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Probably my last Final Gear Mechatalk before I return from my Overseas trip and this one will be abit more special, consider it as the early gift for Artery Gear collab with Final Gear. Usually I won't be covering the units that I haven't maxed up, but I will make an exception for this occassion as Corallium is the main star of the AG Collab and could have been the new main heroine standing along with Eve.if not for FG circumstances.
From a first glance, Rising Freedom and Immortal Justice design trades of Firepower of their previous version in exchange for Mobility thus doesn't look like definitive successor of their Seed Destiny counterpart but I think there are still possibly more secrets will be revealed in time. This new design really appear to be heavily influenced by previous Sunrise series like Cross Ange and Buddy Complex considering SEED Director Fukuda helmed the former one. As Athrun fanboy to this day, to be honest Immortal Justice current armaments doesn't look like sufficient enough to be Rising Freedom equal and I hope this 3rd Incarnation of Justice Gundam got something worth hyping. Considering the backpack resemblance with Amatsu and Astray Blue Frame L, perhaps Immortal Justice would get some Giant Sword of sorts or maybe going 00 Gundam route, Considering SEED fans expectations are quite high enough after almost 2 decades of Vacuum and Bandai should be competent enough to capitalize this demand.
As for the Gundam SEED Movie which will be dubbed Gundam SEED Freedom, I would expect the storyline could only continue either using F91 or Endless Waltz route which seem to be the most plausible choice given the present state of Gundam SEED Plotline as OMNI appears to be still the antagonist this time and need another major backer like Jupiter Empire of sorts. Personally I don't really have much hope on the storyline but as long as the action scene are good enough, most SEED fans like myself will be content. Lastly I think Shinn Asuka will get his own gundam later in the movie considering being stuck in Gyan for the whole movie duration is just a petty move by Fukuda.
It has been around 3 weeks since the Monster Hunter now release and as a former consummate Monster Hunter fan, I feel obligated to take a look of this Monster Hunter version of Pokemon Go. Actually I was planning to release this article earlier last month, but this instance would be actually more fitting as I have fought all of the monsters available in Monster Hunter Now first build which concluded with Rathalos. Long Story short, Monster Hunter Now passed flying color for me and I just realize now why People are crazed for Pokemon Go back then.
Through cooperation of Niantic and Capcom utilising Augmented Reality technology integrated with Google Map. Monster Hunter Now offer more streamlined MonsterHunter experience for Mobile Phone users, providing bite sized hunts against assorted range of Monsters from this Capcom's best selling series. This game is literally a godsend for MH Vets like myself who still have fond memories with Monster Hunter but lacks the luxury of time to play their full fledged game anymore and I am happy that my hunting skill haven't rusted off badly despite left off from MH Rise 2 years ago.
In MH Now I picked Lancelot as my Hunter Name because this is the name i used back in MHFU and for a good measures in other MH series barring MH3U. I will always be a Lance user first and foremost but considering MH Now didn't have this weapon at the current iteration, I stick with SnS which perform the task just fine.While MH Now gameplay is more simplified compared to the current MH Console game be it Iceborne or Sunbreak but the fundamentals remain the same and the Grinding part arguably feels more potentially painful because some common drops on console game is quite hard to obtain in the present state of MH Now. The only problem that I currently have with MH Now is the timer limit which have no workaround and it really gets punishing once you fight higher rarity monsters. To be honest as old school MH player, I really have hard time to get into newer MH Titles like Sunbreak which I find to be too flashy and not grounded enough especially with the Wirebug gimmicks, but Capcom at very least appear to try provide some middle ground with MH Now.
While there are many issues that some fans have with MH Now, personally I find this game possibly have the best potential among the Monster Hunter games released up until now. Through almost 2 decades that Monster Hunter have journeyed through, this series had accumulated around 270+ main monsters but none of the Monster Hunter game able to bring the full force of this legendary series had which is why every new Monster Hunter feels overshadowed by Freedom Unite, at least for the old fans. And MH Now provide the opportunity for Capcom to bring the Might of their Monster Hunter series into full force if properly utilised and provide avenue for older hunters to relive their better memories. As long as the monetization option are not that greedy, People will keep flocking into MH Now because this game is good enough for the devoted fanbase of Monster Hunter.
This announcement of Lion El Johnson product by Joytoy is a very big deal because Joytoy able to release this important character within the same year that Games Workshop have the Primarch of Dark Angels made its return in the 40k Storyline with a bang nonetheless. Seriously 2023 is both a blessing and a curse at the same time for 40k Fans because the series got another major plot progress then 40k Space Marines 2 coming up soon along with tons of Joytoy Merchandises which will get the fans wallet busted in no time! As for Joytoy Lion El Johnson release, it won't be the end because we could expect Joytoy coming in full swing soon with Dark Angels with the Hexagrammaton for starters.
For extra 20 USD, Joytoy Lion El Johnson looks very majestic and even more grander than Roboute as Joytoy feels more generous on his wargear. In this rendition The Dark Angels Primarch comes with power sword that resembled his Lion Sword and Emperor's Shield then accompanied by mysterious followers only known as Watchers in the dark.With his wargear, from what I see Lion El Johnson would make an excellent HQ Killers with his ruthless efficiency making him a very effective duelist along with Emperor Shield that will protect him against many mortal wounds. With his psyker gift of teleportation, I wouldn't be surprised that Lion and His retinue would decapitate enemy HQ and then hop on to kill another one.
In 40k fluff, Despite his aloof and distant personality, Lion El Johnson is one of the Primarch equally gifted in Strategic ability and Martial Prowess capable of giving a run for money against any of his brother primarch who tend to be more specialized. Lion's return to 40k storyline marks a chance of redemption for his Dark Angels as this secretive Space Marine chapter had been plagued with renegades known as the Fallen due to internal strife. Now these fallen Dark Angels are being given a chance to fight alongside their father once again as the Risen. As much as I grow to like Roboute as he gives his earnest to protect Humanity, I think in terms of personality I do relate more with Lion due to more personal similarities with this Primarch and I will give my attention for his story development along with his Dark Angels. Seriously I don't know if Joytoy can pull off anything grander this year after the reveal of Lion but there plenty of things they can still do with this Space Marine Chapter that evokes the vibes of Arthurian Legends.
Another promising fantasy manga that I encountered recently and this one got the same vibe with Jinrouki Winvurga even if it doesn't have any mecha. In a world of Futuristic Science and Magic where female existence that possess magical power called Witches are being hunted down, The Kingdoms of Ruin is an adventure of a young man who went on a quest of revenge against human civilization after his mentor got unfairly executed for being a witch. Armed with magical knowledge for his quest of vengeance, this young apprentice is accompanied by a young witch whom had particular fateful encounter with the protagonist.
Considering the similarity in vibe with series like Akame ga Kiru or Winvurga, Kingdom of Ruin doesn't hesitate when it comes to the gorefest as the mangaka of this series doesn't hesitate many characters in this series died in horrible ways as the Witches are being hunted down by humans mercilessly using technology. I would say the series had good potential in world building and the romance between the main protagonists also look quite promising as they will survive through many hardships by relying on one another. Time will tell if this series will succeed or not but this is another manga that I will keep a tab on.
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While the relationship is not exactly reciprocal, my devotion toward Final Gear has come quite a long way and now it is time to cover article for my first starter SSR unit with her unique mech, Snowy! Actually I do kinda feel bad with Snowy since I neglected her unit for quite a long time and it is not until the Conflict Zone Boss update that made her join active combat once again. And with the maintenance mode weekly boons, Snowy finally managed to reach her UR Upgrade which normally would never even make it by the end of this year. In any case, the 13th Final Gear Mechatalk will be dedicated for the best DPS Support Hamster Ball.
Costing 1.5 times of the Kotobukiya's Huckebein, I would expect Bandai will be more than capable to improve where Kotobukiya left off considering the the old version had some issues on the Hip and Arms articulation. One thing that Bandai did different is definitely the AM Gunner which Kotobukiya didn't able to bring up when they had the SRW OG License even though they did make Boxer Unit and I am still surprised Bandai to be rather generous on AM Gunner pricing considering they can sell it for more than 10000 Yen if they feel like to. In SRW OGs AM Gunner is a very good artillery unit capable of Long Ranged sniping coupled with high mobility able to rain barrages of bombardment with its Graviton Cannons and Homing missiles. Though I recall it has some issues in evasion when being attacked if unupgraded. Just like Boxer Unit, AM Gunner is used by Ryoto Hikawa who is the official pilot of Huckebein Mk-III but any SRW Alpha Protagonist will do actually. As someone who owned Huckebein Boxer before, I am more than happy to double dip Bandai's Mk-III because my modelling skill didn't do justice for my Boxer back then and I am very interested with the AM Gunner unit myself.
At times I am quite surprised that I am still able to maintain my pace in acquiring new collections at steady pace and this time the Chinese made series really begin to overtake the Japanese counterpart. In this batch only 2 of the items are Japanese series which I will leave you to figure it out because the Nendoroids is from Arknights anyway. My 40k Collection is growing in very fast pace with Saint Celestine being the most notable among the crowd. I am also giving a try for Chinese Model Kits which apparently have Diecast frame though I personally still doubt that I have spare time to build one. In any case the 40k series will be featured faster in my Instagram feed compared to the rest.
Capcom is getting really active again with their Monster Hunter IP this month with Monster Hunter 6 within realm of possibility and the release of Monster Hunter Now which is warmly received by the fans. Straight after Deviljho, CFB comes with another heavy hitter yet again and this time is the Elemental Master Elder Dragon, Alatreon! Scheduled for March 2024 release, CFB Alatreon will be sold for 33000 Yen.
Standing upward on top the molten rocks of Sacred Land, Alatreon deviantly gazing toward the Heaven with its Skypiercer Horn proudly adorned as a crown. This Capcom's Premium Figure is yet another perfect physical representation of this Apex Predator Elder Dragon. Debuted in 3rd Generation, Alatreon is an Elder Dragon that capable of wielding several elements to its advantage serving as Endgame Challenge for seasoned Hunters who want to prove their worth. I first encountered Alatreon in MHP3 but later had more intimate Encounter with this guy as I hunted more than 100 of this Elder Dragon in MH3U Spread across 3 alt characters. The main challenge from Alatreon is not the solo fight itself, but breaking both of the horns which is the only way to obtain Skypiercer. While Alatreon mechanics probably greatly differ in MHW, I still remembered fondly the moments where I farmed this guy with Brachy Gunlance and then eventually cheese this thing with Kelbi Bow since it was very weak against Slime element in 3U. While the CFB version is out of my price budget, I will be waiting for Bandai to release SHM for this legendary Elder Dragon.
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All hail to the Queen Ruby! Hands down the best UR and DPS unit in Final Gear, this Shooter Class lass will melt everything literally in the matters of second. Whether it is endgame PVE content or Top Tier PVP, any players will need Ruby in their team to get the most out of what Final Gear have in store. Thus this blog's 12th Final Gear mechatalk will be dedicated to this most powerful unit of Final Gear.
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6 months has passed since the Arknights MH Collab Event was announced and time goes so fast as this event already nearing its end. Personally I am happy that I am able to keep my end of bargain to support Arknights over this period of months no matter how minor the contribution is. Dubbed "Flurry to the Flame" Arknights is bringing a glimpse of MH Universe to Arknights which feature The King of the Sky "Rathalos" as Cameo. Overall this collab event quality is as good as Rainbow 6 Siege Collab back in 2021, However by this time I think Hypergryph could have optimised this sort of rare collab events even further with the experiences they have accumulated instead of just repeating the run-of-the mill stuffs.
Earnest Core strikes back again with their cool concept mecha and this time they are revisiting their previous Robot Build Poisedon and add a new touch up to become an alternate version dubbed R-Test Type. Previously designed as all rounder medium heavy mecha, this new variant of Poseidon is given a flight capability and got a giant energy sword as Icing on top. Robot Build Poseidon Raya Test-type will be scheduled for December 2023 release with 7800-8500 Yen Price tag.
At the first glance of the loadout, this Poseidon is getting Advance of Zeta treatment as the flight unit parts makes the mecha look very similar to Hrairoo from the Gundam Spinoff series. Apart from the plane mode, Poseidon R is also capable to be transformed into Bipedal form which makes this guy looks like something in between Macross Gerwalk and Zoids Geno Saurer probably due to the similar parts from Valhallan was given to this guy. While I had the original Poseidon since last year, unfortunately the guy still lies in my Pile of Shame which I blame to my 966 work schedule. In any case I won't mind getting this guy if my local distributor had this guy available for preorder.
It has been 10 years since the first serialization and Things have come to a full circle for this Fantasy Masterpiece of a manga with the final chapter being published last week, Truly it is a very enjoyable ride while it last. While I never thought Cooking and Fantasy genre is particularly compatible, Ryoko Kui-Sensei had proved otherwise with her Dungeon Meshi. I have reserved writing any post related with Dungeon Meshi as my own way to pay respect for this series since I wanted to give the most proper judgement that this series deserves. Long Story short, Dungeon Meshi is probably one, if not the best Fantasy series that came out of Manga Industry over past 20 years being a complete package of a good story.
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11th Final Gear Mechatalk and we are now moving onto yet another new Faction in Final Gear, Health & Happiness Mercenary Group represented by Murasaki. Arguably one of the best Defender Unit in the game if not for the glaring flaw of her kit. Don't be fooled with the weird base mecha design, Murasaki's Activated Unit is more than enough when it comes to imposing presence.
Joytoy 40k Collectors will be eating good or maybe getting their wallets busted yet again but probably both. While the release order is rather strange finally we are getting the Vanilla Adeptus Custodes with the iconic conical helmets that got them nicknamed as "Banana Boys". The pricing haven't been announced yet but we would expect this version of Golden Guardians of Emperor of Mankind will be sold around 50 USD SRP just like the previous Custodes release and given Joytoy Track record we can expect their release by December or early 2024.
Silly nicknames aside, Adeptus Custodes is some of the most formidable warriors that Imperium of Men possess. Once accompanied the Emperor of Mankind as his personal bodyguard during the Great Crusade era, now these Elite of the Elite warriors dedicate their entire life to protect what remains of Emperor sitting on the Golden Throne of Holy Terra. Equipped with easily the best Wargear in the Imperium, A single Custodes can easily wipe out a Squad of regular Space Marine is just a mere glimpse to show the strength gap of the Imperium's Finest.
Personally I will get at least one of these Banana Boys with the leftmost being my prime candidate due to close resemblance to Kitten from Text To Speech series. I owed alot from Emperor TTS as I learn many 40k lores from this High Quality 40k Fanmade Videos and it is still one of the better gateway to this Epic Sci Fi series. I am quite sure the Custodes companion, Sisters of Silence can be released in near future if Joytoy wills it
