. To wrap up this article I will leave a glimpse for the Fruity Wargod which doesn't look too bad for Chinese Combiner Robot.

Hexagear 1/24 Bui Tohru Gaifu Kaisei

 

 Despite fierce competition by the Chinese counterpart Joytoy for 1/24 Scale Mecha Toy Market, Kotobukiya is releasing another good Hexagear product which make good use of the V-Thors frame this time instead of some palette swap. Making use of the popular V-Thors mold, Hexagear is getting a really badass samurai mecha dubbed 凱風快晴/Gaifu Kaisei which literally means Victorious Wind and Clear Sky under the possible sub lineup named Bui Tohru. Scheduled for August 2024 release, 1/24 Gaifu Kaisei will be sold for 8800 Yen which slightly more expensive than V-Thors given the extra parts.

Gaifu Kaisei comes with a pair of Heat Blades as its armaments which make it automatically resemble with Mr Bushido's Ahead from Gundam 00. However the Jumonji Spear weapon as shown by Kotobukiya's sample Photo is definitely the weapon to go for Gaifu Kaisei for the best Samurai Mecha Vibe. The Spear weapon is defintely the dealbreaker for me to get interested with this particular Hexagear though I can't pinpoint the exact Modelling Support Goods for this one which might be MSG 31 Oni Juji, I probably will settle with MSG Gun Blade Lance or even the Spear weapons from Musha Gundam if I cant find the exact copy because this guy need a spear for the best samurai Vibe. I will look forward to Kotobukiya if they could expand their Hexagear with more Samurai themed unit given the potential showcased by this Gaifu Kaisei.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Pandora Vlamir - Gatling Saint

39th Final Gear Mechatalk and 3 more mechatalk articles to go before the Global Server officially closes down! This time it is another special Mechatalk article featuring 14th UR unit that I managed to obtain which is bestowed for Pandora Vlamir! Pandora is yet another rather special character in Final Gear as she is actually one of the first characters created for Final Gear in its early days who sports literally a Purple Metal Slug Tank as her mech of choice which doesn't look too bad either!

Breath of Fire 1

 Recently my interest toward Old School JRPG series has seen some resurgence and I make use of the opportunity to visit an old friend once again. The old friend in question is no other than Breath of Fire series! When I was in Middle school I played this series quite alot on Gameboy Advance but only actually finished the 2nd Game at that time. Back in 90s era, Capcom was a well established Game Dev renowned for their quality 2D Sprites game until for they decided to crash and burn most of them by early 2000s. At very least during the Heyday they did make use of their 2D artistic talents to create a JRPG series called Breath of Fire which had a relatively good run while it lasted and this article will cover the first entry of this once popular JRPG series.

Composite ver Ka. MSK-008R Dijeh Amuro Custom

 Dang another good Mobile Suit design that end up as P-Bandai item! A month after Hyaku Shiki Kai announced as Metal Robot Spirits. In the spirit of competition with his eternal rival, Amuro seems doesn't want to lose against Quattro and got a really good Robot Spirits release. While it is not a Diecast release, this one will not disappoint. If a regular Dijeh and Zeta Plus A1 was not enough for Amuro, we got ourselves Amuro's Custom Dijeh in Composite ver Ka which is pretty much feature the amalgamation of the best element of both. Scheduled for September 2024, Composite Ver Ka Amuro Dijeh will be sold for 15950 Yen.

While not as pricey as MRS Hyaku Shiki Kai, Dijeh Amuro Custom pretty much cost twice as Regular counterpart which is kinda justified as this one comes with 2 Mobile Suits worth of Armaments. In this version of Amuro's Dijeh, you get yourself a Dijeh that comes with Rick Dias and Zeta Gundam's armaments on top of the default Dijeh setup. As the icing on the cake, this version of Dijeh reveals a Gundam Faceplate which makes this unit yet another Gundam in Disguise. As much as I want a Dijeh SE-R, this version is good enough and would serve as perfect substitute. I might likely get this one despite It will cost a premium for me due to the P-Bandai status as this unit complements well with Hyaku Shiki Kai, a reminiscent of best possible outcome for Char as Quattro who become buddy cop with Amuro instead of falling in despair. In Retrospective, MRS Full Armor Mk II would have been another great candidate to join Dijeh and FA Hyaku Shiki squad which is another stuff that I will keep a tab if a rerun is ever around.

Hemoxian Over Zero - 1/10 Tastier

 Another one of those Interesting Chinese Model kit product, this time the manufacturer make something different compared to their usual 1/100 Master Grade Kits equivalent. Having released an Imposing 1/100 Mecha Legion of Thor before a cool looking mech that comes with Giant Hammer, a Chinese Manufacturer called 和模线/Hemoxian is releasing another kickass 1/10 Scale Model kit with codename Tastier. Scheduled for Q2 release, 1/10 Tastier will be sold for 188 RMB.

Lufia: the Legend Returns

 From times to times. I have expressed my profound interest toward High Fantasy RPG genre in Realm of Darkness and this is because there were handful of Video Games which were responsible in shaping my passion for this genre during my Childhood. If I have to list the Top 3 Video Games that contributes a major part for my love for JRPG or High Fantasy in general, apart from DnD Shadow over Mystara, Lufia the Legend Returns would belong to this list. Back then I have clocked in over hundred hours on this game and cleared many runs. I probably should have written this article when I finished my playthrough on 3DS Virtual Console Copy, but at very least I am trying to make some amend before I delve further into Lufia series once again.

Lufia was not exactly one of the most popular JRPG series out there but it did leave its marks in 16-bits game era and do get some loyal following from RPG fans especially through Lufia II: Rise of Sinistrals. The main premise of this series is about a group of heroes throughout generations banding up and with the help of Legendary weapon Dual Blade fought against the threat from Group of 4 Demigods called Sinistrals who intend on bring destruction upon the world through their Fortress floating on the sky called Doom Island. Most of the Lufia fans will probably got into the series through the Super Nintendo game but as for me it happens to be the GBC title; Lufia the Legend Returns that got me hooked into RPGs and left a lasting impression.

Mechatalk Final Gear: Favia - Dark Star

Time to put some Combo breaker for Chinese Hobby products and it is time for Final Gear 38th Mechatalk! Final Gear Global got about one month left before its closure and until then this series will keep going because I have already planned out the candidates for the remainder of this game's lifespan. Before Final Gear global server ends as scheduled, I can still churn out around 4 Final Gear Mechatalk articles and 2 of them will be in the full glory of their UR Form at least. But in the meantime we will have Favia, Hexel's Darkstar Witch Matriarch fill in the spotlight!

MJH Fission Craftsman Soul 1/100 Yanmie 湮灭

 Chinese Hobby manufacturer are certainly on a roll this past few years! Another recently announced Diecast frame 1/100 Mecha Model Kit that caught my attention yet again and this time it is by a manufacturer called MJH Fission Craftsman Soul or 裂变匠魂 in Chinese. This particular product is dubbed 湮灭/Yanmie is a Red and Black colored mech which are armed to the teeth with heavy artillery weapon befitting its literal namesake "annihilation". Revealed since February this year, MJH 1/100  Yanmie will be scheduled for April 2024 release with 199 RMB Price tag.

Super Mecha Champions Sluban SMC Qbricks

 When Netease still in partnership with Sluban to release some Bricks Toy product for Super Mecha Champion series, apart from the Full scale size, they did make some in Super Deformed style. Joining Sluban's Qbricks lineup, SMC Bricks logo come in 12 Variants in total released in 2 Waves. These bite sized Super Mecha Champions Mini Robots are sold for around 20-30 RMB. While not all of the designs are captured perfectly in this format, some of them do look quite good like Firefox and Trio of Enders. If Netease haven't been so lazy with their Marketing effort, we could have got some very cool Diecast Toys by this time. Hopefully this notorious dev could put better effort on the merchandising since the production value of SMC are quite good as shown with the recent patch.

Anyway look into the article for the full roster of Super Mecha Champions Qbricks which are sorted by the Wave release.

Snail Shell 1/12 Pumpkin Princess

 I was never really into Mecha Musume subgenre but there is this particular manufacturer called Snail Shell that have produced some highly intricate product over past couple years which lean more on Fanservice side. Then recently they dropped yet another bomb for their latest release called Pumpkin Princess. The announcement might seem out of place but the release timing is certainly not for this massive Halloween Themed Mecha Musume. Scheduled for November 2024 release, Snail Shell Pumpkin Princess will be sold for 649 RMB or 15000 Yen.

Apparently this particular design have been around since 2021 but it is not until recently that Snail Shell able to complete the prototype. Not surprised with the turn out of event because the design itself is relatively complex even compared to Act Mode Mecha Musume lineup given you have a Mecha musume that comes with Horror themed Pumpkin exoskeleton. Based on aesthetics Pumpkin Princess do resemble FGO Kama who is a close combat Mecha musume sadistic maniac type who had extra defensive capability with the Pumpkin Armor. With the Pumpkin Princess announcement, Snail Shell do catch my attention and I might be even willing to invest more on their products should they consider release more mechanized mecha musume products.

Tekkaman Blade Orange Cat Industry Blaster Tekkaman Blade

 Tekkaman Blade is one of those great 90s Mecha series that had been relatively left in the dust by Japan for quite some time since we were getting Figma and Armor Plus as the last products. It was not until few years ago Sentinel decided to pick up the series to join Riobot Lineup. But it was the major player Orange Cat Industry that changed the playing board as they are releasing some quality Model Kit products for Tekkaman Blade series. What started from the regular Tekkaman Blade in 2022 now Orange Cat is ready to release the Tekkaman Blade in his Blaster Mode. Scheduled for dispatch from Q1, Orange Cat Tekkaman Blade Blaster comes in 2 variants, Regular and LED which will cost 198 & 288 RMB respectively.

In 90s Bandai did release some 1000 Yen Tekkaman Blade model kit which will require some work to look good and Orange Cat do make some much needed update required for Tekkaman Model Kit Lineup standing 22 cm tall which are as big as Gundam Master Grades. The LED Parts will definitely give the Voltekka effect of Blaster Tekkaman to full justice given it is easily the best part of Tekkaman Blade series, just look at Tatsunoko vs Capcom. Personally, I still wonder why Chinese manufacturer did decided to pick up Tekkaman Blade series out of the blue. Perhaps it has something to do with Iron Saga collab that expose the series to Chinese Market but it is still not pivotal enough. It would be quite something if Orange Cat decided to follow up this particular series by making Pegas Model kit to accompany Tekkaman Blade.