Darling in the Franxx

 This is one of the most hyped anime from last Season and glad i managed finish this one. Darling in the Franxx by no means is the best mecha anime but it managed to score in being a good Coming of Age anime and probably the best one this year. This series is a mixture of Eureka 7 and Gunbuster with a hint of Evangelion so if you like the former two, it is likely that you will enjoy Franxx. When it comes to the Chemistry between Hiro and Zero Two, it reminds me of Renton's and Eureka's relationship though personality wise, Zero Two is more similar to Anemone.The main selling point of this anime for me is the Romance which is good enough for Shonen stuff even though Teen Angst is kinda expected. The theme of Star-crossed lover with Fairytale-like aspect is executed quite well with Darling in the Franxx which is a rarity among the anime that i have watched. Franxx storyline might be a wild ride near the end but at least the story is still rather coherent and properly concluded. Overall Darling in the Franxx is one of the Solid title this year and you won't be disappointed if you treat it like watching Gurren Lagann, not a strong mecha series but a good Shonen anime. If Banpresto ever release Zero-two in her formal uniform, maybe i will consider getting one.

Gundam Micro Wars

 So the new lineup for Gundam Candy Toys got its name finalized as Gundam Micro Wars. This lineup of Candy Toys was revealed in one of the Bandai's Hobby Show a month or two ago. Gundam Micro Wars will be sold as another 500 Yen Gashapon with 10 Pcs per Box being another contender of Converge and Ensemble. The main selling Point of this new lineup is the cockpit gimmick for SD Gundam reminding me of the Takara Tomy's recently rebooted Diaclone toys. For now i will skip this lineup because i am not to keen on the current available roster save for the Tanks. I think Micro Wars will likely be sold like G Frame toys which you need two box to complete the set, as 500 Yen a Pop is too good to be true for such gimmicks. I will keep an eye for this lineup because it has decent potential as long as it didn't flop in the first release.

Persona 5 Figma 417 Queen/Makoto Niijima

  With Fox and Panther getting their figma, Queen is bound to get hers soon or later, being one of the most popular waifu in Persona 5 after all. The figma will be scheduled for July Release with 6800 Yen Price tag which is still quite far away. Makoto's figma comes with standard accesories like other Phantom Thieves like her main and ranged weapon as well as Phantom Thief calling card. In Persona 5, Makoto is one of the most solid party member able to commit well both in Offense and Support. Though she is not my number one heroine in the game, i can see why Makoto is easily one of the more Popular character in the game being a mixture of Aigis and Mitsuru after all. I will likely get this Figma since she is the best partner choice for Joker if i had to pick one of the Phantom Thief. Another reason is that her Persona is coming too in the form of kickass Motorcycle and would make a great addition to my Figma collection. With Four of the Phantom Thieves made it out, Skull is going to be the next one and Noir will likely to come out as well.

Another Sample Buildoff

 Part of my Job working in a Toy Company is Building some Gunpla samples when needed which can be considered as one of the perks. For the recent Gunpla Expo in Surabaya which ended last week, i get to build these Kits which are SDCS 00 Diver, 1/60 Laevatein and 00 Sky Trans-am HWS. Since the Model Kit samples are sent way before the release date, they are still in Prototype form and some glaring flaws are apparent. While the 00 Diver and Sky works out fine, Laevatein kit got some serious issues of Loose Joint. Turns out a few millimeter off from the precision can make a significant difference already.  From this experience, i get to appreciate Bandai's finished end-product even more because it definitely takes a lot of effort to reach perfection at the level of their product. I have to say the color separations of Bandai's FMP Kit looks impressive and Trans am version of 00 Sky looks quite cool actually. Wonder how Kotobukiya feel that what takes them years of effort to make their FMP Kits being bested by Bandai's couple months of effort. In any case i will share some of my thoughts again if i get to build another samples.

Dragon's Crown

 Another game that i get to access from PS3 and Dragon's Crown is certainly the spiritual Successor of Shadow Over Mystara whether i like it or not. A Vanillaware game created by George Kamitani, Dragon's Crown is a Fantasy Beat em Up featuring Six different heroes. This game is probably most well known for its over the top Art design in particular Witch and the Amazon. Aside from the Controversy, the core gameplay of Dragon Crown is quite good actually if repetitive and the 2D Graphic is top notch as expected from Vanillaware. For now i have finished my first lap with Warrior and would have been more motivated if i got companion to play with because that's the core of the fun. What I see with Dragon's Crown is that it is not tapped to its Full Potential yet and if Vanillaware ever decided to make a 1.5 version of it, i think it will sell well.

Exceed Model Gundam Head

 For Quite a while Exceed Model are known for 500 Yen Gashapon lineup featuring wide range of Zaku Heads with good value for its price. This time trying to spice things up, Bandai are making Gundam Heads. This product is sold either as Capsule Machine toy or per Box set. For the box set of 9 Pcs, it is sold for 4500 Yen and will be released on January next year. The first one will feature RX-78-2, Full Armor Gundam and G-3. I think if this series went successful, another batch will follow suit and i think the variant will likely contain RX-78-4, RX-78-5 or Heavy Gundam.

Volcanic Age

 I dont read Korean Manhwa alot but i find this one had good potential. It is quite surprising that Korean made good Chinese Wuxia webtoons but Volcanic Age is a proof. Borrowing the Tensei Element from overused Isekai trope, Volcanic Age narrates an engaging story of a Pugilist given a second chance to redo his past. Dying as a Master of his sect, the protagonist left a lot of regrets as he unable to save people close to him from the great conflict that he survived through, The main protagonist suddenly find himself back in his youth with his memories intact. Being a master pugilist, in no time he prepares himself to prevent great conflict in his adult years and save people whom he cares for this time. The main issue with Tensei series is that Powercreep is rather prevalent though this manga still manage somehow to be one step away to that point. This series has some potential as the main protagonist mostly use his wits instead of being a dumbass like average shonen manga protagonist and it is definitely a good change if you are sick of shitty Japanese Isekais.

Figma 414 "Saber of Red" Mordred

 The traitorous Knight of the Round made it into Figma at last! Being one of the main Heroine of Fate Apocrypha definitely guarantees Mordred got plenty of figure treatment especially being directly related to the Fate series main Heroine herself. The Figma will be scheduled for February release with 8800 Yen Price tag. I guess due to her bulk of armor and Helmet parts makes Mordred to cost extra 1000 Yen but her Clarent Blood Arthur effect part looks neat enough. In Fate series, Mordred is depicted as a rebellious young knight who always take opposite action whenever Artoria does something. Her Antics can be bordering Chaotic Stupid but deep in the end meant to seek attention from her Father. Mordred's character might be rather dumb but her role in Apocrypha and FGO definitely helps her to rise in Popularity. As for me i will skip this figma since i have not much personal attachment to her character because she doesn't have enough dere moment and will just get Proto Saber instead. With her popularity perhaps we will see her Skimpier Outfit or Summer version make it into Figma as well.

Valkyria Chronicle

 Truly a legendary game among PS3 titles and no doubt one of the best that ever hailed the system. It took me 10 years to touch Valkyria Chronicle and it doesn't even seem aging to this day. A tactical RPG with WW2 settings that combines with melodramatic story making an unlikely winning combination. Being a spiritual successor of Sakura Taisen, Valkyria Chronicle able to pull its own weight without relying the former with a high quality production value. The most memorable thing about Valkyria Chronicle is obviously Selvaria being the finest piece of booty gracing Video Game who unfortunately get unworthy pair. To be honest the first VC is probably remains the best as the sequels doesn't hold water compared to it even though they are fun to play. I am almost completing VC2 and will move one VC3 before i touched the recent Valkyria Chronicle 3. If you had access to Valkyria Chronicle, play this game immediately because this one of the finest title among SEGA library.

Nintendo Switch GET!

 Early this year i bought PS3 and then now i bought yet another Gaming System. I have been planning to get Switch since Generations Ultimate being localized and it just happen that my purchase being hasten up as i am offered a good deal. To be Honest Switch is the next step up of PS Vita being Hybrid Portable TV Console slapped into one package. As long as Nintendo play smart, this system will enjoy a good sale like 3DS while avoiding the failure of WiiU. At this stage it will be difficult for Sony to release a Portable platform to rival Switch because of their debacle at PS Vita but if Sony will ever release one i think it will have integration with Mobile Phone Social gaming.

Kadokawa 1/7 Aqua Konosuba

 The useless Water Goddess of Axis Cult got another figure! and this one is directly made directly by the LN Publisher, Kadokawa. Slated for March next year release, the figure will be released for 16000 Yen Price tag. This is a good choice if you find the Bellfine version of Aqua rather lacking since this version express Aqua's cheerful nature better with the vibrant expression and yet again the sculptor managed to find away with pulling off Aqua's Schrodinger Pantsu. There will be Megumin figure coming to be paired with this version of Aqua and perhaps Darkness is going to make into the cut too. As much as i like Aqua as Heroine, i think her Figma and Nendoroid would suffice enough for my Konosuba Collection.

Ichiban Kuji 1/7 Saber Alter Review

 Banpresto makes a budget figure with decent Quality, while their strike zone are mostly Dragon Ball or One Piece, Fate occasionally makes into it. One of those that happen to get into my collection is Saber Alter Prize Figure from Heaven's Feel Ichiban Kuji. Normally these figure serve as Lucky Draw Grand Prize in Japan but you can get them overseas for a fixed price without trying your fortune. Quality wise This figure is mass produced figure at its core but still on par with the older GSC figure.

Nendoroid 993 Hunter Female Rathalos Armor

 Another Monster Hunter Nendoroid here! With the success of Monster Hunter World, it is expected that more MH merchandise to come out and i think this makes 5th or 6th Nendoroid from MH series. The Rathalos Huntress will be scheduled for April Release with around 5500 Yen price tag. It sure takes its time but the Blademaster from the First Mascot from the series comes out in the Super Deformed format. I think the reason why the Rathalos Blademaster comes in Female form is probably had to do also with her appearance in the latest Marvel vs Capcom game. Nendoroid Rathalos Female Blademaster comes in two edition, regular and DX version. The DX version comes with extra accessories including extra head parts and MH World related tools. I will probably just get the regular version because i haven't played MHW and find the accessories doesn't worth 2000 Yen price increase. The Rathalos Huntress will make a good pair with my Lagiacrus X Blademaster considering Lagiacrus and Rathalos are polar opposite. I just hope the Rathalos Blademaster will justify its cost.

Capcom Figure Builder Teostra Figure

 CFB doesn't disappoint with their Quality Monster Hunter Figure, and sure enough Teostra got its turn finally. Slated for December Release, the figure cost 12000 Yen. By this time i already expected around this much because PVC figurines are pricy nowadays which excacerbated with recent worsening global economy. No Doubt Teostra is my favorite monster in the series because of its majestic look and it does give me a run for money when i was a noob in Freedom Unite. In most of the monster hunter installment, i always made Teostra armor whether it complements with Lance or not and in the latest game, he makes a good blast equipment. One of these days i might get MH Gens Ultimate to sate my fix for Monster Hunter

AFAID 2018

 While i thought i wont be attending the event this year, i suppose curiosity got best of me because apparently this year is going to be the last AFA in Jakarta. Compared to last year, This year's AFA seems better but still overall lacking compared to SG one. Probably it has to do with the Toys sales which lacks diversity because It aint easy to get Toys here by yourself.