Ace Combat 4: The Shattered Skies

More than 15 years after my last time with the series, I finally returned to its modern roots through Ace Combat 4: The Shattered Skies. My earlier experience came from the PSP entries, Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception and Ace Combat: Joint Assault, both of which were highly enjoyable. Coming from those later iterations, Ace Combat 4 doesn’t offer as much in terms of gameplay depth. Still, that shortcoming matters less when the game serves as the origin story of one of the series’ most iconic pilots: Mobius One.

Cang Toys Trans Age TA-HCZ002 Bergion Axeetle

 

I forgot to follow up on my Trans Age coverage earlier this year, but the second entry in the trilogy is actually my favorite. Meet Bergion Axeetle, a stag beetle–inspired transforming mecha. Released in Q3 2025, it originally retailed for 179 RMB.

What immediately stands out about Bergion Axeetle is its tank-like presence despite being a medium-sized unit. Equipped with a large axe and a multifunctional shoulder shield, it offers a surprising amount of versatility. The shield alone can be configured in multiple ways, giving it more depth than it initially lets on. Compared to Blacanidae and Swordion, Axeetle is easily the most durable of the trio, firmly positioning it as the team’s defender.

Another reason Axeetle appeals to me is how well it pairs with 52TOYS’ mechanical beetle line. It essentially feels like a larger, more articulated “evolved” version, almost echoing the dynamic of Soundwave and his cassette minions. With Blacanidae already getting a reissue, I’m hopeful Axeetle will follow suit soon.

Gear Fighter Dendoh Amakuni Kijin Dendoh

 

It has been more than 10 years since Gear Fighter Dendoh received any major merchandise, and Amakuni has finally broken that long hiatus with one of the most deluxe and expensive renditions of the series. Similar to their Gaogaigar lineup, Amakuni’s Kijin Gear Fighter Dendoh, made in collaboration with Flame Toys, is clearly aimed at high-end collectors. Scheduled for release in October 2026, it will retail for 42,000 yen.

For over 40k Yen die-cast action figure, this version of Dendoh comes with many of the gimmicks fans would expect from the mecha. As seen in previous Flame Toys collaborations, the design features a slimmer waist and a more stylized proportion overall. Despite these extensive gimmicks, this rendition does not include any of the Data Weapons, which feels like a notable omission for a premium release. It does come with Dendoh’s sword. Personally, I would have preferred a slightly less luxurious version that includes all 12 Data Weapons instead at this price point.

Up until now, I haven’t watched Gear Fighter Dendoh in full, but I’ve had some exposure through the PlayStation game and Super Robot Wars MX. The PSX game is quite fun and worth trying, although Super Robot Wars MX provides a more complete story experience for those interested in the series.

Orange Cat 1/100 Estailev Cassowary Review

 

After experiencing some buyer’s remorse with previous Chinese model kits, the Orange Cat Estailev series has done a great job of restoring my confidence in the industry. Without a doubt, Estailev stands as one of the strongest examples the Chinese hobby market has to offer in the non-diecast model kit category.

A while ago, I built both Cassowary and Neamhain back-to-back, but unexpectedly, Cassowary exceeded my expectations even further. Although it is designed as an assault-type mecha, it is heavily equipped for close-range devastation. Its distinctive cross-shaped massive shield is not merely defensive, it is engineered to mount a shotgun and gatling cannon, allowing this variant of Estailev to close in quickly and overwhelm enemies in rapid succession.

I’m genuinely looking forward to future Estailev variants.

Snail Shell RPG-EX 06 Adventurer Snail

 

This might be my first post covering products from Snail Shell, but I’ve been following their releases from the sidelines for quite some time. While their lineup often leans into more risqué territory, their craftsmanship consistently stands out as top-tier. Their latest addition to the RPG series has now arrived: the RPG-EX06 “Adventurer Snail.” Slated for a Q4 2026 release, this figure will retail for 448 RMB.

Atelier Iris Eternal Mana Complete

 

Took me a month, but I finally finished Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana, the first entry in the Atelier Iris trilogy! Ever since I wrapped up Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny, I’ve been determined to complete the entire PS2 Atelier trilogy which means paying a visit to Eternal Mana.

As expected, Eternal Mana feels noticeably less polished compared to Azoth of Destiny, though the gap itself is not particularly massive. Still, coming from Atelier Iris 2, the missing QoL improvements become quite apparent in several areas. Overall, Eternal Mana is a very traditional old-school JRPG experience: high encounter rates, more demanding use of main gameplay mechanics, and slightly harsher balancing compared to its sequel.

Girls Frontline 2 Exilium Figma Tololo

It’s been about a year since Girls' Frontline 2: Exilium made its global debut, and the first wave of Figma figures is finally on the way. Leading the lineup is Tololo (AK-Alfa), who has the honor of becoming the very first Figma release from the game. She’s scheduled to launch in February 2027 with a price tag of 13,800 yen.

It’s not hard to see why Tololo was chosen. As one of the initial SSR T-Dolls available at launch, she’s a familiar face to most players. Based on an Israeli variant of the Kalashnikov platform, Tololo quickly establishes herself as a dependable early-game unit, offering consistent DPS and making her a go-to pick for new commanders.

As the inaugural GFL2 Figma, Tololo already looks promising. The sculpt showcases impressive detail, particularly in the semi-transparent elements of her outfit, and she comes equipped with her signature combat drone for added display value. Early impressions suggest a strong start for the line.

Meanwhile, other fan-favorite characters are already gaining traction. Klukai appears to have a prototype in development, which isn’t surprising given her popularity. Hopefully, this is just the beginning, there’s plenty of demand for action figures of other standout T-Dolls like Groza, Qiongjiu, Makiatto, and Suomi.

Uma Musume Pretty Derby Alter 1/7 Smart Falcon

 

The renewed attention around Uma Musume likely comes from its recent global push, but it’s still a bit surprising to see a major PVC figure manufacturer like Alter stepping in with a new release. You might expect them to go with one of the newer characters from the Japanese server but instead, they’ve chosen an old timer of the series; Smart Falcon. Set for release in March 2027, the 1/7 scale Smart Falcon figure comes with a price tag of ¥23,800. It’s an interesting pick, especially considering how long she’s been part of the franchise.

Smart Falcon is one of the earliest characters introduced in Uma Musume Pretty Derby, where she’s portrayed as an “Umadol” (Uma Musume idol). She stood out early on as one of the strongest dirt-track racers available to players. Beyond gameplay, though, she’s become a fan favorite for a very different reason—her ongoing streak of failed romantic attempts with her trainer, which has turned into a long-running community joke (often at her expense).

While I probably won’t be picking up this figure myself, I’m definitely keeping an eye on future releases for Kotobukiya version of Grass Wonder, which could very well make an appearance within the next year.

Medabots Survivor

 

Medabots is one of those Japanese mecha series that, while beloved in its home country, has faced some misfortune in terms of global reach. Despite a respectable run in Japan, the franchise struggled to break into the international market. The last Medabots game to receive a global release was in the early 2000s, with the GBA title, and since then, we've seen no major releases outside Japan, even as the series itself has continued to evolve across nine iterations, including some recent entries on the Nintendo Switch.

Motor Nuclear Type 65 JiHu Mark II Assault Type

Another standout model kit from the Chinese hobby scene comes from a major player, Motor Nuclear. Dubbed the Jihu Mark II Assault Mode, this release features a die-cast inner frame and one of the more original mecha designs in recent memory. Scheduled for Q3 2026, the Motor Nuclear Type-65 Jihu Mark II will retail at 239 RMB.

The kit’s Chinese name translates to “Halberd Tiger,” a title that fits perfectly. This is a mecha equipped with a conventional firearms loadout alongside a modular Chinese halberd for melee combat. What makes the Type-65 Halberd Tiger particularly striking is how difficult it is to neatly categorize. While many Chinese mecha kits tend to echo the design language of Gundam SEED or 00, this one lands somewhere between Armored Core and Gundam, in a positive complimentary manner. One of its biggest strengths is balance: the Halberd Tiger looks heavily armed without appearing overly bulky, maintaining a sleek and purposeful silhouette.

Given the strength of this design, it would be a missed opportunity if Motor Nuclear didn’t expand on it. Future iterations of the Type-65 Halberd Tiger seem like a natural next step, and I’m especially interested to see how they might evolve its weapon loadouts.

Keepley Pokemon Brick Model Pokemon Center Review

 

Some Pokémon brick models I acquired a while ago immediately stood out to me in terms of value, and after completing the build, that impression proved correct. Keepley is one of those Chinese brick model manufacturers that focuses on popular Japanese anime IPs, and Pokémon is one of their strongest lines. Without a doubt, the Pokémon Center set is one of Keepley’s best offerings, and something they should be proud of.

Kaiju Rampage - World of Monster Eye

I don’t play much at arcade centers these days, but a recent encounter led me to a particular shooter game by IGS. As a Taiwanese game developer, IGS certainly has come a long way, surviving the 2D era and transitioning into theatrical 3D games. Their products surprisingly boast impressive visuals, even if they sometimes fall short in other areas. The game I stumbled upon is Kaiju Rampage, also known as Monster Eye 3.

Kaiju Rampage is a rail shooter, reminiscent of Let’s Go Jungle with elements from Jurassic Park Arcade. Players face oversized mutant monsters that relentlessly hunt them down. The story is pure nonsense—a young couple is dragged into chaotic misadventures by a shady travel guide—but that’s not really the point. The game’s selling point is the action-thriller experience, not the narrative.

Like many of its peers, Kaiju Rampage is a coin guzzler: I needed 15–20 tries to see everything the game offers. Even so, it managed to spark my interest in the Monster Eye series, even if it doesn’t quite scratch the same itch as its rail shooter predecessors from the early 2000s.

SAMG Miniforce Dinoid Warrior Rex Kaiser Black Edition

 

 Sometime before the arrival of SG Rex Kaiser D7, SAMG Entertainment released yet another rendition of the popular Rex Kaiser earlier this year. This time, it receives the full “Black Getter” treatment, featuring not just a darker color scheme, but an entirely different vibe, complete with a flowing cape. Released in April 2026, the SAMG Rex Kaiser Black Edition is priced at 132,000 won.

With its sword resting on its shoulder and the cape billowing behind, Rex Kaiser Black exudes a lone-wolf, anti-hero aura reminiscent of Black Getter. It’s a striking reinterpretation that adds a layer of edge to an already solid design.

I was honestly tempted to pick one up, especially since I missed out on last year’s standard Rex Kaiser release. However, the newer Rex Kaiser D7 presents a more compelling option, offering a seven-mecha combining gimmick for roughly twice the price of Rex Kaiser Black, making it hard to ignore from a value standpoint.

That said, Rex Kaiser Black still stands as a fantastic pickup for collectors with the budget to spare. Its bold, stylish design proves that some mecha concepts can go far beyond their origins, delivering something that feels far too cool to be just a kids’ show centerpiece.

Girls Frontline 2 Exilium Animester 1/12 HK416 Speed Star

 

One of the most anticipated Girls’ Frontline collectibles is finally up for preorder: the HK416 “Klukai” action figure. Based on her GFL2 Speedstar skin, this “golden child” of the franchise brings something fresh to the table in Animester’s latest rendition. Notably, this will be the only Klukai figure so far to feature her signature futuristic motorbike from Girls’ Frontline 2, though the bike itself will be sold separately as a model kit. Both are scheduled for Q3 2026, with the Animester Klukai figure priced at 299 RMB and the motorbike at 238 RMB.

Vintage Toys - Power Ranger Lightspeed Rescue Micro Playset

Apart from Zeo Rangers, one of my favorite Power Rangers series was Lightspeed Rescue (known as GoGo-V in Japan). I loved the series so much that I played both the PSX and Game Boy Color games and collected various merchandise. I even owned a few Lightspeed Rescue toys, including the Supertrain Megazord action figure.

However, there is one collectible I still regret not owning: Bandai’s Micro Playset for the Lightspeed Rescue Megazord.

In the early 2000s, Bandai released playset toys for the Lightspeed Rescue series, just like they had for earlier seasons such as Zeo. But unlike the Zeo playset, the Lightspeed Rescue Megazord version was released only as a complete set, without the gattai (combining) gimmick.

Instead, the playset offered something different: three complete Megazords to play with, turning it into a command-base style toy. Even though I grew up past the Polypocket era, these playsets still inspire a sense of nostalgia and obsession in me.

I’m looking forward to covering another Power Rangers playset in the future. I also hope Bandai and other manufactures explore on other Power Ranger series rather than over-relying on MMPR nostalgia.