Arknights Nendoroid 1522 Eyjafjalla

 

 The last of the Big 3 Arknights Operator to get the Nendoroid treatment and this one looks promising! In Arknights together with Silverash and Exusiai, Eyjafjalla are the Top 3 6* operators being the best in her class, excelling in the role of cutting down swathes of armored opponents with her powerful skill. The Sheep Kouhai will be released for 5500 Yen with August 2021 release schedule. I think so far Eyjafjalla is the only Arknights Nendoroid that got the operator's spirit animal as part of the accessory

 Named after a volcanic mountain, Eyjafjalla is a Catastrophe Messenger joining Rhodes Island for her oripathy treatment. She is the best general purpose Single-targe Caster Operator in the game that possess powerful abilities that makes her capable to outclass AOE caster in their role. Her Skill 3 Volcano simply melts anything with low Arts resistance and not many enemies are capable to survive the full brunt of this skill making her one of the prime candidates for difficult missions such as contigency contract. Due to the top-tier position in her class, Amiya is often made the butt joke of being overshadowed by Eyjafjalla and ignored by doctor in favor of the adorable Sheep Kouhai.

 Eyjafjalla is definitely one of the better Arknights Nendoroid so far mirroring her popularity in the game. For the next Arknights Nendoroids, i think Magallan or Angelina had a good shot or even Texas should GSC consider to release a Nendoroid for 5* Operators.

Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel III Spring Song

 The conclusion of Fate/Stay Night 3rd Route trilogy movie and Ufotable certainly gives a proper wrap up befitting for the legendary series! Heaven's feel might be the last of the FSN Route to get anime adaptation but it was a boon too because Ufotable could deliver some of the top tier animation quality that the series deserves. 

  Heaven's Feel had some of the best writing in FSN because delves into the background of the series settings, showcasing Kinoko Nasu's talent at worldbuilding which has been the main selling point of his works. In the VN, HF route has rather slow beginning but it has the best endgame part with intense action chock full of manliness. Therefore the third part of the Heaven's Feel Movie adaptation is the most crucial one and suffice to say Ufotable doesn't disappoint! While i can't say the movie to be perfect, at least Ufotable handled the important parts properly and that's what matters the most. Just like the VN, the MVP of the Heaven's Feel Movie are still Illya and Kirei which the respective Seiyuu performed their respective role really well. If it was not for the COVID pandemic, this movie would have received much of the fanfare it deserves.

 Personally Sakura is probably the least popular of all FSN Main Heroine because Saber and Rin just shine too brightly. But over the time i do appreciate her character and the length Shirou goes to in order to save her proves her merit. Each of the FSN Main heroines had their own merits and as for Sakura, she is Shirou's best partner if he wished to settle down for a peaceful tranquil life. Unless Japan's economy took a nosedive, it is just a matter of time before Fate route is given a remake since FSN need to wrap up with the Realta Nua ending and i will contribute my part as well. 

Sengoku Rance 1/8 Sill Plain Review

The lovestruck slave follows her master faithfully

Yami's 3rd year with Fate/Grand Order

 Third time is a charm and I managed to survive the Salt Purgatory yet again! 2020 has been a hectic year with the COVID Pandemic but it has been quite a bountiful year for my journey in Fate/Grand Order NA. By this year i have consolidated my gains with this Salt simulator and also reached some significant milestones at the same time.

Gundam Converge EX-30 RX-104FF Penelope Review

A little of Hathaway's Flash bite-sized treat!

Densetsu no Yuusha Da Garn

 Gaogaigar was my next destination after completing my Journey of Yuusha series with Mightgaine as I intend to savor the Culmination of the Yuusha series after accumulating experiences with its predecessors. But before I settled my business with King of Braves, i took short detour to Da Garn once again. Being an actual pivotal entry for Yuusha series, I decided to gather materials for to make a much deserved proper article for Da Garn matching my previous Yuusha series post.

Gundam Converge EX-34 Xi Gundam

 2020 has not been a good year for Hathaway's flash as the movie airing for this year is cancelled. However as the Movie airing resumed for May next year, so does the merchandise follow suit. Soon after EX-33 Neue Ziel, the 34th slot is allocated for Xi Gundam in order to catch up with Penelope. While no fixed release schedule yet, Converge EX Xi Gundam will be sold for 3500 Yen. Compared to Penelope, the Converge version of Xi rather lacks in bulk and if it doesn't come with many accessories, it will be one of the more lackluster entry for the lineup. Personally i would prever to see Ensemble version of Xi which probably could accomplish more than the the static posed Converge series. Considering the momentum for Hathaway Flash is picking up again, i should put the review for Converge Penelope soon

Alter 1/7 Saber Alter Dress version

  No doubt the most definitive version of Salter PVC Figure up until now and so far none has beaten Alter for the Ice Queen. Last time the Dress version of Saber Alter was up for preorder in 2018 and now Alter opened a rerun which is probably the 3rd time since there are still strong demand for this particular version of Salter. For this time, Saber Alter 3rd Ascension Dress version will be scheduled for November 2021 release with 15800 Yen Price tag. Up until now Alter's Salter Dress figure brings out the most feminine charm of the usually expressionless Ice Queen with good options of variety. When i handled preorder for this item for one of my customer last year, i regretted that i sought the cheaper option which was Ichiban Kuji which certainly doesn't stand up with Alter's. 

  The 3rd ascension version of Saber Alter PVC figure definitely complement well with Jalter Dress figure made by Max Factory last year, who knows this might be my first collection from Alter. In any case there is a chance for Figma for Salter 3rd ascension too since her popularity eclipsed the vanilla version when it comes to merchandise.

Fate/Grand Order Nendoroid 1491 Okita Souji

 October has been a good month for Saber Okita after being the butt joke of the game throughout this year. From getting her long needed Strengthening and new Costume, now Goodsmile is announcing her Nendoroid. Scheduled for June 2021, Nendoroid Okita Souji is coming in two editions, regular and DX with 4800 and 5800 Yen price respectively. For additional 1000 Yen, Nendoroid Okita Souji comes with her Shinsengumi Haori and her iconic coughing and daishori pose. I think Nendoroid Shinguji Sakura's kimono would work well for her 1st Ascension which makes me considering getting her.IIRC FGO version of Okita Souji is the first limited SSR Saber servant in the game and her debut proves to be popular as it was the first salt trap for many players at the time before Scathach. For some reason Okita is often paired with Nobunaga in FGO as pair of joke characters and occasionally with Musashi as well. I wonder if the Figma version will come with Haori as well though i am quite aware the limitation that figma possess to pull it off.

Yuusha Tokkyu Mightgaine

 The last of the 8 Yuusha series to be cleared in order to finish my Journey with Yuusha series and no doubt Mightgaine is the most Obari of all Yuusha series. I have watched the Mightgaine partially back then, but It took me 3 years after Dagwon just to finish watching this series since it was not fully subbed. Nevertheless i was determined to finish the business after SRW V which took me a while but no doubt i settled the Debt.

Jin

  Some manga that i read a long time ago whiic was similar to Tezuka Hidamari no Ki as it covers the Bakumatsu period through a perspective of a Doctor. It was not until recently that i got to see the conclusion of the series which spanned over 20 volumes. In Jin, A Japanese Surgeon in modern Japan found himself travelled back in time to the Turbulent Bakumatsu Period where reigning Tokugawa shogunate saw itself in steady decline. With his expertise in medicine, the surgeon tried to save many people but his noble intent saw many oppositions from conflicting interests, Nevertheless his deed makes him encounter many famous figures in his period from Geishas to future leaders of modern Japan with Sakamoto Ryoma served as significant role in this one. The manga had a very strong beginning but had some awkward moments nearing the conclusion probably due to clash in ideas. In any case Jin is a good manga to look at after finishing Hidamari no Ki

Yuusha Retsuden Collection Vol 1

  Yuusha series collectibles are quite a rarity nowadays but Bandai attempted another affordable entry with their Candy Toys lineup. Dubbed as Yuusha Retsuden collection, this new lineup will feature main protagonist mecha from all 8 Yuusha series divided into two volumes for the initial release! The first volume will be scheduled for February 2021 release sold at 3600 Yen consist of the 4 main protagonist Mecha from the first half of Yuusha series; Exkaiser, Fighbird, Da Garn and Mightgaine! 

 This new lineup allow mecha collectors to obtain Yuusha series collectibles for affordable price. While i don't really mind the 900 Yen Price tag, personally i think Ensemble Frame could work better for the Yuusha series. Considering that Robot Concerto series which shared the same frame system with Ensemble had something that had similar characteristics with Yuusha series Mecha. But i guess collector still able to compromise with moveable arms at least.

 I think Bandai definitely gauging interest with the initial roster before deciding possible continuations, If the lineup should prove popular enough, we could see the Supporting Character Yuusha make appearance as well. I think at very least there will be demand for the more popular Supporter Yuushas like Super Build Tiger or Captain Shark.

Gundam Converge EX-33 Alpha Azieru

 I might not be collecting Converge anymore but their EX series are always worth looking at as it one of the few means for Bandai to release affordable collectible for Gundam series Mobile Armors. After Neue Ziel II, the next Converge Mobile Armor is the behemoth from Char's Counter Attack, Alpha Azieru! Scheduled for February 2021 release, Converge-EX Alpha Azieru will be sold for 4000 Yen. As usual separate optional parts are available for purchase for Alpha Azieru which include damaged Re-Gz, Funnel effect parts and extended arms. Alpha Azieru is quite forgettable MA for me because the pilot is literally the worst character in CCA though it was quite useful secret unit back in Alpha 3. But Converge Alpha Azieru would actually complement quite well with my Ensemble collection and having 3 Converge Mobile Armors wouldn't be a bad idea either. IIRC there was a Forte version of Alpha Azieru which cost slightly more expensive than the current Converge so i am curious which one stands taller in the end.

Megabox AMTS-12 Landbreaker Review

First step into the Megabox series!

52Toys Megabox AMTS MB-13 Deep One

  52 Toys have been quite active in showcasing their Beastbox and Megabox new products early this month and we are getting another Heavy-Duty Mega Box this time. After Landbreaker, 52Toys are ready to reveal their second Two Combiner Megabox design which is nautical themed called Deep-One. I think the product will be released soon with 50 USD Price Tag like the Landbreaker and should be available in few months.

 Having fiddled around with my copy of Landbreaker recently, Deep One should be a worthy purchase because the Landbreaker has proved its value as a solid Collector Toy with its Robust framework and playability. Megabox Deepone no doubt will complement well with Aquatic themed beastbox which 52Toys already had some and the vehicle mode is quite cool too. At this rate i think 52Toys will definitely attempt a Sky variant of the Two Combiner Megabox eventually and they could add more flyer type beastbox while at it.