Funism Start! Eevee Blindbox Espeon Review

  A light review for this week! Even If I don't play Pokemon games anymore, I do still collect select products from the series and one of the recent additions to my collection is a Blind Box series by a manufacturer called Funism. China Blind Box product lineups are nothing to scoff at as they always have available options on any price point selections and the quality of the high-end ones are quite something else. As for this particular Start! Eevee series, this one features a complete set of Eeveelution figures in blindbox format and I got myself Espeon as the first pick.

 In terms of quality, Funism Start! Eevee is a solid one as it can give the Japanese counterpart like Moncolle or Rement a run for their money because this lineup can afford to give a Eeveelutions Figurine with solid Size and Sculpt quality. Personally my favorite Eeveelution has always been Jolteon as it is one of my main carry back in 2^nd Gen. But I don’t actually mind getting Espeon either, since I feel that I do share many similarity with this Psychic Eeveelution when it comes to personality.

For dedicated Pokemon fans, Funism Start! Eevee is certainly a worthy candidate to get a full set though casual Fans like me would be pretty happy to get a single piece which is part of the fun from Blindbox product.

Fate/Grand Order Figma Caster Artoria

It is like 4 years have passed since Lostbelt 6 story made it to FGO JP and Finally we got Figma for the main actress of the Singularity, Caster Artoria! If FGO didn’t go hard into decline due to Sony mismanagement, we probably could have this product available back in 2023, nonetheless this joyous occasion still worth to be celebrated after all. Scheduled for February 2026 release, Figma Castoria will be sold for 12800 Yen.  

 Debuting back in FGO 5^th Anniversary, Castoria is one of the more special Heroine that ever graced FGO as she essentially reprise the Main Heroine role in FGO just like what her Saber counterpart did in the original Fate series even to the extent being a strong contender for Ritsuka love interest. It is only the limitation of FGO as the medium that prevents Castoria to reach the same popularity with her OG version. When it comes to gameplay, Castoria is still one of the best Premium Support Servant to this day. As she is still pretty much the core essential part of Arts Farm team having popular memes of getting overworked. Not to mention Castoria’s kit is pretty good even for Challenge Quest due to True Invulnerability buff from her Noble Phantasm.

Even if FGO had went past its prime, I still hope the series would still get some more Figma addition in the future as I would love to see Morgan follow up with a Figma as well considering she totally deserves one.

Qianqiushang Genesis of Stars 1/100 Alkaid

Another eyecatching Chinese Model Kit is here and this time it is from a manufacturer called Qianqiushang! Dubbed as Genesis of Stars lineup, this particular Model kit is named after constellation, Alkaid and comes with several versions. Scheduled for Q3 2025 release, 1/100 Alkaid will be available in Basic, Standard and Pro version with the price tag of 188, 238 and 338 RMB respectively.

From what it appears, the more expensive version features better Hangar Base and more elaborate LED parts which are not exactly a big dealbreaker because the core version has plenty of interesting gimmick in the first place. Given Chinese model kit still heavily inspired by Gundam, Alkaid is pretty much heavily derived from 00 Quanta with heavy influence by Astray Blue Frame. The backpack unit of Alkaid is the one that contribute the largest selling point of this product being a multipurpose weapon that can turn into Gun Drones or Large Energy Sword for some obligatory Obari poses. As for the manufacturer Qianqiushang itself, from the track record that I can check, they produce weapon accessories for 1/100 Gunpla Model kit which is why the Weapons of their model kit do stand out after all. Lets see if they can come up with another product for their constellation lineup.

SAMG Miniforce Dinoid Warrior Rex Kaiser

 Over past two months, there has been Korean Toy lineup from a kid animation series that attracted so much buzz and rightfully deserving so. So there is this particular 2020 Korean  animation series called Miniforce made by SAMG Studio which is typical Super Sentai series for younger audience, But what makes this series so special to be overlooked by this blog is that It got way really really cool Mecha designs for a Kids show which will makes Millenials Mecha Fans like me drool. And this article will Introduce the flagship Mecha product of this SAMG Miniforce that is known as Dino Kaiser which has been released recently with the price tag of 95900 Won which is around 70 USD.

Argento Soma

 
 A rather peculiar early 2000s Sunrise Mecha anime that I came across recently. At first I thought this series called Argento Soma would be another of those many failed Evangelion Clones but it turns out to be otherwise, even if it barely qualifies as a Mecha anime. Argento Soma might not be a particularly successful as a Mecha series, but it's storyline is fascinating enough to qualify as Sci-Fi series and still have something in store for the Audiences who are willing to put in the time with the series. 

Surprisingly Argento Soma able to delve with some pyschological theme quite well with its story with having somebody in the production theme for some reason quite well-versed in Shakespearean theme. Not to mention if you able to proceed far enough into Argento Soma, you can trace and appreciate many core themes used in Gundam 00 Movie storyline from this relatively forgotten Sunrise anime.

SD Gundam G-Generation Portable

 
 Considering I have got into G-Generation Eternal recently, I think it is the right time for me to talk about the first G-Generation game that I played, which is SD Gundam G-Generation Portable on PSP. It is an understatement how much I owed from this game and the bare minimum I could do is to make a short article for this series.

SD Gundam G-Generation Portable is the first G-Generation game available on PSP and features a really extensive numbers of  Gundam series as part of the roster at the time. G-Generation Portable have complete main series both for Universal Century and Alternate Universe. So whether it is Gundam 0079, V Gundam, G Gundam or Gundam Seed Destiny, G-Generation Portable got you covered and have faithful reenactment of these Gundam storylines as the stages. Not to mention G-Gen Portable got 1000+ units roster including weaker vehicle units like Tanks and Biplanes as part of the available roster which will not be seen in the future titles.

G Generation Portable will always have a very special place in my heart because I learnt so much about Gundam series thanks to this Game, not even Overworld resonated that much to me.  Through this game, I learnt many cool Side story Gundam series like Hathaway's Flash, Blue Destiny, SEED MSV and many more. Not to mention I was able to learn Japanese with the help of G-Gen Portable, so I have many gratitude with this game that I am able to get into many great Japanese exclusive Mecha series such as Sakura Taisen. Given how G-Gen Eternal might not reach my expectation due to Bamco shoddy practice, I might get into G Gen Portable in near future so that I could do a 100% run once and for all.

Archecore AAG-01 Arena of Ancient Gods 1/60 Dragon Rider Renata

 
  Just as Knight Killian began to get trickled down into collectors hand, Archecore decide it is now the time to follow the second entry for Arena of Ancient Gods series! After a Castle Knight, we got ourselves a Dragon themed mecha which looks very tantalizing. Scheduled for Q4 2025 release, Archecore Dragon Rider Renata will be sold for 899 RMB.

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.

The Fable: Second Contact

Being one of the popular manga in late 2010s, the Crime Thriller manga series The Fable actually got another sequel couple years ago called Fable: The Second Contact. Recently the fan translation of the series has finished which make me proceed to marathon the series. While not as lengthy as the first Fable series as this sequel only run up to 9 Tankobon volumes, The Fable Second Contact does not disappoint in narrating the adventure of a Pro Assassin in Japan.

Gradius Origin

  Seems like Konami has someone really competent at handling their Game portfolio as we are kept getting remastered collections of Konami’s game library in their golden age. Not as mainstream as Suikoden or Castlevania, but we are getting a Gradius series collection dubbed Gradius Origins within this year!

Scheduled for August 2025 release, Gradius Origins will feature 7 of Konami’s Shmup Title. Unlike the PSP Gradius Collection this collection is not 100% series so we will get combinations of Horizontal and Vertical Shmup title. Gradius Origins will feature Gradius 1-3. Salamander 1-3 and Life Force with several versions available for each title. For some reason, Konami decide to omit Gradius IV from this collection which makes it less perfect successor of its PSP counterpart. While I am not exactly a big fan of Gradius, I do use Vic Viper as my mainstay unit back in Parodius series which is another Konami’s established Shmup series. This remaster announcement will make me hopeful that Parodius collection will be possible in the near future and I will keep a close tab on it.

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
  

Sembo Blocks Wandering Earth series

 
 I never thought I would find another Chinese Brick model lineups that caught my complete attention apart from Sluban's SMC, but Sembo Blocks prove that they have another Treasure trove hidden yet again! Based on Chinese Scifi movie called 流浪地球/Wandering Earth, Sembo create a thematic series of Brick Model products featuring futuristic vehicles and mechas. While this lineup mostly consist of Heavy duty military vehicles, Sembo's Wandering mecha got some walker mechas that has eyecatching design which is why I decide to delve into this series more deeply.

On first glance, Sembo's Wandering Earth lineup really reminds me of Joytoy's Battle of the Star lineup where it features popular space survival series like Lost Planet with a dash of Aliens vibe where humanities have to rely with their tech against many unseen dangers that looms in the Galaxy. The centerpiece of the Wandering Earth lineup is the Giant combat vehicle with the block counts of 3000+ pieces with 1000+ Block Count support Vehicles. I will leave the overview list of the vehicle lineup if anyone interested to look into the series.

Hemoxian Zodiac Guardian 1/100 Baffarion

 Another interesting Chinese model kit coming out and these one had relatively distinct design compared to typical releases. Being a collab project between Hemoxian and Toyzcomic, this model kit is called Baffarion under the lineup of Zodiac Guardian. Scheduled for Q3 2025, Hemoxian Baffarion will be sold for 218 RMB.

Considering Hemoxian's track record, we can expect something with above average product quality and great packaging design. On first glance, Baffarion looks like a Gundam version of Aquarion with the Blockier design yet maintain the distinct proportion including slightly wide torso and elaborate effect parts for the backpack. Baffarion comes with tandard Real robot loadout along with a pair of pincer crusher Shields and Exia Switchblades being its most distinct arsenal. Given the implication of the Zodiac Guardian lineup that Baffarion belongs to, Baffarion seems to fit well as the Ox archetype zodiac and seems to be oriented to charging headfirst into melee with its equipment. Perhaps we could see more of this Zodiac style Mechas from Hemoxian should this one performed well enough.

Sakura Taisen 2 Fan Translation is out!

 
 A rather pleasant surprise that this classic series deserved, but after almost 3 decades Sakura Taisen 2 finally got a Fan Translation recently! Available in the Sega Saturn version, Sakura Taisen 2 is now available in English thanks to the dedicated team who apparently also worked on Sakura Taisen 1 as well.

If you are ever interested in Sakura Taisen series, do not miss this opportunity because Sakura Taisen 2 is the title where this legendary series peaked at, even if Sakura Taisen 3 won my heart with its overall superior production value.  Obviously it is advised to finish Sakura Taisen 1 first which Sakura and Sumire being one of the better waifu candidate for your first playthrough. With Sakura Taisen 2 got its fan translation, hopefully the Fan translation journey will conclude with the complete Tetralogy because it is the requirement for the complete experience.

If anyone interested, I have written a full article for Sakura Taisen 2 last year which you can find it here

Sluban Super Mecha Champions Qbrick - Firefox Review

After slightly delayed due to unforeseen circumstances, Finally I can proudly wrap up the SMC Q-bricks Review Miniseries that started from February! As I started with the best and I save the last one with the best and I proudly present SMC Qbricks Firefox! Initially I planned this Mini Review series to serve as a send off for Super Mecha Champions when it officially closes the service on January 20^th, but the alternate turns out just fine as well. With this Realm of Darkness coverage for SMC will almost wrap up with one more article to go, unless Netease decide to turn good and allows the series for a Comeback.

Among SMC Qbricks that I have, Firefox is one of the best specimens available around along with Trio of Enders as it got better sculpt and playability due to base design and doesn’t come with the Big Head design for some mechas which can be off putting at times. In SMC, Firefox is one of the starters mech along with Arthur which is a beginner ranged unit based on Overwatch D. VA’s mecha design armed with Twin turrets and Missiles as its armaments. While Firefox performance in Battle Royale PVP is rather lackluster, Firefox is quite powerful on PVE mode as it is essentially a mobile gatling turret providing consistent firepower with right Power Ups.