Bandai Namco Chinese Horse Zodiac 2026 Toy Review

 I don't deliberately collect designer toys very often, but according to Chinese astrology, 2026 is expected to be a particularly challenging year for those born under the Horse zodiac, myself included. With that in mind, I decided to embrace the once-every-twelve-years occasion and pick up a small lucky charm in the hope that it might help me get through my Tai Sui year.

That eventually led me to the large version of the 2026 Chinese Zodiac Gundam, a Horse-themed designer figure. Although it was released under the Bandai Namco label, I suspect it was actually manufactured by a Chinese company, especially since the smaller blind box versions were produced by QMSV.

Since I'm not really a designer toy collector, I don't have much of an emotional attachment to this piece beyond keeping it as a symbolic good-luck charm. Part of the reason is that its color scheme feels a little contradictory. The figure is predominantly dark brown, which doesn't quite match my expectations for the Fire Horse year, where brighter reds or warmer tones would have felt more appropriate. If I ever come across one, I might instead try my luck with the QMSV Horse Zodiac version, which I might obtain thematically more suitable variant.

Iron Toys 1/100 Star Eternal Review

 

One of the oldest Chinese model kits that had been sitting dormant in my backlog until I finally built it a few months ago is the Star Eternal by the Chinese manufacturer Iron Toys. While it falls short in the originality department, it more than makes up for it with its excellent price-to-value ratio. I picked up my copy for around USD 30, which was an absolute bargain for a model kit featuring a die-cast inner frame and such an imposing size.

The Star Eternal feels like a cross between the Nu Gundam and the 00 Raiser, combining design elements from both into a heavily armed ranged-focused mobile suit. One interesting feature of the kit is that it includes two color options for the armor parts—red or dark grey. For my straight build, I went with the dark grey version, though I'd probably choose the red color scheme if I ever decide to repaint the kit.

The Iron Toys Star Eternal was released at the perfect time, when the Chinese yuan was still relatively weak, allowing it to offer exceptional value for the money. Had it been released at today's exchange rates and production costs, it would likely retail for around USD 45, a price that would even make me think twice before picking one up.

Fate/Stay Night EXQ Gilgamesh Prize Figure

 

Some Fate series Banpresto prize figures have been sitting on my shelf, gathering dust and waiting for a proper review, and I figured I'd start with Gilgamesh in his Fate/stay night casual outfit. This figure was released during the Heaven's Feel movie trilogy, so it felt only fitting to finally crack it open before working through the rest of my Fate prize figure backlog.

Considering the King of Heroes has remained one of the franchise's most popular Servants even after Fate/Grand Order has been running for years, it's somewhat surprising that his Fate/stay night casual outfit received a figure at all. Caster Gilgamesh and Ruler Gilgamesh are far more likely to receive new figure releases, making this casual version a rather uncommon choice. Banpresto took advantage of the Heaven's Feel movies to release a figure that otherwise might never have happened, and I think the timing worked out perfectly.

To be honest, the EXQ Gilgamesh is far from the best rendition of the King of Heroes, as it lacks the regal aura and commanding presence that define the oldest hero of mankind. Even so, it remains one of the most affordable figure representations of Gilgamesh available and is still a much more faithful interpretation than some of the more questionable designs released in recent years, such as the recent Honkai: Star Rail-inspired rendition.

Although I doubt Fate/Grand Order will receive many more prize figures given its declining mainstream popularity, I still wouldn't mind seeing a Summer Caster Gilgamesh prize figure someday if Banpresto or other manufacturer ever decides to make one.

Keeppley Pokemon Street Shop Review

 

Besides the Pokémon Center brick model, I also picked up another Keeppley Pokémon brick series, the Pokémon Store lineup and managed to collect all four variants. Compared to the Pokémon Center set, these stores aren't quite as impressive on their own. However, they only cost around USD 5 each, making them excellent value for the money. Their real appeal comes when you display them alongside other brick-built street shops, as there are plenty of compatible buildings on the market to create a lively miniature shopping district.

This review will include more photos than usual since I've combined all four variants into a single post. Among the four, Bulbasaur's store is easily my favorite, though that might be my bias toward my favorite Gen 1 starter talking. On the other hand, Squirtle's shop feels like the weakest design in the lineup, lacking some of the charm and visual impact of the others.

I do hope Keeppley expands the Pokémon Store series in the future, but I'm not particularly optimistic. The company seems to prioritize product lines with stronger sales potential, especially when renewing licensed properties like Pokémon. Because of that, I suspect this lineup may remain a one-off series rather than receive additional entries.

Hemoxian Over Zero 1/10 Tastier Review

 

 A few months ago, I finally found the time to crack open one of my larger Chinese model kits and give it a straightforward snap build. Hemoxian remains one of the best-value Chinese model kit brands I've come across, especially from the era when the RMB exchange rate was around 20% more favorable than it is today. Combined with the industry's subsidies at the time, they were able to deliver impressively high-quality kits at very affordable prices.

I picked up this copy for just USD 30, which feels like an absolute bargain in hindsight. A kit of this quality would easily cost around USD 50 today. Overall, Tastier's Lone Shadow is an excellent cyborg mercenary model kit, featuring a striking design, several fun gimmicks, and an elaborate display stand that adds plenty of character to the finished build.

For now the review will be a straight build thus the poses will be limited. However this is one of the model kit that I will look forward to give a proper paint job.

I probably won't continue collecting the series unless a future design really catches my eye, partly because my backlog keeps growing and partly because the stronger RMB has made these kits noticeably more expensive. Still, I'm more than happy to look forward to work on Lone Shadow in my collection.

Treasure X TMNT Blindbox Review

Some random Treasure X blind box toy I picked up earlier this year for what I remember was a bargain price of around USD 3. The concept is pretty fun—a miniature drainage pipe-shaped container that comes with a random Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figure. Even the packaging deserves some credit, as the pipe design is surprisingly sturdy and well made.

From this blind box, I ended up with Raphael, the hot-blooded sai-wielding member of the Ninja Turtles. At first, it felt like a completely random pull, but the more I thought about it, the more meaningful it became. After all, the four Ninja Turtles are named after famous Renaissance artists, and Raphael the painter is the creator of The School of Athens, my favorite Renaissance artwork. As a liberal arts student, that connection made this little figure unexpectedly special. Even though I'm not particularly a TMNT fan, this has become one of the more meaningful pieces in my collection.

Orange Cat 1/100 Estailev Neamhain Review

 

 The other Estailev model kit that I assembled a few months ago. I was initially more excited about this samurai-inspired mecha variant, but in the end, Cassowary proved to be the better value. Even so, despite being the weaker Estailev release, Neamhain remains an excellent example of what Chinese model kit manufacturers are capable of producing, provided you can still secure a copy.

Looking back, I was quite fortunate to pick up Estailev Neamhain for under USD 30. At that price, it was an absolute bargain for a Master Grade-scale model kit. These days, however, you can expect to pay at least USD 40 for a comparable product. Rising export costs, shifting trade conditions, and currency factors have significantly reduced the pricing advantages that Chinese manufacturers once enjoyed. If you manage to find a copy of Neamhain for under thirty bucks today, consider yourself very lucky.

Anko Miniblocks - Flowershop Review

One of the last entries in my current Anko Miniblocks backlog, and arguably one of the best specimens from the series. While Kmart appears to be downsizing its Anko miniblock brick model series, likely due to operational margin pressures, the series produced some genuinely impressive sets during its run, and the Flower Shop is certainly among them.

Simply put, this is a highly elaborate playset-style brick model that pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of minifigures, as I previously showcased with my FGO Coonuts collection. While I unfortunately missed out on the Large Treehouse—the finest release in this particular series, I was at least able to secure both the Lighthouse and Cherry Treehouse playsets, and I am looking forward to adding them to my collection.

Shurato Kidslogic Combat Nations 02: Yasha-Oh Gai Review

Going back-to-back after Shura-Oh Shurato, here is the second and final review of the Kids Logic Shurato lineup: Yasha-Oh Gai!

Compared to my copy of Shurato, Yasha-Oh Gai has remained in noticeably better condition over the years, making it a more satisfying piece to revisit as a collector. That said, it still shares many of the same limitations as its counterpart, particularly in terms of articulation and overall playability.

Ultimately, I decided to part with both of these rare Shurato figures, which I originally acquired during my student days in Beijing. There were several reasons behind this decision. Most notably, Kids Logic never continued the lineup beyond these releases, leaving little hope for a complete collection.

In contrast, Yolopark has offered a more modern alternative with improved engineering and a stronger commitment to completing the cast. Given the value these figures provided relative to the space they occupied in my collection, I no longer had a compelling reason to keep them. Fortunately, I was able to find a fellow collector who was willing to give them a new home.

As a character, Yasha-Oh Gai serves as an excellent foil to Shurato in this short-lived lineup. Once Shurato's closest friend, Gai eventually turns against him after falling under the influence of evil forces. His eventual redemption and decision to aid Shurato in the finale remains one of the more memorable emotional moments of the series, even if its execution was not always as strong as it could have been.

Interestingly, I chose to skip Yolopark's version of Gai, as I have focused primarily on collecting the protagonist side of the Shurato cast. That said, if I come across a reasonably priced copy in the future, I may still consider adding him to the collection.

Shurato Kidslogic Combat Nations 01: Shura-Oh Shurato Review

Shurato Kidslogic Combat Nations 01: Shura-Oh Shurato

Finally, I get to revisit one of my older collections that has been sitting in storage for more than ten years: the Shurato die-cast action figure from Hong Kong-based manufacturer Kids Logic.

Given the less-than-ideal storage conditions, my copy has suffered some noticeable degradation over the years. Nonetheless, I wanted to take one last look at what this series has to offer before parting with it.

Overall, Kids Logic followed a design philosophy similar to the Saint Seiya SCM lineup, featuring articulated action figures with removable die-cast armor parts. As a result, this figure shares many of the same shortcomings as the SCM series, most notably its limited articulation and posing capabilities.

Beyond the posing issues, my copy has also developed noticeable yellowing despite never being exposed to direct sunlight. While yellowing is a common problem for predominantly white plastic figures, it remains disappointing to see it affect a collectible of this caliber. This was ultimately one of the main reasons I decided to let go of the series.

On the bright side, the Yolopark AMK Pro lineup appears to address many of the engineering and articulation issues that plagued the Kids Logic release. I'm looking forward to exploring those improvements in a future review.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Salamanders Assault Intercessors Sergeant Krajax Review

Another action figure from my JoyToy 40k collection makes its way to the review table, and this time it’s the Assault Intercessor Sergeant, squad leader of a Space Marine unit. I might not have made it obvious before, but Salamanders are actually one of my favorite Space Marine chapters. Their reputation for being among the most humane of the Imperium’s superhuman warriors really stands out. In the grimdark darkness of the far future, having even a shred of decency and compassion toward humanity is a rare and underappreciated trait.

The Salamanders Assault Intercessor comes with relatively basic accessories, featuring a Thunder Hammer and a mini-flamer as its main armament. For a Space Marine sergeant especially an assault variant, I would have expected additional survivability options, such as a storm shield, which feels like a missed opportunity by JoyToy. That said, Salamanders are one of those chapters I’m always willing to invest a bit more in for my collection, so it would have been nice to see a “tankier” weapon loadout included

Into the fire, Unto the anvil!

Psycho Pass Proplica Dominator Review

After sitting in storage for a few years, I finally got to open one of my rarer collectibles: Bandai’s Proplica for the iconic weapon from Psycho-Pass—the Dominator. While it isn’t originally an extremely expensive item, it has become quite rare these days, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that my unit still works perfectly despite years of relative neglect.

Bandai’s Proplica line focuses on detailed replicas of anime props, often including electronic features for added interactivity. It sits between their DX and CSM-style collectible lines in terms of complexity and presentation. The Proplica Dominator in particular feels closer to a high-end “CSM-like” prop replica in spirit, given its focus on functionality and voice integration.

Fate/Grand Order Coonuts Vol.1 Review

 

During the airing of the Fate/Grand Order: Babylonia animation, Fate/Grand Order was at the height of its franchise popularity, resulting in a wide range of merchandise releases. Among them was the Coonuts candy toy lineup by Bandai. These simple bobbing figure toys, similar in concept to “Mighty Beans,” offered an affordable and accessible way to collect characters in miniature form.

Overall, I was slightly disappointed with my FGO Coonuts set due to quality control issues, including duplicate variants and inconsistencies, issues I did not encounter with my Pokémon Coonuts collection. The most noticeable defect in my set was a misprinted Merlin figure, which appears to have only the rear side properly printed.

Even so, I’m still glad to own this set. Despite its flaws, it remains one of the most affordable FGO collectibles and serves as a nice complementary addition to my broader Fate/Grand Order collection.

Zuru Max Retro Collection - Retro Gameboy Console Review

 Ever since I first came across the Lego Game Boy set, I became somewhat obsessed with finding a worthy alternative to scratch that nostalgic itch. Since I grew up with the Game Boy Color, I wasn’t exactly eager to spend 80 bucks on a brick-built replica of the original Game Boy. Eventually, though, I stumbled upon something that perfectly matched what I was looking for.

Enter Zuru Max Retro, a premium Western blind-box brick model line featuring semi-premium builds based on classic electronic gadgets from the ’80s and ’90s. One of the models in the lineup happens to be a retro handheld console clearly inspired by the Game Boy.

For its price point, this Zuru retro game console exceeded my expectations, and without a doubt, it’s the best entry among the Zuru Retro variants I’ve seen so far. The model includes a detachable game cartridge, essentially a parody of Tetris. While the gimmicks aren’t nearly as elaborate as the Lego Game Boy, they’re still surprisingly solid considering the lower cost.

Interestingly, the design of this Zuru handheld actually resembles the Ambernic RG35XX series more closely than the classic Game Boy itself. It’s also roughly comparable in size to the R36S, another popular budget handheld emulator with a Game Boy-inspired design. Since this brick model ended up surpassing my expectations, I honestly wouldn’t mind picking up another set from the Zuru Retro line, especially the retro arcade machine, which already caught my attention.

Genshin Impact Battle Valor Blindbox - Liyue Review

 Some random Genshin merchandise I picked up around April. While I no longer fully trust Mihoyo with Genshin’s future, I’m still willing to spend on series-related merchandise that I think is genuinely worthwhile. During a random visit to a local hobby exhibition, I managed to grab a few official Genshin blind boxes.

This particular blind box series is called Battle Valor, featuring SD-style figures of Genshin characters, roughly comparable to Nendoroid Petit figures. The ones I found were from the Liyue series, and I happened to pull my personal jackpot: Ganyu! As I’ve mentioned many times before, even if I’ve grown frustrated with Mihoyo, Ganyu remains one of my favorite gacha game waifus, despite how poorly I feel she has been handled by the company.

At its recommended retail price, I personally don’t think the Genshin Battle Valor series is worth the money. However, if you can find one for around $5 USD, it’s still a pretty nice addition to a Genshin collection.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Imperial Fist MkIII Breacher Squad Sergeant

 

Among my sizable Joytoy 40K collection, this is the first time I’m reviewing a Horus Heresy–related figure on an individual basis. Although the Imperial Fists have never particularly stood out to me, I somehow ended up with a fairly large collection from this First Founding chapter. From that lineup, I’ve decided to take a closer look at the Mk III Breacher Squad Sergeant from the Horus Heresy era.

By the time Joytoy began producing figures from the Horus Heresy setting, their overall product quality had noticeably improved. This Mk III Sergeant, in particular, has fewer playability issues, especially when it comes to swapping parts when compared to earlier releases. While it may appear to be one of the more generic Joytoy 40K figures at first glance, the Breacher Sergeant comes with a solid selection of weapon accessories, making it a good value for its price.

The Mk III Space Marine armor is one of the most iconic designs associated with the Horus Heresy period. Known for its reinforced plating, this armor pattern offers enhanced defensive capabilities at the cost of reduced mobility. Even so, it suits the Imperial Fists perfectly, given their specialization in siege warfare and fortified combat, particularly in their bitter rivalry with the Iron Warriors.

Orange Cat 1/100 Estailev Cassowary Review

 

After experiencing some buyer’s remorse with previous Chinese model kits, the Orange Cat Estailev series has done a great job of restoring my confidence in the industry. Without a doubt, Estailev stands as one of the strongest examples the Chinese hobby market has to offer in the non-diecast model kit category.

A while ago, I built both Cassowary and Neamhain back-to-back, but unexpectedly, Cassowary exceeded my expectations even further. Although it is designed as an assault-type mecha, it is heavily equipped for close-range devastation. Its distinctive cross-shaped massive shield is not merely defensive, it is engineered to mount a shotgun and gatling cannon, allowing this variant of Estailev to close in quickly and overwhelm enemies in rapid succession.

I’m genuinely looking forward to future Estailev variants.

Keepley Pokemon Brick Model Pokemon Center Review

 

Some Pokémon brick models I acquired a while ago immediately stood out to me in terms of value, and after completing the build, that impression proved correct. Keepley is one of those Chinese brick model manufacturers that focuses on popular Japanese anime IPs, and Pokémon is one of their strongest lines. Without a doubt, the Pokémon Center set is one of Keepley’s best offerings, and something they should be proud of.

Jingzhuoshe 1/100 Mandala Review

 

A model kit purchase with a bit of buyer’s remorse, and a reminder that products from the Chinese model kit industry can be hit or miss. Firstly, Jingzuoshe’s 1/100 Mandala has a pretty good sculpt, but it suffers from engineering issues. Stiff plastic parts are common in some Chinese kits, but it becomes a serious problem when it affects joint components.

My assembled copy ended up with the shoulder joint to the torso snapping in half, forcing me to resort to Blu Tack as a fix. I originally picked up this Mandala because I thought it would look great painted in the Wildschwein color scheme from the SRW series. The design still has that potential, but the build experience undermines it.

This kit definitely makes me think twice about getting non-diecast frame Chinese model kits from lesser-known manufacturers. That said, more established names like Orange Cat or Motor Nuclear are generally safer and don’t tend to have this kind of issue.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Kappic Eagle Tempestus Scion I Review

 

Another addition from my Joytoy collection that I recently had the chance to review. During its limited run a couple of years ago, Joytoy built a respectable portfolio for the Astra Militarum faction, including the Tempestus Scions. For this elite subfaction of the Imperium, Joytoy chose the Kappic Eagles as their representative unit. Beyond being some of the finest baseline human soldiers in the Warhammer 40K setting, the Kappic Eagles are especially known for their precision airdrop assaults and surgical strike capabilities.

The first Kappic Eagles Tempestus figure I reviewed is the standard Tempestus Scion trooper, equipped with a hot-shot lasgun. As part of an elite Militarum unit, these “hot-shot” weapons deliver significantly more stopping power than those used by regular guardsmen, well-suited to the high-risk operations Tempestus Scions are deployed into, and in some cases even capable of bringing down Space Marines with concentrated fire.

Joytoy’s rendition of the Tempestus Scion is excellent in terms of sculpt and overall presence, though it does fall short in modularity. This makes posing the figure a bit more effortful than expected. Even so, it remains one of the better Astra Militarum action figure interpretations in recent years—especially considering Joytoy’s slower output amid the ongoing global situation.

Hoping that I do have opportunity to review my Kappic Eagle kill team in the future.