Another impressive mecha musume model kit emerges from China’s growing hobby industry: Kaitian Jichuang presents Black Swan Alicia, a sleek black mecha musume exuding strong main-heroine vibes. Scheduled for a Q2 2026 release, this kit will sold for for 238 RMB.
It has been almost a year and a half since Lostbelt 7: Nahui Mictlan was released, and I have finally cleared it. It took me about the same level of procrastination as I had with finishing LB6. Surprisingly, I was able to complete this singularity over a weekend, despite being at a low point in my frustration with FGO’s absurd gacha systems. Nevertheless, I am genuinely impressed by what LB7 had to offer. I initially assumed LB6 would remain the peak of the Lostbelt arc in terms of Nasu’s writing, despite its flaws and structural baggage. However, LB7 ultimately feels like the stronger of the two, delivering comparable writing quality in a leaner and more efficient narrative structure.
After many manufacturers have taken a shot at this legendary series, Tamashii Nations has finally joined the world of Fist of the North Star. As expected, the first release is none other than the invincible successor of Hokuto Shinken himself, Kenshiro, arriving as an SHF action figure. Scheduled for release in November 2026, SHF Kenshiro will retail for 9,500 yen.
SHF Kenshiro comes with accessories similar to previous Kenshiro figures. Since he is primarily a martial artist character, the essentials are expressive faceplates and multiple hand variants. However, this version seems to lean more heavily into fierce and aggressive facial expressions, helping it stand apart from earlier releases. For collectors who missed previous Kenshiro figures, this SHF release looks like an excellent alternative. While it may not necessarily become the definitive rendition of Kenshiro, the SHF line remains a dependable middle-ground option in terms of quality, articulation, and affordability.
Given the enduring popularity of Fist of the North Star, it would not be surprising to see other iconic characters especially Raoh receive their own SHF releases in the future.
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Another action figure from my JoyToy 40k collection makes its way to the review table, and this time it’s the Assault Intercessor Sergeant, squad leader of a Space Marine unit. I might not have made it obvious before, but Salamanders are actually one of my favorite Space Marine chapters. Their reputation for being among the most humane of the Imperium’s superhuman warriors really stands out. In the grimdark darkness of the far future, having even a shred of decency and compassion toward humanity is a rare and underappreciated trait.
The Salamanders Assault Intercessor comes with relatively basic accessories, featuring a Thunder Hammer and a mini-flamer as its main armament. For a Space Marine sergeant especially an assault variant, I would have expected additional survivability options, such as a storm shield, which feels like a missed opportunity by JoyToy. That said, Salamanders are one of those chapters I’m always willing to invest a bit more in for my collection, so it would have been nice to see a “tankier” weapon loadout included
Into the fire, Unto the anvil!
The ultimate Arm-Slave from Full Metal Panic! returns through a collaboration between Chinese model kit maker Orange Cat and Wave. This time, they are delivering a luxurious 1/35 scale Laevatein model kit that blends the engineering of a Perfect Grade kit with the premium feel of a Metal Build die-cast figure. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, the Orange Cat 1/35 Laevatein will be sold for 458 RMB.
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Final Fight finally gets some long-overdue love from the premium action figure market, and leading the charge is none other than Metro City’s strongest mayor himself. Mike Haggar joins the lineup from Storm Collectibles, bringing his classic arcade presence into roughly 1/12 scale form. Scheduled for Q4 2026, this figure is priced at around 75 USD.
Haggar is one of the core playable characters in the Final Fight series, appearing throughout its main entries as the towering former pro wrestler turned mayor of Metro City. When the Mad Gear Gang kidnaps his daughter Jessica, he takes the law into his own hands, beating the criminal organization down personally. In gameplay terms, Haggar is the archetypal power character: slow, heavy, and brutally effective, built around grapples, throws, and pure physical dominance. Even if you usually gravitate toward faster characters like Guy or Cody, Haggar remains one of the most satisfying picks simply because nothing beats piling-driving gang members across the screen.
As expected from Storm Collectibles, this Mike Haggar figure delivers strong sculpt work and articulation, staying faithful to his arcade-era design. The package also includes a solid range of accessories that go beyond standard figure releases, including props that let you recreate key in-game moments such as the time bomb game-over scenario.
Overall, this is shaping up to be one of the strongest pieces of Final Fight merchandise to date. If Storm Collectibles continues this line properly, a follow-up with Cody seems almost inevitable, and a Guy release preferably based on his Alpha 3 design at some point and would complete the core trio in a very satisfying way.
After Yasha-O Gai, Yolopark returns once again to the Shurato series, this time bringing the Hachibushu Karura-O Reiga into its AMK Pro lineup. With this release, Yolopark moves one step closer to completing a full lineup from Tenku Senki Shurato. The AMK Pro Karura-O Reiga is scheduled for a Q3 2026 release and will retail at approximately 65 USD.
In the Shurato series, Reiga is one of the more flamboyant members of the Hachibushu, a group of devoted warriors empowered by Shakti to protect Lady Vishnu and Tenkūkai. Despite his playful and lighthearted demeanor, Reiga is still a fully capable warrior who fights with seriousness when the situation demands it. He wields the Shakti known as Karura-O, derived from the mythological Garuda, the divine mount of Lord Vishnu in Hindu mythology. Compared to other Hachibushu members, Karura-O Reiga stands out for his wider range of techniques, particularly through his twin-ring chakram weapons.
As with previous releases, I expect Yolopark to deliver strong quality with Karura-O Reiga, continuing the solid work seen in earlier Shurato figures. I’m also looking forward to Ten-O Hyuga, my personal favorite among the Hachibushu, even though he appears to be the last releases for Shurato protagonist lineup.
The last classic Ys title I completed before resuming my journey into the series' modern iterations. Ys V: Lost Kefin is often regarded as the black sheep of Falcom's flagship franchise, and for good reason. Even in the PS2 remake, many of its flaws remain apparent in 2026. Poor execution and conflicting design ideas prevent Lost Kefin from fully living up to the standards associated with the Ys name.
Yet despite these shortcomings, I do not believe Ys V deserves to be dismissed outright. Those willing to look beyond its rough exterior will discover that the essence of Ys remains unmistakably present beneath its imperfections. While Lost Kefin falls short in execution, its underlying themes, worldbuilding, and narrative foundations reveal a game that still belongs within the greater legacy of the series. This blog post aims to explore that side of Ys V and show why it remains worthy of attention despite its reputation.
Genshin Impact fans have waited a long time for this moment, but one of the game’s most popular Archons has finally received the premium scale figure treatment she deserves. Raiden Shogun arrives in full glory with a brand-new 1/7 scale figure from APEX-TOYS, featuring her iconic “Plane of Euthymia” pose as she draws the legendary Musou Isshin blade from her chest.
Personally, Raiden Shogun was one of the biggest reasons I started playing Genshin Impact in the first place, so seeing her receive such a high-quality figure release is genuinely exciting. Scheduled for January 2027, the APEX-TOYS 1/7 Raiden Shogun – Plane of Euthymia Ver. will be sold for 1499 RMB.
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After sitting in storage for a few years, I finally got to open one of my rarer collectibles: Bandai’s Proplica for the iconic weapon from Psycho-Pass—the Dominator. While it isn’t originally an extremely expensive item, it has become quite rare these days, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that my unit still works perfectly despite years of relative neglect.
Bandai’s Proplica line focuses on detailed replicas of anime props, often including electronic features for added interactivity. It sits between their DX and CSM-style collectible lines in terms of complexity and presentation. The Proplica Dominator in particular feels closer to a high-end “CSM-like” prop replica in spirit, given its focus on functionality and voice integration.
t has been several years since Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon was released, and surprisingly, Bandai continues to show strong support for this underrated flagship franchise from FromSoftware. Following a series of model kit releases, AC6 is now getting its own candy toy line under the Assemble Collection series. Scheduled for release in September 2026, Armored Core 6 Assemble Collection Vol. 1 will retail for 1,500 yen each, with four figures per box.
Overall, the lineup feels quite similar to the FW Gundam Converge series, albeit with extra twist to justify its retail price which is roughly three times more. What makes this particular AC6 lineup stand out is its modularity, mirroring the customization mechanics from the game itself and allowing for extensive mix-and-match possibilities between parts.
The first volume features four notable ACs: Loader 4, Nightfall, Steel Haze, and Milk Tooth, a strong starting roster for the series. Given the sheer number of memorable designs in the game, there is plenty of room for future waves especially popular AC6 design like Ayre haven't made it yet. Even Super Robot Wars Original Generation candy toy lines managed to last for three volumes.
Since I have never played Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon myself, this is an easy pass for me. Still, I would not mind seeing a similar candy toy lineup based on the franchise’s 3rd- or 4th-generation titles someday.
A low-fantasy manga I started a few years ago and only recently managed to finish, Alexis Empire Chronicle ultimately turned out to be a relatively weak entry in the genre, unfortunately one that was also cut short before it could fully develop, in a manner similar to Hinowa ga Crush!.
The story follows a fairly standard premise: a young noble rises through the ranks of an empire through virtue, skill, and determination. As the narrative progresses, he begins to carve out his own domain, ultimately seeking to reclaim the lands once held by his mentor and establish a dominion of his own.
Much of the manga revolves around low-fantasy political and military conflicts between noble houses within the empire. This culminates in a confrontation with the protagonist’s estranged half-sibling, who becomes corrupted by jealousy and unchecked ambition.
Unfortunately, the series was ultimately discontinued, and its narrative shortcomings likely contributed to that outcome. The story feels underdeveloped and somewhat conflicted in its genre direction, resulting in a half-baked execution that weakens its identity as a fantasy work. While the artwork remains consistently strong and is arguably the series’ main highlight, it is ultimately not enough to compensate for the lack of narrative depth.
The character writing is especially lacking. Most of the cast is forgettable, and the heroine’s design feels overly reliant on generic fanservice tropes commonly seen in other fantasy manga. The antagonists are similarly one-dimensional, which is a significant weakness for a story that attempts to build itself around political and noble conflicts.
Overall, Alexis Empire Chronicle feels like a simplified version of series such as Suikoden or Fire Emblem, but without the narrative depth or character complexity that makes those works memorable. Even compared to stronger entries in the genre, such as Realist Hero.
Ultimately, the series demonstrates that high-quality illustration alone is not enough to sustain a compelling long-running fantasy narrative. While it is based on a light novel that continued slightly longer than the manga adaptation, it is difficult to imagine the source material delivering a significantly more satisfying conclusion.
After taking an extended detour to wrap up my loose ends across earlier Ys titles, I’ve finally started Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana. Within the first ten hours alone, the game has already exceeded my expectations. Having played Ys: Memories of Celceta on PS Vita about a decade ago, which is the previous entry before Falcom made Ys VIII. Lacrimosa of Dana feels like a significant leap forward in almost every respect.
While Lacrimosa doesn’t fully align with my ideal “pure” Ys experience, leaning more heavily toward systems reminiscent of Monster Hunter and even elements of Trails, Ys VIII nonetheless delivers a production quality and narrative scope that feels distinctly AAA within the series. Falcom clearly pushed far beyond its usual weight class with this entry, and it stands as a culmination of the design direction established since Ys Seven. It’s easy to see why this game became a mainstream breakthrough and a favorite entry point for many newcomers to the series.
For my part, I’m most looking forward to exploring the macro-level worldbuilding and historical layers that Ys VIII had to offer into the broader Ys narrative. That long-form lore and continuity remains one of my main motivations for staying invested in Ys series.
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This will be a rather unusual blog post for me, as I rarely discuss the thematic core of video game series unless they involve mecha. However, given my long-standing investment in the JRPG genre and my curiosity toward esoteric teachings, I find it worthwhile to examine a work where both interests intersect.
As one of Gust’s early JRPG iterations, Atelier Iris 2: The Azoth of Destiny possesses a thematic premise that stands out even today. While the game itself is relatively mediocre as a JRPG in terms of gameplay and structure, it succeeds surprisingly well in one particular area: its fantasy interpretation of the Garden of Eden through the lens of JRPG with unusually profound incorporation of alchemy as its core theme.
What Atelier Iris 2 does exceptionally well is its depiction of Eden as both paradise and forbidden domain, a portrayal that resonates strongly with real-world mythological and esoteric traditions.
Back in 2011, I began my journey with the Ys series, with Ys VI: Ark of Napishtim being my first stop. Fast forward 15 years, and before setting forth to tackle Ys VIII–X after finishing Ys V, I decided to revisit Ys VI once again. Of all the available versions, I picked the PS2 release, which, as expected, delivered a rather mixed gameplay experience.
The first time I played Ys VI was actually on the PS2 before eventually finishing the game on PSP. Because of that, I chose to revisit Napishtim through the PS2 version, a decision I slightly regret. Among the various releases, the PS2 version has one of the more awkward localizations of Ys VI. I do not know if it was entirely Konami's fault, but the PS2 port added many unnecessary elements, with the 3D CGI scenes being the most notorious example.
I suspect it had something to do with the localization mindset of the era, which often carried an anti-anime sentiment common in parts of the American entertainment industry during the 1980s and 1990s. As a result, the game was altered in an attempt to appeal to a broader mainstream audience without properly understanding the source material. In hindsight, this is rather tragic, as it was poor treatment for a relatively important milestone in Falcom's history.
Ys VI: Ark of Napishtim is more than just another iteration of Falcom's flagship franchise. Not only was it a proper revival of the Ys series after the commercial disappointment of Ys V, it was also the lynchpin that gave Falcom a second chance during its dark age. The game's success helped usher the company into its renaissance period and set the foundation for its rise to greater prominence. Had Ys VI failed back then, we might never have seen the Trails series evolve into the top-tier JRPG franchise that demonstrated what Falcom was truly capable of achieving.
Despite the PS2 version of Ys VI being something of a question mark in Falcom's history, and my disdain toward its unnecessary and shallow localization makeover, I was still able to relive the core Napishtim experience, which is ultimately what matters most. At the very least, Falcom would go on to work with better international publishers in later years. If I ever revisit this game again, I will probably stick with the PC or PSP versions. That said, I am fairly confident Falcom could produce a remaster of Ys VI in the near future given the series' legacy, perhaps around the game's 25th anniversary.
Seeing how SAMG has been making a killing with their Dinoid Warrior and Miniforce lines for quite some time, Takara Tomy was bound to make a move of its own. Leveraging the strength of the Transformers brand, the company has unveiled a new series called Transformers Wild King, seemingly positioned to go head-to-head with SAMG’s Dinoid Warrior lineup. One of the main releases is a blue dinosaur mecha named Energy Master Rex Blade, scheduled for release in June 2026 at a price of 6,700 Yen.
Takara Tomy’s newest product clearly feels aimed directly at SAMG, starting with the noticeably similar packaging design. Rex Blade comes across as Takara Tomy’s answer to Rex Kaiser, though the overall design philosophy is quite different. While Dinoid Warrior leans heavily into flashy, ultra-cool aesthetics, Rex Blade retains the unmistakable feel of a toy designed primarily for younger audiences. At the same time, Takara Tomy’s long experience in the mecha genre shines through, as Rex Blade carries strong vibes of both Zoids and Super Sentai mecha despite being part of the Transformers franchise.
Where Rex Blade attempts to outdo Rex Kaiser is in its versatility. The figure features three transformation modes: humanoid, dinosaur, and vehicle. Since the product is clearly built to compete directly with SAMG’s offerings, Rex Blade also comes with supporting units capable of combining into a larger combiner mecha called Energy Beast Wild King, which I’ll leave below for you to judge yourself.
After producing several impressive cyborg-themed model kits, Hemoxian is finally stepping into something completely new. The company appears to be aiming for a foothold in the mecha musume market, and their debut entry is surprisingly strong. Their latest release, Rhande Khoskinen & Rusted Brier, feels like a blend of Alice Gear Aegis and Strike Witches, with a touch of classic Macross-inspired mechanical design. The kit is currently scheduled for a Q3 2026 release with a very competitive price tag of 218 RMB.
Hemoxian has definitely caught collectors’ attention with this release. The concept combines a mecha musume character with a WWII-inspired aircraft mech setup that heavily leans into vintage military aesthetics. Individually, the kit’s components may not look groundbreaking, but the real appeal lies in how much content Hemoxian packed into a single package while keeping the price relatively affordable. The character design even gives off strong Tanya the Evil vibes, except this time paired with a transforming aircraft-style mech loaded with multiple weapon configurations. Depending on the setup, it can resemble either a Macross-style variable fighter or a more traditional Strike Witches-inspired flight unit.
The sheer amount of versatility offered by this kit is likely to make Japanese manufacturers pay close attention, especially as more mainland Chinese companies continue pushing aggressively into the mecha musume market. If Hemoxian can maintain this level of quality, value, and creativity, they could very well carve out a significant place for themselves within the genre.
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Enter Zuru Max Retro, a premium Western blind-box brick model line featuring semi-premium builds based on classic electronic gadgets from the ’80s and ’90s. One of the models in the lineup happens to be a retro handheld console clearly inspired by the Game Boy.
For its price point, this Zuru retro game console exceeded my expectations, and without a doubt, it’s the best entry among the Zuru Retro variants I’ve seen so far. The model includes a detachable game cartridge, essentially a parody of Tetris. While the gimmicks aren’t nearly as elaborate as the Lego Game Boy, they’re still surprisingly solid considering the lower cost.
Interestingly, the design of this Zuru handheld actually resembles the Ambernic RG35XX series more closely than the classic Game Boy itself. It’s also roughly comparable in size to the R36S, another popular budget handheld emulator with a Game Boy-inspired design. Since this brick model ended up surpassing my expectations, I honestly wouldn’t mind picking up another set from the Zuru Retro line, especially the retro arcade machine, which already caught my attention.
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After being stuck in a prolonged bottleneck for more than five months, I finally managed to clear Chapter IX of Mecharashi, which in turn unlocks the game’s final level cap restriction. This is a significant milestone, as there are very few gacha games that demand this level of sustained time and attention for progression. Each “urgent mission” required to unlock the next chapter in Mecharashi is a substantial drain on mental energy, and the final hurdle is no exception.
Another noteworthy Skadi PVC figure has been announced by Myethos and it’s surprisingly affordable. Following her popularity as one of the standout characters in Arknights, the Orca waifu Skadi gets yet another release. This version, titled Wildlight Wander, appears to be inspired by a recent illustration from the CN server. It’s scheduled for release in November 2026, priced at 269 RMB.
This figure presents Skadi in a relaxed camping outfit, casually holding a fishing rod. It leans into a more sporty and laid-back look while still capturing her signature kuudere vibe. Whether it’s directly based on an upcoming CN skin or a standalone concept isn’t entirely clear, but it’s easily a strong addition for dedicated Skadi collectors.
With Chen 2nd Alter having been released not long ago, it wouldn’t be surprising if Skadi eventually receives a second Alter form as well, given her enduring popularity.
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This particular blind box series is called Battle Valor, featuring SD-style figures of Genshin characters, roughly comparable to Nendoroid Petit figures. The ones I found were from the Liyue series, and I happened to pull my personal jackpot: Ganyu! As I’ve mentioned many times before, even if I’ve grown frustrated with Mihoyo, Ganyu remains one of my favorite gacha game waifus, despite how poorly I feel she has been handled by the company.
At its recommended retail price, I personally don’t think the Genshin Battle Valor series is worth the money. However, if you can find one for around $5 USD, it’s still a pretty nice addition to a Genshin collection.
Some random Gundam arcade game I used to play as a kid, one I recently rediscovered. This particular title from Banpresto turns out to be far more interesting than it first appears, especially for an early ’90s Gundam game.
SD Gundam: Psyco Salamander no Kyoui is a run-and-gun arcade shooter featuring the Gundam series in SD art style. It’s a two-player game starring the RX-78-2 Gundam and RXF-78-1, and it essentially serves as a crash course through the Universal Century timeline—from the One Year War all the way to Char's Counterattack.
Gameplay-wise, think Metal Slug but with Gundams. In fact, there’s a good argument that Metal Slug took cues from games like this. One clear similarity is how your mobile suit automatically switches to melee when enemies get too close, keeping the pace frantic and reactive.
Like most arcade games of its era, Psyco Salamander is a ruthless coin-eater. Still, it has a surprising amount of personality. It features a generous selection of MSV-era mecha, and the customization is wild for its time, you can have the RX-78-2 deploying Nu Gundam's Fin Funnel while wielding Double Zeta's Hyper Mega Cannon.
What really cements this game’s place in Gundam oddities is its final boss: the Psyco Salamander itself. The design is striking, arguably ahead of its time and you can almost see echoes of Sinanju in it, like a distant prototype or an alternate take on Neo Zeong.
If you’re a Gundam fan especially a younger one this game can be a genuinely eye-opening experience. I’ll wrap this up by leaving you with the Psyco Salamander lineart, see for yourself whether you can spot the Sinanju resemblance.
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Just when it seemed Toyseasy had wrapped up their Warship Combiner line, they’ve returned with a new addition, an aircraft carrier mecha. Named after the Chinese progenitor deity Fu Xi, This unit is positioned as a worthy counterpart to the previously released Shennong aircraft carrier combiner. The CV-17 Fuxi is scheduled for a Q3 2026 release at 999 RMB.
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Among my sizable Joytoy 40K collection, this is the first time I’m reviewing a Horus Heresy–related figure on an individual basis. Although the Imperial Fists have never particularly stood out to me, I somehow ended up with a fairly large collection from this First Founding chapter. From that lineup, I’ve decided to take a closer look at the Mk III Breacher Squad Sergeant from the Horus Heresy era.
By the time Joytoy began producing figures from the Horus Heresy setting, their overall product quality had noticeably improved. This Mk III Sergeant, in particular, has fewer playability issues, especially when it comes to swapping parts when compared to earlier releases. While it may appear to be one of the more generic Joytoy 40K figures at first glance, the Breacher Sergeant comes with a solid selection of weapon accessories, making it a good value for its price.
The Mk III Space Marine armor is one of the most iconic designs associated with the Horus Heresy period. Known for its reinforced plating, this armor pattern offers enhanced defensive capabilities at the cost of reduced mobility. Even so, it suits the Imperial Fists perfectly, given their specialization in siege warfare and fortified combat, particularly in their bitter rivalry with the Iron Warriors.
Kaiyodo has been especially active with its anime portfolio lately through the Revoltech lineup. Not long after Adol Christin from Ys joined the series, Estelle Bright, the main heroine of Trails in the Sky, quickly followed reuniting the Ys vs. Kiseki duo once again. Scheduled for release in December 2026, Revoltech Estelle Bright will retail for 11,000 yen.
This Revoltech release clearly coincides with renewed attention on Trails in the Sky, especially with Good Smile Company also contributing its share of merchandise. While the accessories are largely similar to her Nendoroid counterpart, it’s worth noting that this marks Estelle’s first 1/12 scale action figure—long overdue for the lead heroine of one of Nihon Falcom’s most beloved JRPG series. There’s also a good chance that Joshua Bright will follow to accompany her.
I’ve been wanting to get back into the Trails series myself, but with a growing backlog, I still need to figure out where I can fit the time in.
