Hardcore Mecha Mechatalk Part 2: Steel Dawn Catalogue

Moving on to Part 2 of my Hardcore Mecha Mechatalk series, this entry focuses on Steel Dawn, the game’s primary antagonist faction. As usual, the Mechatalk is organized according to the main mecha development branches and surprisingly, Steel Dawn’s lineup is quite diverse for what is essentially a rebel force.

Steel Dawn is a heavily armed rogue terrorist organization seeking to force Mars’ secession from the Earth Government. The group is led by the ambitious mercenary Xerxes Nomad, a man willing to employ any means necessary to achieve his vision even at the cost of innocent lives.

Given its status as a non-state actor without the same level of funding as the Earth Government army, Steel Dawn’s forces are predominantly ground-based and rely heavily on conventional projectile weaponry. Their designs reflect practicality and battlefield efficiency rather than technological extravagance.

That said, the faction is far from underpowered. Steel Dawn allocates significant resources toward heavily customized units for its ace pilots and even fields high-mobility aerial machines such as the Halberd series. At the top of the hierarchy, its leaders command their own Mobile Armor class units  effectively one-man armies that rival government superweapons.

Hopefully it won’t take too long for me to wrap up the Mechatalk article for Thunderbolt, along with the main Hardcore Mecha overview.

Girls Frontline Fire Control

I picked up this particular Girls’ Frontline spin-off last year but only started giving it proper attention over the past month. Although it isn’t developed directly by the team behind GFL2: Exilium, it still offers enough appeal to attract both long-time Girls’ Frontline fans and more casual players.

Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control is essentially a MOBA with mechanics adapted to fit the GFL universe. Since the Girls’ Frontline series is a popular gacha franchise centered on anthropomorphized firearm “waifus,” Fire Control integrates light FPS elements to stay true to the brand’s identity. However, at its core, it remains a MOBA experience.

One of the game’s strengths is allowing players to use well-known T-Dolls from the original title, with their weapon classes naturally translating into MOBA roles. My current mainstay is WA2000 known as Makiatto in GFL2, the classic tsundere red-haired sniper rifle who fills the ADC role in Fire Control. The role transition feels seamless and faithful to her original identity.

Personally, I think Fire Control works well as a casual MOBA alternative. For it to survive and thrive long term, however, consistent content updates will be crucial especially new stages and the addition of fan-favorite T-Dolls to keep the existing fanbase engaged. With major names like HK416, UMP45 and Type 95 still available to headline updates, the game has strong potential to maintain momentum. The recent QoL improvements seen in GFL2: Exilium may also indirectly strengthen confidence in the broader franchise.

To me, Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control demonstrates that a successful gacha franchise can transition into the MOBA format to reach a broader casual audience while retaining its core fans. If successful, perhaps other major gacha titles such as Fate/Grand Order might one day experiment with similar diversification strategies.

Patlabor RG 1/48 AV-98 Ingram Plus

 

Mobile Police Patlabor is one of those classic mecha franchises that has remained relatively dormant for years. While occasional merchandise releases such as the MODEROID kits have kept the name alive, the last major release into the model kit scene was likely Bandai’s 3,000-yen Master Grade from the early 2000s. Fast forward to 2026, and seemingly out of nowhere, Bandai has announced a brand-new kit of the iconic AV-98 Ingram, this time in Real Grade format. Scheduled for release in June 2026 at 5,500 yen, the RG Ingram represents a significant and somewhat unexpected upgrade for the franchise.

WASA x Evangelion - EVA 02 Blindbox Review

One of last month’s impulse purchases was this blind box figure from a local OHSOME store. I’ll admit, it’s teetering on the edge of buyer’s remorse. I’m not exactly a big fan of Evangelion, even though I managed to grab this at a bargain price. I guess curiosity got the better of me.

The WASA Blind Box line falls into the “designer toy” category. Before acquiring the Evangelion license, WASA produced astronaut-mecha themed figures. After securing the Evangelion IP, they released this series. Out of the available EVA units, I ended up with Asuka’s EVA-02, probably one of the better pulls for fans, considering Asuka remains surprisingly popular to this day.

As a collector, the WASA Evangelion Blind Box isn’t exactly my type. I’m generally not into designer toys, and for around $10, there are arguably stronger alternatives on the market. That said, WASA positions itself as a mid-range Chinese blind box brand, and the build quality does feel slightly more premium than typical budget releases.

Apparently, they also released a combiner variant within the Evangelion series, though that version isn’t particularly cheap either.

Arknights Nendoroid Dusk

 

Arknights: Endfield may be generating plenty of buzz right now, but Hypergryph hasn’t forgotten about the original Arknights series when it comes to merchandise. The franchise is getting yet another Nendoroid, and this time Hypergryph has decided to continue the Sui Siblings lineup. Following Shu, the reclusive yet immensely talented painter Dusk is next to receive the Nendoroid treatment. Scheduled for release in October 2026, Nendoroid Dusk will retail for 6,800 yen.

30 Minutes Fantasy Meteoric Iron Samurai / Shogun

 

The 30 Minutes Fantasy lineup has finally ventured into the exotic oriental archetype. As a JRPG-inspired model kit series, the Samurai class was always one of the most anticipated additions to 30MF. Dubbed the Meteoric Iron Samurai, this new oriental branch breaks away from the established Liber/Rozan faction mold, much like the Nekros Knight did further expanding the creative spectrum of this promising lineup. Scheduled for release in September 2026, the 30MF Meteoric Iron Samurai will retail at 2,200 yen.

SRW OG Flame Toys [Kuro Karakuri] Weissritter

It has been quite some time since Flame Toys released their version of Alteisen, and now they are finally unveiling their take on Weissritter. As expected, the iconic protagonist mecha of Super Robot Wars OG wouldn’t feel complete without its partner unit. Scheduled for release in August 2026, Flame Toys’ Weissritter will carry a hefty price tag of 45,000 yen.

As usual, Flame Toys products are positioned firmly in the premium range, which naturally limits their target audience. Pound for pound, the value still doesn’t quite surpass comparable releases from CCS Toys. While Flame Toys’ Alteisen at least included the Shishio Blade as an extra weapon to help justify its high price, Weissritter appears to come with little more than a carbine handgun, which feels rather underwhelming given the cost.

At this point, I’m hoping CCS Toys will eventually return to the SRW OG lineup. With 20 years has passed since OGs release,we could also use some port series for OGs.

Transformers x Evangelion - Evangelion Prime 01

Transformers and Evangelion are two pop-culture franchises that often show up in crossover collaborations, so it was only a matter of time before they met and the result is definitely worth the wait. Takara Tomy has announced an exciting new release: Evangelion Prime, an Optimus Prime figure themed after Evangelion Unit-01. It’s scheduled for release in August 2026, priced at ¥11,000. 

Gundam Gqux Metal Robot Spirits Xavier's Custom Gyan

In early 2026, Bandai appears to have largely wrapped up the Gundam Gqux series, but not before giving one of its standout mobile suits the premium treatment. The Gyan Xavier Custom is getting the Metal Robot Spirits (MRS) release and as expected, it’s a P-Bandai exclusive. The price is nothing to scoff at, suggesting Bandai is making the most of the IP before moving on. Scheduled for July 2026, the MRS Gyan Xavier Custom will retail for 26,000 yen.

If the original Gyan felt somewhat underrated in the Universal Century anime, Gqux certainly gave this Gelgoog rival more time to shine. Loosely inspired by the High Mobility Gyan variant, the Gqux version is portrayed as a high-performance elite mobile suit capable of taking down the formidable Big Zam Mobile Armor through coordinated attacks. In the series, one of the Gyans is piloted by Xavier Olivette, a young and promising Zeon pilot occasionally naïve, but ultimately dedicated and full of potential.

That said, 26,000 yen is a steep asking price for a Metal Robot Spirits release of the Gyan, especially when the much larger Gqux Mobile Armor, Kikeroga, is priced at around 32,000 yen. While the Gqux redesign of the Gyan is undeniably sleek and impressive, the cost may give collectors pause.

At this rate, Bandai could very well give G-Fred the Metal Robot Spirits treatment next, squeezing out a bit more momentum from Gqux before shifting focus to the next Gundam project.

Martian Successor Nadesico 1/7 Ruri Hoshino

Martian Successor Nadesico may be a dormant IP these days, but that doesn’t mean its best waifu can’t still get new merchandise. Ruri Hoshino is getting a new 1/7 scale PVC figure from Good Smile Company, and she looks stunning in her iconic young battleship captain getup from Prince of Darkness , one of the peak designs of the 90s. The figure is scheduled for release in October 2026 and will be priced at 18,000 yen. 

Ruri stands out as one of the best teen heroine designs in mecha anime of her era, a testament to the skill of her character designer. Her transition from Nadesico to Prince of Darkness captures her growth beautifully. Ruri becomes the epitome of the “young maiden falling in love” archetype, as she gradually develops feelings for Akito, the main character of Nadesico, a relationship that is emotionally complicated and borderline forbidden. Interestingly, the voice actors for Akito and Ruri are married in real life as well.

Transformers Blokees Defender Devastator Review

It’s time to review one of the most elusive products from Blokees Transformers until recently: Blokees Defender Devastator! Early in the release, the add-on parts necessary to form the Devastator combiner experienced supply issues with local distributors. For a time, the official Blokees store in the region even enforced a minimum purchase of $50 to obtain the combiner parts. Naturally, this caused some frustration among the local fanbase. Though, in my opinion, some of them did take things too far.

As a collector with some industry experience, personally I don’t think Blokees Devastator really worth the drama. The item was still obtainable within a reasonable term, as long as you avoided FOMO-driven impulse buying and recognized that the consumer market in a developing country is not directly comparable to the U.S. market. It was, however, amusing to see the first-batch units resold for over $20 when supplies were scarce.

From a design perspective, Blokees Defender Devastator is a smart, minimalistic engineering feat. It transforms a set of Devastator vehicles with minimal gimmicks into a 17 cm combiner robot, offering respectable playability for its size. The price point is modest, but the product punches well above its weight.

And Blokees seems to have learned from the initial supply issues, so I expect future releases for Bruticus to be smoother and less dramatic. One thing I just noticed from review Blokees Devastator, Defender lineup doesn’t yet include the complete Devastator team in mecha form. So I’ll be waiting for them to finish the full lineup, just as they did with the Galaxy series.

Girls Frontline 2 Exilium 1/7 Springfield Queen in Radiance

The Girls’ Frontline series may not be the fastest when it comes to releasing merchandise, but the pacing has been steady and respectable. With the help of Kotobukiya, Springfield in her formal dress is finally getting the spotlight as a 1/7 scale figure. Scheduled for release in September 2026, the figure is priced at 25,000 yen.

This rendition faithfully recreates Springfield’s GFL2 skin, “Queen in Radiance.” As expected, the scale figure sits on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to its peers much like the skin itself in Exilium, where it remains one of the most expensive options available for direct purchase. The pricing feels fitting, considering the level of detail and the premium presentation of this version.

Springfield has long been a fan favorite within the GFL community, largely due to her strong maternal aura among the many “waifus” in the franchise. Despite the series having no shortage of characters with a similar archetype, Springfield continues to stand out and maintain her popularity.

Before reuniting with the Commander in GFL2, Springfield successfully ran a coffee shop alongside some of the Commander’s former T-Dolls. However, she is far from being just a gentle café owner. Springfield remains a combat-ready T-Doll with her own arsenal, fully prepared for large-scale firefights whenever duty calls.

Genshin Impact Nendoroid Xiao

It’s hard to believe it’s already been half a year since I stepped away from Genshin. Yet the slow pace of Genshin merchandise releases continues. Four months after Nendoroid Kaeya, we now have the Yaksha General himself, Xiao! Scheduled for release in December 2026, Nendoroid Xiao is priced at 7,500 yen.

At this point, I’m honestly puzzled by HoYoverse’s continued confidence in what feels like a half-hearted approach to merchandise for one of their formerly dominant IPs. There was a time when Genshin’s popularity could justify almost anything, but goodwill from the early fanbase has clearly burnt out completely by this time. The pacing and perceived effort behind these releases don’t exactly inspire excitement.

Moshow Progenitor Effect Illustrious Class 1/100 Tyrant Bolt

Moshow is back with their 1/100 scale diecast mecha lineup! This time, they’ve redesigned the Tyrant mecha into a new variant dubbed Tyrant Bolt. Sporting an all-new color scheme and a different weapon loadout, Tyrant Bolt will be priced at 398 RMB and is scheduled for release in Q2 2026.

The Illustrious Class Tyrant Bolt features a unique equipment set compared to the standard Tyrant Squad. Instead of conventional firearms, this variant comes equipped with engineering tools such as a giant drill, a mechanical claw, and a backpack-mounted laser. For some reason, it also includes a greatsword, an unusual choice for an exploratory engineering mecha. The overall aesthetics of Tyrant Bolt also remind me of the Jesta Cannon and JoyToy’s North 04 mecha.

Lastly, if Tyrant can receive its own special version as a single unit, I wouldn’t be surprised if Moshow’s Illustrious Class Guardsman gets a similar treatment in the future.

Megaman X 1/12 Sigma Model Kit

Kotobukiya’s Mega Man X model kit lineup has finally reached Sigma! As the eternal recurring archvillain of the series, Sigma has often been overlooked in terms of physical collectibles. The last major figure of him was Bandai’s Figuarts Zero statue, released over a decade ago. Kotobukiya’s new model kit, released in 1/12 scale, will retail for 12,000 yen and is scheduled for June 2026.

Don’t be misled by the scale: Sigma easily reaches over 20 cm tall, making him an impressively towering figure. That kind of size suits an archvillain well. After all, his defining trait is not just persistence, but an uncanny ability to resist death. Kotobukiya’s version recreates Sigma’s Mega Man X1 appearance, complete with his cape and beam saber.

Before becoming the iconic villain he is known for, Sigma was a charismatic Maverick Hunter leader who took X under his care. His fate took a dramatic turn after he was infected by a virus during his encounter with a berserk Zero, ultimately becoming the leader of the Mavericks.

Looking back, Sigma’s story reminds me of Warhammer 40K’s Horus Lupercal. Both characters are charismatic leaders who embody humanity’s hope, only to fall into tragic corruption and become symbols of absolute evil. Given several loose similarities, I wouldn’t be surprised if Capcom’s development team drew inspiration from Warhammer 40K during Mega Man X’s inception. And, perhaps it’s no coincidence that X and the Ultramarinesbecame the iconic poster figures of their respective series for being blue.