Chouseishin Gransazer Magi Arts Sazer Tarius

 Chouseishin Gransazer was quite an anomaly among tokusatsu series during the early to mid-2000s. Before the Japanese entertainment industry largely consolidated the genre around Super Sentai and Kamen Rider, there were several unique outliers, with Gransazer being one of the most notable. Its premise was particularly fascinating: a large ensemble of heroes themed around the Western zodiac constellations. In many ways, it felt like Super Sentai blended with the mythological flavor of Saint Seiya.

Following the release of the modest Plamatea plastic model kit of the main protagonist, Sazer Tarius, the character is now receiving a fully articulated action figure from Magi Arts. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the figure will be sold for 8,800 yen.

For a non-Bandai action figure, the asking price is surprisingly affordable. This appears to reflect Magi Arts' commitment to supporting the franchise with an extensive lineup of releases. Based on the promotional images, I would not expect the quality of Sazer Tarius to differ significantly from what collectors have come to expect from the SHF lineup.

While I do not remember much about the Gransazer series itself, I still appreciate its ambitious and unconventional approach to the tokusatsu genre. Even as someone who is not a dedicated tokusatsu fan, I am tempted to pick up this rendition of Sazer Tarius. Not only is he the main protagonist, but he also represents the Sagittarius constellation, which happens to be my own zodiac sign. As such, he would make a fitting addition alongside my Saint Cloth Myth Sagittarius Aiolos and other related collectibles.

Vintage Toys - Power Ranger Lightspeed Rescue Micro Playset

Apart from Zeo Rangers, one of my favorite Power Rangers series was Lightspeed Rescue (known as GoGo-V in Japan). I loved the series so much that I played both the PSX and Game Boy Color games and collected various merchandise. I even owned a few Lightspeed Rescue toys, including the Supertrain Megazord action figure.

However, there is one collectible I still regret not owning: Bandai’s Micro Playset for the Lightspeed Rescue Megazord.

In the early 2000s, Bandai released playset toys for the Lightspeed Rescue series, just like they had for earlier seasons such as Zeo. But unlike the Zeo playset, the Lightspeed Rescue Megazord version was released only as a complete set, without the gattai (combining) gimmick.

Instead, the playset offered something different: three complete Megazords to play with, turning it into a command-base style toy. Even though I grew up past the Polypocket era, these playsets still inspire a sense of nostalgia and obsession in me.

I’m looking forward to covering another Power Rangers playset in the future. I also hope Bandai and other manufactures explore on other Power Ranger series rather than over-relying on MMPR nostalgia.

Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (GBC)

Considering that I grew up with Power Rangers as part of my childhood, it’s no surprise that I eventually played some of the video game adaptations. My gateway into Power Rangers games happened to be Lightspeed Rescue, which probably explains why I still have a soft spot for that series.

There were two Lightspeed Rescue games that I played: the PlayStation (PSX) version and the Game Boy Color (GBC) version. Although I played the PSX version first, I want to talk about the GBC version before getting to it.

Developed by Natsume, the GBC version of Lightspeed Rescue offers a bite-sized Power Rangers experience. Among the various Power Rangers games I’ve played, this one stood out because the gameplay isn’t focused solely on defeating enemies. Instead, players are tasked with civilian rescue missions, which can be just as challenging due to environmental hazards like fires and collapsing structures.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Power Rangers game without Megazord action. The GBC version of Lightspeed Rescue includes Megazord segments, featuring two available Megazords. That said, expectations should be kept in check, these segments are far more limited compared to the brawler-style Megazord combat found in the PSX version.

Ultraman Blazar The Movie: Tokyo Kaiju Showdown

 I was never exactly a big follower of Tokusatsu series whether it is Kamen Rider or Ultraman despite growing up with them. But given that Tsuburaya and local business partner made a really massive effort to bring a Superb Ultraman event to promote Ultraman Blazar at one of the local Mall. This event include the premier screening of Ultraman Blazar Movie dubbed Tokyo Kaiju Showdown. What makes this screening very special is that some of the main casts of Ultraman Blazar came down themselves from Japan to make an appearance and greet the fans personally before performing on the main stage later on evening along with Earth Garon and Ultraman Blazar!

 Ultraman Blazar is probably the most recent Ultraman series that I watched since the Heisei series like Tiga, Gaia, Dyna and Cosmos. While I am not exactly the big fan of Tokusatsu, I would say the movie is a very decent watch and good one for the targeted Kids Demographics. Personally being a mecha fan as always, I am attracted to Earth Garon the most which I never expected coming from Ultraman series before I watched Blazar. Ultraman Blazar might had a rather strange synergy between Ultraman and Mecha Kaiju as a selling point but this one actually works out quite well. Given the extra dedicated effort made by Ultraman Blazar casts, I hope the best fortune for them in this series and their future ventures to come.

Vintage Toys - Zeo Ranger Micro Morphin Playset

 Another Vintage Toys topic! given that it is quite a pleasant experience for me to make these sort of articles as it serves as the self reminder for the present me the reason I became a mecha fan in the first place. While I don't post Super Sentai/ Power Ranger stuffs in this Blog, as a kid who grew in 90s I obviously got exposed a fair amount with Power Ranger series and had plenty fond memories with these series with Zeo Ranger and Lightspeed Rescue being my personal favorite.

 When I was a Kid, there were Toys series called Micro Machines which feature miniature Playsets with vehicles and people minis at times and this lineup is one of the reason I personally think why Kids growing up in 90s had some of the best toy to play around. Then at some point, Galoob's Micro Machines together with Bandai create the offshoot lineup for Power Rangers called Micro Morphin and Zeo Ranger was part of this series. As for Zeo Ranger, the Micro Morphin had a playset made for Zeo Megazord and Red Battlezord which Individual Zords can be turned into a military base complete with Power Ranger Minis and other trinkets.

On Hindsight the Zeo Megazord proportion is not the best especially the head parts but I think it was the coolest thing ever when I had the Red and Yellow Zord which god knows where they are now. Seriously being an Adult with Toys collections that I barely play, I wouldn't mind to double Dip should Bandai released this type of product on top of Soul of Chogokin which I am still waiting to this day.