Zoids x Monster Hunter Wild Liger Zinogre

Monster Hunter is back with another collaboration project with Takara Tomy. Following the Rathalos-themed Optimus Prime from the Transformers lineup, the latest crossover brings the franchise into the world of Zoids. This time, the recipient is none other than Zinogre, the fan-favorite thunder wolf wyvern, reimagined using the iconic Wild Liger body frame. Scheduled for release in February 2027, the Zoids Wild Liger Zinogre will be sold for for 7,000 yen.

Wild Liger Zinogre offers exactly what one would expect from a pre-assembled Zoids release: a mechanical interpretation of one of Monster Hunter’s most recognizable monsters. To help justify its price point, the model includes pilot-related gimmicks as well as LED lighting effects. The design itself appears to be a faithful fusion of Zinogre’s signature silhouette with the mechanical aesthetics of the Zoids franchise.

The recent surge of Monster Hunter crossover merchandise is interesting to observe. My impression is that Capcom recognizes the franchise is no longer enjoying the explosive momentum it had at its peak. While Monster Hunter remains a successful and highly recognizable series, it does not seem to command the same level of excitement and cultural presence that it once did. Expanding into collaborations and collector-oriented merchandise may be one way to maintain visibility and engagement beyond the games themselves.

As someone who once followed Monster Hunter passionately for a decade, I feel the series has gradually drifted away from many of the qualities that originally made it special. The modern entries have found a much larger audience, but they often pursue a different design philosophy from the one that drew me into the franchise in the first place. Unless Capcom ever decides to revisit that era through something like a proper remake of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, I will probably remain on the sidelines as a player while continuing to watch the series from afar.

Shurato Kidslogic Combat Nations 02: Yasha-Oh Gai Review

Going back-to-back after Shura-Oh Shurato, here is the second and final review of the Kids Logic Shurato lineup: Yasha-Oh Gai!

Compared to my copy of Shurato, Yasha-Oh Gai has remained in noticeably better condition over the years, making it a more satisfying piece to revisit as a collector. That said, it still shares many of the same limitations as its counterpart, particularly in terms of articulation and overall playability.

Ultimately, I decided to part with both of these rare Shurato figures, which I originally acquired during my student days in Beijing. There were several reasons behind this decision. Most notably, Kids Logic never continued the lineup beyond these releases, leaving little hope for a complete collection.

In contrast, Yolopark has offered a more modern alternative with improved engineering and a stronger commitment to completing the cast. Given the value these figures provided relative to the space they occupied in my collection, I no longer had a compelling reason to keep them. Fortunately, I was able to find a fellow collector who was willing to give them a new home.

As a character, Yasha-Oh Gai serves as an excellent foil to Shurato in this short-lived lineup. Once Shurato's closest friend, Gai eventually turns against him after falling under the influence of evil forces. His eventual redemption and decision to aid Shurato in the finale remains one of the more memorable emotional moments of the series, even if its execution was not always as strong as it could have been.

Interestingly, I chose to skip Yolopark's version of Gai, as I have focused primarily on collecting the protagonist side of the Shurato cast. That said, if I come across a reasonably priced copy in the future, I may still consider adding him to the collection.

Starting Yx IX: Monstrum Nox

 

After finishing my journey through Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, I immediately continued with its successor, Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. After spending several hours with the game, I have reached a point where I can begin forming some initial impressions.

Considering that Ys VIII elevated the series to a new level for Falcom, my expectations for Monstrum Nox were deliberately modest. So far, those expectations have largely been met. The game's overarching narrative feels noticeably weaker, and the transition from the vibrant tropical landscapes of Seiren Island to the gray prison city of Balduq inevitably feels like a downgrade in terms of atmosphere. Visually, the city's gothic aesthetic sometimes comes across as an unconvincing blend of Persona 5's urban style and Bloodborne's dark fantasy, without quite matching the identity of either.

That said, Falcom has earned its reputation as one of the JRPG industry's most dependable developers, so I remain optimistic that Monstrum Nox will have something meaningful to offer as the story unfolds. The game clearly shows signs of being developed under tighter production constraints than its predecessor, yet I suspect there is more beneath the surface for longtime Ys fans.

One aspect I continue to find interesting is how several of Monstrum Nox's gameplay ideas appear to have anticipated mechanics that later became prominent in Genshin Impact, particularly its emphasis on vertical exploration and character mobility. If a developer like Mihoyo found ideas worth building upon from this title, then Monstrum Nox likely succeeded in doing something right, even if it may not initially leave as strong an impression as Ys VIII.

Gundam Seed Freedom Lucrea Athrun Zala Scale Figure

Since the release of Gundam SEED Freedom few years ago, Athrun Zala has finally received some long-overdue attention. I believe it has been well over a decade since MegaHouse last released a scale figure of one of the most popular protagonists from the Gundam SEED series. Now, the company is bringing Athrun back under its Lucrea lineup, featuring him in his SEED Freedom pilot suit. Scheduled for release in January 2027, the Lucrea Athrun Zala figure will be sold for 8,000 yen.

Considering the current PVC figure market, I expect the overall quality of this Lucrea release to be only slightly above that of a prize figure or a Pop Up Parade figure. Even so, it is still a welcome addition to the merchandise lineup for arguably the most reliable main character in Gundam SEED, especially when compared to the older Banpresto scale figure.

I will definitely be picking one up, as my Metal Build Justice Gundam needs a proper pilot representation, and this option feels far more reasonable than the Premium Bandai S.H.Figuarts release. Given that Cagalli's prototype was recently revealed, I am also fairly confident that Athrun's partner will be joining the Lucrea lineup in the near future.

Hardcore Mecha

It took me longer than expected to write this article, but as always, better late than never. This time, I would like to dedicate a full article to Hardcore Mecha, a noteworthy mecha game that I played earlier this year.

Developed by RocketPunch Studio, Hardcore Mecha serves as an early showcase that Chinese developers were capable of creating a console-quality game aimed at a global audience, particularly within the niche mecha genre. It was an ambitious project that sought to elevate the modern mecha action game, only to fade into relative obscurity shortly after release due to circumstances that ultimately stretched beyond the studio's capabilities.

Within the capacity of Realm of Darkness, this article serves as a small effort to preserve and document Hardcore Mecha for what it is worth.

SRWOG HG Alteisen Riese

Given Bandai’s firm grip on the SRW OG IP and the multiple releases they have already produced, this feels like the next obvious step. It has been more than a decade since Kotobukiya released Alteisen Riese, the upgraded form of Alteisen, and now Bandai is finally presenting its own take on the iconic mecha. Scheduled for release in December 2026, the HG Alteisen will be sold for 6,800 Yen.

Bandai has not revealed much about the kit yet, but with a suggested retail price roughly 2,000 Yen higher than Kotobukiya’s version, we can likely expect some significant improvements. I still own my Kotobukiya Alteisen Riese, which I fully repainted, so I am well aware of the limitations that older kit had. Even so, I would not mind double-dipping on this release, as I am very curious to see how Bandai has modernized the model kit design. Most likely, I would end up repainting it in the Nacht color scheme as well.

Blame!

Twenty years ago, I came across a particular manga called Blame!, a work that offered an unusual yet deeply fascinating reading experience. Fast forward to the present, I revisited the manga and finally finished the series that would go on to define Tsutomu Nihei’s career. In short, Blame! is a post-human dystopian adventure that exists at the farthest edge of the sci-fi spectrum, a place very few manga have ever managed to reach.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Playthrough Complete!

For almost the entire span of June, I spent a significant amount of time playing Ys VIII. As expected from a Ys title that has gained strong global mainstream recognition, this entry truly lives up to its reputation. It delivers what feels like a AAA experience for a long-running JRPG series, both in production value and narrative ambition. Without a doubt, it is easily one of the best JRPGs of the 2010s.

Lacrimosa of Dana truly sets a new pinnacle for the Ys series, establishing itself as one of the overall “best” entries to date. Falcom clearly went all in on this project, pushing the production value to a level they can probably only achieve once in a decade.

Shurato Kidslogic Combat Nations 01: Shura-Oh Shurato Review

Shurato Kidslogic Combat Nations 01: Shura-Oh Shurato

Finally, I get to revisit one of my older collections that has been sitting in storage for more than ten years: the Shurato die-cast action figure from Hong Kong-based manufacturer Kids Logic.

Given the less-than-ideal storage conditions, my copy has suffered some noticeable degradation over the years. Nonetheless, I wanted to take one last look at what this series has to offer before parting with it.

Overall, Kids Logic followed a design philosophy similar to the Saint Seiya SCM lineup, featuring articulated action figures with removable die-cast armor parts. As a result, this figure shares many of the same shortcomings as the SCM series, most notably its limited articulation and posing capabilities.

Beyond the posing issues, my copy has also developed noticeable yellowing despite never being exposed to direct sunlight. While yellowing is a common problem for predominantly white plastic figures, it remains disappointing to see it affect a collectible of this caliber. This was ultimately one of the main reasons I decided to let go of the series.

On the bright side, the Yolopark AMK Pro lineup appears to address many of the engineering and articulation issues that plagued the Kids Logic release. I'm looking forward to exploring those improvements in a future review.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Vulkan He’stan

 

One might be slightly disappointed that this release isn’t the Primarch Vulkan himself, but it remains an excellent addition to the Salamanders faction. Among the recent wave of named Space Marine elite releases in Joytoy Warhammer 40k portfolio, Vulkan He’stan joins the lineup. Scheduled for release in August 2026, the JoyToy 1/18 scale Vulkan He’stan will retail for around 75 USD.

Sharing the name of the Salamanders’ Primarch, Vulkan He’stan is a former 4th Company Captain who was elevated to the rank of Forgefather, one of the most prestigious positions within the Chapter. In this role, he is entrusted with recovering the relics of Primarch Vulkan, a sacred duty tied to the hope of the Primarch’s eventual return. Through this quest, He’stan has recovered several of Vulkan’s relics, most notably the Spear of Vulkan.

Vulkan He’stan is arguably one of the most striking Salamanders Space Marine figures released by JoyToy to date. Given his prestigious role, he comes equipped with impressive wargear such as the Spear of Vulkan, making him a standout centerpiece for any Salamanders collection and a fitting addition while awaiting the eventual release of Primarch Vulkan.

I’m very likely to pick this one up, especially since I already have Adrax Agatone and Salamanders remain one of my favorite Space Marine Chapters.

Gundam Sentinel 1/100 MG Gundam Mk V [Earth Federation Force Color]

Previously released as a P-Bandai exclusive, the MG Gundam Mk-V returns once again in a new color variant dubbed the Earth Federation Force Color, now featuring a predominantly white color scheme. As expected, this cooler alternate version remains locked behind the Premium Bandai label, just like the previous iteration. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the MG 1/100 Gundam Mk-V will be sold for 9,000 Yen.

Aside from the new color scheme, this version of the Gundam Mk-V also includes a redesigned beam rifle that appears to be a higher-output type similar to the one used by the Asshimar. The white color palette makes the design strongly resemble the Silver Bullet from Gundam Unicorn, which is hardly surprising considering the Gundam Mk-V and Döven Wolf share a closely related technological lineage.

Given the pricing and the usual Premium Bandai markup, this kit will likely become prohibitively expensive for overseas collectors. Because of that, I will probably look toward alternative options instead, with the NXEDGE STYLE figure line suddenly becoming a rather appealing choice.

Armored Trooper Votoms Hi-Metal R Brutish Dog

 

Tamashii Nations continues to expand its Armored Trooper VOTOMS lineup once again. Following the release of Chirico Cuvie and his iconic Scopedog, it is now Fyana’s turn to join the Hi-Metal R series alongside her signature Brutish Dog. Scheduled for release in October 2020, the Hi-Metal R Brutish Dog retailed for 20,000 yen.

In the series, the Brutish Dog is a customized, lightly armed Scopedog distinguished by its striking reddish-pink color scheme. Piloted by the genetically engineered supersoldier Fyana, the machine delivers performance far beyond what its modest loadout would suggest, giving Chirico more than a few difficult battles throughout the story. Despite initially meeting as enemies, Fyana and Chirico eventually develop a deep relationship, only for tragedy to separate them in the end.

Like the Hi-Metal R Scopedog, the Brutish Dog also includes a pilot figure of Fyana. While the miniature figure is a welcome addition, the sculpt quality naturally falls short of what collectors would expect from a dedicated character action figure. Still, the inclusion adds extra display value and helps complete the package. With Fyana and the Brutish Dog making it into the line, there is now a strong possibility that Ypsilon and his Strike Dog could eventually receive the Hi-Metal R treatment as well.

Kaitian Jichuang 1/12 Mecha Angel – Black Swan Alicia

 

Another impressive mecha musume model kit emerges from China’s growing hobby industry: Kaitian Jichuang presents Black Swan Alicia, a sleek black mecha musume exuding strong main-heroine vibes. Scheduled for a Q2 2026 release, this kit will sold for for 238 RMB.

FGO Lostbelt 7: Nahui Mictlan Clear!

It has been almost a year and a half since Lostbelt 7: Nahui Mictlan was released, and I have finally cleared it. It took me about the same level of procrastination as I had with finishing LB6. Surprisingly, I was able to complete this singularity over a weekend, despite being at a low point in my frustration with FGO’s absurd gacha systems. Nevertheless, I am genuinely impressed by what LB7 had to offer. I initially assumed LB6 would remain the peak of the Lostbelt arc in terms of Nasu’s writing, despite its flaws and structural baggage. However, LB7 ultimately feels like the stronger of the two, delivering comparable writing quality in a leaner and more efficient narrative structure.

Hokuto No Ken SHF Kenshiro

 

After many manufacturers have taken a shot at this legendary series, Tamashii Nations has finally joined the world of Fist of the North Star. As expected, the first release is none other than the invincible successor of Hokuto Shinken himself, Kenshiro, arriving as an SHF action figure. Scheduled for release in November 2026, SHF Kenshiro will retail for 9,500 yen.

SHF Kenshiro comes with accessories similar to previous Kenshiro figures. Since he is primarily a martial artist character, the essentials are expressive faceplates and multiple hand variants. However, this version seems to lean more heavily into fierce and aggressive facial expressions, helping it stand apart from earlier releases. For collectors who missed previous Kenshiro figures, this SHF release looks like an excellent alternative. While it may not necessarily become the definitive rendition of Kenshiro, the SHF line remains a dependable middle-ground option in terms of quality, articulation, and affordability.

Given the enduring popularity of Fist of the North Star, it would not be surprising to see other iconic characters especially Raoh receive their own SHF releases in the future.