Wolf Fang: Kuuga 2021 1/35 Soryu

 When I still frequently played my JP version of PS Vita, there was this particular Horizontal Mecha Shmup game that I played called Wolf Fang and certainly it was a rather unique experience. This game is quite cut above for something published by DataEast which don't exactly have good reputation when it comes to Consistency. Fast Forward to 2024, out of the blue Plum decided to release a model kit from this series that has went past its heyday under 1/35 Scale. Scheduled for October 2024 release, 1/35 Soryu will be sold for 4500 Yen.

 Given Plum's track record in releasing Model Kit for non mainstream Mechas like Assault Suits and Powerdolls, It is somewhat expected that they will move on to Wolf Fang at some point though it is commendable for them to do such attempt in the current difficult economic situation. For a 4500 Yen Model Kit, you get a 13 cm Soryu Model Kit in its default getup along with the Pilot model kit. Considering the Price Tag, I really doubt this one got cockpit gimmick even if It could use one. What makes Wolf Fang rather special is its degree of customization for the Mecha loadout which consist of Components like Main & Melee weapons and Leg type. Wolf Fang even got the Pilebunker as one of possible loadout even though I still find laser blades to be more reliable option. If you like Mecha and never played Wolf Fang, I strongly recommend to give this game a try in PSX version which even got Voiceover! Perhaps in near future I might even make a dedicated article for this game.

Sluban Super Mecha Champions Brick Model Review

 I think It has been a very long time since I post anything related to this Blog Review section because nowadays I will just dump my collection Photoshoots from my spare time on Instagram. Perhaps this will be once in a blue thing or perhaps it will kickstart the revival for Realm of Darkness Review post once again. 

 So over past 4 months I have been collecting the Go-to available collectible for Super Mecha Champions which came in the form of Sluban SMC Brick Models. Out of 9 variants made, I managed to obtain 8 of them leaving Hot Steel being the only missing one and I would like to share some of my opinions about this lineup.

Konosuba Nendoroid Eris

 With Konosuba 3rd Season concluded its run, Kazuma's favorite Goddess Eris finally gets her Nendoroid! Quite sure Chris has gotten one before, but turns out Eris is the one who gets the Nendoroid first. Scheduled for January 2025 release, Nendoroid Eris will be sold for 7300 Yen.

 Given the current economy situation, Nendoroid Eris are rather pricey as usual with lackluster accessory just like many Nendoroids announced within this year. However the faceplates at very least capture Eris expressions perfectly fitting for the most Perfect Goddess in Kazuma's Eyes. Being the ruling deity in the World that Kazuma isekai'ed into, Eris is prim and proper goddess being the exemplary gentle Lawful Good Goddess. However she gets into trouble when Aqua came into the world she is in charge as despite losing some of her divinity, as the useless Water Goddess able to bully Eris to do her bidding being her Senior Goddess after all. Due to Kazuma's shenanigans, Eris do get bullied from time to time but she is still very gentle toward the Hikineet protagonist which makes her being the Perfect Heroine in his eyes. Perhaps once I finished my business with Sakura Taisen series, I will pay a visit to the Konosuba game backlog that I had.

Starting Sakura Taisen 4 Playthrough

 Having wrapped up my unfinished business with Sakura Taisen 2 last week, It is time for me to move on to the last of Sakura Taisen original Tetralogy with Sakura Taisen 4: Fall in Love Maidens. This is the ultimate Swansong for Sega Dreamcast as Ogami will conclude his journey in the series and settled down with one of the 13 Maidens from Teikoku & Paris Kagekidan. 

If it was not for Sega throwing the towel on the Console race which spells the demise of Dreamcast console, I believe Sakura Taisen 4 could have even reached a greater height that this series deserved. In any case, I have planned out my route playthrough for Sakura Taisen IV and will commit to finish at 80% completion at very least. At some point I might even will backtrack to Sakura Taisen 3 for the completionist sake before aiming for Sakura Taisen 4 100% completion, If I ever reached that point. At the moment I will just savor everything that the final present that Sega bestowed upon Sakura Taisen fans.

Sembo Blocks Moshow Progenitor Effect Blind Box

 Following after Blokees success with their Transformers Blindbox lineup, a Chinese Brick Block manufacturer called Sembo doesn't want to fall behind and now collaborating with Moshow to release their own Mecha Blindbox! Using the Moshow popular Diecast Robot like Takeda Shingen or Lancelot as base model, Scheduled for Late Q3, Sembo Progenitor Effect will be sold in a Blindbox costing 160 RMB each.

Compared to Transformers Blokees, Sembo Progenitor Effect probably require more assembly which the complexity makes it more like a Blindbox for collectors. For the 1st edition of the Progenitor Effect blindbox, Sembo features 6 available variants along with 3 Secret ones which are variants of Date Masamune and Takeda Shingen Mecha. The mechas that I look forward the most from the roster would be Marquis of Wucheng and Lancelot whom the latter 1/72 Diecast is a very impressive. Previously I was only familiar with Sembo toys with their Brick Toy product that are sold on KKV store but this one is certainly a step up. If the articulation of these products can be at least on par with Blokees, it will be a good rival for the former. Apparently Cangdao Toys Diecast Mecha will also get the Diecast toy treatment which I will look forward to.

Aura Battler Dunbine Metal Build Dragon Scale Billbine / Bellvine

 Up until now Sirbine is the only mecha that I pay special attention to from Aura Battle Dunbine due to its Top Tier Knight Mecha design. However the Metal Build Dragon Scale series really open a new avenue for other Dunbine mechas starting with the TV series Billbine! Released as P-Bandai item yet again, Billbine is getting a Metal Build Dragon Scale treatment and recently has open up for pre-order selling for 35200 Yen.

Up until now Billbine simply never catches my attention due to many various reasons. But this Metal Build Dragon Scale literally put Izubuchi aesthetics all over the Dunbine Upgrade unit which certainly succeeds at demanding my recognition. If Sirbine is the ultimate Bug Knight mecha that emphasis on graceful fighting style, this version of Billbine is more of a Fighter itself never shying away from any slugfest if it had to, being overall bulkier than Sirbine for starters. While the price tag is rather high, Metal Dragon Spirits come with many quality to justify its price tag compared to other P-Bandai stuff with more selection of weapons including Sword Rifle that literally turn into Raiser Sword. As an owner of Metal Build Sirbine, this one certainly will not disappoint because the Wing part which is one of the best part of Sirbine are replicated very well in this one as well. Will look forward this sort of rendition for Dunbine, Green Bellvine and Zelbine someday.

Sakura Wars Mechatalk: Sakura Taisen 2 - Shinguji Sakura

 At long last we are finally at the last destination of Sakura Taisen 2 Mechatalk! This side project which started from early June last month now concluded at the Final stop with the titular main heroine of Sakura Taisen series, Shinguji Sakura! While Sakura has always been the titular main Heroine since the first game, Sakura Taisen 2 decide to step up the game and really puts her in the spotlight! Throughout ST2 main story, you will get to see why this Yamato Nadeshiko is the main star of this classic series of the Sega's Crown jewels.

Hexagear 1/24 Steelrain

 Kotobukiya's Hexagear lineup might not be as active it used to be, but there have been plenty of interesting designs joining this lineup. One of the more interesting Hexagear product I overlooked gotta be the Steelrain model kit which was released back in 2020 for 9800 Yen.

 Hexagear Steelrain is definitely one of the more interesting Hybrid Mecha Vehicle that ever got Physical product. While there have been plenty of Jet plane mech on the courtesy of Macross, There were not much Helicopter Gunship Type outside Transformers. As expected from a Gunship mechs, Steelrain packs plenty of Dakka with its generous amount of Gatling Gun and Missile Pod. On top of that Steelrain got 3 transformation gimmick mirroring after Macross which is impressive engineering despite it is not the best looking. Steelrain is one of my Kotobukiya wishlist as I gave Hexagear a taste which started with V-Thors.
 

Sakugan

 Some mecha anime in my backlog that I finished out of obligation and as expected with many of the similar genre that are released in this period, this one fails to deliver yet again. Back in 2021, Sakugan caught my attention due to the interesting mecha design that reminds me of Tron Bonne series and It was not until I played Super Mecha Champions which had Sakugan Collab around May that I decided to give this series a go.

Sakugan is an adventure story with Subterranean setting where the main protagonist of a young prodigy girl with a big dream sets out on journey to reach the place from her dream, dragging along her deadbeat father who was once an explorer himself. Sakugan could work what its premise but as expected from a  Satelight series which are known for good mecha design yet lackluster storyline. Throughout the span of 12 Episodes, Sakugan fails to make good use of their time leaving the impression of a half finished product. 

To be honest it is understandable that some series are not able to do much within 12 Episodes. However considering the unforgiving environment of Japanese anime Industry, Sakugan won't be even given another cour to finish the story it try to convey unless there are some generous sponsor which doubtful if it is coming from Japan.

Loongspirit Zodiac Transformer - Rat Noodle

  Chinese Hobby manufacturer these days never cease to amaze me with their Products that comes with impressive engineering and this time got yet another one that got with really cool novelty. Created by Chinese manufacturer called Loongspirit, there is yet another new Model Kit product using Chinese Zodiac as a theme but this one comes with another twist! On top of Rat themed Zodiac Model Kit this one features Instant Noodle packaging as one of the transformable form! Not sure about the release date but this one will be sold for 198 RMB!