Beast King War God The Gattai Dandivine

 

With Masami Ōbari’s new Super Robot series set to launch in 2026, Good Smile Company has been quick to announce the release of the series’ titular mecha, Dandivine. Two product lines are planned: the more affordable MODEROID series and the premium THE GATTAI line. This article will focus on the latter. Scheduled for release in October 2026, THE GATTAI Dandivine is priced at ¥29,500.

Overall, Dandivine is a mecha design that feels very much in line with expectations from veteran mecha director and designer Masami Ōbari. The design strongly evokes the 1990s Heisei-era Super Sentai combination mecha, with clear influences reminiscent of Gaoranger’s GaoKing and Gingaiger’s GingaiOh, while also carrying hints of Dairanger’s DairenOh. The humanoid core unit further reinforces that classic “lead mecha” aesthetic typical of Ōbari’s style.

Personally, the Dandivine design aligns very well with my taste, although I will likely observe the series from a distance before committing to a purchase, since the anime has not yet fully aired. If the overall production quality matches Ōbari’s earlier work such as Gravion, I may consider picking it up during a later reissue or rerun.

Yx IX: Monstrum Nox playthrough complete!

Roughly two weeks after finishing Ys VIII, I completed my journey through Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, currently the latest entry in Adol Christin's timeline. While I did not enjoy it as much as Ys VIII, Monstrum Nox ultimately proves itself a worthy addition to the continuity of the Ys series.

My first impression of Monstrum Nox was rather mixed. Initially, it felt like a shallow hybrid of Bloodborne and Persona 5, borrowing elements from both without matching the thematic depth of either. However, the game gradually redeems itself during its final chapters. The massive lore revelations toward the climax significantly elevate the experience and compensate for what is otherwise a slow-paced and uneven narrative. Although Ys IX follows a structure similar to Ys VIII, it falls short of reaching the same emotional and narrative highs. Even so, it succeeds as a transitional entry that serve as Falcom’s anchor to revisit with the series' past while laying the groundwork for Adol's future adventures.

In many ways, Monstrum Nox feels like Falcom's testing ground for ideas that will likely become important in future titles. The game introduces expanded concepts that could prove valuable when Falcom eventually revisits Ys V, while also establishing narrative foundations for Adol's long-awaited journey into the Romun region. If that arc becomes the culmination of Toshihiro Kondo's long-term vision for the series, Ys IX may ultimately be remembered as an important stepping stone rather than a standalone masterpiece.

For that reason, although I did not enjoy Monstrum Nox as much as Ys VIII, I appreciate what Falcom attempted to accomplish for the broader continuity of the Ys universe. Its ambitions occasionally exceed what the game is able to deliver, preventing it from reaching the same caliber as its predecessor. Nevertheless, I believe Ys IX has the potential to benefit from an expanded re-release much like Persona 5 Royal that revisits its ideas, strengthens its pacing, and further develops its existing content.

Orange Cat 1/100 Estailev Neamhain Review

 

 The other Estailev model kit that I assembled a few months ago. I was initially more excited about this samurai-inspired mecha variant, but in the end, Cassowary proved to be the better value. Even so, despite being the weaker Estailev release, Neamhain remains an excellent example of what Chinese model kit manufacturers are capable of producing, provided you can still secure a copy.

Looking back, I was quite fortunate to pick up Estailev Neamhain for under USD 30. At that price, it was an absolute bargain for a Master Grade-scale model kit. These days, however, you can expect to pay at least USD 40 for a comparable product. Rising export costs, shifting trade conditions, and currency factors have significantly reduced the pricing advantages that Chinese manufacturers once enjoyed. If you manage to find a copy of Neamhain for under thirty bucks today, consider yourself very lucky.

Megaman X Hiyatoys 1/12 Sigma Action Figure

Hiya Toys returns with another addition to its growing Mega Man X lineup. After releasing the series' iconic protagonists, X and Zero, at a steady pace, the company has now turned its attention to the franchise's longtime antagonist, Sigma. Scheduled for release in Q3 2027, the figure will be sold approximately $100 USD.

Given the price point, I expect Hiya Toys' Sigma to be considerably larger than its previously released X and Zero figures. Even so, the figure appears to offer strong value despite costing only slightly more than its heroic counterparts.

One of the biggest selling points is the impressive metallic finish showcased in the promotional images. For many collectors, this alone may justify spending the extra 5,000 yen compared to Kotobukiya's Sigma model kit, which generally requires painting and additional work to achieve a comparable appearance. Furthermore, Hiya Toys has opted for a fabric cape rather than rigid plastic parts, giving Sigma a more dynamic and regal presence befitting the immortal leader of the Mavericks.

If I were a diehard Mega Man X fan, Hiya Toys' Sigma would certainly have my attention despite Kotobukiya's version having the advantage of reaching the market first. While the future of the Mega Man X franchise remains uncertain, this figure serves as a strong reminder of why Sigma remains one of gaming's most memorable recurring villains. In many ways, he is the Mega Man X equivalent of Horus Lupercal, a charismatic and imposing antagonist whose presence continues to define the series long after its peak years.

Chouseishin Gransazer Magi Arts Sazer Tarius

 Chouseishin Gransazer was quite an anomaly among tokusatsu series during the early to mid-2000s. Before the Japanese entertainment industry largely consolidated the genre around Super Sentai and Kamen Rider, there were several unique outliers, with Gransazer being one of the most notable. Its premise was particularly fascinating: a large ensemble of heroes themed around the Western zodiac constellations. In many ways, it felt like Super Sentai blended with the mythological flavor of Saint Seiya.

Following the release of the modest Plamatea plastic model kit of the main protagonist, Sazer Tarius, the character is now receiving a fully articulated action figure from Magi Arts. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the figure will be sold for 8,800 yen.

For a non-Bandai action figure, the asking price is surprisingly affordable. This appears to reflect Magi Arts' commitment to supporting the franchise with an extensive lineup of releases. Based on the promotional images, I would not expect the quality of Sazer Tarius to differ significantly from what collectors have come to expect from the SHF lineup.

While I do not remember much about the Gransazer series itself, I still appreciate its ambitious and unconventional approach to the tokusatsu genre. Even as someone who is not a dedicated tokusatsu fan, I am tempted to pick up this rendition of Sazer Tarius. Not only is he the main protagonist, but he also represents the Sagittarius constellation, which happens to be my own zodiac sign. As such, he would make a fitting addition alongside my Saint Cloth Myth Sagittarius Aiolos and other related collectibles.

JRPG Talk | Ys: Lost City of Kefin

Given that my full article on Ys V: Kefin, Lost Kingdom of Sand could not fully explore all of its core ideas for practical reasons, I will be using this JRPG Talk series to expand on its thematic depth. Rather than focusing on narrative summary alone, this piece looks at Kefin as a structural idea within the Ys continuity, one that reflects not just a lost kingdom, but a self-sustaining system built on escalating layers of hidden cost. Despite its uneven execution due to development circumstances at the time, Ys V remains a meaningful entry in the series for those willing to extract its underlying thematic core. Among its most compelling elements is the Lost City of Kefin itself.

Girls Frontline 2 Exilium Figma Klukai

Following the reveal of Tololo, Good Smile Company has unveiled its next Girls' Frontline 2 Figma figure, none other than the game's poster girl, HK416 Klukai. Not long after Animester released Klukai in her popular Speedstar skin complete with a motorcycle, Good Smile Company has opted for Klukai's default Girls' Frontline 2 appearance. Scheduled for release in April 2027, Figma Klukai will be sold for 13,800 yen.

For a figure that costs roughly twice as much as the Speedstar Klukai action figure for overseas collector , Figma Klukai offers a pleasing sculpt that faithfully captures the anime aesthetic that the Figma line is known for. To justify the higher price point, the figure includes four weapon sets and a removable hat, making this fan-favorite waifu an attractive addition for Girls' Frontline collectors.

As for the Girls' Frontline franchise itself, while it is unfortunate that Girls' Frontline: Fire Control had to shut down its service, it appears that a successor project, Blue Covenant, is currently in development. From what has been shown so far, the title seems to be a take on the cooperative extraction and large-scale combat formula popularized by the Helldivers series.

On the merchandise front, I would not be surprised to see Leva or Makiatto become the next action figure releases. If not, Groza would also be a strong candidate, provided she eventually receives the same level of merchandising support as the franchise's more prominent characters.

Final Fantasy Fables Chocobo Tales

While often overlooked, the Nintendo DS era marked a surprisingly strong period for Square Enix, when the company was still actively expanding its IPs in creative directions rather than relying solely on its flagship titles. Among the more unusual releases on the system, Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo Tales stands out as one of the most distinctive JRPG spin-off experiences.

The Chocobo series itself is a long-running Final Fantasy spin-off, placing the series’ iconic yellow bird in the role of the main hero. What began as a modest experiment on the original PlayStation eventually found new life on the DS with Chocobo Tales, reimagined with a more playful and experimental design.

Ultra Beast Force Yilichuangwan Phantom Kirin God

Following the conclusion of its ambitious Fruity Robo lineup, Yilichuangwan returns with another noteworthy release. This time, the company is venturing into a Chinese animated series called Ultra Beast Force with a new mecha model kit: Phantom Kirin God. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, the kit will be sold for 169 RMB.

Inspired by the legendary Chinese divine creature, the Qilin, Phantom Kirin God features a sleek mechanical design capable of transforming into a Qilin beast form. Its overall color scheme and aesthetic immediately bring to mind Gransazer, particularly the Sagittarius-themed designs, which may have served as an inspiration for the source material.

While I have little familiarity with Ultra Beast Force itself—which appears to be a Chinese animated series with strong tokusatsu influences, I do find the model kit visually appealing.

Personally, while the source material does not particularly interest me, the strength of the design alone is enough to make me consider picking up a copy.

Anko Miniblocks - Flowershop Review

One of the last entries in my current Anko Miniblocks backlog, and arguably one of the best specimens from the series. While Kmart appears to be downsizing its Anko miniblock brick model series, likely due to operational margin pressures, the series produced some genuinely impressive sets during its run, and the Flower Shop is certainly among them.

Simply put, this is a highly elaborate playset-style brick model that pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of minifigures, as I previously showcased with my FGO Coonuts collection. While I unfortunately missed out on the Large Treehouse—the finest release in this particular series, I was at least able to secure both the Lighthouse and Cherry Treehouse playsets, and I am looking forward to adding them to my collection.

SRW Alpha 3 Riobot Raioh

A few months after the release of Huckebein Boxer, Sentinel has announced yet another heavyweight from the Super Robot Wars franchise. This time, it is Raioh, one of the Dynamic General Guardians that made its debut in Super Robot Wars Alpha 3, joining the Riobot lineup. Scheduled for release in October 2026, Riobot Raioh will be sold for 43,000 yen.

In the history of SRW merchandise, Raioh has always been a somewhat elusive design. Aside from the Volks FAF action figure released more than a decade ago, collectors have had very few opportunities to add this iconic machine to their collections. For that reason alone, Sentinel's Riobot release is a welcome addition, even if its premium price places it firmly in the high-end collector market.

Despite having a rather personal attachment to Raioh, the current economic climate makes it difficult to justify such a purchase. At this price range, the only SRW machine that could convince me to open my wallet for such price tag would probably be Dis Astranagant.

Back in Super Robot Wars Alpha 3, Raioh was my choice for my first playthrough of this legendary title. Designed as a powerful boss-killer super robot, Raioh quickly became a fan favorite thanks to its overwhelming presence and signature tokusatsu-inspired attacks, particularly its iconic dive kick.

With Daizengar eventually receiving a Bandai model kit, I am quite optimistic that Raioh will one day receive similar treatment. Until then, Riobot Raioh will likely remain relatively out of reach collectible representation of one of Alpha 3's most memorable original machines.

Transformers New Legends NL-04 Gigastorm

Trypticon has long been one of the most popular giant-scale Decepticons in the Transformers franchise, making him a recurring choice for premium releases from both Hasbro and Takara Tomy. This time, the massive city-sized Transformer returns under the Transformers New Legends lineup in the form of Gigastorm, a character based on the Beast Wars II incarnation of Trypticon. Scheduled for release in November 2026, Transformers NL-04 Gigastorm will be sold for 38,000 yen.

As one of the franchise's iconic titan-class characters, Trypticon remains a favorite even among casual Transformers fans like myself. Part of his appeal comes from his imposing design—a giant mechanical dinosaur that feels like a Transformer counterpart to Mechagodzilla. Beyond his appearance, Trypticon also offers three distinct forms: dinosaur, spacecraft, and fortress mode. Of those, the fortress configuration is by far my favorite, as I have always been a fan of toy products that double as playsets.

Ever since adding Scorponok to my collection, I have been keeping an eye out for another large-scale Transformer to accompany him, with Trypticon being one of the most desirable candidates. The combination of size, presence, and play value makes him difficult to ignore. While Gigastorm is certainly tempting, I would ideally like to find a suitable Trypticon release closer to the 20,000-yen range before taking the plunge.

For now, this is a figure I will continue to admire from afar, though it remains one of the most appealing giant Transformers currently on my bucket list.

Return of the Ninja

 
Some random ninja-themed sidescroller I played as a kid, this was released by Natsume near the end of the Game Boy Color life cycle. Recently, I finally settled my score with the game, and overall, it turned out to be rather underwhelming.

Because of its unique presentation style, I always thought Return of the Ninja was one of Natsume’s stronger sidescrolling titles. However, revisiting it now, I found it noticeably weaker than other Natsume GBC sidescroller games such as Action Man or Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue. What originally caught my attention was the collectible card system you unlock as you progress through the game. Back then, it made my younger self imagine the game as something much larger and deeper than it actually was. Fast forward to today and Return of the Ninja simply does not live up to those expectations.

In terms of gameplay, Return of the Ninja feels similar to a pre-Igavania-style Castlevania sidescroller, spanning six stages with some light attempts at branching paths. The game does try to stand out by incorporating stealth mechanics to better fit its ninja theme, rewarding players who dispatch enemies quietly within the limitations of the GBC hardware. It also features several ninja tools and gear upgrades that function as power-ups, allowing the player to bypass certain obstacles and explore alternate routes.

Still, Return of the Ninja is ultimately not a particularly noteworthy ninja game, especially when compared to Shinobi from Sega, which remains a far more definitive ninja action experience. Interestingly, Return of the Ninja did receive a limited physical re-release in 2020, which is quite fascinating for a relatively mediocre GBC title that originally came out two decades earlier.

Transformers Overgear-03 Optimus Prime

 

Takara Tomy is back with yet another new take on Optimus Prime. Following crossover projects with Zoids, Monster Hunter, Evangelion, and Macross 7, the latest release is something entirely original for the iconic Transformers leader. Dubbed the Overgear Series, this new interpretation reimagines Optimus Prime with a more grounded military aesthetic. Scheduled for release in February 2027, Overgear-03 Optimus Prime will be sold for 17,000 yen.

While Optimus Prime is naturally the release that caught my attention, the Overgear lineup is not entirely new. Two products have already been released under the lineup, featuring Ironhide and Blackout. The concept behind Overgear appears to be transforming familiar Transformers characters into heavily armed military operatives, emphasizing realistic combat equipment and special forces-inspired designs.

In Optimus Prime's case, the makeover is particularly striking. Rather than the traditional red-and-blue semi-truck, he transforms into a sort of desert-camouflage military Humvee IFV truck and comes equipped with an array of weaponry, including a heavy machine gun, missile pods, and a battle axe. The result is a version of Optimus Prime that feels less like a heroic truck and more like the commander of an elite mechanized unit.

As a collector, this will ultimately be a pass for me. As I already have the Macross 7 and Evangelion collaboration versions of Optimus Prime on the way, along with several other renditions of Optimus Prime within my collection. That said, if I did not already own multiple crossover variants, I would be seriously tempted by this release. The military-inspired direction gives the character a distinct identity without relying on an external franchise, and it will be interesting to see what Takara Tomy has planned for future entries in the Overgear series.

Persona Nendoroid More Persona 30th Anniv Collab Vignette

 

As part of the Persona series' 30th anniversary celebration, Good Smile Company has unveiled an interesting addition to its Nendoroid More lineup. Simply titled the Persona 30th Anniversary Collab Vignette, this diorama-style group display features the protagonists of Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 together in Nendoroid form. Scheduled for release in November 2026, the Persona 30th Anniversary Collab Vignette will be sold for 7,900 yen.

For some longtime Persona fans, it may seem ironic that a figure commemorating the franchise's 30th anniversary only features protagonists from the last three mainline entries while Persona 1 and Persona 2 are absent. In many ways, however, this outcome was inevitable. It was Persona 3 that transformed the series into a mainstream success and became a major turning point for Atlus. Since then, the identity of the Persona brand has largely been defined by the modern trilogy of Persona 3, 4, and 5.

As a product, the vignette is an attractive display piece that makes effective use of the Nendoroid aesthetic. The sculpting and presentation successfully capture the distinct personalities of the three protagonists. My main reservation is the static nature of the display. The figures are permanently integrated into the diorama rather than functioning as standalone Nendoroids. While this limits playability and customization, it is understandable from a production standpoint. Allowing each character to be detached and fully poseable would likely have increased both the complexity and retail price of the product.

At the moment, Atlus appears to be at a crossroads as it determines the future direction of the Persona franchise. While Persona 5 remains immensely popular, there is a growing sense among some fans that the company has relied on it for too long. As a Persona 3 fan, I would rather see Atlus create a new project that gives meaningful representation to Persona 3, 4, and 5 collectively, rather than the constant milking Persona 5. Such a project could help bridge the gap until Atlus is ready to reveal the definitive vision for Persona 6.