B-Daman Bakugaiden Toyrise Black Devaster

I didn’t expect Takara Tomy would complete their B-Daman project within a year, but lo and behold their revival product of Saint Dragon has already completed! It has been around 8 months since White Bros become the first one to be released under toyrise and fast forward to the present, Black Devaster finally made it as well under same lineup. Scheduled for June 2026, Toyrise Black Devaster will be sold for 16000 Yen Price Tag.

I have been expecting Toyrise Black Devaster would be more expensive due to being larger mecha compared to Saint Blaster Trio but the price gap might still fall in reasonable boundary even if it is rather expensive product in the first place. Black Devaster really sport the antihero rival vibe with its imposing larger frame and to cement its status, it also capable of shooting two marbles at once.

I never manage to have Black Devaster back then so I will really look forward to obtain one now even if the hurdle seems to be slightly more difficult now. With the main character of Bakugaiden IV has assembled, I am curious which Bakugaiden series that Takara Tomy would work next? Bakugaiden V is the likeliest but they will certainly catch my attention with anything on Bakugaiden III

Joytoy 1/25 APOC series Storm Lucis Fire

Joytoy return with their kickass Titanfall Mecha original timeline once again! As part of APOC series this batch features 5 mecha variants in one go! Out of this batch the one that caught my attention is Lucis fire and Iron Vanguard. Scheduled for January 2026 release, Joytoy 1/25 APOC Lucis fire will be sold for 60 USD Price tag.

As usual the 5 new lineups are quite solid with a mixed range of generous assorted armaments given by Joytoy. Truly without the constraint of licensing cost, Joytoy afford to give more assorted goodies. Compared to the past Joytoy Titanfall mecha, this one seems to have more simplistic cockpit gimmick but the sculpt result can be considered superb. Iron Vanguard and Lucis Fire caught my attention because they seem to be the only one who possess staying power with some shield.

However upon closer look Sky Striker which is sniper type mecha also looks good since it got assorted choices of ranged weapons and unique kukri apart from its main Sniper rifle armament and it is the only variant out of the 5 APOCs that got distinct head design. Joytoy 1/25 Titanfall series is one my favorite lineup of this company and I might already have a dozen by this time. Looking forward for these new APOCs to join my collection.

Fate/Grand Order 30 MS Caster Artoria

 

It has been several years already since Bandai Model Kit division tried their chances on anything with FGO series after Petitrits. However, for some reason, maybe due to FGO 10^th anniversary they tried their luck once again. Growing confident with their waifu plamo lineup with 30 Minute sisters running for several years, This time they release Caster Artoria as 30 MS Model Kit. Scheduled for February 2026 release, 30 MS Castoria will be sold for 4600 Yen.

Overall, 30 MS Caster Artoria is a decent substitute for those who find her figma version unaffordable with sculpt quality as tradeoff. Castoria’s 30 MS version does also come with her goofy angry expression which is one of her trademark behaviors. But I would say 30 MS version selling point would be the customization option available for her considering she will get plenty of accessories pairing with 30 MS previous release, so I could see some sort of mecha musume version of Castoria with exoskeletons to be not far off in the future. Personally, I really doubt Bandai possess any long term interest with FGO series but lets see if there will be more FGO related model kit when they still feel like it.

Anko Mini Blocks - 12 in 1 Vehicle Robot Review

During my trip to Sydney early this year, Brick model products called Anko Mini Blocks quickly become my favorite shortly after my encounter with their lineups in K-Mart. In my early acquisitions, one of the more elaborate pieces I managed to obtain is this particular 12-in-1 Vehicle robot. This specimen is rather peculiar one since Anko Block products generally catered to masses so Mecha are not exactly their priority but it is one of the rarity exceptions.

For a Brick Model cost 8 AUD, the value offered by this Vehicle robot brick model from Anko easily surpass its price by quite a leap. In this set you can either make a Yellow Vehicle Robot which is likely inspired by Bumblebee and Devastator from transformers or 12 different construction vehicles. No interchangeable transformation and limited articulation, but the value-for-money already pushed beyond its price.

Given the Anko miniblock brand lineup focus on sellthrough over craftsmanship, It is unfortunate that the sort of products like this Vehicle robot is once in a blue thing since it is not considered profitable enough. But it is one of the better specimen that Anko miniblock ever made for their lineup.

Gokujou Parodius

 
 During my childhood, I got my share of exposure of Shmup games and of all many Shmup games, Parodius is one of the most influential to me. Parodius series is the most responsible to shape my matter personal taste for Shmup games which are either Full Mecha Scifi or colorful fantasy. My personal favorite game for Parodius series also happen to be my gateway which is Gokujou Parodius which was released in Arcade back in 1994.

Parodius is a spin off version of Konami Horizontal shooter games essentially Parody version of the game. Parodius features assorted comical character as playable shooters ranging from classic Gradius Vic Viper to human doodle on paper plane or even an Angelic pig. In this game I used Twinbee and Penguin character as my mainstay adventuring through very colorful stages which really will lighten up anyone's childhood and fought bosses like Panda Ballerina or Mermaid princess with ship hat. Other later Parodius series are awesome as well but I always find my way back to Gokujou due to its strong attachment with my childhood.

Personally I think best means to access Gokujou Parodius apart from the MAME emulator is through PSP port of the Parodius Portable which feature one stop for complete Parodius experience and the high value of the second copy of the PSP UMD really reflect the merit of this compiled series. Apparently Gokujou Parodius also received SNES port back then which I might give a visit in near future.

Hexagear 1/18 Blockade Ivy

 
 One of the recent Hexagear product that I once overlooked but regained my attention. It is partly my fault since I mostly focus on humanoid mecha based for Hexagear lineup, but this one certainly worth my attention. Back in December 2023, Kotobukiya released a insect mecha Hexagear called Blockade Ivy and this one is one of the bulkier variant of Hexagear's insect mechas. Sold for 12000 Yen SRP, this one is definitely one of the larger Hexagear Model kit.

At first I didn't really get why Blockade Ivy caught my attention apart from the cockpit gimmick which made me always pay attention for any prospective mecha. However it was the similar aesthetics with Eighty-Six insect mecha that made Blockade Ivy caught my attention. Hexagear always never cease with their proof of concept mecha designs and it would be certainly a waste that good designs like Blockade Ivy only released once. Thus I will look forward to the rerun along with future variants. 

Cangdao Models 1/100 Metal Build Tianchen

 
 Cangdao affordable Diecast model Tian series is back again! After Tianwei and Tianfa, Tianchen makes its appearance. This one had design influences from Wing, Seed and 00 Gundam and originality is not the biggest priority when it is very affordable Diecast product. Schedule for Q2/Q3 2026 release, Cangdao 1/100 Tianchen will be sold for 298 RMB.

Mobile Suite Ensemble EX-56 Zeus Silhouette

 
 About less than a month since MS Ensemble Destiny Gundam Spec-2 announced, earlier than expected Zeus Silhoutte made it as Gundam Ensemble as well! Released as P-Bandai just like Destiny Gundam, Ensemble Zeus Silhoutte offers the most elaborate alternative for Destiny Zeus Pack in SD proportion for those who can afford it. Scheduled for February 2026, MS Ensemble Zeus Silhoutte will be sold for 6600 Yen.

12100 Yen for P-Bandai item which is MS Ensemble Destiny Gundam Zeus Pack set is nothing to scoff at as typical overseas collectors will have to spend at least 150% of the JPY SRP to obtain one. To tell how expensive this set is, you can obtain 3 MG Destiny Gundam or 3 Converge Destiny Zeus Pack or even 2 HG Destiny Zeus for a single set of MS Ensemble version of what is essentially Destiny Gundam Deep Strike pack. Bandai's treatment for Gundam Seed Freedom related merchandise has been rather abysmal and it really signify some sort of internal issues. At this rate Gundam will not last really long after its creators departure.

Megaman X Hiyatoys 1/12 X

Revisiting Hiyatoys again after Ghost in the Shell and this time it is the classic Blue Bomber Megaman X! Hiyatoys appear to be onto something with their aggressive expansion as their portfolio for 1/12 Action figure grew quite fast since Motoko Kusanagi. Starting with the Classic X, Hiyatoys 1/12 Megaman X will be released for Q4 2026 with 54 USD Price tag.

Apart from Kotobukiya, It has been quite some time since Megaman X got its 1/12 Action figure treatment since Truforce. Like Truforce, this rendition of X includes LED parts for X buster with 3 levels of configuration apparently. This one definitely fills the role for essential version for X.

Apparently Hiyatoys is preparing something big for Megaman X series since they reveal some protoypes for future Megaman X lineup including Zero and Falcon armor. Looking forward how this lineup will turn out.