It has been about four months since I reached the final Permit Rank in Mecharashi, which subsequently unlocked the final level cap for my account. Back then, I thought everything would be smooth sailing after clearing so many absurd hurdles that Mecharashi had presented in the way of player progression.
Turns out, I was in for a rude awakening.
A few years after the release of the Hagane Works Demonbane, this classic mecha visual novel series is getting another noteworthy new product. The gothic lolita grimoire herself, Al Azif, is returning as a 1/12 scale Plamatea action figure. Scheduled for release in April 2027, the Plamatea Al Azif will be sold for 8000 Yen.
Since the Demonbane series isn't quite prominent enough in the modern market to warrant a traditional Figma release, the Plamatea line definitely serves as a fantastic compromise. This rendition of Al Azif is based on Zanma Taisei, the original Demonbane visual novel, and comes with a plethora of accessories.
Collectors can expect Demonbane's iconic weapons to be part of this product including the Cthugha and Ithaqua dual pistols, the Scimitar of Barzai, and even the Cat Helmet used when piloting Demonbane. This figure is truly a must-have for fans who already own a Demonbane mecha figure, as no Deus Machina display is ever complete without its grimoire. It definitely makes one wonder if Daijuuji Kurou could end up getting a figure release as well following Al Azif.
HiyaToys is really moving at a breakneck pace for the Megaman series. In 2026, this is possibly the seventh release for the lineup, and shortly after the release of X's Ultimate Armor, they have decided to go backward a bit to release Max Armor rom Megaman X3. Scheduled for an Autumn 2027 release, the HiyaToys 1/12 Max Armor X will be sold for 12,500 Yen.
Max Armor is X's upgraded armor in X3. Aesthetically, it is considered a drastic shift from previous armors because it incorporates elements that make X look more heroic, particularly the V-fin on the helmet that reminds some people of Shining Gundam. Within the Megaman series, Max Armor is quite special for having an additional distinct upgrade even after the player collects the whole set, and it remains the only armor upgrade to wield the Z-Saber before X6.
While this product does not resonate with me as much as X's armor from X4 onwards, it reminds me of unsettled past debts with X3 since I never completed the game, which I might revisit in the near future with my copy of the Megaman X collection.
I haven't reviewed a Nendoroid in years, despite still having dozens sitting unopened in their boxes. For my return to figure reviews, this choice might feel a little underwhelming. This time, I'll be taking a look at Nendoroid Ristarte from Shinchou Yuusha (Cautious Hero), the main heroine from an isekai anime that aired a few years ago.
This review will be fairly brief, as I'm only doing the bare minimum for Ristarte. I suppose I've lost some motivation after letting go of Aqua from my "useless goddess trio" of Nendoroids.
To me, Ristarte stands out among isekai heroines because she initially appears to be the ideal goddess assigned to guide an isekai hero, only to gradually develop an overwhelming affection for her chosen champion, Seiya. Her constant admiration and frustration with Seiya's excessively cautious nature is what kept Shinchou Yuusha going with its momentum. Although the chances of the series receiving a continuation seem slim, I wouldn't mind seeing more of their story someday.
I may give Ristarte a more complete review when I eventually cover Nendoroid Ishtar, assuming Ristarte is still part of my collection by then.
Here is an FGO PVC figure that I initially overlooked, but which caught my attention right around its release. Aside from her SSR Caster rendition, Anastasia actually received another PVC figure for her first ascension summer version, rendered in 1/7 scale by Kadokawa. This figure was released in July 2026 with a price tag of 25,800 Yen.
In her summer getup, Anastasia trades her former Caster class for the Archer class. Compared to her reserved demeanor in her original spirit origin, summer Anastasia adopts a much more cheerful attitude and fully embraces her prankster nature, which fits a young maiden like her quite well. Considering I have summer Anastasia at NP5 in-game, had I noticed this figure earlier when my financial circumstances were more stable, I likely would have picked up this PVC version as a replacement for the Kotobukiya rendition that I missed out on.
Capcom appears to be quite aggressive in marketing the Monster Hunter IP following the release of Monster Hunter Wilds, and Bandai's collaboration items have to be some of the more interesting examples! Somehow, this classic Capcom series has found its way into 30 Minutes Fantasy, which actually feels like a perfect pairing, with the Rathalos Hunter being one of the collaboration products. Scheduled for a March 2027 release, 30MF Rathalos Hunter will be sold for 4500 Yen.
Just like many previous iterations, this Rathalos Hunter incarnation will be a Blademaster equipped with a Great Sword, along with additional equipment designed to match the aesthetics of Monster Hunter Wilds. Given Bandai's track record with the 30 Minutes Fantasy line, I think this product could potentially be one of the best-value Monster Hunter action figures to come along. Apart from the Rathalos Hunter, Bandai is also releasing the 30MF Arkveld Hunter, which could make a great proxy for Ukanlos X thanks to its bulky, tundra-hunter aesthetic.
Personally, I see a lot of potential in this collaboration series, since many MH flagship monsters and their hunter armor sets could be easily represented through the 30MF lineup. The main question is whether Capcom is willing to continue licensing the Monster Hunter IP for more collaborations. If they are not too stingy with it, we could potentially see some very interesting Monster Hunter releases through this line.
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By this point, I don't have many Super Robot Chogokin figures left in my collection, and Solar Aquarion happens to be one of the older purchases that remained unopened for quite some time. As a die-cast mecha action figure line that often punched well above its price point, Super Robot Chogokin turned out to be something of a mixed bag, with Solar Aquarion representing one of the weaker entries in the lineup.
Looking back, the Super Robot Chogokin series hasn't aged particularly well. The plastic joints tend to become quite loose over time, and my copy constantly has trouble with the shoulder assemblies, which pop off far too easily. Even so, it's hard to complain too much about a Bandai die-cast mecha figure that originally retailed for only 5,000 yen, a level of value that belongs to a bygone era.
Despite its shortcomings, Solar Aquarion still has several features that genuinely exceed expectations for its price. The Mugen Punch effect parts are impressive, while the fully deployed solar wings give the figure a majestic and imposing presence. Had Bandai followed it up with regular Super Robot Chogokin releases of Mars Aquarion and Lunar Aquarion, I probably would have kept my copy despite its obvious flaws.
Following the back-to-back releases of Salamanders figures, many collectors expected Vulkan to be the next Primarch in JoyToy's Warhammer 40,000 lineup. Instead, the honor goes to his longtime rival, Konrad Curze of the Night Lords Legion. To be fair, it was always a fifty-fifty chance between Vulkan and Curze following Corvus Corax's release, but having the darker counterpart to the Raven Lord arrive first feels oddly fitting. Scheduled for release in October 2026, the JoyToy 1/18 Konrad Curze is priced at USD 140.
Despite being one of the most anticipated Primarch releases in the JoyToy lineup, the prototype leaves room for improvement. The neck appears noticeably oversized and somewhat out of proportion, giving the figure an awkward overall silhouette. It comes across as surprisingly unrefined for a premium release, although the issue could potentially be disguised with a simple customization, such as adding a tattered scarf or cloth collar. Even so, the prototype in its current form struggles to justify its USD 140 price tag.
As a character, however, Konrad Curze remains one of the most fascinating Primarchs in Warhammer 40,000. Although his downfall was arguably less tragic than that of figures such as Angron, Curze's origins are among the most compelling in the setting. Created to embody justice and order, he instead crash-landed on the crime-ridden world of Nostramo, where constant violence and brutality gradually twisted his sense of justice into something rooted in terror. The result was a deeply damaged soul trapped within the body of a superhuman, ultimately leading the Night Lords Legion down a path of fear, cruelty, and ruthless vigilantism.
Like many people, I went through an edgy phase during my teenage years, and perhaps because of that, Konrad Curze has always been one of the Primarchs whose story I find the hardest to ignore. His descent into darkness makes him one of the more psychologically interesting characters in the Warhammer universe, regardless of whether one agrees with his methods.
Saint Seiya has had its fair share of Sagittarius Seiya releases throughout the lineup’s lifespan, and not too long ago, we got yet another new SCM release for Seiya. This latest release from Bandai is quite peculiar! At long last, Seiya has received the Soul of Gold Sagittarius Myth Cloth treatment, which happens to be a P-Bandai release. Scheduled for an October 2026 release, SCM Sagittarius God Cloth Seiya will be sold for 25,000 Yen.
This release is a stark contrast for those who already own a copy of the SOG SCM, like myself. While this is essentially a re-release with a new face plate and some repainting, the price of this SOG Sagittarius is quite astronomical, I would say. At up to 180% of the original SRP for something that was released a decade ago, it really highlights how inflated certain collector commodities have become, especially with high-end lines like SCM being increasingly vulnerable to price hikes.
This release could be considered Bandai’s offer to collectors who missed out on the original SOG SCM, but they are definitely asking quite dearly this time around. If the SOG SCM ever gets another re-release, just don’t expect it to be affordable. At this rate, it could very well cost twice as much as it originally did.
Cang Toys has made a rather unexpected move, but one that still reflects the company's reputation for quality. Best known for its premium third-party Transformers figures, Cang Toys is entering the blind box market with its new Trans Age series, beginning with Yinglong Wei. Despite being a blind box product, it is clearly positioned at the premium end of the market, showcasing the manufacturer's craftsmanship and attention to detail. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, Yinglong Wei is priced at 229 RMB.
This is far from an ordinary blind box release and, in terms of overall value, appears to surpass many competing products from brands such as Blokees and Sembo. The Yinglong Wei series consists of six approximately 10 cm dinosaur robots, each capable of combining into a larger robot reminiscent of a Chinese interpretation of Daizyujin.
Collectors familiar with Cang Toys' previous projects, particularly its Volcanicus and Predaking figures, will already know the company's expertise in designing dinosaur-themed transforming robots. That makes Yinglong Wei an intriguing release, even if it is surprising to see a manufacturer known for high-end collectible figures venture into the blind box market. Whether this marks the beginning of a new product strategy for Cang Toys remains to be seen, but it is certainly an interesting direction for the company.
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Among my Chinese model kit collection, the Kemotoys Knight of Skyfog is easily one of the most unique kits I've come across. It is essentially a 1/24-scale fantasy mecha model kit that serves as an excellent alternative to Kotobukiya's Hexa Gear line. In terms of gimmicks and play value, it is already comparable to Kotobukiya's offerings. The Knight of Skyfog features multiple equipment configurations, allowing it to switch between a flight-oriented setup and a high-mobility shock cavalry form using its centaur-style exoskeleton. The kit's biggest weakness is its rather mediocre plastic quality, which ultimately prevents it from truly matching the overall standard of Hexa Gear.
Unfortunately, Kemotoys seems to have disappeared from the market, suggesting that the company did not survive beyond its first few years. It is a reminder of how fiercely competitive the Chinese hobby industry can be, where commercial success often depends more on the final product than on originality or innovative ideas. Even so, I would still welcome more 1/24-scale model kits from Chinese manufacturers that are compatible with Hexa Gear, as I still have plenty of Hexa Gear units that could use additional pilots.
After a break from the Super Robot Wars lineup for more than a year, CCS Toys has returned with another die-cast release from the SRW Original Generation series. This time, the spotlight goes to Alteisen Nacht. Although it is essentially a repaint of the original CCS Toys Alteisen released in early 2025, the company has included a few additions that may convince collectors to give this version a second look. Scheduled for release in Q4 2026, Alteisen Nacht will be sold for 36,000 yen.
Like most previous renditions of Alteisen Nacht, the CCS Toys version comes equipped with the iconic Shishioh Blade. While this may seem somewhat redundant for collectors who already own their regular Alteisen, which also included the weapon, CCS Toys has added the M13 Shotgun as an extra accessory. Although the M13 is considered one of the more basic weapons in the SRW OG series, it is still a welcome addition and complements the overall presentation of the diecast toy.
Whether the M13 Shotgun alone justifies the 4,000 yen price increase over the original release is open to debate. Nevertheless, it represents a reasonable effort by CCS Toys to offer more than just a simple color variant. Hopefully, CCS Toys can continue delivering high-quality Super Robot Wars collectibles in the years ahead, even as the current global economic climate presents increasing challenges for both manufacturers and collectors.
As one of the OG of the modern isekai genre, Mushoku Tensei continues to receive high-quality merchandise, and this latest release by Hobby Sakura is particularly noteworthy. The company has announced a 1/7 scale figure of Eris Boreas Greyrat, but what makes this release stand out is that it portrays Eris in her adult appearance rather than her more familiar teenage design. It is likely the first scale figure to depict her after the years she spent apart from Rudeus before their eventual reunion. Scheduled for release in April 2027, the figure carries a retail price of 28,000 yen.
Among the main heroines of Mushoku Tensei, Eris has always been the character who left the strongest impression on me. Despite sharing some of the story's most memorable moments with Rudeus during their youth, she ultimately becomes the last of Rudeus wives to reunite with and marry him. Their reunion, following years of separation and misunderstanding, remains one of the emotional high points of the series and one of my favorite arcs in the light novel.
The timing of this figure is also interesting. Choosing Eris's adult design suggests that the anime adaptation may soon reach this stage of the story. If that turns out to be the case, it might finally be the perfect opportunity for me to revisit Mushoku Tensei through its anime adaptation and experience one of my favorite arcs in animated form.
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I don't deliberately collect designer toys very often, but according to Chinese astrology, 2026 is expected to be a particularly challenging year for those born under the Horse zodiac, myself included. With that in mind, I decided to embrace the once-every-twelve-years occasion and pick up a small lucky charm in the hope that it might help me get through my Tai Sui year.
That eventually led me to the large version of the 2026 Chinese Zodiac Gundam, a Horse-themed designer figure. Although it was released under the Bandai Namco label, I suspect it was actually manufactured by a Chinese company, especially since the smaller blind box versions were produced by QMSV.
Since I'm not really a designer toy collector, I don't have much of an emotional attachment to this piece beyond keeping it as a symbolic good-luck charm. Part of the reason is that its color scheme feels a little contradictory. The figure is predominantly dark brown, which doesn't quite match my expectations for the Fire Horse year, where brighter reds or warmer tones would have felt more appropriate. If I ever come across one, I might instead try my luck with the QMSV Horse Zodiac version, which I might obtain thematically more suitable variant.
After releasing White Bros, Blue Braver, and Yellow Crasher separately, Takara Tomy decided to release Saint Blaster as a Toyrise complete set, bringing with it several new refinements. Scheduled for release in January 2027, Toyrise Saint Blaster will be sold for 30,000 yen.
One of the most notable refinements in Toyrise Saint Blaster is the inclusion of a B-Daman unit set that can shoot marbles, unlike the previous releases. However, for some reason, Takara Tomy chose to use plastic marbles instead of the original type of marble. For those who already own the Saint Blaster set, the new B-Daman unit will also be available separately for 6,000 yen.
Had I known that Toyrise Saint Blaster would eventually be released as a complete set, I probably would have chosen this version instead of giving in to FOMO and purchase the separate variants. In total, I spent around 45,000 yen for the set.
It is not exactly a major regret, though. At times, I am still amazed that I spent that much money on a new version of something I originally obtained for around 2 USD. But nostalgia is a powerful factor, especially for millennials like myself. Sometimes, collecting is not simply about the object itself, but also about reconnecting with a memory from the past.
One of the Girls’ Frontline 2 T-Dolls with a standout skin has finally received a long-awaited PVC figure announcement. Qiongjiu, also known as QBZ-191, is getting a 1/6 scale figure produced by a manufacturer called Vkend. This release is especially notable because it is based on her premium skin version, “Heaven Transcending Justice.” Scheduled for release in February 2027, the Qiongjiu “Heaven Transcending Justice” 1/6 figure will be sold for 1186 RMB.
This rendition of Qiongjiu immediately caught my attention because it features my favorite skin in Girls’ Frontline 2 for my mainstay T-Doll, whom I had raised to T6. While Girls’ Frontline 2 offers no shortage of fanservice skins for players to purchase, my preference has always leaned toward more tacticool designs. Qiongjiu’s “Heaven Transcending Justice” stands out as one of the best in that category, blending a Dynasty Warriors-inspired aesthetic with imperial Chinese motifs. In-game, it was an instant purchase for me, especially as it also includes an additional wholesome dorm interaction.
If this figure had been released in 1/7 scale, I would have been very likely to pick it up. However, as a relatively new manufacturer, Vkend has opted for a 1/6 scale release, which is a somewhat unusual decision for anime scale figure. Hopefully, this rendition of Qiongjiu will be successful enough to lead to more her related merchandise releases in the future for collectors like myself to consider.
With Arknights having run for more than seven years on the CN server and six years globally, the game continues to go strong with a steady stream of content. That kind of longevity is a rarity in the gacha game scene, where many titles struggle to maintain momentum for even a few years. For its latest anniversary cycle, Hypergryph has something particularly special in store: collaboration events.
Not only are they continuing with the second Monster Hunter collaboration, but Hypergryph has followed it up with an even more unexpected crossover: Persona 3. The collaboration is set to begin on the CN server in early September 2026.
Atlus and Sega continue their active push of the Persona IP through merchandise releases, and this time Makoto Yuki receives a particularly interesting figure. Among manufacturers, Apex-Toys is handling the release as part of their new Limepie series lineup. After establishing a reputation with premium PVC figures, Apex is now expanding into a more budget-friendly range, with Makoto Yuki chosen to spearhead this new direction. The figure is scheduled for release in April 2027 with a price tag of 6,800 yen.
Rendered in his Persona 3 Reload design, Makoto Yuki is posed holding an Arcana card, ready for combat. For a figure at this price point assuming a standard 1/8 scale this release appears to be a strong value proposition. It potentially surpasses previous budget-range PVC figures in both sculpt quality and design freshness, compared to lines such as Alter or Figuarts Zero.
And given the current trajectory of Persona merchandise marketing and the buildup toward Persona 6, I won’t be surprised that characters such as Joker and Yu Narukami will eventually receive figures in this same lineup.
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One of the oldest Chinese model kits that had been sitting dormant in my backlog until I finally built it a few months ago is the Star Eternal by the Chinese manufacturer Iron Toys. While it falls short in the originality department, it more than makes up for it with its excellent price-to-value ratio. I picked up my copy for around USD 30, which was an absolute bargain for a model kit featuring a die-cast inner frame and such an imposing size.
The Star Eternal feels like a cross between the Nu Gundam and the 00 Raiser, combining design elements from both into a heavily armed ranged-focused mobile suit. One interesting feature of the kit is that it includes two color options for the armor parts—red or dark grey. For my straight build, I went with the dark grey version, though I'd probably choose the red color scheme if I ever decide to repaint the kit.
The Iron Toys Star Eternal was released at the perfect time, when the Chinese yuan was still relatively weak, allowing it to offer exceptional value for the money. Had it been released at today's exchange rates and production costs, it would likely retail for around USD 45, a price that would even make me think twice before picking one up.
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The premium diecast action figure line from Infinity Studio’s Pacific Rim collection has finally come full circle. After several years of releases beginning with Crimson Typhoon, the final entry in the lineup Striker Eureka is now scheduled for release. Set for Q4 2026, the Heavy Mecha Striker Eureka will be sold at 1380 RMB.
After standing tall for more than a decade, yesterday, 31 August 2026, marked the final day of the 1/1-scale Unicorn Gundam statue at Odaiba DiverCity, where it had served as a beacon for Gundam fans from around the world to flock to. While it is certainly a sad turn of events, I think it is better to send off this iconic statue with a joyous swan song and remain optimistic that Bandai has its own plans for what comes next.
Personally, I am very grateful that I had the opportunity three years ago to visit the Odaiba Unicorn Gundam. It was the final stop in what became a Gundam statue hat-trick during my 2023 Japan trip, when I managed to visit all three life-size Gundam statues across Japan in a single journey.
Although the Unicorn Gundam is personally my least favorite of Japan’s three life-size Gundam statues, I was still very happy to have made it there before the statue was eventually taken down. At the very least, it enjoyed a considerably longer run than the life-size walking RX-78-2, which remains, in my view, the crown jewel of Japan’s Gundam statues.
I still believe Bandai would be prudent enough to prepare a replacement for the dismantled Unicorn Gundam. The question is what form that replacement might take—and whether it will even return to Odaiba DiverCity. Whatever Bandai has planned, I will certainly be curious to see what comes next.
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As always, the most expensive pieces in the haul are not necessarily the biggest ones. Takara Tomy’s Basara Prime takes the crown as the most expensive item in the lot, with figma Senshi and Cangdao Kainar following closely behind. The figma lineup in this collection is particularly interesting, as I managed to complete several sets by reuniting Raphtalia with her beloved master and assembling the full Dungeon Meshi figma party.
I also finally managed to score the Bebe Brick Model Magic Academy at a much cheaper price than I had originally expected. Considering how much I had prepared myself to spend on it, getting it for significantly less was definitely a pleasant surprise.
Along the way, I also managed to secure some older pieces that I had failed to obtain during my previous haul, including the NXEDGE Gundam Mk-V and the Galahad Mecha Musume model kit, as well as several vintage SD Gundam kits.
But the most peculiar piece in this haul has to be the Getter Robo box. It is part of a merchandise set featuring artwork from local illustrator Subjekt Zero, whose art style is simply too awesome to pass up. It may not be the most conventional addition to my collection, but that is exactly what makes it stand out among the rest of the loot.
All in all, this is yet another sumptuous banquet of collectibles that I probably won't be able to consume anytime soon, even if I try my best. Looking at the size and variety of this haul, I think it may finally be time for me to cut down on my model kit preorders.
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Some Fate series Banpresto prize figures have been sitting on my shelf, gathering dust and waiting for a proper review, and I figured I'd start with Gilgamesh in his Fate/stay night casual outfit. This figure was released during the Heaven's Feel movie trilogy, so it felt only fitting to finally crack it open before working through the rest of my Fate prize figure backlog.
Considering the King of Heroes has remained one of the franchise's most popular Servants even after Fate/Grand Order has been running for years, it's somewhat surprising that his Fate/stay night casual outfit received a figure at all. Caster Gilgamesh and Ruler Gilgamesh are far more likely to receive new figure releases, making this casual version a rather uncommon choice. Banpresto took advantage of the Heaven's Feel movies to release a figure that otherwise might never have happened, and I think the timing worked out perfectly.
To be honest, the EXQ Gilgamesh is far from the best rendition of the King of Heroes, as it lacks the regal aura and commanding presence that define the oldest hero of mankind. Even so, it remains one of the most affordable figure representations of Gilgamesh available and is still a much more faithful interpretation than some of the more questionable designs released in recent years, such as the recent Honkai: Star Rail-inspired rendition.
Although I doubt Fate/Grand Order will receive many more prize figures given its declining mainstream popularity, I still wouldn't mind seeing a Summer Caster Gilgamesh prize figure someday if Banpresto or other manufacturer ever decides to make one.
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Going back-to-back after Memories of Celceta, my detour before reaching my final destination of the Ys Marathon, is Ys Oath in Felghana, repackaged as Ys Memoire on Nintendo Switch. Back then, I had some hesitation about revisiting it, considering I had already done a full rewrite of the article not too long ago and, story-wise, Felghana was relatively lightweight.
However, curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to fully revisit Adol’s adventure in Felghana. Ys Memoire is essentially a straight port of the PSP version of Oath in Felghana, with some surface-level improvements, primarily new character illustrations for the cast. These additions don’t necessarily make this version superior to the PSP release, which still offers an intense and tightly designed adventure built around the Napishtim-era engine.
Overall, the game delivered pretty much what I expected from my playthrough 15 years ago: intense, high-paced combat with a minimal narrative layer. The boss fights remain as brutal as ever, and I still consider them the hardest among all the Ys iterations on Normal difficulty. I had to retry several bosses multiple times, particularly the Lava Statue and Clockwork Cannon. Surprisingly, though, my fight against the final boss, Galbalan, went relatively smoothly and only took one retry.
While I wouldn’t say I gained much from revisiting Felghana purely for my blog articles considering the main Felghana article is pretty much done. I still gathered enough material that should prove useful for future JRPGtalk articles related to Felghana, such as pieces on the Ys heroines and Galbalan.
With the playthrough clocking in at around eight hours, I consider my revisit with Oath in Felghana still turn out to be worthwhile. It may not have added much to my existing Felghana coverage, but it was a short, intense trip down memory lane and provided enough new material to make the detour worth taking.
Bandai recently announced a new toy lineup called Barabaride, which immediately reminded me of Crush Gear, a franchise that enjoyed some popularity in the early 2000s. It seems Bandai is making a loose attempt to revive the spirit of Crush Gear with Barabaride as a spiritual successor, perhaps partly inspired by Takara Tomy's success with Beyblade over the past few years.
For its first wave, Barabaride features three main variants, each with alternate color schemes, along with a couple of accessory packs. The concept appears to be a relatively simplified continuation of the Crush Gear formula, while introducing several new gimmicks, including an over-the-top popping-out effect when a unit is defeated for added visual spectacle.
To be honest, I don't have particularly high expectations for this lineup. Compared to Takara Tomy, Bandai doesn't have quite the same track record with products aimed at younger audiences, and the way they fumbled the Vital Bracelet a few years ago doesn't exactly inspire confidence. The entry price is also not particularly cheap, starting at around 3,000 yen.
If Bandai really wants Barabaride to succeed, they need to take marketing and community building seriously. The early stage of a toyline's lifecycle is crucial for this kind of product, especially when its appeal depends heavily on having an active player base. Otherwise, I could easily see Barabaride becoming another short-lived cash grab attempt like the Vital Bracelet.
Interestingly for Barabaride, I think Bandai might actually have a stronger market among millennials than the young audience they appear to be targeting. Incorporating Crush Gear-related accessories, callbacks, or even compatibility into Barabaride could be a great way to capitalize on that nostalgia. A 3,000-yen entry point isn't exactly cheap for teenagers, particularly for overseas consumers, but it is much easier to justify for an adult who grew up with Crush Gear and now has disposable income to spend on the hobby.
If Bandai can successfully tap into that nostalgia while still making Barabaride appealing to a new generation, it might have a better chance of establishing itself as more than just another short-lived toyline.
Given the positive reception to Kotobukiya's Front Mission collaboration so far, I wouldn't be surprised if we see more iconic Wanzers receive the mecha musume treatment in the future. The series still has available memorable designs to choose from such as Frost, USN counterpart of Zenith..
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Besides the Pokémon Center brick model, I also picked up another Keeppley Pokémon brick series, the Pokémon Store lineup and managed to collect all four variants. Compared to the Pokémon Center set, these stores aren't quite as impressive on their own. However, they only cost around USD 5 each, making them excellent value for the money. Their real appeal comes when you display them alongside other brick-built street shops, as there are plenty of compatible buildings on the market to create a lively miniature shopping district.
This review will include more photos than usual since I've combined all four variants into a single post. Among the four, Bulbasaur's store is easily my favorite, though that might be my bias toward my favorite Gen 1 starter talking. On the other hand, Squirtle's shop feels like the weakest design in the lineup, lacking some of the charm and visual impact of the others.
I do hope Keeppley expands the Pokémon Store series in the future, but I'm not particularly optimistic. The company seems to prioritize product lines with stronger sales potential, especially when renewing licensed properties like Pokémon. Because of that, I suspect this lineup may remain a one-off series rather than receive additional entries.
