Gaogaigar Amakuni King J-Der

 From my experience Amakuni is usually associated with Waifu PVC figures which are borderline R18 at times but they do have close ties with Hobby Japan magazine and now they release a heavyweight item for Gaogaigar! I suppose that Genesic Gaogaigar wasn't a fluke. Standing tall on 30 Cm with complete transformation gimmick and partial diecast parts, Amakuni's King J-Der will be scheduled for December 2024 release schedule with 58000 price tag which is kind of expected from non Bandai manufacturer.

No doubt this version of King J-Der outclass the Super minipla version and appear to have somewhat decent articulation too. As expected Sentinel had a part in this massive project and i wonder if the team behind the Gattai Da Garn also had a hand behind this project, if so i hope their work on Mightgaine is not lagging behind. King J-Der is always one of my favorite mecha from Gaogaigar and Yuusha series as it is a dedicated Heavy support mecha that can stand on its own ground admirably well. Another reason I had a soft spot on King J-Der also due to the pilot himself, Soldat-J who once turned villain against the Braves as Zonder, but never forgot his pride as warrior. Once regained his original identity as Soldat J, he remains stoic and continues his fight against greater enemy even if all of his former comrades are long gone already. Apparently King J-Der also made appearance in SRW 30 which i should give a check as well

Earnestcore Craft Robot Build RB-13V Valhallan

 Around last year there has been a new Mecha toys lineup that caught my interest called Robot Build which is made by manufacturer called Earnestcore craft and they appear to be of Chinese origin. Their product lineups reminds From Software's Armored core series but with more sense of individuality especially the humanoid types. For the newest entry, they are making a bulky Aerial type mecha unit named RB-13V Valhallan which is just a sick looking design. This one appears will be sold for 9500 Yen with early Q2 2023 release schedule but not sure whether this one will be distributed by Wave for Japanese channel like the previous series.

From the first glance, RB-13V Valhallan looks like a Protagonist mecha specializing in Aerial combat with its Rifle weapon capable of changing into dual blades for melee choice. This mecha is also have transformation gimmick into Jet fighter and Geno Breaker expy. Valhallan leaves very strong impression on me since it really reminds me of a crossbreed between Murakumo Unit and Crest Type armored core which are both made by From Software. For the reference here is the model kit for Murakumo made by Plum few years ago.

Elusive Samurai

 

 Some Japanese historical fiction manga that kept popping up on my feed and in the end i gave a chance for this manga to show its charms. Turns out Elusive Samurai is drawn by assassination Classroom mangaka and thus the manga had automatic pass when it comes to basic quality. Taking place in Northern-South Court era that is rarely covered by Japanese manga, Elusive Samurai tells the story of a young Samurai named Hojo Tokiyuki, the last surviving Hojo Clan Heir of Kamakura Shogunate. In Elusive Samurai, the main protagonist embarks on a Hero's journey gathering allies and train himself and confront his main adversary someday which happen to be Ashikaga Takauji, the founder of Ashikaga Shogunate. Unlike most Shonen manga protagonist, Tokiyuki appears more cowardly as he mostly relies on his wits to overcome adversities but his mental willpower is stronger than average indeed as he faces many life and death situations when he is just 10 years old.

 Compared to Assassination classroom, Elusive Samurai have more gores to portray Feudal Japan era which is quite brutal even before the Sengoku Period. If you like Shanaoh Yoshitsune, you will be right at home with Elusive Samurai. Time will tell if the manga will last longer than Assassination Classroom or the main protagonist will face tragic ends just like his real historical counterpart.

Castlevania Netflix Nendoroid 1899 Alucard

 A rather surprise choice but one of the most iconic character from Vampire Slaying Castlevania series, Alucard got his copy of Nendoroid! Nendoroid Alucard will be scheduled for May 2023 release date with 8000 Yen Price.

 Instead of the SOTN version which are no doubt more popular among Castlevania fans, Alucard's Nendoroid is based on the Netflix animation series which i recalled had better conclusion for the iconic villain Dracula. Alucard popularity is owed to the unique approach of Bishonen design by Ayami Kojima and the fresh storyline he played in Castlevania Saga where Alucard side with humanity to fight against his own father, Lord Dracula even reluctantly. To be honest there are no Vampire design that surpassed Alucard in terms of the Bishonen charm so far which is why this Half-Vampire enjoyed relative popularity for quite a long time already.

Arknights Nendoroid 1757 Amiya DX

 

 It has been quite a journey for Arknights as it managed to survive its 3rd year and still keep going well on merchandising section too as the main Heroine Amiya got her upgraded Nendoroid. This Nendoroid rendition for the Donki daughter is basically repackaged of the previous Nendoroid including generous amount of new parts for her Guard class form. Nendoroid Amiya is scheduled for June 2023 release with 9800 Yen price.

The DX version of Nendoroid Amiya included new arms part to wield the Chi Xiao Sword and the Dragon Spirit which should work well for Nendoroid Chen too. Apparently she comes with another 3 new Face parts which makes her have 6 in total which is quite alot compared to its peers. Good thing i haven't bought Nendoroid Amiya before over past few years  as i feel somewhere down the line she will get another major merchandise given her Main heroine status. In any case i will look forward to Myethos Skadi Alter statue who i might get if she still around 20000 Yen price range.

Armored Core 4 Decoction Model Aaliyah Supplice

 A new product for Armored Core series by Kotobukiya but appears to be rather peculiar choice as a high end collectible out of nowhere. I wonder whether it is some kind anniversary for Armored Core 4 or a prelude for the future port but Kotobukiya is releasing a Luxury Diecast Toy for AC4 Posterboy, Aaliyah Supplice in the new lineup of Decoction Model. Decoction Model Aaliyah Supplice is sold for whopping 48000 Yen and set for April 2023 release.

 I wonder if Kotobukiya is trying to emulate Bandai's success on their Metal Build/Metal Structure series but this is rather weird way to get into a new lineup. Armored Core is an amazing Mecha series and remains as one of my personal favorite Mecha Action game to this day but without any foreshadowing whatsoever, Kotobukiya decided to dump a 30 Cm diecast Toy for a Mecha series that has been inactive for more than a decade. From the gist of it, the Articulation will also be subpar due to Koto lack of expertise on the Diecast Toys and I just hope they won't crash and burn badly with this surprise move. Personally I would have consider to get one if the product is around 30k Yen Price range even if it is just as big as the model kit which I wouldn't mind getting Noblesse Oblige and White Glint either if Koto decided to make more affordable version.

Brave Express Mightgaine Super Minipla Hiryu

 

 Bandai is quite generous for Mightgaine surprisingly, after SMP Mightgaine announced on June this year, Maito Guy's rival Yuusha Hiryu made it to the minipla as well. SMP Hiryu will be scheduled for March 2023 release with 7500 Yen Price tag.

 Hiryu is a Yuusha Unit who made appearance relatively early in Mightgaine. Acting as maverick character in the series, the rival character had somewhat unnatural obsession toward Maito Guy and proved to be a dangerous adversary as he managed to kill one of Maito Guy's ally once which i think it was the bombers. The Super minipla comes with superb transformation scheme and even complete with the sports car that is used as the core unit for Hiryu. I think Mightgaine could use Might Kaiser or Goryu to complete Mightgaine SMP series at least and Bandai will probably move on to J-Decker once they are finished with Mightgaine.

Macross Delta Tiny Session VF-31J Siegfried

 

 Ever since the Macross Frontier one was up, Tiny Session make sure that Macross Delta to follow up in quick succession! For October pre-order 2 of the Macross Delta featuring VF-31 Siegfried for Hayate and Messer which include 2 of the Walkure members. Scheduled for March 2023 Release, Tiny Session VF-31 will be sold for 4500 Yen.

 While i do like VF-31 as mecha design, Macross Delta itself doesn't leave me any particular memorable impression due to being a wasted potential which is comparable to overcooking a good pie just because the chef wants to put new ingredients halfway of the baking process. Out of 5 Macross Delta Tiny Sessions, i might considering getting the one with Mikumo or Farina's VF-31 but it is very unlikely for me to collect the complete set. I do wish Macross Plus or Seven will be given Tiny Session by Bandai to spread the bite-sized Joy for the collector.

Sousou no Frieren

 

 Another really good Fantasy manga so good that i binged it in a single day. Sousou no Frieren tells the story of an Elf Mage who once party member of Legendary Hero party who defeated the Demon King. The reclusive Elf Heroine decided to travel the world once again after Hero's death who had played a large influence to her before and along the travel she met new companions as well as finding out the legacies that her previous comrades brought to the world and at the same time dealing with new threats by the Demon race.

 In terms of story structure, Sousou no Frieren had similarities with Kino no Tabi or Majo no tabitabi but this one is packed with more actions as the main heroine doesn't lose her combat talents even after decaded had passed since she defeated the Demon King. It is a wonder to be able to keep a good story manga on weekly basis and a fantasy genre at that and Sousou no Frieren able to pull it off.  I would say the manga could last for another 2-3 years easily and i only hope it won't crash and burn like Promised Neverland.

Macross Plus 1/100 HG YF-19

 

 Ever since Macross got free out of the Robotech bullcrap last year, Bandai had been quite generous on the series and out of pleasant surprise, Macross Plus made it early as Bandai's Model kit lineup this time being 1/100 HG Model Kit. HG YF-19 is scheduled for January 2023 release with 3800 Yen price tag.

Unlike the VF-1 Model Kit, HG YF-19 does not come with complete transformation gimmick in order to maintain good articulation and competitive price range. In effect YF-19 model kit mirrors after Macross 7 1/100 VF-19 model kits and improved vastly upon it which was really good stuff for 1800 Yen back then. Time will know if Bandai will release HG 1/100 YF-21 considering it will take more effort on designing one due to no existing mold to work with, but it would be a chance not to be missed with.

 

Kaze no Klonoa Nendoroid 1911 Klonoa

 

 In anticipation for the HD Remake of Klonoa 1+2, GSC Released a Nendoroid for Klonoa one of the last animal platformer protagonist from late 5th Gen era. Nendoroid Klonoa will be scheduled for June 2023 release with 8000 Yen price tag. The depreciating Yen value must be that bad for a Nendoroid that could have been released for 6000 Yen.

 Rendered in his Klonoa 1 version, Nendoroid Klonoa comes with the ring weapon and his buddy Huepow. I think this one of the Nendoroid that can properly stand without any stand Support thus like Nendoroid Megaman series. I really look forward both to this Nendoroid and the Switch Remake port since Bamco appear to put some effort on the makeover.

September 2022 Mega Loot

  

 It has been around 18 months since the last time i made any loot post and that probably have to do with the place i stayed at the time which pretty much killed any sense of motivation to make any Reviews or loot post. In any case i have been moving to a new place around mid of this month which is way better compared to  previous one but due to the outgoing nature of my new job, things are staying pretty much the same for this blog when it comes to Review and Loot related posts. At least before i started my overland travel, here is my loot collection over 1 Year and 6 months which is certainly impressive. As always Toys related to Mecha series always dominate my shopping list with a third occupied mostly by Fate/Grand Order and occassional Bishoujo series. In terms of quantity, Beastbox and Joytoy saw fast increase but the Crown Jewel of this loot collection are still the Premium PVC Figure along with Metal Build Justice Gundam and the Gattai Da Garn X. My loot acquisitions will most likely gradually decline at this point as i leave my job in Hobby industry to get back on track with real life. In any case here are some of the Set Collections

Fate/Grand Order Figma 582 Mysterious Heroine XA

 

 FGO may reached its 7th year but we still keep seeing constant addition of new products from time to time despite not as frequent compared to the its peak popularity period. For the next FGO Figma, we are getting a Saber-face yet again and this time it is MHXA that made it surprisingly! Figma MHXA is scheduled for June 2023 release schedule with price tag of 11800 Yen. It must be due to sharp decline of Yen value over past one year.

 Figma MHXA comes in her 3rd Ascension form, mimicking after Sith getup and got generous amount of accessories including Dual Saber and Lightning effect. Unfortunately no Food accessories despite the character is one of the more gluttonous Saber face especially when it comes to dessert. In FGO, MHXA is a single target Quick Berserker servant who made a lasting impression to me in her Gilfest Challenge Quest which was one of the hardest to this date. I am surprised that MHX or her XX variant didn't made it first but they still had good chance in the future due to relative popularity of Saber Face

The Skeleton Soldier failed to defend the Dungeon

 Another interesting ongoing Fantasy Tensei manhwa which have quite good world building. This manhwa tells the story of an Undead Skeleton monster who somehow find itself revived in the past after failing to protect its Succubus life. In this new life the Skeleton is summoned by a young lady but swiftly defeated by assailants. However the skeleton find out that it possess power to get transported back in the past upon death and retained the abilities it learned in previous cycle. Armed with this knowledge, the Skeleton pledged to save its patron and people mattered to it in the past encounters against the deep corruption of the empire it fight against.

 For a Korean Manhwa, the Skeleton Soldier have a very good fantasy world building compared to its peers which made me think the Author had some familiarity with DnD system. This Manhwa strength lies in the quality of the supporting NPCs of the main characters especially the Young Noblelady, Female Thief and Raven Sorcerer. I like how each of the important characters had their background story mesh well in the overall storyline greater picture. However the Skeleton main character itself is very stupid to the point of trusting a dangerous villain which resulted its close ally died horribly in one of the cycle. 

 I also don't like how the Skeleton true identity is still kept hidden until this point despite the story almost reach endgame stage. But if i have to guess, the skeleton is most likely Kevin Ashton or somebody close to the First Emperor and the Young Noblelady is the descendant of the said emperor who put himself into undeath in order to keep the promise with his old friend.

 Skeleton Soldier is quite a high tier Korean Manhwa for me when it comes to Fantasy/Tensei genre While not still on par with Volcanic Age, it is up there along with Omniscient Reader or Nanomachine and definitely better read compared to the crap called Tomb Raider king.

SSSS Dynazenon

 The indirect sequel of SSSS Gridman and just like its predecessor, Dynazenon is a brainless fun Mecha vs Kaiju anime. Gridman series always  emphasise on style over substance thus make it rather forgettable anime once the season passed and this one is no different safe for taking rather different approach. If Gridman features an Ultraman as the main character, Dynazenon had a Mecha Godzilla that transform into Giant Super Robot with other vehicles.

 Dynazenon features bunch of Teenage misfits and a young adult Neet who found themselves defending their city against Kaijus after encountering a mysterious guy who possess power to fight against those threat. Personally i like Dynazenon slightly better but the shallow main characters still ruin things for me especially the main heroine. To put it simply Dynazenon is mediocre mecha series that had a rocky start then had somewhat decent resolution before ending things abruptly. Mujina is the best eyecandy and could have more development with the Neet character for better conclusion. In short SSSS Dynazenon is no better than SSSS Gridman but the final verdict could have been better if Studio Trigger could address the continuity issue with the future sequel.