Legend of Galactic Heroes 1/3000 Hyperion Plamo

Out of the blue, Kotobukiya is back with Legend of the Galactic Heroes and this time it’s something for fans of the classic OVA series rather than Die Neue These. Just right after the Die Neue These version of the flagship Hyperion, Kotobukiya is now releasing the OVA version of Hyperion back to back.Scheduled for a June 2026 release, the 1/3000-scale OVA Hyperion model kit will retail for 8,800 yen.

Just like its Die Neue These counterpart, the kit measures over 30 cm in length, making it an impressively sized display piece.One can’t help but wonder why Kotobukiya chose 2026 for the OVA version’s release, as the timing would have been perfect years ago alongside their Yang Wen-li PVC figure. That said, this release is still a major win for LOGH fans who remain loyal to the OVA, which many consider the definitive adaptation of this space opera.

If this release is any indication, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Brünhild follow as an OVA-version model kit. After all, an eternal rivalry feels incomplete without both sides represented.

 

Metal Robot Damashii Ka signature – Ex-S Gundam [Re:Coordinate]

Among the many MSV variants, Sentinel Gundam has always stood out as something special. Tamashii Nations has now revisited one of its older releases with a reissue: the Metal Robot Spirits (MRS) EX-S Gundam Re-Coordinate. This release is essentially a repainted version of the original MRS EX-S Gundam first launched in 2016.Scheduled for release in June 2026, the MRS EX-S Gundam Re-Coordinate carries a price tag of 24,000 yen.

The original MRS EX-S Gundam left a strong impression on me personally, as it was one of the earliest products I worked with when I first entered the hobby industry. Back in 2016, it retailed for 15,000 yen. Nearly a decade later, the 9,000 yen increase in price is difficult to justify, as there appear to be no substantial upgrades or improvements over the original release. This reissue serves as a clear example of how hidden inflation within the Japanese economy has quietly manifested itself in hobby pricing.

While the figure does feature partial diecast construction, it still falls short of fully representing the EX-S Gundam’s defining characteristics. Most notably, it lacks the Mobile Armor transformation, a complex feature that is understandably difficult to implement at this scale and price point.

On the positive side, the MRS EX-S Gundam does include a standard Sentinel Gundam configuration, offering a faithful rendition of the design. However, collectors looking for the BST version will likely need to rely on separate, optional add-on parts, should they be released in the future.

Mecharashi Current Progression report

Among all the gacha games I’ve played, Mecharashi stands out as the most notorious when it comes to progression roadblocks. At nearly every major level milestone, the game forces players to clear absurdly difficult missions just to unlock the next power-up tier, which is hard-locked behind each chapter. Until now, I’ve tolerated the nonsense Mecharashi throws at players every 5–10 levels. However, the latest progression hurdle is by far the worst I’ve encountered. For this notoriety, Mecharashi earned themselves dedicated article in Realm of Darkness that criticize this poorly designed part.

January 2026 Loot

A very sumptuous banquet of hauls to kick off the year. While it’s not quite as extravagant as my end-of-2025 loot, it’s still massive in its own right. As usual, Chinese model kits make up the bulk of the haul, with Eddas Asgard and Hemoxian Baffarion anchoring the lineup. I also picked up Frame Arms Girl Kongou, mainly for her ship-themed power armor gimmick. That said, with my pile of shame continuing to grow, I’ll probably need to cut back on model kit purchases for a while.

Outside of model kits, I finally completed my Blokees Devastator combiner with the remaining parts, along with a newer batch of Blokees releases. I think Bruticus will have less drama in the availability department though I can still obtain one anyway, whether I have to pay for it or obtain complete Blokees Defender set 04-06.

I also finally got the 1/7 scale King Halo figure shortly after quitting Uma Musume Global. Had I quit the game earlier, I might have skipped her entirely, but she’s one of my favorite characters, so she’s likely staying in the collection.

Lastly, appearances can be deceiving: the most expensive item in this haul is actually one of the smallest; the 25th Anniversary D-3 Digimon Digivice (Digimon 02). With how little free time I have these days, I’m not sure I’ll get around to actually playing with it, but as a collectible, it’s still an absolute gem.

Castlevania Dracula X Chronicles

A rather random moment to bring up this old game, but here it goes.

During the final days of the Igavania era, the Nintendo DS emerged as the main beneficiary of new Castlevania titles. Even so, the PSP did receive one notable entry: Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles.

The Dracula X Chronicles is essentially a modern remake of Rondo of Blood, the classic Castlevania title featuring Richter Belmont as the main hero in the Belmont clan’s endless quest to banish Lord Dracula.

Transformers Blokees Galaxy Version Defender Vol.2 Review

Another short review, and we’re heading back to the Blokees Defender Series! With a sizeable Blokees backlog waiting to be covered, I may start accelerating the review pace for this Chinese premier Blindbox lineup, starting with Defenders Vol. 02.

Blokees has truly struck the sweet spot with the Defender Series, giving Japanese manufacturers a genuine run for their money in terms of quantity and affordability. While I’ve been hesitant to spend on the Galaxy versions mainly because I’m not the biggest Transformers fan, I’m more than happy to gobble up the Blokees Defenders line.

Much like Vol. 01, Blokees Defender Transformers Vol. 02 maintains a fairly balanced lineup between Autobots and Decepticons. It also adds more members to the Devastator team, moving us closer to completing the Combiner Robot when paired with Vol. 03. So far, I’ve cracked open three boxes from the Defenders series, and I have to admit that the Super Rare editions are genuinely elusive.

Hexagear 1/24 Bulkarm Lambda Osteon

Hexagear returns with a new variant of Bulkarms Lambda new Variant! This is the third iteration and follows more closely with regular version of Lambda. Coming with codename Osteon, this one is essentially a palette swap version of Bulkarms Lambda with some minor alteration. Scheduled for May 2026, Bulkarms Lambda Osteon will be sold for 8200 Yen.

Compared to regular Lambda version, Osteon comes with slightly different rifle loadout. If the regular lambda Rifle is more akin to SMG, Osteon’s is more like assault rifle. Apart from that, so far Osteon loadout is pretty much the same. Given the common recurrence of Bulkarm Lambda, perhaps we could expect new future upgrade parts for this variant.