Super Robot Heroes Orange Cat 1/100 Estailev Cassowary

 Orange Cat is back with their Protagonist Mecha Estailev! This time it is the Estailev red variant that comes with different weapon loadouts. Compared to Japanese Price, The CN version are sold for a very affordable price tag starting from 135 RMB Member price and then 198 RMB regular price with release date within September 2024.

Compared to previous Estailev, Estailev Cassowary comes with rather modest Weapon Loadouts as it has a Shotgun as the default ranged weapon and then Gating Gun installed on the iconic looking cross shield. In terms of Role, Estailev Cassowary probably takes the position of Close ranged skirmisher harassing the enemy targets while other unit deliver the killing blow. I would love to see what kind of heavy ranged variant that Future Estailev will have down the road.

Warhammer 40000: Marneus Calgar

 Being the Posterboy of Warhammer 40k, Ultramarines has been always the recipients of many preferential treatment in media Exposure, including Comic Books. Of all publishers, I am surprised that Marvel was the one to be the partner for the 40K book but it is a decent read nonetheless. From this collab project we got ourselves a Comic Book dedicated to Ultramarines Papa Smurf, Marneus Calgar. This particular comic take the reader to visit Calgar's past before he became Space Marine and his quest as the Chapter Master to settle his old debt.

While many 40K fans are not amused with the golden child treatment for Ultrasmurfs by Geedubs, While I favored some Pre Heresy Traitor Legions and Salamanders more, I do admit Ultramarines are quite worthy First Founding nonetheless after I moved on from Matt Ward memes, as there are plenty of named Ultramarines that are worthy representing the Chapter's ethos of "Courage and Honor" which Marneus Calgar do count as one. Nonetheless Marneus Calgar had relatively interesting backstory despite being the chapter master of one of the more "Vanilla" Space Marine Chapter. As even he become Chapter Master, he walked the same path  with many Space Marine aspirants who have to survive many Life and Death situations while resisting the temptations of Chaos. In the end Marneus Calgar showed that only the personal quality of the individual matters to be worthy to join the ranks of Space Marine.

Pacific Rim Infinity Studio Heavy Mecha Cherno Alpha

 After Crimson Typhoon, the Russian Jaeger Cherno Alpha is the next one getting the Diecast Mecha treatment from the Infinity Studio! Took about one year but the release is quite close as it appears the line production has been set up. Scheduled for Q4 2024 release, Heavy Mecha Cherno Alpha will be sold for 1280 RMB.

 Cherno Alpha is one of the oldest surviving Jaeger in 1st Pacific Rim movie that met untimely end despite being a kickass Old Guard archetype because Gipsy Danger has to be the reigning supreme in a Hollywood Movie. From the sample pictures, Heavy Mecha Cherno LED parts would be one of the stronger selling point considering previous rendition were lacking on this department. Compared to Crimson Typhoon, I would say Cherno looks less bulky thus the manufacturer able to sell this fellow for lower SRP though for some reason the local distributor sells this one for higher price. Nonetheless I would expect Striker Eureka would be likely the next Jaeger to make it given the possible pattern of the Heavy Mecha release.

Chrono Crusade

 Late 90s/Early 2000s saw Japan made some really good mangas which some become major success and still have lasting legacy until this day. Where as in this particular period, some of them have very well developed world outlook which makes it appealing for International readers. After Gunslinger Girl,  Chrono Crusade is another of those "renaissance" manga that has that particular International charm and It was also one of my favorite read too back in High School.

Taking place in fictional 20th Century setting, Chrono Crusade is Modern Biblical adventure of Human vs Demons which a Trigger-Happy Sister and her Demon boy partner served as the main character. In this heavily Christian themed Japanese Manga, there are more things that meets than the eye as the protagonists will have to eventually confront a group of enemies world ending threats related to their past. Chrono Crusade is notably remembered for its short yet action packed  3-Act storyline spanning over 8 Volumes. This is one of those manga that had bittersweet ending and If you like modern fantasy genre, this one surely worth a read. Back then Chrono Crusade also have 24-episode anime made by Deen, but better stick with the Manga for this one.

Brave Express Super Robot Chogokin Mightgaine Review

 Took couple months to kickstart my interest but here are the limited revival for Realm of Darkness! The new Review posts will be mostly a repost compilation for the stuffs from my Instagram but from time to time it will include some pics that didn't make the cut over there. To start off, I am picking SRC Mightgaine as the first candidate.

While I don't have specific reason to pick Mightgaine, SRC Mightgaine review has been a long due one as I got him around the time when I got my Physical copy of SRW V. At the time of the picture were taken, I already had the Yuusha Candy Toys as well as The GATTAI counterpart of Mightgaine so I got good amount of comparison. Despite I already parted with my copy of SRC Mightgaine, in terms of playability, this particular rendition remains to be the best one because you can always rely on Bandai for the best possible articulation.

30 Minutes Fantasy - Liber Bishop

 After the Fighter class, turns out it is the Cleric job that becomes the next main class to join 30 Minutes Fantasy. With the priest serve as the basic class and available in Liber/Rozen variant as usual, the designated class up item is the Bishop Class. Scheduled for January 2025 release, 30 MF Liber Bishop will be sold for 2700 Yen.

 As always the Liber variant of the Bishop Class looks like a hreo type that exudes divine Aura and works side by side with the Liber Paladin where as the Rozen Bishop actually looks equally cool perfectly playing the act as the Head Honcho of the evil faction. Surprisingly the cousin lineup of the 30MS Spinatio Royal Knight do look good as the Liber Bishop summon Bodyguard which makes me interested to look into this lineup again at some point. I wonder which class would be the next to join 30 MF, either Wizard or Rogue would be a suitable addition.

SRW OG HG Huckebein Mk-II Trombe

  Given that Bandai kept working on SRW OG Model Kits, it is bound to happen that Trombe variants of Ratsel Feinschmaker will pop out eventually. However Bandai's choice for the Personal Trooper to get Trombe Variant proves to be a rather peculiar one. For some reason Bandai choose to pick Huckebein Mk-II as the candidate to receive the Trombe treatment which is weird but looks good nonetheless. Planned as P-Bandai item HG Huckebein Mk-II Trombe will be sold for 4700 Yen with December 2024 release schedule.

 Either my memory eludes me but I only remembered Huckebein Mk-III as the one that ever get Trombe version but perhaps it was a secret unit back in SRW OGs. The Bandai Model Kit pretty much include all original Huckebein MK-II loadout and I think the Trombe include Assault Blade as extra weapon. Trombe units in SRW series is rather special because the Trombe unit theme always override any BGMs including the boss which probably started as a Glitch but passed down as tradition hereafter. This Huckebein Mk-II release perhaps hints out Bandai's next plan for SRW OG HGs like Aussenseitter release considering Dygenguar already had one or even we will be one step closer for SRW OG Video Game series.

Kotobukiya Modelling Support Goods Combat Cell Dark Green ver

 Kotobukiya from time to time do release some very interesting Model Kit accessories as part of their Modelling Support Goods lineup. Due to their higher price tag compared to Bandai's , they are easily overlooked but this one is yet another one that got pretty good engineering. Released previously in White color, MSG Combat sell is a Tactical Backpack unit that can turn into assortment of Guns, this time in Military Dark Green color scheme. Scheduled for January 2025 release, MSG Combat Cell will be sold for 2200 Yen.

Diaclone DA-109 Diabattles X-1

 Takara Tomy dropped a yet another high yield payload for their Diaclone series! Complete with Full Trailer video, This Diaclone Mecha is called Diabattles X1 is what Alpha V2 would look like if it is given Big Powered treatment. Scheduled for February 2025 release, Diabattle X-1 will be sold for 29700 Yen.

 On the first glance, Diabattles X-1 is literally what Alpha V2 would look like if it is given Rodimus Prime treatment. It is an understatement that Diabattles X-1 has so many Gimmicks to play with. Consisting of 3 Main Vehicle Units that have 2-5 transformation modes whether it is for Individual or Combined forms. To top it off, compared to the larger Diaclones, Diabattles X-1 Got many armaments to play which I recalled even Big Powered didn't have that much, giving this guy a boost in main Protagonist aura. If fortune allows it, Diabattles X-1 is most likely the larger Diaclone item that I will get first since I missed my chance for Convoy. Quite sure Takara Tomy could even throw in some add on parts for this guy if they ever like it.

Warhammer 40k : Space Marines 2 Joytoy 1/18 Captain Demetrian Titus

 Games Workshop really do their prep work thoroughly for Space Marines 2. As we are getting Captain Titus collab event in Tacticus within few days, Joytoy joins in for a Pincer attack by releasing their 1/18 Warhammer 40k action figure for Captain Titus. Captain Titus might be demoted and called Lieutenant in SM2, but for 40k and Ultramarine Fans he will always be the Space Marine Captain! Scheduled for Dec 2024 release, Joytoy Captain Titus will be sold for 57 USD.

ToysEasy Super Alloy Warship God CV-16 Type 001 Liaoning Aircraft Carrier Shennong

 While Toyseasy caught my attention with their Tiger Tank Transformers, their Battleship Transformers under the lineup Super Alloy Warship God are the real deal! There were couple of the lineup released already but the Aircraft Carrier Shennong got to be the main piece. Released back in Q1 2024, Toyseasy Super Alloy Warship God was available in 2 versions sold for 1149 and 999 RMB respectively.

 I was considering getting Broadside transformers as part of my TF collections but what Toyseasy could offer totally scrap that plan all over. Standing over 30 Cm, Toyseasy Shennong is an aircraft carrier transformer based on China PLA Flagship Liaoning Class Aircraft carrier.  While Shennong is not the only Toys rendition of Liaoning Aircraft Carrier, it gotta be one of the best one easily surpassing the typical japanese stuff. What makes this particular Chinese transformers stands out is that it has the winning combination from the best parts of Gundam, Pacific Rim and Transformers. I am not sure the exact difference but the Special version of Toyseasy Shennong comes with extra Submarine transformers that transform itu Giant cannons to be used by Shennong. Apparently Toyseasy also design the Super Alloy Warship God Mechas in mind to be capable of combining together into a Giant transformers which certainly will give Hasbro Large size transformers a run for their money and I might plan to cover all of the roster from this mecha series. Last but not the least, Toyseasy Shennong comes with extra miniature planes and military vehicles befitting Aircraft Carrier which are quite plenty and I am always a sucker for Mecha toys that can turn into playsets as part of the gimmick.

Konosuba KDColle Yunyun Light Novel 10th Anniv verion

 Megumin doesn't come alone in the second batch of the 10th Anniv Konosuba Light Novel KDColle series as her self proclaimed rival Yunyun tags along! If Megumin got her flashy Witch outfit, Yunyun got something more down to earth as a lovely village maiden.  Scheduled for May 2025 Release, KDColle Yunyun will be sold for 9000 Yen.

To be honest a simple outfit for Yunyun actually suits her character well since she is one of the nicest girl that Kazuma ever met in his Isekai life with his party of misfits. Despite lacking in common sense at times, Yunyun had that latent main Heroine aura as shown in the Konosuba VN games. If Kazuma had played his cards right and acted nice with Yunyun, he would have gotten himself a lovely maiden who will be more than eager to settle down with Kazuma and have him become the village Chief of Crimson Demon clan. I will most likely get her along with Megumin provided my budget allows for it and lets see if Wiz or Chris will follow up in a month or two.

Iron Blooded Orphans MG 1/100 Vidar Gundam

Despite being one of the popular AU Gundam series, Iron Blooded Orphans have gotten rather awkward treatment by Bandai. However the latter decide to pull off some combo breaker by releasing another Master Grade for this series! A rather odd choice after Gundam Barbatos of the first season, but we are getting Gundam Vidar as the next Master Grade model kit. Scheduled for March 2025 release, MG Vidar will be sold for 6000 Yen.

While IBO fanbase are slightly abit more annoying, this series is no doubt way better compared to Witch from Mercury thus deserve better treatment. IBO rarely got any new products after the series end despite the series end in relatively positive note and certainly not a trainwreck like its successor. As a Vidar fan, I do welcome its entry to MG lineup and willing to double dip despite I already got the Full mechanics. I don't know what significant improvement that the Master Grade have in store because the FM version are pretty decent already but I expect the MG will have some LED parts. I would expect Lupus Rex or Bael will be the next candidate but I am still hoping a miracle that Kimaris Vidar will make it as 1/100 MG eventually.

Tensei Colosseum

 Over past few years, Fantasy Isekai or Tensei manga are quite bountiful. Most of them are relatively forgettable utilizing R18 fanservice as a bait. But from time to time there are handful that are actually good like this Tensei Colosseum.

Just like many Isekai Manga, Tensei colosseum had a protagonist from a modern life setting transported into Fantasy world. Instead of getting the typical Hero welcome, deemed worthless by the summoner, the main protagonist instead are sent to fight in Colosseum against fighters where the winner had their way with the loser's body just like many R18 Visual Novel. Sharing the look of  Devil Survivor 2/ Persona 3 protagonist, the main character is an Avid gamer who surprisingly not a betamax guy. Only possessing copycat skill and gifted with his Video Game knowledge, the main protagonist surprisingly thrived in the colosseum, defeating several beautiful female fighters who kept falling for him after he had his way with them.

For a R18 Fantasy Manga, Isekai Colosseum is surprisingly a very good Battle manga for its type. So any Shuumatsu no Valkyrie fan would easily take a liking with this one because the battle parts is done pretty well and the story is interesting enough. It appears that Isekai Colosseum mangaka had extensive experience in Doujin scene before he made this series because you won't get a Quality R18 fantasy battle mangaka before gaining some extensive experience. To be frank Isekai Colosseum content is decent enough that it can survive without relying on the R18 contents. However the mangaka is just that generous to let the reader enjoy some good fanservice while looking at what Isekai Colosseum could offer. If anyone interested to look further into this genre, you can look at Toushin Toshi which had similar setups with this manga especially on the latter part.