Densetsu no Yuusha Da Garn The GATTAI Land Bison

The first Yuusha series to receive the THE GATTAI treatment has finally come full circle. What began in 2021 as a revival project for Yuusha toy lines now reaches its conclusion for its first recipient, Densetsu Yuusha Da Garn, with the announcement of THE GATTAI Land Bison. Land Bison marks the completion of Da Garn’s supporting lineup, following Pegasus Saber and Seven Changer. Scheduled for a January 2027 release, THE GATTAI Land Bison will retail for 52,000 yen, making it about 2,000 yen cheaper than Pegasus Saber. 

Brave Exkaiser Soul of Chogokin GX-120 King Exkaiser

Bandai Tamashii Nation has finally responded to Takara Tomy’s Toyrise Brave Exkaiser. After releasing a Super Minipla Alternative version of the original Brave series years ago, Bandai is now producing a full-fledged Soul of Chogokin figure of King Exkaiser. Scheduled for release in July 2026, the figure will be priced at ¥42,000.

End Year 2025 Loot

Wrapping up the end of 2025 with a bang! there’s really no better way to close out this year's rollercoaster ride with a proper loot post! This entry is a particularly big one, as it represents the accumulated hauls from the past three months, with equally solid from both Chinese and Japanese hobby products.

As you may have noticed, this loot photo was taken at new place, making it the first haul post after completing the move into my new apartment, an exciting milestone in its own right. It feels especially satisfying to unpack and photograph everything in a new space.

Overall, this is a very solid haul. While the May loot still  the most wallet-breaking one, this one is no less impressive in terms of both quantity and quality. The undisputed stars of the haul are the 1/7 Aniplex Arcueid and CCS Studio Alteisen. Close behind are the Apex Studio 1/7 Chen Alter, Gattai Granbird, and Yolopark Shurato Ryoma, all of which make a strong showing. On the Chinese hobby side, Soskill B-Duck is every bit as massive as expected, and JoyToy’s 1/24 Mecha stands out with particularly unusual packaging this time around. I’m curious to see whether future releases will follow this same design direction.

Lastly, I’m very glad I managed to secure the 30 Minutes Fantasy Liber Lancer and Wizard kits at a relatively affordable price, especially since preorders were unavailable for reasons still unclear. With the move now complete, I’m hoping this new transition will free up a bit more personal time—though, as usual, my work life remains as hectic as ever.

May 2025 Loot

 
 Another Full post for this month and time to wrap up with Loot post! I never thought the recent record for my monthly haul upper limit could be broken within short period of time, but this one gotta be taking the new record. Whether it is good or bad luck, over past three months my quality of hauls had significantly higher than usual as most of my big ticket Preorders arrived during this period which obviously also hurt my wallet in the process.

Overall this month's haul is a very solid Mecha collections as good stuffs congregate in this batch spread all over price range. In this month I got most of my 30 Minutes Fantasy Job class which are pretty good stuffs. I also got myself some Blokees Defenders full box which might be handful in anticipation for Blokees Devastator which I might prepared some dedicated article down the road. The main star of the show is obviously on the right column with some heavy weights as The Gattai Fighbird and Archecore Knight Killian made it which are some top tier Mecha stuffs that I won't imagine able to obtain during my College years.

The star of the show is obviously Amakuni King J-Der which are quite heavy despite it is not exactly that big compared to Soul of Chogokin Gaogaigar. This one is easily my second most expensive collectible I obtained as collector after Riobot SRX and hopefully I got the time to unbox this behemoth in near future, more likely once I managed to move to a bigger apartment.

Yuusha Retsuden Collection Vol 1 & 2 Review

Considering Realm of Darkness finished its article run for Yuusha series recently, I believe it is the right moment to celebrate the occasion with some reviews! starting with Yuusha Retsuden series. Couple years ago, Bandai released Candy Toys for Protagonist Yuusha units in 2 volumes called Yuusha Retsuden. In terms of quality, it is comparable with to Gundam Converge but it is still a valuable collectible for any Yuusha fans looking for bite sized treat for this classic Super Robot series spanning over 8 titles.

Personally, I didn’t find any of the variants Yuusha Retsuden particularly stands out for me but If I have to pick any, It would be Fire Dagwon and Goldran considering both First Form design are one of the betters among its peers. Bandai could probably continue the retsuden series with the Support Yuusha or the Final Form, but given the lukewarm results of the lineup Bandai decide that Yuusha Retsuden will only have 2 volumes, at least for now. Nevertheless these mini Yuushas will pair quite well with the full fledged Yuusha action figure whether it is Soul of Chogokin, Pose+, Amakuni Kizin, Etc.

Realm of Darkness Yuusha series Ultimate Archive

 
 Given that this Blog has recently officially finished the Blog Post runs for Yuusha series over the span of 9 years that started back in 2016. I feel that for better ease of navigating through Realm of Darkness blog posts, I might as well create an Anchor blog post that will links through all of the 8 main Yuusha articles. Overall I am quite proud with this project for mine able to conclude properly and hopefully this article series will help future mecha fans who wish to delve through one of the former behemoths of Japanese mecha series.

• Brave Exkaiser
• Braves of the Sun Fighbird 
• Brave Fighter of Legend Da Garn
• Brave Express Mightgaine
• Brave of the Gold Goldran
• Brave Command Dagwon
• King of the Braves Gaogaigar
  

King of the Braves Gaogaigar

Just like many of my previous backlog projects, Finally I am able to proceed with this one! Gaogaigar was the first Yuusha series I got into and it is definitely one of the best Super Robot anime series. I did even make an article for the series back in 2010 during my college years. Given my lack of writing experience back then, it is definitely part of my plan to revisit Gaogaigar at some point when I started my Yuusha series pilgrimage dating back to 2016.

Given the Significance of Gaogaigar as a Mecha and Yuusha series, this series definitely deserves a full-fledged article dedicated to it just like the Rest of Yuusha peers that had been covered in Realm of Darkness. King of the Braves Gaogaigar as the 8^th and Final Yuusha anime series really stands out. Because Gaogaigar is the culmination of Sunrise studio animation team making good use of their experience from previous Yuusha titles to create a Mecha series that actually succesful at transcending its original boundary as glorified Toy commercials for Takara and one of the best specimens at that.

Actually, I could have written this Gaogaigar article back in 2020 as the assets gathering process was already finished at the time. But due to motivational issues that lead to procrastination and trying to figure out the best way to make best use of the gathered assets, things did happen and I only just got the opportunity to make amend just recently. Compared to the old Gaogaigar article, this one will focus more on overall appraisal and the hindsight view which aims for better appreciations of the Aspects that Gaogaigar did which average viewer might overlook.

Without further ado, I proudly present the final stop of Realm of Darkness Yuusha series blog posts, King of the Braves Gaogaigar!

Densetsu no Yuusha Da Garn The GATTAI Pegasus Saber

 
 The Gattai lineup from Goodsmile really favors alot with Da Garn series for sure! After Seven Changer last year, they dropped another Massive bomb with Pegasus Saber in 2025! Scheduled for April 2026 release, The Gattai Pegasus Saber will be sold for whopping 54000 Yen!

Of all Yuusha series The GATTAI products, Pegasus saber got to be the most expensive single product so far, equalling the price of the combined form for Protagonist Yuusha Mecha, whether it is Great Da Garn or Great Might Gaine. But being the most anticipated Yuusha products for this lineup, the Price might be worth it for the long awaited update for this unique Yuusha design that remains one of a kind until the end of Yuusha series. 

January 2025 Loot

 
 This month's hauls should have been posted Earlier this month but due to unforeseen circumstances, I ca only share it by this time. Overall a very solid haul which are dominated by Chinese Hobby Collectibles just like many previous batch. The most expensive of the hauls are no doubt the Gattai Seven Changer but the Chinese can deliver top tier product for 1/2 to 1/3rd of this Guy's value ranging from Chinese Gundams Metal Build, Joytoy Primarch to Cangtoys Loong. I would definitely love to crack open Jingwei or Tianfa in near future should I have time but Loong also got a good shot to be the first pick since I would like to see how it size up with Figma Chen. I would also love to crack open Joytoy Magnus the Red and have him doing some wrestling match with Leman Russ to settle their Grudges. In any case it is a solid batch of hayls again which align with this Blog's main interests.

October 2024 Loot

  Some hauls arriving from mid of this month! Not as fancy compared to previous batch but overall still a solid addition to my collection. This month got some significant addition for Transformers which I bought some Blokees Blindbox as well as BFF Kalavinka and Trailer Convoy for my KBB Optimus which is totally worth it. On top of that I got my remainder preorder for Macross series which is VF-Hi Metal VF-19 and Tiny Session YF-19. Still waiting for VF-Hi Metal rendition for Macross Plus to follow up someday. The most expensive of the lot is definitely Frame Arms Girl Star Gaogaigar as a gesture for my willingness to invest on Kotobukiya Mecha Musumes. Lastly I got myself Pop Up Parade Marcille which I might consider to sell since I am getting the Figma and SHF Gohan as my part of paying homage to Toriyama Sensei.

Brave Express Amakuni Kizin Great Mightgaine

 Off 8 Yuusha series, Mightgaine might be one of the series that got quite a preferential treatment after Gaogaigar. Off all Protagonist Yuusha Final Form Mecha, Great Mightgaine gotta be one of the uglier one due to proportion issues. However Sentinel under the patronage of Amakuni appears to manage break the curse finally! Joining the Amakuni's Kizin lineup and standing 25cm tall, Kizin Great Mightgaine will be released in August 2025 with whopping 49800 Yen Price tag.

On Hindsight, in terms of Price tag Kizin Great Mightgaine actually cost the same with getting The Gattai Mightgaine+Mightkaiser. The Yuusha fans are given the option of transformation gimmick and playability with the Gattai lineup or properly proportioned Diecast rendition that will make an impressive showpiece with Amakuni Kizin Great Mightgaine. Truly, Amakuni Kizin gave the Great Mightgaine a proper Super Robot treatment that it deserves as it do address some glaring flaw of the original design. Most Notably the oversized Great Mightgaine Round Head Crest which i felt very unnecessary when I played SRW V. The base set of Kizin Great Mightgaine includes the necessary accessories for Mightgaine including the powered up version of Dorinken which will be equal match to Zankantou but there is an option part which include Mightgunner in Cannon form as shown below for Brave Express fans who wish to go for an extra mile.

Brave Express Super Robot Chogokin Mightgaine Review

 Took couple months to kickstart my interest but here are the limited revival for Realm of Darkness! The new Review posts will be mostly a repost compilation for the stuffs from my Instagram but from time to time it will include some pics that didn't make the cut over there. To start off, I am picking SRC Mightgaine as the first candidate.

While I don't have specific reason to pick Mightgaine, SRC Mightgaine review has been a long due one as I got him around the time when I got my Physical copy of SRW V. At the time of the picture were taken, I already had the Yuusha Candy Toys as well as The GATTAI counterpart of Mightgaine so I got good amount of comparison. Despite I already parted with my copy of SRC Mightgaine, in terms of playability, this particular rendition remains to be the best one because you can always rely on Bandai for the best possible articulation.

Taiyou no Yuusha Fighbird The GATTAI Granbird

 Yuusha series Main Protagonist 2nd Mecha may be very forgettable most of the time which Taiyou no Yuusha Fighbird was no exception. However they are still essential for the main Protagonist Final Form mecha which are always the main selling point. So after for months since The GATTAI Fighbird announcement, Granbird is now ready to follow up. Scheduled for June 2025 release, The GATTAI Granbird will be sold for 29000 Yen.

Taiyou no Yuusha Fighbird The GATTAI Fighbird

 

 After Da Garn and Mightgaine, The Gattai now ready to move onto new Yuusha series and the lucky one to be selected is no other than the 2nd Yuusha Series, The Brave of Sun Fighbird! Starting with the main Protagonist Fighbird himself, The GATTAI Fighbird will be sold for 24500 Yen with February 2025 release schedule.

 Among 6 Yuushas First Form that wielded Sword, Fighbird is one of the Yuusha that relied heavily on his swordmanship even outside the Finisher despite it got some respectable amount of ranged weapon including some Laser Cannons and Missiles. Silly memes aside, Fighbird's biggest contribution in overall Yuusha series is from introducing Adult Lead protagonist which is continued on the penultimate Yuusha Gaogaigar. The GATTAI Fighbird might not be exactly the only modern rendition of Fighbird as Evolution Toys did make one few while ago, but it is definitely the best value overall especially when it comes to Playability and Sculpt despite some glaring flaw like limited articulation particularly the torso part. While Fighbird is not particularly memorable for lead Yuusha mech, I would say Great Fighbird is one of the better final form from Yuusha series as its designed are well balanced and not aesthetically ugly like Super Fire Dagwon or Great Mightgaine. I will look forward for the Gattai make one for Draias as well before they move onto J-Decker or Goldran.

March 2024 Loot

 Another massive looking hauls this time despite it does not necessarily surpass the Early year one in terms of Value and deceptively. Just like my hauls from over past one year my loots this time are still predominantly Chinese made stuff with a handful of heavy duty Japanese series. Obviously the main star of this batch is no doubt the Metamorforce Fire Dagwon which is one of my personal favorite Yuusha but slightly disappointed that It will be rather small compared to THE GATTAI version despite having almost double price point. The next focal point from this haul would be bunch of Sluban Robot Lego Kit which are mostly from Super Mecha Champion series which I got into recently and the end products are very impressive for its price point. 

Then by this point Joytoy 40k will be almost appear in my monthly haul of 40k Hauls and this time got some more named characters joining the rank. It doesn't took long for Rogal Dorn to join Lion and probably around next month his Imperial Fists children will follow up. I also got some Genshin collectibles despite not amused with their treatments for player and I might try get Keqing Acrylic stand in near future just to complete the Sword Maiden trio set. Lastly I never consider myself a Saint Seiya fan but got myself a limited edition of Pegasus Seiya from the Tamashii Ultraman Event early this month. While I am very grateful with my current financial situation who could afford my hobby with my disposable income, lacking free time as a working adult is a pain at times indeed.

2023 Year-End Loot

  The last batch before 2023 wraps up! This year was a good run overall for myself just like this big haul as I was starting on new chapter of my career track which are overall decent aside from clownish coworkers. Another quite luxurious loots which are predominantly preorders but I did splurge abit lavishly on my Birthday. The main star of this batch is no doubt CCS Cybuster along with Ganyu 1/7 PVC Figure along with the Gattai Mightgaine. As usual Fate series still have steady influx along with 40k Joytoy which include some famous characters from Space Wolves. Also in this haul also include my first loot for Diaclone series which definitely won't be the last of it. By next month, I will probably start cracking open some of the Gattai Yuushas which is kinda long due already. Hopefully 2024 will be another smooth sailing for us so that we are able to enjoy some good things in life.

Gaogaigar Cross-Frame Girl Star Gaogaigar w/ Goldymarg set

 Mecha Musume was one of the biggest Kotobukiya's money maker since Frame Arms girls inception and this time they are making something big again with Gaogaigar! Couple years ago, Kotobukiya released Mecha Musume version of Gaogaigar in Cross-Frame Girl format which kinda look cool despite I am not really into Mecha Musume niche. However this time Kotobukiya comes with a major upgrade for Gaogaigar-chan with the Star Gaogaigar pack and Goldymarg which takes form as loli carrying Goldion Hammer. This updated version of Cross Frame Gaogaigar will be scheduled for 2024 June release with 16000 Yen for the full set or 9000 Yen Expansion Kit for those who had Cross Frame Gaogaigar before.

 I had tried Frame Arms Girl before with Gourai which was gifted to me and I am quite aware the merit of this particular Kotobukiya Mecha Musume lineup. While Bandai bears some serious competition lately with their 30ms series, Kotobukiya did quite well on the Face Sculpt for their Mecha Musume products which  Bandai took quite sometime to catch up as evidenced with their Fumina Model Kit. Personally I am never really into Mecha Musume but this version of Gaogaigar Cross Frame really sold me since it offers quite alot of playability with the contents. Considering Gaogaigar Popularity, I won't be survived if there will be another Gaogaigar Crossframe joining up whether it is Choryujin or King J-Der. The latter would be very lit!

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.

Baowang Model 3rd Party Pose+ Gaogaigar

 China surprised people yet again with their Diecast Toys yet again! Though this time, it is a knockoff from an already existing model from Artstorm Pose+ series made by a Chinese Manufacturer called Baowang which its chinese name translated into "Explosive King". Originally cost 58000 Yen, Baowang Model apparently able to sell this product for 598 RMB which is roughly 1/5th of the original product cost, while it is not certain if the replica will hold the water compared to the original counterpart, the pricing is good enough to catch people's attention.

Compared to the SOC Counterpart, POSE+ version looks more Heroic with increased amount of details compared to the toyish counterpart and Baowang certainly capitalise the unfulfilled demand for this product due to pricing and limited availability. I won't be surprised if Baowang will consider move onto Amakuni's Gaogaigar Diecast toys should they have nobody going after them with this stunt.

J-Decker Non Scale Super Build Tiger

  One of the better Yuusha Support partner finally made its reappearance as Kotobukiya Model Kit and it is no other than Super Build Tiger from J-Decker. Despite being Non Transformable, Kotobukiya do try its best to provide as much gimmick for this guy and the effort is praiseworthy. Non Scale Super Build Tiger will be released for October 2024 for 11000 Yen.

 With Kotobukiya Model Kit, you get to display the model kit as Build Tiger or Super Build Tiger and the parts swap is simple enough. Super Build Tiger is the gattai result from 4 members of the Yuusha Police team which are Mccrane, Dumpson, Power Joe and Drillboy. The model kit is designed to have some interaction compatibility with the previously released Non Scale J-Decker. For the Super Build Tiger i noticed that the leg are quite extra chunky but the proportion still look better compared to the old Takara Toy. If GSC could release the GATTAI version of this guy under 25000 Yen, i am more than happy to get one along with J-Decker. If you are interested with J-Decker but have no time to watch, you can check my old article here