Genesis of Aquarion SRC Solar Aquarion Review

 

By this point, I don't have many Super Robot Chogokin figures left in my collection, and Solar Aquarion happens to be one of the older purchases that remained unopened for quite some time. As a die-cast mecha action figure line that often punched well above its price point, Super Robot Chogokin turned out to be something of a mixed bag, with Solar Aquarion representing one of the weaker entries in the lineup.

Looking back, the Super Robot Chogokin series hasn't aged particularly well. The plastic joints tend to become quite loose over time, and my copy constantly has trouble with the shoulder assemblies, which pop off far too easily. Even so, it's hard to complain too much about a Bandai die-cast mecha figure that originally retailed for only 5,000 yen, a level of value that belongs to a bygone era.

Despite its shortcomings, Solar Aquarion still has several features that genuinely exceed expectations for its price. The Mugen Punch effect parts are impressive, while the fully deployed solar wings give the figure a majestic and imposing presence. Had Bandai followed it up with regular Super Robot Chogokin releases of Mars Aquarion and Lunar Aquarion, I probably would have kept my copy despite its obvious flaws.

Dungeon Soup – Chaotic Good Barbarian

 

One of the more noteworthy fantasy-themed YouTube animation series I have come across recently is Chaotic Good Barbarian by the channel Dungeon Soup. It is an amusing fantasy cartoon with a distinctly dark, violent sense of humor that reminds me of Adult Swim productions and Space King by Flashgitz.

Chaotic Good Barbarian follows the adventures of a barbarian hero as he battles an assortment of fantasy creatures, from vampires and banshees to dragons. Unlike a typical fantasy adventure, however, the series leans heavily into dark comedy. Rather than portraying the monsters as the source of fear, it turns the formula on its head, the monsters gradually realize that the true horror is the barbarian himself. The protagonist is delightfully unhinged, and much of the comedy comes from watching classic fantasy villains become the victims of his absurdly brutal methods, often suffering fates far worse than death.

At the time of writing, Chaotic Good Barbarian has completed its first season and is in the early stages of its second. The production quality is remarkably high for an independent YouTube animation, with expressive character animation, solid voice acting, and well-executed action sequences. While its graphic violence and twisted humor make it firmly aimed at an adult audience, it delivers them with enough charm to remain consistently entertaining.

If you enjoyed series like Adventure Time but have ever wondered what an Adult Swim-style version with a much darker sense of humor might look like, Chaotic Good Barbarian is well worth checking out.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Primarch Konrad Curze

 

Following the back-to-back releases of Salamanders figures, many collectors expected Vulkan to be the next Primarch in JoyToy's Warhammer 40,000 lineup. Instead, the honor goes to his longtime rival, Konrad Curze of the Night Lords Legion. To be fair, it was always a fifty-fifty chance between Vulkan and Curze following Corvus Corax's release, but having the darker counterpart to the Raven Lord arrive first feels oddly fitting. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the JoyToy 1/18 Konrad Curze is priced at USD 140.

Despite being one of the most anticipated Primarch releases in the JoyToy lineup, the prototype leaves room for improvement. The neck appears noticeably oversized and somewhat out of proportion, giving the figure an awkward overall silhouette. It comes across as surprisingly unrefined for a premium release, although the issue could potentially be disguised with a simple customization, such as adding a tattered scarf or cloth collar. Even so, the prototype in its current form struggles to justify its USD 140 price tag.

As a character, however, Konrad Curze remains one of the most fascinating Primarchs in Warhammer 40,000. Although his downfall was arguably less tragic than that of figures such as Angron, Curze's origins are among the most compelling in the setting. Created to embody justice and order, he instead crash-landed on the crime-ridden world of Nostramo, where constant violence and brutality gradually twisted his sense of justice into something rooted in terror. The result was a deeply damaged soul trapped within the body of a superhuman, ultimately leading the Night Lords Legion down a path of fear, cruelty, and ruthless vigilantism.

Like many people, I went through an edgy phase during my teenage years, and perhaps because of that, Konrad Curze has always been one of the Primarchs whose story I find the hardest to ignore. His descent into darkness makes him one of the more psychologically interesting characters in the Warhammer universe, regardless of whether one agrees with his methods.

Baki Dou

 

The Grappler Baki series is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating long-running fighting manga ever created. As absurd as the series can be compared to its peers, few would question the legacy it has left on Japanese pop culture. Its influence can be seen across the fighting genre, with traces of its larger-than-life aesthetic and philosophy reflected in franchises such as Street Fighter and Tekken.

I've followed the Baki series on and off over the years, but Baki-Dou is the first installment I've managed to finish from beginning to end. Set after the Pickle arc, the story centers on the resurrection of the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi. His return becomes the catalyst for a series of brutal confrontations, as many of the franchise's most iconic fighters test their abilities against an opponent unlike any they have faced before, often with their lives on the line.

Overall, Baki-Dou embraces the over-the-top absurdity and unpredictability that the series is known for, which is precisely what has earned it such a devoted fanbase. Unlike many works that attempt to imitate its formula, Baki is remarkably self-aware of its own eccentricity and fully commits to it. Every character is driven by an almost irrational obsession with strength, combat, or personal philosophy, and the series presents these extremes with complete sincerity. As the centerpiece of Baki-Dou, Miyamoto Musashi serves as a fitting embodiment of martial insanity, an apex warrior whose refined lethality perfectly complements Pickle's raw, primal brutality from the previous arc.

For longtime fans, Baki-Dou delivers exactly what they have come to expect from the franchise: outrageous battles, unforgettable personalities, and an unwavering commitment to its unique vision. Newcomers, however, may need some time to adjust to its unconventional storytelling and exaggerated world, even though it is one of the more recent entries in the series.

Saint Seiya SCM EX Sagittarius God Cloth

Saint Seiya has had its fair share of Sagittarius Seiya releases throughout the lineup’s lifespan, and not too long ago, we got yet another new SCM release for Seiya. This latest release from Bandai is quite peculiar! At long last, Seiya has received the Soul of Gold Sagittarius Myth Cloth treatment, which happens to be a P-Bandai release. Scheduled for an October 2026 release, SCM Sagittarius God Cloth Seiya will be sold for 25,000 Yen.

This release is a stark contrast for those who already own a copy of the SOG SCM, like myself. While this is essentially a re-release with a new face plate and some repainting, the price of this SOG Sagittarius is quite astronomical, I would say. At up to 180% of the original SRP for something that was released a decade ago, it really highlights how inflated certain collector commodities have become, especially with high-end lines like SCM being increasingly vulnerable to price hikes.

This release could be considered Bandai’s offer to collectors who missed out on the original SOG SCM, but they are definitely asking quite dearly this time around. If the SOG SCM ever gets another re-release, just don’t expect it to be affordable. At this rate, it could very well cost twice as much as it originally did.

Vintage Toys Super B-Daman Battle Phoenix

With the recent reveal of Takara’s new B-Daman products, one of my childhood memories resurfaced once again. After the fifth Bakugaiden series, Takara decided to transform B-Daman into something closer to an over-the-top competitive sport, similar in spirit to series such as Beyblade and Crush Gear. The result was Super B-Daman, a series that combined the expressive design elements of B-Daman with elaborate mechanical designs, turning a simple marble-shooting toy into something much more ambitious.

One of the many products I happened to own as a child was Battle Phoenix, which appears to be an upgraded variant of Fighting Phoenix. This particular model was first released in March 1998 with a price tag of 780 yen. However, the one I owned was most likely a counterfeit version, which was quite common in Indonesia at the time.

One feature that allows me to remember this former collection even after more than 20 years is the distinctive orange shoulder armor with its spring-coil suspension mechanism. This design detail left a strong impression on me and became one of those small memories that remained despite the passage of time.

The spring-loaded shoulder armor was supposedly designed to enhance the gripping power of the B-Daman, allowing Battle Phoenix to achieve stronger shooting power. While the concept was certainly gimmicky, it was also part of what made Super B-Daman so memorable, the attempt to turn every mechanical detail into a meaningful feature within the fantasy of competitive battles.

Coincidentally, I also owned Battle Phoenix’s rival unit, which will become the subject of a future discussion.

Cang Toys Trans Age Yinglong Wei

 

Cang Toys has made a rather unexpected move, but one that still reflects the company's reputation for quality. Best known for its premium third-party Transformers figures, Cang Toys is entering the blind box market with its new Trans Age series, beginning with Yinglong Wei. Despite being a blind box product, it is clearly positioned at the premium end of the market, showcasing the manufacturer's craftsmanship and attention to detail. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, Yinglong Wei is priced at 229 RMB.

This is far from an ordinary blind box release and, in terms of overall value, appears to surpass many competing products from brands such as Blokees and Sembo. The Yinglong Wei series consists of six approximately 10 cm dinosaur robots, each capable of combining into a larger robot reminiscent of a Chinese interpretation of Daizyujin.

Collectors familiar with Cang Toys' previous projects, particularly its Volcanicus and Predaking figures, will already know the company's expertise in designing dinosaur-themed transforming robots. That makes Yinglong Wei an intriguing release, even if it is surprising to see a manufacturer known for high-end collectible figures venture into the blind box market. Whether this marks the beginning of a new product strategy for Cang Toys remains to be seen, but it is certainly an interesting direction for the company.

KEMOTOYS 1/24 Knight of Skyfog Review

 Among my Chinese model kit collection, the Kemotoys Knight of Skyfog is easily one of the most unique kits I've come across. It is essentially a 1/24-scale fantasy mecha model kit that serves as an excellent alternative to Kotobukiya's Hexa Gear line. In terms of gimmicks and play value, it is already comparable to Kotobukiya's offerings. The Knight of Skyfog features multiple equipment configurations, allowing it to switch between a flight-oriented setup and a high-mobility shock cavalry form using its centaur-style exoskeleton. The kit's biggest weakness is its rather mediocre plastic quality, which ultimately prevents it from truly matching the overall standard of Hexa Gear.

Unfortunately, Kemotoys seems to have disappeared from the market, suggesting that the company did not survive beyond its first few years. It is a reminder of how fiercely competitive the Chinese hobby industry can be, where commercial success often depends more on the final product than on originality or innovative ideas. Even so, I would still welcome more 1/24-scale model kits from Chinese manufacturers that are compatible with Hexa Gear, as I still have plenty of Hexa Gear units that could use additional pilots.

Maoyuu Maou Yuusha

Maoyuu Maou Yuusha was one of the fantasy manga series I followed throughout the early 2010s, and I finally completed it a few years ago. At the time, there were several manga adaptations of the original light novel, but the version illustrated by Akira Ishida remains, in my opinion, the definitive adaptation. Interestingly, Ishida is now probably better known as the illustrator behind Lancer Artoria, one of the most iconic Servants in Fate/Grand Order.

When it was first released, Maoyuu stood out by offering a fresh take on the classic JRPG formula of the Hero versus the Demon King. Instead of portraying them as sworn enemies, the story pairs the Hero with a female Demon Queen, who chooses cooperation over conflict in an effort to end the seemingly endless war between humanity and the demon world.

The Matrix Movietalk: Merovingian and the Faustian Devil Archetype

Even more than two decades after its release, The Matrix remains one of the most influential Hollywood film series for millennials and earlier generations. Before revisiting the franchise in full, it is worth focusing on one of its most intriguing characters: the Merovingian.

Introduced in The Matrix Reloaded, the Merovingian is an arrogant, aristocratic power broker operating within the hidden layers of the Matrix. He functions as a kind of black-market intermediary, offering services such as shelter for exiled programs and acting as an information broker. His antagonistic role in Reloaded, particularly during the Château sequence against Neo, stands out as one of the film’s highlights. However, his brief reappearance in The Matrix Resurrections as a degraded, almost deranged figure left many longtime viewers puzzled.

SRW OG CCSTOYS 1/100 Alteisen Nacht

 

After a break from the Super Robot Wars lineup for more than a year, CCS Toys has returned with another die-cast release from the SRW Original Generation series. This time, the spotlight goes to Alteisen Nacht. Although it is essentially a repaint of the original CCS Toys Alteisen released in early 2025, the company has included a few additions that may convince collectors to give this version a second look. Scheduled for release in Q4 2026, Alteisen Nacht will be sold for 36,000 yen.

Like most previous renditions of Alteisen Nacht, the CCS Toys version comes equipped with the iconic Shishioh Blade. While this may seem somewhat redundant for collectors who already own their regular Alteisen, which also included the weapon, CCS Toys has added the M13 Shotgun as an extra accessory. Although the M13 is considered one of the more basic weapons in the SRW OG series, it is still a welcome addition and complements the overall presentation of the diecast toy.

Whether the M13 Shotgun alone justifies the 4,000 yen price increase over the original release is open to debate. Nevertheless, it represents a reasonable effort by CCS Toys to offer more than just a simple color variant. Hopefully, CCS Toys can continue delivering high-quality Super Robot Wars collectibles in the years ahead, even as the current global economic climate presents increasing challenges for both manufacturers and collectors.

Hobby Sakura Mushoku Tensei 1/7 Eris Boreas Greyrat

As one of the OG of the modern isekai genre, Mushoku Tensei continues to receive high-quality merchandise, and this latest release by Hobby Sakura is particularly noteworthy. The company has announced a 1/7 scale figure of Eris Boreas Greyrat, but what makes this release stand out is that it portrays Eris in her adult appearance rather than her more familiar teenage design. It is likely the first scale figure to depict her after the years she spent apart from Rudeus before their eventual reunion. Scheduled for release in April 2027, the figure carries a retail price of 28,000 yen.

Among the main heroines of Mushoku Tensei, Eris has always been the character who left the strongest impression on me. Despite sharing some of the story's most memorable moments with Rudeus during their youth, she ultimately becomes the last of Rudeus wives to reunite with and marry him. Their reunion, following years of separation and misunderstanding, remains one of the emotional high points of the series and one of my favorite arcs in the light novel.

The timing of this figure is also interesting. Choosing Eris's adult design suggests that the anime adaptation may soon reach this stage of the story. If that turns out to be the case, it might finally be the perfect opportunity for me to revisit Mushoku Tensei through its anime adaptation and experience one of my favorite arcs in animated form.

The Strongest Female Teachers

 

Another amusing fantasy manga with an absurdly long title; The Strongest Female Teachers Who Are Trying to Make Me Succeed, which I’ll shorten to The Strongest Female Teachers (Saikyou Onna Shishou). The series blends a variety of familiar tropes, echoing elements of The Tale of Genji, DanMachi and History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi into a comedic fantasy setting built around “raising” rather than “finding” strength.

The premise follows three S-rank adventurers: a fighter, a mage, and a dark priestess. All three are frustrated by their inability to find a male partner who meets their standards. Instead of continuing to search, they decide to raise one themselves. They discover a 14-year-old boy who initially appears weak, but is revealed to have exceptional latent potential. They take him in and begin training him to become the strongest adventurer.

What follows is a series of comedic and adventurous situations, where the three women act as teachers while also becoming rivals in their own subtle ways. At the same time, various outside competitors are drawn to the boy’s untapped potential, creating additional tension and romantic comedy dynamics that drive the story forward.

Saikyou Onna Shishou had a somewhat rocky start, but it improves in its later arcs. In particular, the confrontation involving the so-called “fourth thief teacher” stands out as one of the more entertaining highlights. The manga is currently ongoing on a monthly release schedule. As long as it maintains a consistent balance of fantasy and romcom, it has the potential to run for quite a while.

B-daman Treasure Pack B-Daman Lucky Bag 27

Apart from the announcement of the Toyrise Saint Blaster release, Takara Tomy had another product prepared for the B-Daman series. It is one of the Treasure Pack releases, simply called Lucky Bag 27, which re-releases classic B-Daman products as a set. This particular release caught my attention because it serves as a decent starter pack. Scheduled for December 2026 release, this B-Daman Treasure Pack will be sold for 5,000 yen.

The playset contains two B-Damans, two target dummies, and two accessories. The item that caught my attention the most is a repainted version of Fighting Phoenix included as one of the B-Daman variants. It immediately reminded me of the Fighting Phoenix that I owned in the past, which, if my memory serves me correctly, was Battle Phoenix.

While I am not particularly interested in this specific B-Daman series, it brought back memories of my impression of the B-Daman era represented by Fighting Phoenix. During that period, B-Daman evolved from a simple marble-shooting toy into something closer to an elaborate competitive sport. The small glimpse provided by this Takara Tomy Lucky Bag release is only a fraction of how over-the-top and ambitious that particular era of B-Daman became.

Bandai Namco Chinese Horse Zodiac 2026 Toy Review

 I don't deliberately collect designer toys very often, but according to Chinese astrology, 2026 is expected to be a particularly challenging year for those born under the Horse zodiac, myself included. With that in mind, I decided to embrace the once-every-twelve-years occasion and pick up a small lucky charm in the hope that it might help me get through my Tai Sui year.

That eventually led me to the large version of the 2026 Chinese Zodiac Gundam, a Horse-themed designer figure. Although it was released under the Bandai Namco label, I suspect it was actually manufactured by a Chinese company, especially since the smaller blind box versions were produced by QMSV.

Since I'm not really a designer toy collector, I don't have much of an emotional attachment to this piece beyond keeping it as a symbolic good-luck charm. Part of the reason is that its color scheme feels a little contradictory. The figure is predominantly dark brown, which doesn't quite match my expectations for the Fire Horse year, where brighter reds or warmer tones would have felt more appropriate. If I ever come across one, I might instead try my luck with the QMSV Horse Zodiac version, which I might obtain thematically more suitable variant.