Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Marneus Calgar

With Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2 release last year, It is just a matter of time that one of the most prominent member of Ultramarines Marneus Calgar getting a re-release along with a complete makeover. This Space Marine 2 version for Papa Smurf will be sold for 77 USD with July 2025 release schedule.

Being one of the earlier Joytoy 40k products, Marneus Calgar first version obviously has its flaws and have to keep up with the release of Joytoy’s Demetrian Titus, wouldn’t look good when the Chapter Master is smaller in stature even compared to the champion of Ultramarine. Apart from sculpt makeover, this version of Papasmurf comes with extra set of Hands for the Gauntlets of Ultramar for different poses and It appears the Helmet also come with LED which is nice extra touch.

Back when I started collecting Joytoy 40k, I never consider getting Marneus Calgar at the time since I am not to fond of Ultramarine back then which constantly given preferential treatment by Geedubs. But over the time, I do appreciate the merits of the Ultrasmurfs and with their recent proper portrayal in SM2, my opinion toward the Space Marine posterboy did get better. Not to mention Papa Smurf has served me quite well in Warhammer Tacticus as he is still one of best Support unit in the game granting generous damage bonus for any units adjacent to him. With Joytoy rather strange decision making process for 40k series lately, I wonder which 40k units they will make considering they only jump between Ultrasmurfs and Alpha legion in early 2025

Metal Build God Gundam Second

With the Sequel of G-Gundam looming near, Bandai obviously have something in store for the series. For one of the first merchandise they decide to release a Metal Build for God Gundam with P-Bandai treatment no less! This one is available for preorder since early this month. Simply dubbed as God Gundam Second, this Metal Build will be sold for 44000 Yen with August 2025 release schedule.

As expected for a P-Bandai item, this version of Metal Build Gundam comes in its classic getup and the new version that will be featured in the new G Gundam anime. On first glance the new version of G-Gundam features slightly different backpack that comes with all sorts of hidden weapons that have several configurations ranging from Polearms, Nunchuck and Three Sectioned staff.

If it is not a P-Bandai item which automatically make this one cost 70000+ Yen, I would have considered getting one since G-Gundam is one my favorite series. But I do look forward to the new G Gundam anime and curious if the old shuffle alliance will make a comeback or there will be another pleasant surprise in store for the old G Gundam fans.

King of the Braves Gaogaigar

Just like many of my previous backlog projects, Finally I am able to proceed with this one! Gaogaigar was the first Yuusha series I got into and it is definitely one of the best Super Robot anime series. I did even make an article for the series back in 2010 during my college years. Given my lack of writing experience back then, it is definitely part of my plan to revisit Gaogaigar at some point when I started my Yuusha series pilgrimage dating back to 2016.

Given the Significance of Gaogaigar as a Mecha and Yuusha series, this series definitely deserves a full-fledged article dedicated to it just like the Rest of Yuusha peers that had been covered in Realm of Darkness. King of the Braves Gaogaigar as the 8^th and Final Yuusha anime series really stands out. Because Gaogaigar is the culmination of Sunrise studio animation team making good use of their experience from previous Yuusha titles to create a Mecha series that actually succesful at transcending its original boundary as glorified Toy commercials for Takara and one of the best specimens at that.

Actually, I could have written this Gaogaigar article back in 2020 as the assets gathering process was already finished at the time. But due to motivational issues that lead to procrastination and trying to figure out the best way to make best use of the gathered assets, things did happen and I only just got the opportunity to make amend just recently. Compared to the old Gaogaigar article, this one will focus more on overall appraisal and the hindsight view which aims for better appreciations of the Aspects that Gaogaigar did which average viewer might overlook.

Without further ado, I proudly present the final stop of Realm of Darkness Yuusha series blog posts, King of the Braves Gaogaigar!

C&C Red Alert 2 Apocalypse RIsing

 
 I don't usually do this sort of articles since I am not that active on PC gaming, but given the significance of the series, this will be an exception. Among many RTS titles, Red Alert 2 was one of the most well known series during the RTS Boom era on PC gaming even compared to its Command and Conquer brethren. As a millenial kid, I played this game quite a lot back then even if I sucked at RTS considering it is a popular titles on Internet cafe along with games like Diablo 2 and Counterstrike. After being neglected by EA for more than 2 decades, recently this legendary game made some reappearance with the help of dedicated fans as a game called Red Alert 2 Apocalypse Rising.

 After 25 years making a name as RTS games, using modded version of C&C Renegade, RA2 Apocalypse Rising offers a hands-on view on RA2 universe through FPS/3rd Person Shooter format. Basically it is a Red Alert 2 version of Starwars Battlefront/Battlefield where players could use all sorts of RA2 units from Allied/Soviet faction ranging from Conscript/GI to the iconic vehicles like Kirov/Apocalypse/Prism Tank. From what I observe, this fan project is still in-progress but the end result would be something to behold. This is really a good way for the Old fans to relive their memories with RA2 and a this sort of Game format would work really well with 40k series as well.

SD Gundam G Generation Robot Spirits Phoenix Gundam

 Just right after SD Gundam Eternal make its Global Debut, a long time original of G Generation got a Robot Spirits treatment out of nowhere! Released as SDCS Model Kit few years ago, Phoenix Gundam make a return as Robot Spirits. But as usual, Bandai always make one of the more unique Gundam action figure ended up as P-Bandai item. Scheduled for September 2025 release, Robot Spirits Phoenix Gundam will be sold for 14300 Yen.

In G Generation, Phoenix Gundam usually served as the Lead starter mecha piloted by Mark Guilder, a male newtype who play the Ace pilot role for G Generation original. Phoenix Gundam is versatile all-round Mobile suit that has assortment of arsenals to confront enemies on any range as it is Flight-capable unit equipped with Newtype tech along with Feather Type funnel. At some point in G Generation series, Phoenix Gundam has the awakened version which makes it one of the more powerful units in the game and has finisher where it turn into plane mode and crash into enemy with Newtype Fiery energy in similar fashion with Zeta Gundam’s Waverider attack.

Considering G Generation has plenty of good Original mecha designs, we could see more G Generation released as Robot Damashii like Phoenix Gundam’s sidekick Tornado Gundam and other Phoenix Gundam’s derivatives like Master Phoenix. It is just up to Bandai to let these designs to trickle upon consumer Market. Though I personally not too amused with their abuse of P-Bandai Label.