Voltron 3D Trendmasters Voltron

 Voltron AKA Golion gotta be one of the few Japanese Mecha series with enduring popularity to this day , owing to its success in the west just like Transformers. Given this classic mecha series is a cashcow, obviously there are plenty of Toys renditions dedicated for this guy both cheap and expensive. But in this instance, I would like to cover the one that hold memories to me. It took me years to figure out which version that I had as I only remember the playset gimmick that the Product had. But a random encounter on internet led me to Trendmasters Voltron.

Back in Late 90s, there were plenty of  US Cartoons with wonky 3D animation broadcasted worldwide like Beastwars or Starship Troopers Roughnecks. Voltron was no exception and it got a 3D Cartoon called Voltron the Third Dimension which Trendmasters made a Robot toy for it. What makes Trendmaster version of Voltron notable was its playability gimmick which resemble Micromachines playsets which bestow pilot and shooting action gimmick. Trendmaster Voltron is certainly no way superior compared to Soul of Chogokin or Blitzway version of Voltron but it is good enough to make a Kid like my past self very happy. Heck my fixation toward pilot cockpit gimmick for my Toy product is probably owed to this guy even If I never have the complete set. While I already make peace with never having Trendmaster Voltron anymore, I am still open to a suitable candidate for my Voltron collection though my current budget is not that particularly high at the moment.

Bigfirebuild Bird/Binary Sandroars

 Until recently there is this Chinese manufacturers called Bigfirebird that I overlooked until now. It was not unit I got into the Transformers rabbit hole that I decided to revisit their products. About 2 years ago Bigfirebird made a Mecha Toy product that resembled a Hybrid of Armored Core and Transformers which started with a Jet fighter mecha called Kalavinka. I wasn't able to spare any attention for their product until recently which their particular Tank mecha called Red Jackal caught my attention the most. While that particular product was sold out for quite some time already, Bigfirebird do rerelease this Tank Mecha with a Desert Camo pattern dubbed Sandroar. Scheduled for end Q4 release, Bigfirebird Sandroar will be sold for 380 RMB.

Moshow Progenitor Effect Illustrious Class 1/100 Date Masamune

 As Illustrious class Shingen Takeda have been distributed for the collectors, Moshow is now ready to reveal their 2nd Illustrious Class rendition for their 1/72 Progenitor Effect Diecast Mecha. As expected it is the turn for the Crescent Moon Helm Samurai Mecha, Masamune Date. Scheduled for quick Q4 release, Illustrious Class Date Masamune will be sold for 358 RMB SRP though you can get 268 RMB preorder rate apparently.

While it is not the 1:1 Over the top copy of its Sengoku Basara counterpart, frankly speaking Moshow's version of Date Masamune is no less cool. The Mecha rendition of One eyed Dragon got that main protagonist Mecha treatment with its balanced set of weapon assortments. Just like Takeda Shingen, the illustrious class probably will have some Diecast part on it. Given the order of release, I think Marquis of Wucheng will be likely the next to be released followed up by Lancelot. Hopefully Illustrious class for Lancelot will have alternate color scheme as well so I can double dip.

Kannazuki no Miko Mechatalk: Part Two – Take no Yamikazuchi

The second of the Three-Part Kannazuki no Miko mechatalk is here! Kannazuki no Miko might be a poor excuse of a Mecha anime as the series prefer to focus on Yuri relationships of the Main heroine instead of making proper Mecha series. However, it doesn’t mean that the Mecha department of this series does not have any merit, as the effort by the team that handled this particular part are actually quite apparent despite it is a thankless errand.

Therefore, to reciprocate the earnest labor given for the Mecha that Kannazuki no Miko had, I proudly present the Mechatalk article dedicated for Take no Yamikazuchi! This article will be more extensive compared to your typical Mechatalk articles which is a rarity for this blog these days just to show the respect I have for this Kannazuki no Miko protagonist mecha. Take no Yamikazuchi is the literal MVP Mecha of Kannazuki and the major reason why the Mechatalk for its series exist in the first place. Because despite the poor overall execution of the storyline, Take no Yamikazuchi and his pilot are actually one of those among the many that make it as an exemplary paragon which represents the pure essence of Mecha. 

Cang Toys Twelve Wars 1/12 Samael

 Shortly after Loong product reveal, Cang Toys is showing yet another part of their 12 Chinese Zodiac Mecha Musume lineup! Representing the Snake Zodiac, this one is called Samael but unlike Loong which is a finished Action figure product, Samael will be sold as Plastic model which means a lower price tag. Scheduled for Q2 2025, 1/12 Samael will be sold for 198 RMB.

Goddess of Victory: Nikke

 After resisting the temptation for more than 2 years, I finally give in and decide to give Nikke a try! Of all available timing, I picked my entrance toward one of the heavily marketed Gacha Game right after Evangelion collab. After giving this game a try for almost 3 weeks, as expected Nikke is one of those Gacha game that totally cater to Male Audience with their liberal amount of 2D waifus with their perfect "assets". Shift-Up the dev of this game really goes all-in and perfects the craft of Waifu fanservice as Nikke never run short of Waifus with unrealistic perfect bodies. This game definitely will draw ire from the female audience but the Devs really know what they are doing.

Getter Robo Iron Romance Workshop SRL-01 Getter Akaoni

 Having played SRW for more than Decade and handling many Diecast Toys from this legendary Super Robot series, Getter Robo never got into my strikezone, at least until the recent product. Created by a Chinese Studio called Iron Romance Workshop, they present a unique take for this classic Big Red Superrobot. Taking a spin on Japanese theme, we got ourselves a Getter 1 with Samurai flavor called Getter Akaoni which literally mean Red Demon. Standing 14 cm tall, Iron Romance Workshop's Getter Akaoni will be sold for 399 RMB.

On first glance, Getter Akaoni will stand roughly slightly below SRC Shin Getter. Apart from Samurai makeover which really elevated Getter 1 base design, this particular rendition of Super Robot comes with another gimmick. Getter Robo is probably one of the oldest Combiner Super Robot and Getter Akaoni able to replicate this particular selling point as well. Long Story short, Getter Akaoni can separate itself into 3 Plane units that are piloted by Ryoma, Hayato and Musashi. While Akaoni doesn't have Getter 2 & 3 form, the value that this product tried to offer is more than sufficient considering the past Getter Robo product that tried to replicate the complete transformation gimmick like the Freeing version which did have its share of issues. 

 Time will tell if Iron Romance will consider making the Samurai rendition for Getter 2 and 3 as well, but perhaps for once I will get myself a copy for the Physical representation for Getter Robo because the engineering behind the product is very praiseworthy.

FGO Babylon SPM Ishtar Prize Figure Review

Digging up another of my Old photo batches that never made it to the Review few years ago. During FGO Babylon airing, Sega did pick up several Servant characters to get a Prize Figure treatment. One of them is the popular Tohsaka Rin clone in useless goddess flavor, Ishtar in her Archer Class. By far this is probably one of the most plain renditions for this Archer Class Damegami especially when compared to the Aniplex version, but you still got her "defenseless" fanservice as part of the deal. In near future probably I will do some catch up with my Copy of SPM Ereshkigal which remained unopened for years already.

Hexagear 1/24 Bulkarm Lambda Wolfzerker

 Hexagear is back with another Humanoid mecha and this time it is another continuation of Bulkarms Lambda! Released early this year with a leaner and Elite force build compared to Bulkarms Alpha, Bulkarms Lambda got an upgrade with Wolfzerker unit which makes it a beastly tanky Frontline Unit. Scheduled for March 2025 release, Bulkarms Lambda will be sold for 9300 Yen and for those who had Lambda Jackal before can just an upgrade pack for 2800 Yen.

Without a doubt, Wolfzerker is Kotobukiya's take on Iron Blooded Orphan's Helmwige Reimcar with the obvious Horned Helmet, Great Sword weapon and Bulky upper torso armor. Nevertheless Wolfzerker's Main weapon has interesting design which can be swapped into Mace or Greatsword based on Kotobukiya's default configuration. Wolfzerker's design makes the original Bulkarms Lambda look more aggressive which still somehow fits nonetheless. I wouldn't mind if Kotobukiya make a Sniper variant for Bulkarms Lambda as It will complement the real robot design quite well.

Shurato Yolopark AMK Pro Shura Oh Shurato

 Abandoned by their own Japanese creators for so long, Tenku Senki Shurato got yet another chance again by Chinese manufacturers! Renowned for their Transformers model kit portfolio, Yolopark decided to give Shurato series a try and the result appear to look impressive! Released as part of AMK lineup which apparently an abbreviation of "Assembled Model Kit" Yolopark Shurato will be scheduled for Q4 2024 release with 65 USD price tag though the Japanese release cost almost 20000 Yen most likely due to licensing nonsense.

Despite the product is designated as Modelkit, Yolopark AMK Shurato is actually preassembled like Saint Seiya and Yoroiden Diecast product. It is just that Shurato's main body unit are separated like some sort of crime victim for some reason and just require some minor Snap Fit. The sculpt Quality is no doubt very good which is evident with Yolopark's experience in the industry. Few years ago a Chinese company called Dasin did have a go with Shurato, but Yolopark definitely wins out this time. If I didn't have the Kidslogic diecast which still remained untouched to this day, I would have certainly picked Shurato. As for the 20000 Yen price tag nonsense for Japan release, Tatsunoko are just behaving like a goddamn parasite despite never bother to work on Shurato IP for more than 30 years.