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.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Primarch Corvus Corax

 

 Following the release of Jaghatai Khan earlier this year, Joytoy has unveiled another Primarch for its growing Warhammer 40K lineup. This time, it’s none other than Corvus Corax of the Raven Guard joining the fray. Scheduled for a June 2026 release, the Primarch Corvus Corax figure will retail for $120.

It’s been around three years since Joytoy began producing Primarchs for their 40K series, which remains the standout tier of the lineup. Corvus Corax is almost certain to meet expectations, and one particularly welcome feature is his detachable winged backpack, making it much easier to display him alongside his brothers without taking up excessive space.

With Corax’s arrival, only five Primarchs remain to receive action figure rendition by Joytoy: Fulgrim, Ferrus Manus, Vulkan, Konrad Curze, and Lorgar Aurelian. Personally, Fulgrim, Vulkan, and Curze are must-haves, but based on Joytoy’s past release patterns, Lorgar seems like a likely next candidate—especially given his history with Corax.

In the Warhammer 40K universe, Corvus Corax is one of the more reserved Primarchs, a trait that carries over into his combat doctrine and that of the Raven Guard. Known for their guerrilla warfare tactics, they specialize in precise decapitation strikes delivered either with lightning speed or near-perfect stealth. While Corax may not be the most prominent Primarch, his wargear looks particularly impressive in Joytoy’s rendition, offering more playability and weapon options compared to many of his brothers.

Arknights Furyu F:NEX 1/7 Entelechia

Arknights might have slowed down a bit on the global server lately, but there’s still something for collectors to look forward to, in premium merchandise department. Among the many operator candidates, we’re getting a stunning 1/7 scale figure of Entelechia from FuRyu’s high-end F:NEX line. This 6★ Vampire Sarkaz Guard is scheduled for release in February 2027, with a price tag of 1299 RMB.

Entelechia made a striking debut as a scythe-wielding Reaper Guard, embodying the elegance and mystique of a vampiric aristocrat from one of the main Sarkaz bloodlines. Based on her E2 illustration, FuRyu’s 1/7 figure captures her understated, refined beauty exceptionally well, an impressive feat considering the fierce competition among top-tier “waifu” operators in her class.

Interestingly, Entelechia is voiced by Hasegawa Ikumi, a highly regarded seiyuu known for portraying Arcueid Brunestud, the iconic True Ancestor heroine from Tsukihime. With that connection, fans can expect Entelechia to carry a similarly captivating and classic vampire charm.

That said, while Arknights has been a consistently strong performer over the years, it does feel like its momentum has slowed recently. The core gameplay formula has remained largely unchanged for over five years, and some of its limitations are showing the extent of stagnation. It’s understandable that Hypergryph’s focus may be shifting toward Endfield, but hopefully there’s still room to revisit and reinvent Arknights in the near future, keeping one of the most reliable gacha titles feeling fresh and engaging.

Jingzhuoshe 1/100 Mandala Review

 

A model kit purchase with a bit of buyer’s remorse, and a reminder that products from the Chinese model kit industry can be hit or miss. Firstly, Jingzuoshe’s 1/100 Mandala has a pretty good sculpt, but it suffers from engineering issues. Stiff plastic parts are common in some Chinese kits, but it becomes a serious problem when it affects joint components.

My assembled copy ended up with the shoulder joint to the torso snapping in half, forcing me to resort to Blu Tack as a fix. I originally picked up this Mandala because I thought it would look great painted in the Wildschwein color scheme from the SRW series. The design still has that potential, but the build experience undermines it.

This kit definitely makes me think twice about getting non-diecast frame Chinese model kits from lesser-known manufacturers. That said, more established names like Orange Cat or Motor Nuclear are generally safer and don’t tend to have this kind of issue.

Top Toy Bebe Brick Model Magic Academy Series Set

Back in March, I was exposed to the Top Toy Bebe Brick Model line marking another step in my growing interest in brick models, a hobby I’ve been exploring more deeply over the past couple of years. Among the various releases, the Magic Academy series immediately stood out. This particular lineup features three separate modules that can be combined into a cohesive three-story, fantasy-themed building.

Each module, comprising an art classroom, a potion-making lab, and a rooftop observatory was priced around $35–40 at my local retail store under the Bebe Magic Academy series. While I’m not especially attached to the Bebe brand itself, I have to admit that the final assembled structure makes for an excellent display piece, especially as a backdrop for fantasy-themed collections.

Personally, I’m planning to use it as a prop for my FGO Coonuts collection. That said, its aesthetic would also pair beautifully with JRPG-inspired displays, particularly for niche series like Atelier, where its whimsical, magical atmosphere fits right in.

Although I already own the Bebe Brick Model convenience store set, the Magic Academy remains high on my wishlist. For now, I’m holding out patiently in hopes that each module drops to the $20–25 range, a price point that still feels within reach.

Vocaloid Frame Arms Girls 1/12 Snow Miku

 

It has been around 4–5 years since Kotobukiya released Frame Arms Girl Hatsune Miku. After such a long gap, the timing feels a bit unexpected, but they’ve decided to pick up where they left off with their take on Snow Miku. Scheduled for release in August 2026, Frame Arms Girl Snow Miku will be priced at 7,700 yen.

Compared to the more recent wave of Vocaloid products for the ever-present diva, Frame Arms Girl Snow Miku may not appear particularly flashy at first glance. However, it is expected to retain the strong fundamentals that define Kotobukiya’s lineup—most notably the blend of mechanical design elements with a cute, character-focused aesthetic.

As such, it stands as a solid mid-level Vocaloid collectible, especially for those who still enjoy the process of assembling model kits. While alternatives like Blokees have delivered strong performances across much of their portfolio, they have yet to fully match the balance and identity that Kotobukiya consistently achieves with this line.