Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Ubel Blatt


 A relatively old Fantasy Manga that i stumbled upon recently and at its time, it could have been a good contender for Berserk. Taking a Medieval Setting based on Holy Roman Empire era, Ubel Blatt is the tale of revenge of a Hero. Betrayed by his allies and left to die, a prodigy swordmaster who served as the Hero of his Kingdom somehow rose from death and sets upon a quest of vengeance. Taking form of a Demihuman Boy, the former hero about to hand down Retribution at his seven betrayers who now become the prominent people of the Kingdom after bidding his time for 20 years.

 Overall Ubel Blatt is an entertaining read but it is yet another Fantasy Manga that doesn't reach its potential. The tone that the Ubel Blatt start with would make readers imagine that it will be an epic Dark Fantasy series on par with Berserk. However around halfway of the series the mangaka is wavering between making the series a Shonen or Seinen genre, but in the end decided to tone down the setting rendering Ubel Blatt into generic shonen fantasy manga.

I think due to the tight Deadline demand during the series serialization, the mangaka unable to realize his world building plan for the series making some of the characters felt unpolished and the last part are mostly become a battle manga story. Ubel Blatt might only reach half of its potential but at least the story is still concluded properly somewhat. So if you look for some distraction while waiting for next Berserk Chapter, Ubel Blatt could fill the void and at least the first half will be still quite satisfying

Monday, July 27, 2020

Monster Hunter Nendoroid 1421 Male Zinogre Alpha Armor


 It took about six months but Zinogre Hunter Nendoroid, being the second half of the Monster Hunter series Nendoroid from the Winter Wonderfest is now open for Preorder! Shortly after Winter Wonfes, Nendoroid Nargacuga Blademaster was immediately available for PO but it took sometime for Zinogre to have its release. However the wait for this one is worth it because the finished result for the Lighning Wolf Armor is quite satisfying. Nendoroid Zinogre is scheduled for January 2021 release and as usual got regular and DX release with 6100 Yen and 8000 Yen Price tag respectively.

 The regular version of Zinogre Hunter Nendoroid comes with Charge Blade as the default weapon and the DX version throws in Heavy Bowgun as additional weapon. Apparently the DX version also will include faceplate with different Eye color to display the Latent Power Armor Skill which has always been the gimmick of Zinogre Armor series.

This particular version of Zinogre Armor is based on the regular Zinogre Blademaster Armor which has been around since MHP3 since it belong to the Flagship Monster of the game. As for the Zinogre itself, it has been one of the most popular Monster from the series, being a defiant wolf that smites everything in the way with its Thunder. Which is why Zinogre Armor is picked by GSC once it made its comeback through Iceborne. With its popularity, I think MH series will keep getting Nendoroids but i hope GSC going to make some Elder Dragon Hunter Armor Series soon

Monday, July 20, 2020

Shoku King


 Some Cooking Manga that i read a while ago and i kept going back at it for some reason. While this one is not exactly on par with Oishinbo or Cooking Papa, Shoku King still worth a read. Spanning over 27 Volumes, Shoku King explore the culinary world of Japan through the journey of a former executive chef from a prestigious restaurant who is basically modern incarnation of Shinsengumi Hijikata if he decided to be a chef. The protagonist travelled around Japan, helping failing restaurants to bounce back with his expertise. What makes Shoku King interesting is that the rehabilitation program that the protagonist offer to the restaurant owners are rather novel and borderline bizarre at times ranging from working in pachinko parlor to playing arcade games. However the culinary creations that the protagonist made are always worth looking forward to. So if you look for some Cooking Battle Manga but doesn't want it to be over the top like Shokugeki no Soma, i think Shoku King worth a visit.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Yuusha Super Minipla Fire Dagwon


 I think it is almost a year since Bandai released any Yuusha related merchandise as the Minipla lineups are mostly occupied by Super Sentai series in the recent releases. But i guess after seeing Kotobukiya starting to pick up the pace for Yuusha Model Kit, Bandai decided to release a new minipla for Yuusha series other than Gaogaigar for a change. The choice for the second Yuusha series entry falls to the 7th Yuusha Series, Dagwon with the Posterboy Fire Dagwon become the obvious choice. Minipla Dagwon will be sold for 5400 Yen with November 2020 release schedule.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Fate/Zero Sentinel 1/12 Lancelot Berserker


 For once we are getting FGO related 1/12 Action figure by manufacturer other than Max Factory which are quite nonexistent nowadays. This time we are getting Zerkerlot action figure from Sentinel. Sentinel's 1/12 Lancelot Berserker will be scheduled for February 2021 release with 12800 Yen Price tag. I think the Antenna like thing contribute the over 10000 Yen Price Tag which is quite intricate. Sentinel's Zerkerlot accesory includes Arondight and Iron bar but for 12800 Yen i think Max Factory possibly could have thrown in some Guns in the package. Given Sentinel's track record, i have no doubt with the sculpt but Articulation is still up for debate whether it will be on par with Figmas.

 Lancelot in his Berserker form made his debut in Fate/Zero as Matou's Family Servant in Fuyuki 4th Holy Grail War. Despite his loss of reasoning due to Madness Enhancement, he showed some fixation toward Artoria throughout the war. Obviously this version of the Famed Knights of the Round also made it to FGO as well as Extella Link. As Skadi has entered FGO NA server which enable Quick Meta, Zerkerlot has been getting more popularity compared to his Saber Counterpart as he is one of the few Servants who is able to pull off 3 Turn Farming with Skadi System. While Sentinel Zerkerlot is rather pricey for an action figure, i am still likely going to get this one as long as i can find one close to the SRP.

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Fate/Grand Order Figma EX-062 Rider Mordred


  It is nearing to the annual Summer event of FGO and it means there will be Summer Servants related merchandise popping up. GSC usually have something reserved for FGO during this special occassion and this time Mordred makes it into the cut as Figma! Initially intended for Summer Wonfes Exclusive, Figma EX-062 will be available on Goodsmile Online Shop on later dates with August release date and likely to be sold at 7000 Yen Price tag.

 The Figma doesn't come with many accessories compared to Maid Alter but the Surfing Board Prydwen and Mordred's blushing expression is sufficient for this version of Mordred. In FGO, Mordred is one of the servants that get their Summer version in FGO 1st Year Summer events. In this form Mordred exchanged her Saber Class for Rider Class servant using one of Artoria's treasure Prydwen as Surfboard. In her Summer Form, Mordred's personality become more carefree and thus more open with her affection toward Ritsuka. While she is not 5* servant in her Rider version, Summer Mordred is one of the best NP Looper in the game. Combined with Rider class, she is one of the best servant to be used for QP Farming. I hope Goodsmile will make this Figma available for their distributors because it is very hard to get Wonfes Exclusive stuffs during this pandemic condition.

If FGO and Goodsmile still survive next year, i think MHXX or Okita will be the most likely Summer Figma candidate for FGO 6th year Summer.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

52Toys AMTS MB-12 Megabox Landbreaker


 Around last year i have been seeing Animal Robot Toys that are transformable into Cubes called Beast Box which gained quite some buzz at the time. Now the same manufacturer stepped up their game and maked a full fledged humanoid mecha and it is a combiner robot to Top it off! This particular Mecha is called Landbreaker which is formed by two Transformable Construction Vehicle and no doubt it looks very cool! The Product has been released around last month and was sold around 5000 Yen on Amiami  which is still reasonable for what it try to offer. I think Landbreaker would make a good substitute for Diaclone which are very difficult to get in my place and i am looking forward to see the manufacturer, 52Toys keep releasing similar quality products like this. I am quite curious with the Cube Getter Robo but would love to see a Real Robot landed on this lineup.