Vintage Toys - SD Gundam BB127 Jyuou Gundam

Every Gunpla fan has a memorable entry point into the hobby, and I am no exception. My first exposure to Gundam goes back nearly 30 years, around 1996–1997, when I received a gift from one of my father's guests. That gift happened to be my very first Gunpla kit. Fortunately, I was eventually able to identify the exact model years later thanks to its distinctive chain-and-sickle weapon and unmistakable samurai-inspired armor design.

The kit in question was Jyuou Gundam from the Shin SD Sengokuden lineup, originally released in 1994 with a retail price of 500 yen. Looking back, it was actually a fantastic choice for a first Gunpla, even though I did not fully appreciate it as a child.

The Sengokuden SD Gundam kits of the mid-1990s were quite different from the SD Gundam releases we see today. One of their biggest appeals was the removable armor system, which functioned much like traditional samurai armor. Jyuou Gundam was particularly impressive because it could not only equip and remove its armor, but also transform into a dragon form that reminded me of Goldran from the Brave Series. For a young child just entering the world of Gundam, that combination of armor-changing and transformation gimmicks was incredibly memorable.

In fact, the armor-wearing gimmick left a much stronger impression on me than the model itself. There was something special about assembling the character and then outfitting it with armor piece by piece, almost as if you were upgrading a hero before sending him into battle. It made the kit feel more like an interactive toy and less like a static model.

Naturally, the color separation was limited by the molding technology of the time, and the kit relied heavily on stickers to achieve its full appearance. However, the gimmicks more than compensated for those shortcomings. Like many classic SD Gundam kits, Jyuou Gundam truly shines when properly painted, bringing out all of the sculpted details that are easy to overlook straight out of the box.

Bandai rereleased Jyuou Gundam a few years ago which unfortunately I overlooked it at the time. But I ever come across one again, I will definitely pick up a copy, along with any of its available companions. It would be a wonderful opportunity to revisit the kit that started my Gunpla journey and finally give it the paintwork it deserves.

Ghost in the Shell SAC Hiyatoys 1/12 Motoko Kusanagi Battle Suit Version

 

Roughly two years after Hiya Toys released their first take Motoko Kusanagi in her standard Stand Alone Complex outfit, the company is returning to the franchise with a new release. This time, she appears in a fully equipped combat armor configuration designed for large-scale engagements. Scheduled for Q2 2027, the Hiya Toys 1/12 scale Motoko Kusanagi Battle Suit figure will be sold for 99 USD.

While combat-oriented versions of Major Kusanagi have previously been produced most notably in the Figma line, this appears to be one of the first interpretations of her Stand Alone Complex design specifically geared toward heavy assault gear. The figure comes with an expanded arsenal, including heavier weaponry such as an anti-materiel rifle, making it especially suited for high-intensity operations, particularly when paired with support units like the Tachikoma.

Interestingly, the face sculpt for this release appears noticeably different from Hiya Toys’ earlier Motoko figure, suggesting either a shift in sculpting direction or a change in contributing artists. Regardless, this remains a compelling release for Stand Alone Complex fans seeking a more militarized take on one of the franchise’s most iconic character designs.

Advance of Zeta Metal Robot Damashi Prototype Asshimar TR-3 Kehaar Space Type

 

Just a few months after I discussed Roda Asshimar, Tamashii Nations has once again met expectations with a new Metal Robot Damashii release: the Prototype Asshimar TR-3 Kehaar Space Type from the Advance of Zeta series. Released as a Premium Bandai item, this “Metal Roda” entry is positioned at premium price level comparable to earlier Metal Build releases. Scheduled for November 2026, the figure will be sold for 27000 Yen.

Despite its premium price point, this Prototype Asshimar stands out as a striking showcase of AOZ mechanical design philosophy. While not necessarily depicted as significantly more powerful than the standard Zeta-era Asshimar, its visual presence is undeniably impressive particularly in its Mobile Armor form, where its bulk and scale give it a true sense of weight and dominance compared to many other AOZ mobile suits.

Although it may be a long shot, there is still hope that a ground-type Prototype Asshimar—closer to the original Asshimar silhouette, could be produced in the future. In the meantime, it wouldn’t be surprising if third-party manufacturers, particularly in the 1/100 scale model kit space, attempt their own interpretation before an official release appears.

Ys Kotobukiya 1/7 Dana Iclucia

 

Ten years after the release of Ys VIII, this Kotobukiya figure remains what many consider the definitive rendition of the game’s heroine, Dana Iclucia. Originally released alongside Ys VIII: Adol Christin, it is now receiving a rerun scheduled for October 2026. This 1/7 Dana Iclucia rerelease will be sold for 28,000 yen price tag.

This 1/7 scale Dana Iclucia features a graceful, relaxed pose paired with a cheerful expression. As the high priestess of her civilization, Dana’s serene and composed nature is captured effortlessly here, she feels both divine and approachable. At the same time, there is a quiet strength in her stance, reflecting her ability to move from elegance to combat as fluidly as if she were dancing.

Given I finished Ys VIII not too long ago, Dana certainly left a profound impression to me being one of the best heroine that Ys series could come up so far, one of the worthiest main heroine for Adol that fans joked that she is being Feena 2.0. But without a doubt, she has what it takes to fill the void left by Feena within Adol’s heart if her fate had taken another direction.

As a result, I find myself particularly drawn to this definitive rendition of Dana Iclucia. While I would also welcome other versions such as a Nendoroid or Figma, her intricate design makes me appreciate why a 1/12 scale action figure would be technically challenging to execute without compromise..

JRPG Talk | Ys Heroines: Niena

Being one of the major elements in the Ys series, Ys Heroines is a topic I have been interested in discussing in depth ever since I took a deep dive into this legendary Falcom series 15 years ago. However, for various reasons, I only began writing this series now, starting with the heroine from what I consider the weakest Ys iteration, Ys V’s Niena.

Despite the overall weak execution of the game and its aesthetic design, which has aged poorly, Niena’s concept is well-crafted and without a doubt a worthy part of Ys continuity.

As such, I do not even mind Niena being the first candidate for this particular JRPG series, which I expect will eventually cover all Ys entries. It also serves as a good foundation in anticipation of future remasters of the series.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Jago Sevatarion

 

JoyToy has revealed another major addition to its Horus Heresy action figure line. After several years of expanding its Warhammer 30K lineup, the company is now moving forward with a highly anticipated release from the Night Lords Legion, beginning with their First Captain, Jago Sevatarion. Scheduled for release in September 2026, JoyToy 1/18 scale Jago Sevatarion figure will be sold for 80 USD Price tag.

The Night Lords are one of the original Space Marine Legions from the First Founding, whose path ultimately diverged into the ranks of Chaos. Under the leadership of their Primarch, Konrad Curze, they became infamous for their terror tactics, which ensured compliance during the Great Crusade at the cost of fostering extreme brutality and psychological instability among their ranks. Many of their recruits were drawn from the violent criminal underhives of Nostramo, further shaping the Legion’s grim reputation.

Among the Night Lords’ most notorious figures, Jago Sevatarion stands out as both a ruthless warrior and one of the few voices of restraint within the Legion. As commander of the Atramentar, the Night Lords’ elite Terminator bodyguard cadre, Sevatarion exemplifies the Legion’s lethal efficiency while retaining a sharp, sardonic intellect uncommon among his kin. He is also noted for his martial prowess during the Horus Heresy era, famously defeating Sigismund of the Imperial Fists in a duel through unorthodox methods, an impressive feat considering the Night Lords’ reputation for preferring terror over traditional honor dueling.

This JoyToy rendition is shaping up to be a must-have for Night Lords collectors. Sevatarion’s release also raises anticipation for future figures, particularly his Primarch Konrad Curze, whose eventual appearance would open the door for highly anticipated diorama setups—potentially even alongside other Primarch releases such as Vulkan, allowing fans to recreate some of the Horus Heresy’s most iconic rivalries.

Treasure X TMNT Blindbox Review

Some random Treasure X blind box toy I picked up earlier this year for what I remember was a bargain price of around USD 3. The concept is pretty fun—a miniature drainage pipe-shaped container that comes with a random Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figure. Even the packaging deserves some credit, as the pipe design is surprisingly sturdy and well made.

From this blind box, I ended up with Raphael, the hot-blooded sai-wielding member of the Ninja Turtles. At first, it felt like a completely random pull, but the more I thought about it, the more meaningful it became. After all, the four Ninja Turtles are named after famous Renaissance artists, and Raphael the painter is the creator of The School of Athens, my favorite Renaissance artwork. As a liberal arts student, that connection made this little figure unexpectedly special. Even though I'm not particularly a TMNT fan, this has become one of the more meaningful pieces in my collection.

Star Wars: Clone Wars (Genndy Tartakovsky)

 

Out of a strange curiosity sparked by iconic scenes from indie animation, I found myself drawn to this particular Star Wars adaptation by Genndy Tartakovsky. I’ve never been deeply invested in the Star Wars series, but I’ve been quite a follower of Tartakovsky’s work. While I never had the chance to fully watch all of his series in real time, I’ve followed his most iconic creations such as Samurai Jack and Primal.

Soul Calibur Play Toy 1/6 Fighting Goddess Alchemist Ivy Valentine

 

A rare and intriguing third-party release from the Soulcalibur series, which has historically been underserved in the merchandise market. This is a 1/6 scale action figure of one of the franchise’s most iconic characters, Ivy Valentine, scheduled for release in Q1 2027 with a price tag of around USD $200.

As a non-licensed product, expectations are naturally tempered, but the sculpt for Play Toy’s Ivy Valentine in her Soulcalibur IV design rendition already looks promising. Alongside Sophitia, Ivy stands as one of the most recognizable heroines in the series, often regarded as one of its most visually striking characters.

Within the Soulcalibur narrative, Ivy Valentine is a morally ambiguous figure driven by her obsession with destroying Soul Edge due to her bloodline’s connection to Cervantes. She frequently aligns with both heroic and villainous characters when it serves her goal, making her a classic anti-hero archetype. This complexity, combined with her commanding and elegant design, creates an interesting contrast to more traditionally heroic figures like Sophitia.

For Soulcalibur fans, this figure represents one of the more appealing interpretations of Ivy Valentine despite its third-party status. Hopefully, this signals a broader revival of Soulcalibur merchandise in the future, ideally including characters like Raphael Sorel as well, perhaps coinciding with the eventual release of Soulcalibur VII.

Sakura Taisen Special: Realm of Darkness 3 Million Milestone Celebration

Some of you may have noticed a minor change on Realm of Darkness over the past few days and you were not mistaken. As part of the blog's 3 million visit milestone, which was reached back in June, I commissioned a new illustration to further elevate this 16-year-old blog. Since the main banner was already redesigned for the 2 million milestone, I decided it was time to give the side banner the same treatment, starting with Sakura Taisen series.

The commission process took somewhat longer than I had originally expected due to a few minor delays on the illustrator's side, but I am still very satisfied with the final result. Among all the Sakura Taisen mecha designs, I chose Ichiro Ogami's Koubu F from Sakura Taisen 3. To me, it represents the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics, while ST 3 itself also remains my personal favorite entry in the series.

Spending USD 35 on an illustration that will end up compressed into relatively small pixel dimensions may seem excessive for an obscure blog maintained by someone living in Southeast Asia, but I still consider it money well spent. It is one of the few tangible ways I can express my continued commitment to a blog that I have maintained for more than 16 years. More importantly, it reflects my ongoing effort to strengthen the blog's identity and preserve its individuality, with the hope that it will eventually become a monolith that could withstand the test of time.

Reaching the 3 million visit milestone is also quite meaningful occasion itself. It took only four months to gain this latest milestone, compared to roughly 18 months for the previous million and around 13 years to reach the very first million. Seeing the blog's growth accelerate after so many years is both surprising and deeply rewarding.

Choosing Sakura Taisen as the first series to receive a redesigned side banner also symbolizes my renewed commitment to revisiting the franchise. After I complete my current journey with Ys series, I hope to finally return to Sakura Taisen and give it the attention it has long deserved.

Soulingtoys 1/12 The Sin of Dark Moon

Following the strong reception of their earlier heavy-hitter release, the Soulingtoys Daytime Meteor mecha musume model kit, Soulingtoys is back with another high-profile entry that has already caught the attention of the hobby industry. This time, they introduce a darker-themed mecha musume titled The Sin of Dark Moon. Scheduled for Q3 2026, the kit will be sold for 328 RMB Price Tag.

This new release marks a clear thematic contrast with their previous work. While Daytime Meteor presents a knightly princess aesthetic paired with a holy dragon companion, The Sin of Dark Moon takes a far more sinister direction, featuring an “evil nun” character accompanied by a massive metallic demon gargoyle guardian.

As a flagship model kit, The Sin of Dark Moon leans heavily into an edgy, elaborate design philosophy. The demon gargoyle is not only a towering companion unit with impressive presence and gimmicks, but it also comes with its own display pedestal, which includes additional mechanical features of its own.

Overall, this release stands in sharp contrast to entries like MS General’s Envy series, and would likely have been an instant hit under different global economic conditions. Even so, it remains one of the more visually striking and ambitious releases in the current mecha musume lineup.

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.