February 2025 Loot

Last post for this month! Pound by pound, this gotta be the most massive Haul that ever come in a single month and the concentration of Mecha related stuff in this batch are no slack either! When It comes to value and bulk, this one gotta be the massive one so far. While Riobot SRX still remains the most expensive single item, I think Metal Build Billbine and SOC Tryon which is the main star of this haul can easily match up to be on par. My Chinese model kit collection got some addition on Heavyweights as well with Hemoxian Lone Shadow and Star Eternal boast a massive Box Size that can give Bandai's Gunpla a run for their money. Interestingly I also got myself a Sembo Brick Model for J-20 which is probably the cheapest among the batch but can still pull its weight. At this rate I think my backlog size is getting quite out of control already despite I already finished on some Chinese Model kit. Should have picked up the slack during the CNY Holiday period. Perhaps I should start workin on the Mecha Musume model kit that I got recently.
 

Sluban Super Mecha Champions Qbrick - Trio of Enders Review

It has been a month since SMC officially closed its server but my homage process for this Mecha series that had its Potential wasted by Netease will not end. Around December last year, I have been acquiring some SMC Qbricks to see what the worth of this particular lineup that managed to run for 2 Waves.

All in All, I managed to acquire 5 of these SMC Qbricks which have some merit for its value and I will be presenting the first out of the five which is Trio of Enders which is one of the better specimen from the lineup. Till the end of SMC Run, Trio of Enders remain my favorite Mecha in SMC with its utilitarian Kit that offers respectable Firepower and Burst damage capability when required. Not particularly flashy, but It will get the job done. I will promise that SMC Qbricks review series will make its regular appearance likely until April 2025.

Vintage Toys - B-Daman Bakugaiden I Super Bomber Armor

 
 Apart from Saint Blaster, there were couple of noteworthy B-Daman toys that made it overseas and In fact even I have one in my possession. One of this notable B-Daman Toys is called Super Bomber Armor which is derived from the first Bakugaiden series. Released back in 90s this one is sold for 3800 Yen being one of the more deluxe category of B-Daman series.

B-Daman Super Bomber Armor consist of 3 B-Daman Bakugaiden vehicle toys which are: Bomber Soarer, Bomber Diver and Bomber Lander representing Sky, Sea and Land vehicles respectively. Together these 3 vehichles can combine to form a Mecha called Super Bomber Armor. When I was a kid I used to have Bomber Soarer and Diver which obviously broke down due to being a shitty brat. Then during my Study in China, I managed to get a complete set which still sat down gathering dusts since I have some plan for repaint. 

While Bakugaiden I are predominantly having assorted variations of Bomberman. Apparently Bakugaiden I did have some more cool Mecha stuff which never caught my attention until my recent research for Bakugaiden series like the Gatling Armor or Blizzard Bomber Armor which perhaps I will discuss on another day. Perhaps I could consider making the mechatalk article for it despite the Roster size will be way smaller compared to Bakugaiden III and IV since I will filter out the non mecha stuff.

Rance 03: Fall of Leazas

Back in 2020, I played and finished Rance 03 Remake during the period of COVID isolation and even did make an article for the game at some point. At the time, I did promise to make full article for this game. But the plan ended up never materialized since I thought I accidentally deleted the in-game assets I collected to make the full article of Rance 03 which totally killed my motivation. However in a strange turns of event, I managed to retrieve the Assets that I thought had been long gone. Thus, just like Sakura Taisen 2, I will make an amend even if it has been overdue for 5 year. Therefore I proudly present Realm of Darkness Rance 03: Fall of Leazas full article!

This article will feature Safe-for-work Rance 03 Storyline overview which will be mostly done through covering the main factions, characters and points of interests in this game. The aim of this relatively lengthy article is to hopefully get people interested with Rance 03 and might as well delve further into this legendary High Fantasy series. Because among many Visual Novel Titles, Rance series are one of the few that can be actually successful without relying on their R-18 contents. Lastly this article revival also owed to the enthusiasm of this Blog’s visitors who seems to show quite an interest with past Rance series articles that are written in Realm of Darkness. This is one of the longer article that this blog had even compared to Kannazuki no Miko mechatalk part 2, so enjoy the read.

30 Minutes Fantasy - Rosan Wizard

30 Minutes Fantasy Lineup is back with something this month and a Fantasy series is never complete without the Wizard Class! Releasing in Liber and Rosan variant as usual, Bandai have unveiled 30 MF Wizard class. This time the Rosan Variant arguable have the better Class up item so it is the one to be featured. Scheduled for September 2025 release, 30 MF Liber/Rosan Wizard will be sold for 2000 Yen along with 700 Yen Class Up item.

Front Mission Structure Arts Plus 1/48 Zenith 30th Anniv Edition

 
 Time goes really fast and never expected Front Mission series has reached its 30th Anniversary! While Square enix no longer make any game for this renowned Mecha Strategy RPG series apart from remaster,  they are releasing Front Mission Model Kits with the help of Kotobukiya! Released as 1/48 Scale under Structure Plus lineup, the Front Mission will start with the Posterboy of FM series, Zenith and this one will come with tons of weapons. Scheduled for July 2025 release, Structure Art Plus Zenith will be sold for 12800 Yen.

Super Mecha Champions Mechatalk: Part 3

 Super Mecha Champions have officially closed down but I haven't forgotten my Promise! I have gathered the necessary assets for SMC Part 3 before the game closed down, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I don't have access with the files until now. SMC Part 3 will feature the Mechas in the game that I was unable to obtain when the game closed down and in terms of roster number, this one will be easily the biggest one which consist of 19 Mechas. Back then I was only able to secure 18 Mecha which is only half of the playable rosters as I only have less than One year worth of time to farm for in-game currencies. While this part will conclude the Mecha side of SMC Mechatalk, I will also commit for the Pilot side as well since I want to do a proper send off for this underrated series that had misfortune being owned by a Soulless Corporation that only cares about profit.

Warhammer 40k Tacticus: Blood Angels Lord Dante LRE announcement

It has been more than a year since my first Warhammer 40k Tacticus post and surprisingly I still survived in this Gacha Game which is quite particularly difficult. I have to say the Requisition rate aka the Gacha from Tacticus gotta be the worst one as your money spent could easily plunged into bottomless pit that nets you nothing valuable. But my attachment toward Warhammer 40k still prove to be stronger and decide to endure the nonsense to see if Tacticus could be a worthy representation for one of the ultimate Male Power Fantasy Sci-fi series on Mobile game platform. In any case, I am using this post to discuss the recent news announcement from Snowprint from Tacticus.

Robox Animation 1/100 Test-70 Bailu Air Combat Review

 
 Bringing up Review section once again after One month of Inactivity! This time I will be going for a Hattrick and review Chinese Model Kit after strings of related Posts. Robox Animation Bailu is not exactly my first acquisition for this category, but I decided to give this particular Model kit a priority boost because it is a good example for Chinese Model kit. Compared to Model kits that I gave a try 10 years ago, the quality of the Present Chinese model kits are not to be trifled with despite it still have its share of Hit or Miss. 

In terms of Aesthetics, Bailu had this kind balanced type Air Cavalry type that got overall parameter of Firepower, Durability and Mobility relatively balanced all over the board. Bailu's sleek design reminds me of Gundam Exia/Astraea line and Bailu could sort of passed as the Flight variant of those two should it be incorporated to Gundamverse. Just like many Chinese model kits, Bailu do come with 4 Jet-fighter type Drones which are stored at its back and waist armor which could have seen some cool dynamic action if the Kit had better Action base.

The very reason I pick Bailu as this time's review, because it is one of the great gateway I come across should anyone interested to get into Chinese model kit. For a 200 RMB price, this kit will offer Solid Value that can easily surpass its Japanese peer. If you are lucky, you can find this one around 40 USD which scores you 24 cm Mecha model kit with Diecast Frame that you can feel the weight. For a Single Bandai's 1/100 HIRM aka High Resolution Model price , you can get 3 of the Chinese Diecast frame counterpart which is definitely a irresistible temptations. While Chinese Model kits still have some flaws like Snapfit issue, given the current quality of their Products available in the market, it is just a matter of time before Chinese manufacturer's collective effort will close the gap. But seriously go give some time to take a look at these Chinese Model Kit lineups.

Jingzhuoshe 1/100 Mandala

Another upcoming Chinese Model kit! This time is less spiky than its usual brethren but still got some gimmick worth a merit. Created by a manufacturer called Jingzhuoshe, Mandala is yet another Gundam-esque Model kit. While it doesn't come with Diecast Frame, this one is relatively cheaper compared to its peers. Scheduled for March 2025 Release, Jingzhuo She 1/100 Mandala will be sold for 139 RMB.

On first glance, Mandala looks like a Real Robot type Gundam but personally I feel that the design resemble quite closely to Wildschwein from SRW OG mostly due to the Backpack proportion and curvy legs. Despite its plain looking real robot appearance, 1/100 Mandala do come with a neat gimmick to pull off some Itano Circus Missile Barrage and the manufacturer do provide the effect parts for the Preorder bonus. Personally the downside from Mandala is the color scheme that is difficult to make this guy look like Protagonist mecha though Wildschwein color scheme will look pretty good for this guy considering we never have any 1/100 representative for this fellow.

Mechatalk: B-Daman Bakugaiden III Bomber Fighter Armor Model Kit List

 
 With Takara Tomy re-releasing their Bakugaiden IV Mecha products starting with White Bros, I got myself motivated and dig further their past B-Daman Toy lineup once again. What captivated me the most from B-Daman lineup was the Bomber Mecha like Saint Blaster which made me a big sucker for Mecha Toys with Pilot Gimmick. But back then I did have a particular B-Daman Model Kit that had slightly different aesthetics with the former and features a B-Daman Mecha Design with Semi-transparent Head cockpit that comes with Mini B-Daman as Icing on top. 

 Upon further digging, my search lead to B-Daman Bakugaiden III which is the previous B-Daman Generations that came before Bakugaiden IV which Saint Blaster belongs to. Released around 1997-1998, those B-Daman Mechas with Semi Transparent Cockpit is called Bomber Fighter Armor. As expected, these are some Pretty good stuffs which lead to products that lead me being a fan of Cockpit gimmick for Mecha toys. While my search doesn't lead me to the exact Model that I had which was probably bootleg version of Type-90 Bomber Fighter, this particular endeavor lead me to quite a Vintage treasure trove! And I would to use an opportunity in my blog to make people have easier time to reconnect with their Childhood nostalgia involving B-Daman.

This article will serve as a repository list for Bomber Fighter Armor products that I come across. Due to the archive nature of this Article, it will be relegated to Mechatalk category. On average these Bomber Armor Model fetched around 500-1300 Yen Price tag back in 97-98 save for the extra large one which costed 4000 Yen. Nevertheless those very cheap B-Daman Mecha toys that still comes with good quality. Perhaps Takara could consider re-release some of the Bakugaiden III Products should the Toysrise Saint Blaster being well received. You can check this Japanese Website for the Cross reference used for this article.

Cang Toys War of the Gods 1/100 Fu Xi

 It is Year of the Snake and China hobby manufacturer strikes hard right after CNY holiday ended! Coming from Cang Toys, we got ourselves a Snake Chinese Gundam Mecha named after Male Progenitor Deity Fu Xi! And just like other previous Chinese model kits, this one will apparently come with Diecast frame! Cang Toys 1/100 Fu Xi will be scheduled for Q4 2025 release with 188 RMB Price tag.

 Seriously Chinese Manufacturer really try to outdone each other! Not long before we were getting a Mecha Model kit with 70 cm Mecha Dragon that tagged along, this time we got a 70 cm Mecha Snake that can turn into Fu Xi's lower torso. Cang Toys 1/100 Fu Xi is a dedicated Melee Mecha that definitely use Altron Gundam as its base and jacked it up to suit Chinese myth aesthetics. Obviously Fu Xi is just one half of the famed Chinese Deity pair and his Consort, Nu Wa will eventually follow up. In terms of Aesthetics, Nu Wa will heavily resemble Shiranui from Super Mecha Champions whether it is coincidence or not.

Sword of Convallaria - Dungeon Meshi Collab

 
 Dungeon Meshi being a Top Tier Fantasy Manga series are very generous for some reason when it comes to lending out its IP for Gacha Game collabs. We have gotten 2-3 Gacha Games last year that had Dungeon Meshi collaboration notably Arknights which Global Server should be having in March next month. Then out of nowhere another Chinese Gacha game called Sword of Convallaria got the Dungeon Meshi collab in which the CN server of the game will get it in 21st Februar 2025. For some reason Convallaria Dungeon Meshi collab does not feature Laios as playable apparently and will have Marcille and Farlin as the Target gacha along with Senshi tagging along.

For this collab announcement alone, I give Sword of Convallaria a try to see what its worth. From what I grasp over one day worth of playtime, Sword of Convallaria is a turn based Strategy Gacha game reminiscent of Tactics Ogre. But the streamlined gameplay mechanics feel like Mercenary Saga. Overall I find the decision for Dungeon Meshi to choose a collab with Convallaria to be a peculiar one since with its popularity, I believe it can choose more popular Gacha game to do collab with. Nevertheless I suppose Dungeon Meshi IP Holder had a reason of its own and put enough faith with Convallaria. Considering the collab announcement are just for CN server so far, I think the Global server will get the collab within few months considering Convallaria just had Half year anniv.

 To me if a Game like Convallaria could secure a collab with Dungeon Meshi, I don't see any reason why Wizardry Daphne unable to get one in the future considering Dungeon Meshi origins are deeply tied with Wizardry. Nevertheless I am hoping the best future for Dungeon Meshi, Convallaria and Wizardry Daphne.

Arknight Nendoroid Mlynar

 
  Looks like the first Arknights Nendoroid for 2025 is here! Unlike Mihoyo with their Genshin, Hypergryph do give their best for at least more consistent output with Arknights. After Silverash representing his Bloodline coming in Nendoroid format couple years ago, Mlynar the representative of Nearl clan now have arrived! Scheduled for June 2025 Release, Nendoroid Mlynar will be sold for 7400 Yen.

Mlynar despite being depicted as burnt out Former Kazimierz knight who gave up his pride and become corporate slave is a worthy Candidate to enter Nendoroid. He is one the best Burst Guard Operator who can give Silver Ash's True Silver Slash a run of his money with his S3 that unleash Wide Range True Damage AOE that will shred anything barring the toughest opponents. The accessories is bare minimum as usual just like previous Arknights Nendos but Mlynar do come with interesting Faceplate choice befitting his circumstances. Too bad I only strictly collect Waifus for Arknights Nendoroid, but I wouldn't min Mlynar's Figma if there are ever one and I will look forward for the rest of the Nearl Bloodlines to join the Nendoroid since Blemishine and Nearl have a good shot to get one with their 6* Operator status.

Wizardry Variant Daphne : Port Town Grand Legion 2nd Abyss 1st run Clear!

 One month to go before the Blade & Bastard collab hailing Wizardry Daphne and New Abyss Dungeon appear to be coming up soon as well. Over past two weeks, I have been grinding my way up to the Second Abyss which is Water based Dungeon filled with Aquatic Deathtraps and Sahagins Fish Demi Human. Overall with proper preparation I have overcome the tribulations that this Dungeon had to offer and managed to clear my first run even if it is not a perfect one which is very acceptable since you need another run for the True Ending anyway.