Ultra Beast Force Yilichuangwan Phantom Kirin God

Following the conclusion of its ambitious Fruity Robo lineup, Yilichuangwan returns with another noteworthy release. This time, the company is venturing into a Chinese animated series called Ultra Beast Force with a new mecha model kit: Phantom Kirin God. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, the kit will be sold for 169 RMB.

Inspired by the legendary Chinese divine creature, the Qilin, Phantom Kirin God features a sleek mechanical design capable of transforming into a Qilin beast form. Its overall color scheme and aesthetic immediately bring to mind Gransazer, particularly the Sagittarius-themed designs, which may have served as an inspiration for the source material.

While I have little familiarity with Ultra Beast Force itself—which appears to be a Chinese animated series with strong tokusatsu influences, I do find the model kit visually appealing.

Personally, while the source material does not particularly interest me, the strength of the design alone is enough to make me consider picking up a copy.

SRW Alpha 3 Riobot Raioh

A few months after the release of Huckebein Boxer, Sentinel has announced yet another heavyweight from the Super Robot Wars franchise. This time, it is Raioh, one of the Dynamic General Guardians that made its debut in Super Robot Wars Alpha 3, joining the Riobot lineup. Scheduled for release in October 2026, Riobot Raioh will be sold for 43,000 yen.

In the history of SRW merchandise, Raioh has always been a somewhat elusive design. Aside from the Volks FAF action figure released more than a decade ago, collectors have had very few opportunities to add this iconic machine to their collections. For that reason alone, Sentinel's Riobot release is a welcome addition, even if its premium price places it firmly in the high-end collector market.

Despite having a rather personal attachment to Raioh, the current economic climate makes it difficult to justify such a purchase. At this price range, the only SRW machine that could convince me to open my wallet for such price tag would probably be Dis Astranagant.

Back in Super Robot Wars Alpha 3, Raioh was my choice for my first playthrough of this legendary title. Designed as a powerful boss-killer super robot, Raioh quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its overwhelming presence and signature tokusatsu-inspired attacks, particularly its iconic dive kick.

With Daizengar eventually receiving a Bandai model kit, I am quite optimistic that Raioh will one day receive similar treatment. Until then, Riobot Raioh will likely remain relatively out of reach collectible representation of one of Alpha 3's most memorable original machines.

Transformers New Legends NL-04 Gigastorm

Trypticon has long been one of the most popular giant-scale Decepticons in the Transformers franchise, making him a recurring choice for premium releases from both Hasbro and Takara Tomy. This time, the massive city-sized Transformer returns under the Transformers New Legends lineup in the form of Gigastorm, a character based on the Beast Wars II incarnation of Trypticon. Scheduled for release in November 2026, Transformers NL-04 Gigastorm will be sold for 38,000 yen.

As one of the franchise's iconic titan-class characters, Trypticon remains a favorite even among casual Transformers fans like myself. Part of his appeal comes from his imposing design—a giant mechanical dinosaur that feels like a Transformer counterpart to Mechagodzilla. Beyond his appearance, Trypticon also offers three distinct forms: dinosaur, spacecraft, and fortress mode. Of those, the fortress configuration is by far my favorite, as I have always been a fan of toy products that double as playsets.

Ever since adding Scorponok to my collection, I have been keeping an eye out for another large-scale Transformer to accompany him, with Trypticon being one of the most desirable candidates. The combination of size, presence, and play value makes him difficult to ignore. While Gigastorm is certainly tempting, I would ideally like to find a suitable Trypticon release closer to the 20,000-yen range before taking the plunge.

For now, this is a figure I will continue to admire from afar, though it remains one of the most appealing giant Transformers currently on my bucket list.

Transformers Overgear-03 Optimus Prime

 

Takara Tomy is back with yet another new take on Optimus Prime. Following crossover projects with Zoids, Monster Hunter, Evangelion, and Macross 7, the latest release is something entirely original for the iconic Transformers leader. Dubbed the Overgear Series, this new interpretation reimagines Optimus Prime with a more grounded military aesthetic. Scheduled for release in February 2027, Overgear-03 Optimus Prime will be sold for 17,000 yen.

While Optimus Prime is naturally the release that caught my attention, the Overgear lineup is not entirely new. Two products have already been released under the lineup, featuring Ironhide and Blackout. The concept behind Overgear appears to be transforming familiar Transformers characters into heavily armed military operatives, emphasizing realistic combat equipment and special forces-inspired designs.

In Optimus Prime's case, the makeover is particularly striking. Rather than the traditional red-and-blue semi-truck, he transforms into a sort of desert-camouflage military Humvee IFV truck and comes equipped with an array of weaponry, including a heavy machine gun, missile pods, and a battle axe. The result is a version of Optimus Prime that feels less like a heroic truck and more like the commander of an elite mechanized unit.

As a collector, this will ultimately be a pass for me. As I already have the Macross 7 and Evangelion collaboration versions of Optimus Prime on the way, along with several other renditions of Optimus Prime within my collection. That said, if I did not already own multiple crossover variants, I would be seriously tempted by this release. The military-inspired direction gives the character a distinct identity without relying on an external franchise, and it will be interesting to see what Takara Tomy has planned for future entries in the Overgear series.

Zoids x Monster Hunter Wild Liger Zinogre

Monster Hunter is back with another collaboration project with Takara Tomy. Following the Rathalos-themed Optimus Prime from the Transformers lineup, the latest crossover brings the franchise into the world of Zoids. This time, the recipient is none other than Zinogre, the fan-favorite thunder wolf wyvern, reimagined using the iconic Wild Liger body frame. Scheduled for release in February 2027, the Zoids Wild Liger Zinogre will be sold for for 7,000 yen.

Wild Liger Zinogre offers exactly what one would expect from a pre-assembled Zoids release: a mechanical interpretation of one of Monster Hunter’s most recognizable monsters. To help justify its price point, the model includes pilot-related gimmicks as well as LED lighting effects. The design itself appears to be a faithful fusion of Zinogre’s signature silhouette with the mechanical aesthetics of the Zoids franchise.

The recent surge of Monster Hunter crossover merchandise is interesting to observe. My impression is that Capcom recognizes the franchise is no longer enjoying the explosive momentum it had at its peak. While Monster Hunter remains a successful and highly recognizable series, it does not seem to command the same level of excitement and cultural presence that it once did. Expanding into collaborations and collector-oriented merchandise may be one way to maintain visibility and engagement beyond the games themselves.

As someone who once followed Monster Hunter passionately for a decade, I feel the series has gradually drifted away from many of the qualities that originally made it special. The modern entries have found a much larger audience, but they often pursue a different design philosophy from the one that drew me into the franchise in the first place. Unless Capcom ever decides to revisit that era through something like a proper remake of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, I will probably remain on the sidelines as a player while continuing to watch the series from afar.

SRWOG HG Alteisen Riese

Given Bandai’s firm grip on the SRW OG IP and the multiple releases they have already produced, this feels like the next obvious step. It has been more than a decade since Kotobukiya released Alteisen Riese, the upgraded form of Alteisen, and now Bandai is finally presenting its own take on the iconic mecha. Scheduled for release in December 2026, the HG Alteisen will be sold for 6,800 Yen.

Bandai has not revealed much about the kit yet, but with a suggested retail price roughly 2,000 Yen higher than Kotobukiya’s version, we can likely expect some significant improvements. I still own my Kotobukiya Alteisen Riese, which I fully repainted, so I am well aware of the limitations that older kit had. Even so, I would not mind double-dipping on this release, as I am very curious to see how Bandai has modernized the model kit design. Most likely, I would end up repainting it in the Nacht color scheme as well.

Gundam Sentinel 1/100 MG Gundam Mk V [Earth Federation Force Color]

Previously released as a P-Bandai exclusive, the MG Gundam Mk-V returns once again in a new color variant dubbed the Earth Federation Force Color, now featuring a predominantly white color scheme. As expected, this cooler alternate version remains locked behind the Premium Bandai label, just like the previous iteration. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the MG 1/100 Gundam Mk-V will be sold for 9,000 Yen.

Aside from the new color scheme, this version of the Gundam Mk-V also includes a redesigned beam rifle that appears to be a higher-output type similar to the one used by the Asshimar. The white color palette makes the design strongly resemble the Silver Bullet from Gundam Unicorn, which is hardly surprising considering the Gundam Mk-V and Döven Wolf share a closely related technological lineage.

Given the pricing and the usual Premium Bandai markup, this kit will likely become prohibitively expensive for overseas collectors. Because of that, I will probably look toward alternative options instead, with the NXEDGE STYLE figure line suddenly becoming a rather appealing choice.

Armored Trooper Votoms Hi-Metal R Brutish Dog

 

Tamashii Nations continues to expand its Armored Trooper VOTOMS lineup once again. Following the release of Chirico Cuvie and his iconic Scopedog, it is now Fyana’s turn to join the Hi-Metal R series alongside her signature Brutish Dog. Scheduled for release in October 2020, the Hi-Metal R Brutish Dog retailed for 20,000 yen.

In the series, the Brutish Dog is a customized, lightly armed Scopedog distinguished by its striking reddish-pink color scheme. Piloted by the genetically engineered supersoldier Fyana, the machine delivers performance far beyond what its modest loadout would suggest, giving Chirico more than a few difficult battles throughout the story. Despite initially meeting as enemies, Fyana and Chirico eventually develop a deep relationship, only for tragedy to separate them in the end.

Like the Hi-Metal R Scopedog, the Brutish Dog also includes a pilot figure of Fyana. While the miniature figure is a welcome addition, the sculpt quality naturally falls short of what collectors would expect from a dedicated character action figure. Still, the inclusion adds extra display value and helps complete the package. With Fyana and the Brutish Dog making it into the line, there is now a strong possibility that Ypsilon and his Strike Dog could eventually receive the Hi-Metal R treatment as well.

Kaitian Jichuang 1/12 Mecha Angel – Black Swan Alicia

 

Another impressive mecha musume model kit emerges from China’s growing hobby industry: Kaitian Jichuang presents Black Swan Alicia, a sleek black mecha musume exuding strong main-heroine vibes. Scheduled for a Q2 2026 release, this kit will sold for for 238 RMB.

Full Metal Panic Orange Cat x Wave 1/35 Laevatein

 

The ultimate Arm-Slave from Full Metal Panic! returns through a collaboration between Chinese model kit maker Orange Cat and Wave. This time, they are delivering a luxurious 1/35 scale Laevatein model kit that blends the engineering of a Perfect Grade kit with the premium feel of a Metal Build die-cast figure. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, the Orange Cat 1/35 Laevatein will be sold for 458 RMB.

SAMG Metal Cardbot W Grand Blue Leon Dark Edition

Another kickass mecha from SAMG Entertainment, and this time it comes from the Metal Cardbot series. SAMG’s mecha toy designs always fascinate me because their aesthetics look far too stylish and detailed for what is essentially a kids’ robot cartoon. This latest release is a dark variant of Grand Blue Leon. Scheduled for release in June 2026, the SAMG Grand Blue Leon Dark Edition will retail for 150,000 won.

In Metal Cardbot, Grand Blue Leon is the combined form of Blue Cop W and Blaion. Its overall aesthetic feels like a blend of Brave Police J-Decker and The Brave Express Might Gaine from the Brave Series, with a touch of Omnimon thrown in thanks to the oversized arm-mounted weapons. Despite the strong police motif, the influences behind Blue Cop and Blaion are not purely derived from J-Decker. Fans familiar with the Brave Series will probably notice several elements that lean more toward Might Gaine instead.

SAMG’s dark-edition robots are usually easy wins, especially for collectors who missed out on the original releases and want another chance to grab these increasingly popular designer-style mecha toys. For once, however, I think the original Grand Blue Leon color scheme actually looks better than this alternate version. Even so, I am still curious to see what else SAMG Entertainment has in store from its awesome mecha portfolio.

Armored Core VI Assemble Collection Vol. 1

 

t has been several years since Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon was released, and surprisingly, Bandai continues to show strong support for this underrated flagship franchise from FromSoftware. Following a series of model kit releases, AC6 is now getting its own candy toy line under the Assemble Collection series. Scheduled for release in September 2026, Armored Core 6 Assemble Collection Vol. 1 will retail for 1,500 yen each, with four figures per box.

Overall, the lineup feels quite similar to the FW Gundam Converge series, albeit with extra twist to justify its retail price which is roughly three times more. What makes this particular AC6 lineup stand out is its modularity, mirroring the customization mechanics from the game itself and allowing for extensive mix-and-match possibilities between parts.

The first volume features four notable ACs: Loader 4, Nightfall, Steel Haze, and Milk Tooth, a strong starting roster for the series. Given the sheer number of memorable designs in the game, there is plenty of room for future waves especially popular AC6 design like Ayre haven't made it yet. Even Super Robot Wars Original Generation candy toy lines managed to last for three volumes.

Since I have never played Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon myself, this is an easy pass for me. Still, I would not mind seeing a similar candy toy lineup based on the franchise’s 3rd- or 4th-generation titles someday.

Transformers Wild King - Energy Master Rex Blade

 

Seeing how SAMG has been making a killing with their Dinoid Warrior and Miniforce lines for quite some time, Takara Tomy was bound to make a move of its own. Leveraging the strength of the Transformers brand, the company has unveiled a new series called Transformers Wild King, seemingly positioned to go head-to-head with SAMG’s Dinoid Warrior lineup. One of the main releases is a blue dinosaur mecha named Energy Master Rex Blade, scheduled for release in June 2026 at a price of 6,700 Yen.

Takara Tomy’s newest product clearly feels aimed directly at SAMG, starting with the noticeably similar packaging design. Rex Blade comes across as Takara Tomy’s answer to Rex Kaiser, though the overall design philosophy is quite different. While Dinoid Warrior leans heavily into flashy, ultra-cool aesthetics, Rex Blade retains the unmistakable feel of a toy designed primarily for younger audiences. At the same time, Takara Tomy’s long experience in the mecha genre shines through, as Rex Blade carries strong vibes of both Zoids and Super Sentai mecha despite being part of the Transformers franchise.

Where Rex Blade attempts to outdo Rex Kaiser is in its versatility. The figure features three transformation modes: humanoid, dinosaur, and vehicle. Since the product is clearly built to compete directly with SAMG’s offerings, Rex Blade also comes with supporting units capable of combining into a larger combiner mecha called Energy Beast Wild King, which I’ll leave below for you to judge yourself.

Hemoxian 1/12 Rhande Khoskinen & Rusted Brier

 

 After producing several impressive cyborg-themed model kits, Hemoxian is finally stepping into something completely new. The company appears to be aiming for a foothold in the mecha musume market, and their debut entry is surprisingly strong. Their latest release, Rhande Khoskinen & Rusted Brier, feels like a blend of Alice Gear Aegis and Strike Witches, with a touch of classic Macross-inspired mechanical design. The kit is currently scheduled for a Q3 2026 release with a very competitive price tag of 218 RMB.

Hemoxian has definitely caught collectors’ attention with this release. The concept combines a mecha musume character with a WWII-inspired aircraft mech setup that heavily leans into vintage military aesthetics. Individually, the kit’s components may not look groundbreaking, but the real appeal lies in how much content Hemoxian packed into a single package while keeping the price relatively affordable. The character design even gives off strong Tanya the Evil vibes, except this time paired with a transforming aircraft-style mech loaded with multiple weapon configurations. Depending on the setup, it can resemble either a Macross-style variable fighter or a more traditional Strike Witches-inspired flight unit.

The sheer amount of versatility offered by this kit is likely to make Japanese manufacturers pay close attention, especially as more mainland Chinese companies continue pushing aggressively into the mecha musume market. If Hemoxian can maintain this level of quality, value, and creativity, they could very well carve out a significant place for themselves within the genre.

Toyseasy Super Alloy Warship God CV-17 Fuxi

 

Just when it seemed Toyseasy had wrapped up their Warship Combiner line, they’ve returned with a new addition, an aircraft carrier mecha. Named after the Chinese progenitor deity Fu Xi, This unit is positioned as a worthy counterpart to the previously released Shennong aircraft carrier combiner. The CV-17 Fuxi is scheduled for a Q3 2026 release at 999 RMB.

SRW OG Riobot Huckebein Mk-III w/ AM Gunner & Boxer Unit

 

A surprise release from Sentinel, seemingly out of nowhere. It almost feels like a bit of one-upmanship with Bandai: the previously released Huckebein Mk. III plastic model is now getting the full-fledged Riobot action figure treatment. Not stopping there, this final iteration of the Vanishing Trooper is also being accompanied by the AM Gunner and Boxer Unit. Scheduled across November 2026 to January 2027, the Huckebein Mk. III lineup comes with the following price tags:

Riobot Huckebein Mk. III – November 2026 – 22,000 yen
Riobot Boxer Unit – December 2026 – 25,000 yen
Riobot AM Gunner – January 2027 – 27,000 yen

There’s no doubt this is shaping up to be Sentinel’s most expensive Super Robot Wars offering so far. Going all-in for the complete set totals 74,000 yen, surpassing even the 65,000 yen Riobot SRX. Still, this could very well be the definitive rendition of the Huckebein Mk. III, with product quality that should easily outclass the original model kit.

Interestingly, this release strategy from Sentinel gives some room for optimism. It opens up the possibility that previously Super Minipla–exclusive Super Robot Wars OG designs might also receive the Riobot treatment. Personally, I’ve got my eyes on Astranagant and Hyperion.

Cang Toys Trans Age TA-HCZ002 Bergion Axeetle

 

I forgot to follow up on my Trans Age coverage earlier this year, but the second entry in the trilogy is actually my favorite. Meet Bergion Axeetle, a stag beetle–inspired transforming mecha. Released in Q3 2025, it originally retailed for 179 RMB.

What immediately stands out about Bergion Axeetle is its tank-like presence despite being a medium-sized unit. Equipped with a large axe and a multifunctional shoulder shield, it offers a surprising amount of versatility. The shield alone can be configured in multiple ways, giving it more depth than it initially lets on. Compared to Blacanidae and Swordion, Axeetle is easily the most durable of the trio, firmly positioning it as the team’s defender.

Another reason Axeetle appeals to me is how well it pairs with 52TOYS’ mechanical beetle line. It essentially feels like a larger, more articulated “evolved” version, almost echoing the dynamic of Soundwave and his cassette minions. With Blacanidae already getting a reissue, I’m hopeful Axeetle will follow suit soon.

Gear Fighter Dendoh Amakuni Kijin Dendoh

 

It has been more than 10 years since Gear Fighter Dendoh received any major merchandise, and Amakuni has finally broken that long hiatus with one of the most deluxe and expensive renditions of the series. Similar to their Gaogaigar lineup, Amakuni’s Kijin Gear Fighter Dendoh, made in collaboration with Flame Toys, is clearly aimed at high-end collectors. Scheduled for release in October 2026, it will retail for 42,000 yen.

For over 40k Yen die-cast action figure, this version of Dendoh comes with many of the gimmicks fans would expect from the mecha. As seen in previous Flame Toys collaborations, the design features a slimmer waist and a more stylized proportion overall. Despite these extensive gimmicks, this rendition does not include any of the Data Weapons, which feels like a notable omission for a premium release. It does come with Dendoh’s sword. Personally, I would have preferred a slightly less luxurious version that includes all 12 Data Weapons instead at this price point.

Up until now, I haven’t watched Gear Fighter Dendoh in full, but I’ve had some exposure through the PlayStation game and Super Robot Wars MX. The PSX game is quite fun and worth trying, although Super Robot Wars MX provides a more complete story experience for those interested in the series.

Motor Nuclear Type 65 JiHu Mark II Assault Type

Another standout model kit from the Chinese hobby scene comes from a major player, Motor Nuclear. Dubbed the Jihu Mark II Assault Mode, this release features a die-cast inner frame and one of the more original mecha designs in recent memory. Scheduled for Q3 2026, the Motor Nuclear Type-65 Jihu Mark II will retail at 239 RMB.

The kit’s Chinese name translates to “Halberd Tiger,” a title that fits perfectly. This is a mecha equipped with a conventional firearms loadout alongside a modular Chinese halberd for melee combat. What makes the Type-65 Halberd Tiger particularly striking is how difficult it is to neatly categorize. While many Chinese mecha kits tend to echo the design language of Gundam SEED or 00, this one lands somewhere between Armored Core and Gundam, in a positive complimentary manner. One of its biggest strengths is balance: the Halberd Tiger looks heavily armed without appearing overly bulky, maintaining a sleek and purposeful silhouette.

Given the strength of this design, it would be a missed opportunity if Motor Nuclear didn’t expand on it. Future iterations of the Type-65 Halberd Tiger seem like a natural next step, and I’m especially interested to see how they might evolve its weapon loadouts.

Girls Frontline 2 Exilium Animester 1/12 HK416 Speed Star

 

One of the most anticipated Girls’ Frontline collectibles is finally up for preorder: the HK416 “Klukai” action figure. Based on her GFL2 Speedstar skin, this “golden child” of the franchise brings something fresh to the table in Animester’s latest rendition. Notably, this will be the only Klukai figure so far to feature her signature futuristic motorbike from Girls’ Frontline 2, though the bike itself will be sold separately as a model kit. Both are scheduled for Q3 2026, with the Animester Klukai figure priced at 299 RMB and the motorbike at 238 RMB.