March 2026 Loot

 

Relatively modest, but still a sumptuous haul this month! While the overall net value might be a bit lower than previous months, this batch is packed with bargains. Most of the loot consists of brick models and model kits, with a few filler items scattered throughout.

The highlight of this month’s haul is no doubt Berserk's Figma Skull Night, easily surpassing the value of much of the rest of the batch by more than tenfold. Following closely are the Hexagear V-Thors variant in second place and Moderoid Arklaud rounding out the top three.

The brick model section is especially diverse this time. I managed to pick up a promising playset from the Bebe series by Top Toy, along with some Wekki Shop playsets. Against my own resolution, I couldn’t resist to obtain some few new additions for Super Mecha Champions Qbricks, seems I’m still attached to the SMC series after all. I also finally added some F5 Brick models to my collection, featuring mini transformable military vehicle mecha. While I had the chance to grab the Four Divine Beast brick models, I’ve decided to reserve those for another time.

Lastly, I scored some Treasure X items at an incredible rate—80% off, which is practically a steal! I’m still hoping to snag the larger Treasure X playset in the near future.

All in all, this month’s haul is solid, and I expect next month’s loot to lean even more toward the heavyweight collectibles. Still, this batch delivers plenty of variety and value to enjoy.

Mugenbine Saw Vol 02 Special Set

Bandai’s revival of the classic ’90s candy toy lineup, Mugenbine, has finally caught my attention with their latest iteration! Once a modestly popular series in its heyday, Mugenbine is back now reaching Volume 2, released in March 2026, priced at 3,800 Yen for a box set of four. 

Uma Musume Nendoroid Super Creek

With the resurgence of Uma Musume following its global release and its featured appearance in Cinderella Grey, Super Creek is finally getting her own Nendoroid! This marks her first major piece of merchandise, with more on the way. Kotobukiya even has already revealed a prototype for her upcoming PVC figure. Scheduled for release in August 2026, Nendoroid Super Creek will be sold at 7,600 yen.

Among Uma Musume trainees, Super Creek is not especially renowned for her race record. However, her strong maternal aura  amplified by the fandom’s well-known “goo goo babies” meme, has made her a beloved character within the community. The Nendoroid version presents a noticeably more wholesome and sanitized interpretation compared to her popular fan portrayal, though that certainly won’t stop creative collectors from recreating the meme with their own display setups.

While I may have stepped away from the Global version of Uma Musume due to its lingering JP-style “Saturnian” rigidity, I remain open to engaging with the franchise in forms that are less time-demanding.

Police 911 The Keisatsukan 2

One of the light gun arcade games I played as a teen left a lasting impression on me because of its unique gameplay experience. Fast forward 20 years, on a random whim, I decided to look it up—and that search ultimately led me to Police 911 – The Keisatsukan(ザ・警察官).

It turns out this light shooter is part of a series made by Konami in the early 2000s, spanning three main entries and even receiving some PS2 ports. The installment that left the deepest impression on me was Keisatsukan 2. In this game, you play as one of four law enforcement characters traveling across various Japanese crime scenes to take down gang leaders.

What made Keisatsukan stand out was its motion cover system, which tracked the player’s body movements to take cover. At the time, this was a remarkably sophisticated feature that I haven’t seen replicated since.

My personal favorite character in Keisatsukan 2 is the Incognito Police, who sports a groovy afro, stylish attire, and a versatile firearms loadout with balanced stats. There’s also a SWAT member with a high-fire-rate SMG, but its slow reload speed makes the Incognito Police my go-to choice for most missions.

While I really doubt I will ever encounter this arcade game anymore, I will definitely give the game a try as my way to pay respect for the experience it gave me as a kid.

Xabungle Soul of Chogokin GX-38R Iron Gear

Xabungle islikely one of Tomino’s more underrepresented mecha series, but Bandai has once again shown it some attention. Compared to classics like Dunbine, Xabungle may feel neglected, yet it has now received the premium Soul of Chogokin (SOC) treatment. This time, the spotlight is on the iconic transformable battleship, Iron Gear, scheduled for release as a P-Bandai item in August 2026 at 34,000 Yen. 

Warhammer 40k Joytoy - 1/18 Ultramarine w/ Assault Cannon Review

I’m slowly clearing the backlog of my JoyToy collection reviews, though at this pace it doesn’t seem like it will end anytime soon. This time, I’m taking a look at one of my Space Marine Terminators: the Ultramarines Terminator with Assault Cannon.

The Terminator Armor series is one of the stronger entries in JoyToy’s Warhammer 40K lineup in terms of overall value. Thanks to the characteristically bulky design of Terminator armor, limitations in articulation are far less noticeable. The heavy proportions actually work in the figure’s favor, making it feel solid and imposing rather than restricted.

On the battlefield, the Assault Cannon variant provides invaluable fire support for a Terminator squad. Terminators are essentially heavy juggernauts, frontline units that carve their way forward through sheer durability rather than mobility. In open combat, the Assault Cannon’s high rate of fire is devastating, easily mowing down lightly armored threats in a role somewhat comparable to a Heavy Bolter.

In the Space Hulk card game I own, however, the Assault Cannon Terminator isn’t always the optimal choice against Genestealers. Mechanically, it functions like a Bolter unit with triple attack dice. In theory, that means it can eliminate up to three Genestealers in a lucky roll but with 50% odds, it can just as easily backfire. It’s powerful, but far from foolproof.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to complete my First Founding Terminator collection eventually, just as I did with my Intercessor Marines. At the moment, I am still weighing my options for the Raven Guard and Space Wolves Terminator Candidate , so the hunt continues.

Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue (GBC)

Considering that I grew up with Power Rangers as part of my childhood, it’s no surprise that I eventually played some of the video game adaptations. My gateway into Power Rangers games happened to be Lightspeed Rescue, which probably explains why I still have a soft spot for that series.

There were two Lightspeed Rescue games that I played: the PlayStation (PSX) version and the Game Boy Color (GBC) version. Although I played the PSX version first, I want to talk about the GBC version before getting to it.

Developed by Natsume, the GBC version of Lightspeed Rescue offers a bite-sized Power Rangers experience. Among the various Power Rangers games I’ve played, this one stood out because the gameplay isn’t focused solely on defeating enemies. Instead, players are tasked with civilian rescue missions, which can be just as challenging due to environmental hazards like fires and collapsing structures.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Power Rangers game without Megazord action. The GBC version of Lightspeed Rescue includes Megazord segments, featuring two available Megazords. That said, expectations should be kept in check, these segments are far more limited compared to the brawler-style Megazord combat found in the PSX version.

30 Minutes Mission 1/144 Xenovalt

30 Minutes Mission usually flies under my radar, especially since its JRPG fantasy counterpart, 30 Minutes Fantasy, caught my attention instead. The line focuses on original mecha model kits, almost reminiscent of designs you would expect from a long-running original game series like Border Break. It’s a flexible, modular lineup that has quietly sustained itself for years. 

Animester x Bilibili 1/12 22 & 33 Action Figure Set

Some rather unusual offerings from Animester: an action figure set dedicated to Bilibili! While this platform might not be well-known outside China, Bilibili is a major social media platform in China specializing in anime and pop culture. Its influence is strong enough for the hobby industry to release tribute products. Animester is presenting action figures for the Bilibili mascots 22 & 33, featuring a futuristic theme simply dubbed Bainianji (拜年记), or the CNY anniversary version. Scheduled for Q4 2026, the figures will be available in several options: Action Figure only for 348 RMB, Action Figure & Motorcycle set for 528 RMB, and the full 22 & 33 set for 1056 RMB.

This is definitely a premium product from the Chinese hobby industry — hobby figures over 500 RMB are still rare in China. Given the unusually high price, it’s unlikely these products will reach many overseas collectors, even if the quality is unquestionable. Personally, the futuristic motorcycle rider caught my attention, though the price is beyond my budget.

This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered Bilibili mascot crossovers. The Final Gear series previously featured a collaboration unit with Bilibili 22 & 33: a Bomber mecha, a heavily modified CN-exclusive grunt unit. If Bilibili and the Chinese hobby industry continue to thrive, I expect we’ll see more products for 22 & 33 in the future.

As a parting gift, here’s a reference for the Bilibili 22 & 33 crossover unit in Final Gear.

Hardcore Mecha Mechatalk Part 2: Steel Dawn Catalogue

Moving on to Part 2 of my Hardcore Mecha Mechatalk series, this entry focuses on Steel Dawn, the game’s primary antagonist faction. As usual, the Mechatalk is organized according to the main mecha development branches and surprisingly, Steel Dawn’s lineup is quite diverse for what is essentially a rebel force.

Steel Dawn is a heavily armed rogue terrorist organization seeking to force Mars’ secession from the Earth Government. The group is led by the ambitious mercenary Xerxes Nomad, a man willing to employ any means necessary to achieve his vision even at the cost of innocent lives.

Given its status as a non-state actor without the same level of funding as the Earth Government army, Steel Dawn’s forces are predominantly ground-based and rely heavily on conventional projectile weaponry. Their designs reflect practicality and battlefield efficiency rather than technological extravagance.

That said, the faction is far from underpowered. Steel Dawn allocates significant resources toward heavily customized units for its ace pilots and even fields high-mobility aerial machines such as the Halberd series. At the top of the hierarchy, its leaders command their own Mobile Armor class units  effectively one-man armies that rival government superweapons.

Hopefully it won’t take too long for me to wrap up the Mechatalk article for Thunderbolt, along with the main Hardcore Mecha overview.

Girls Frontline Fire Control

I picked up this particular Girls’ Frontline spin-off last year but only started giving it proper attention over the past month. Although it isn’t developed directly by the team behind GFL2: Exilium, it still offers enough appeal to attract both long-time Girls’ Frontline fans and more casual players.

Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control is essentially a MOBA with mechanics adapted to fit the GFL universe. Since the Girls’ Frontline series is a popular gacha franchise centered on anthropomorphized firearm “waifus,” Fire Control integrates light FPS elements to stay true to the brand’s identity. However, at its core, it remains a MOBA experience.

One of the game’s strengths is allowing players to use well-known T-Dolls from the original title, with their weapon classes naturally translating into MOBA roles. My current mainstay is WA2000 known as Makiatto in GFL2, the classic tsundere red-haired sniper rifle who fills the ADC role in Fire Control. The role transition feels seamless and faithful to her original identity.

Personally, I think Fire Control works well as a casual MOBA alternative. For it to survive and thrive long term, however, consistent content updates will be crucial especially new stages and the addition of fan-favorite T-Dolls to keep the existing fanbase engaged. With major names like HK416, UMP45 and Type 95 still available to headline updates, the game has strong potential to maintain momentum. The recent QoL improvements seen in GFL2: Exilium may also indirectly strengthen confidence in the broader franchise.

To me, Girls’ Frontline: Fire Control demonstrates that a successful gacha franchise can transition into the MOBA format to reach a broader casual audience while retaining its core fans. If successful, perhaps other major gacha titles such as Fate/Grand Order might one day experiment with similar diversification strategies.

Patlabor RG 1/48 AV-98 Ingram Plus

 

Mobile Police Patlabor is one of those classic mecha franchises that has remained relatively dormant for years. While occasional merchandise releases such as the MODEROID kits have kept the name alive, the last major release into the model kit scene was likely Bandai’s 3,000-yen Master Grade from the early 2000s. Fast forward to 2026, and seemingly out of nowhere, Bandai has announced a brand-new kit of the iconic AV-98 Ingram, this time in Real Grade format. Scheduled for release in June 2026 at 5,500 yen, the RG Ingram represents a significant and somewhat unexpected upgrade for the franchise.

WASA x Evangelion - EVA 02 Blindbox Review

One of last month’s impulse purchases was this blind box figure from a local OHSOME store. I’ll admit, it’s teetering on the edge of buyer’s remorse. I’m not exactly a big fan of Evangelion, even though I managed to grab this at a bargain price. I guess curiosity got the better of me.

The WASA Blind Box line falls into the “designer toy” category. Before acquiring the Evangelion license, WASA produced astronaut-mecha themed figures. After securing the Evangelion IP, they released this series. Out of the available EVA units, I ended up with Asuka’s EVA-02, probably one of the better pulls for fans, considering Asuka remains surprisingly popular to this day.

As a collector, the WASA Evangelion Blind Box isn’t exactly my type. I’m generally not into designer toys, and for around $10, there are arguably stronger alternatives on the market. That said, WASA positions itself as a mid-range Chinese blind box brand, and the build quality does feel slightly more premium than typical budget releases.

Apparently, they also released a combiner variant within the Evangelion series, though that version isn’t particularly cheap either.

Arknights Nendoroid Dusk

 

Arknights: Endfield may be generating plenty of buzz right now, but Hypergryph hasn’t forgotten about the original Arknights series when it comes to merchandise. The franchise is getting yet another Nendoroid, and this time Hypergryph has decided to continue the Sui Siblings lineup. Following Shu, the reclusive yet immensely talented painter Dusk is next to receive the Nendoroid treatment. Scheduled for release in October 2026, Nendoroid Dusk will retail for 6,800 yen.

30 Minutes Fantasy Meteoric Iron Samurai / Shogun

 

The 30 Minutes Fantasy lineup has finally ventured into the exotic oriental archetype. As a JRPG-inspired model kit series, the Samurai class was always one of the most anticipated additions to 30MF. Dubbed the Meteoric Iron Samurai, this new oriental branch breaks away from the established Liber/Rozan faction mold, much like the Nekros Knight did further expanding the creative spectrum of this promising lineup. Scheduled for release in September 2026, the 30MF Meteoric Iron Samurai will retail at 2,200 yen.

SRW OG Flame Toys [Kuro Karakuri] Weissritter

It has been quite some time since Flame Toys released their version of Alteisen, and now they are finally unveiling their take on Weissritter. As expected, the iconic protagonist mecha of Super Robot Wars OG wouldn’t feel complete without its partner unit. Scheduled for release in August 2026, Flame Toys’ Weissritter will carry a hefty price tag of 45,000 yen.

As usual, Flame Toys products are positioned firmly in the premium range, which naturally limits their target audience. Pound for pound, the value still doesn’t quite surpass comparable releases from CCS Toys. While Flame Toys’ Alteisen at least included the Shishio Blade as an extra weapon to help justify its high price, Weissritter appears to come with little more than a carbine handgun, which feels rather underwhelming given the cost.

At this point, I’m hoping CCS Toys will eventually return to the SRW OG lineup. With 20 years has passed since OGs release,we could also use some port series for OGs.

Transformers x Evangelion - Evangelion Prime 01

Transformers and Evangelion are two pop-culture franchises that often show up in crossover collaborations, so it was only a matter of time before they met and the result is definitely worth the wait. Takara Tomy has announced an exciting new release: Evangelion Prime, an Optimus Prime figure themed after Evangelion Unit-01. It’s scheduled for release in August 2026, priced at ¥11,000. 

Gundam Gqux Metal Robot Spirits Xavier's Custom Gyan

In early 2026, Bandai appears to have largely wrapped up the Gundam Gqux series, but not before giving one of its standout mobile suits the premium treatment. The Gyan Xavier Custom is getting the Metal Robot Spirits (MRS) release and as expected, it’s a P-Bandai exclusive. The price is nothing to scoff at, suggesting Bandai is making the most of the IP before moving on. Scheduled for July 2026, the MRS Gyan Xavier Custom will retail for 26,000 yen.

If the original Gyan felt somewhat underrated in the Universal Century anime, Gqux certainly gave this Gelgoog rival more time to shine. Loosely inspired by the High Mobility Gyan variant, the Gqux version is portrayed as a high-performance elite mobile suit capable of taking down the formidable Big Zam Mobile Armor through coordinated attacks. In the series, one of the Gyans is piloted by Xavier Olivette, a young and promising Zeon pilot occasionally naïve, but ultimately dedicated and full of potential.

That said, 26,000 yen is a steep asking price for a Metal Robot Spirits release of the Gyan, especially when the much larger Gqux Mobile Armor, Kikeroga, is priced at around 32,000 yen. While the Gqux redesign of the Gyan is undeniably sleek and impressive, the cost may give collectors pause.

At this rate, Bandai could very well give G-Fred the Metal Robot Spirits treatment next, squeezing out a bit more momentum from Gqux before shifting focus to the next Gundam project.

Martian Successor Nadesico 1/7 Ruri Hoshino

Martian Successor Nadesico may be a dormant IP these days, but that doesn’t mean its best waifu can’t still get new merchandise. Ruri Hoshino is getting a new 1/7 scale PVC figure from Good Smile Company, and she looks stunning in her iconic young battleship captain getup from Prince of Darkness , one of the peak designs of the 90s. The figure is scheduled for release in October 2026 and will be priced at 18,000 yen. 

Ruri stands out as one of the best teen heroine designs in mecha anime of her era, a testament to the skill of her character designer. Her transition from Nadesico to Prince of Darkness captures her growth beautifully. Ruri becomes the epitome of the “young maiden falling in love” archetype, as she gradually develops feelings for Akito, the main character of Nadesico, a relationship that is emotionally complicated and borderline forbidden. Interestingly, the voice actors for Akito and Ruri are married in real life as well.

Transformers Blokees Defender Devastator Review

It’s time to review one of the most elusive products from Blokees Transformers until recently: Blokees Defender Devastator! Early in the release, the add-on parts necessary to form the Devastator combiner experienced supply issues with local distributors. For a time, the official Blokees store in the region even enforced a minimum purchase of $50 to obtain the combiner parts. Naturally, this caused some frustration among the local fanbase. Though, in my opinion, some of them did take things too far.

As a collector with some industry experience, personally I don’t think Blokees Devastator really worth the drama. The item was still obtainable within a reasonable term, as long as you avoided FOMO-driven impulse buying and recognized that the consumer market in a developing country is not directly comparable to the U.S. market. It was, however, amusing to see the first-batch units resold for over $20 when supplies were scarce.

From a design perspective, Blokees Defender Devastator is a smart, minimalistic engineering feat. It transforms a set of Devastator vehicles with minimal gimmicks into a 17 cm combiner robot, offering respectable playability for its size. The price point is modest, but the product punches well above its weight.

And Blokees seems to have learned from the initial supply issues, so I expect future releases for Bruticus to be smoother and less dramatic. One thing I just noticed from review Blokees Devastator, Defender lineup doesn’t yet include the complete Devastator team in mecha form. So I’ll be waiting for them to finish the full lineup, just as they did with the Galaxy series.

Girls Frontline 2 Exilium 1/7 Springfield Queen in Radiance

The Girls’ Frontline series may not be the fastest when it comes to releasing merchandise, but the pacing has been steady and respectable. With the help of Kotobukiya, Springfield in her formal dress is finally getting the spotlight as a 1/7 scale figure. Scheduled for release in September 2026, the figure is priced at 25,000 yen.

This rendition faithfully recreates Springfield’s GFL2 skin, “Queen in Radiance.” As expected, the scale figure sits on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to its peers much like the skin itself in Exilium, where it remains one of the most expensive options available for direct purchase. The pricing feels fitting, considering the level of detail and the premium presentation of this version.

Springfield has long been a fan favorite within the GFL community, largely due to her strong maternal aura among the many “waifus” in the franchise. Despite the series having no shortage of characters with a similar archetype, Springfield continues to stand out and maintain her popularity.

Before reuniting with the Commander in GFL2, Springfield successfully ran a coffee shop alongside some of the Commander’s former T-Dolls. However, she is far from being just a gentle café owner. Springfield remains a combat-ready T-Doll with her own arsenal, fully prepared for large-scale firefights whenever duty calls.

Genshin Impact Nendoroid Xiao

It’s hard to believe it’s already been half a year since I stepped away from Genshin. Yet the slow pace of Genshin merchandise releases continues. Four months after Nendoroid Kaeya, we now have the Yaksha General himself, Xiao! Scheduled for release in December 2026, Nendoroid Xiao is priced at 7,500 yen.

At this point, I’m honestly puzzled by HoYoverse’s continued confidence in what feels like a half-hearted approach to merchandise for one of their formerly dominant IPs. There was a time when Genshin’s popularity could justify almost anything, but goodwill from the early fanbase has clearly burnt out completely by this time. The pacing and perceived effort behind these releases don’t exactly inspire excitement.

Moshow Progenitor Effect Illustrious Class 1/100 Tyrant Bolt

Moshow is back with their 1/100 scale diecast mecha lineup! This time, they’ve redesigned the Tyrant mecha into a new variant dubbed Tyrant Bolt. Sporting an all-new color scheme and a different weapon loadout, Tyrant Bolt will be priced at 398 RMB and is scheduled for release in Q2 2026.

The Illustrious Class Tyrant Bolt features a unique equipment set compared to the standard Tyrant Squad. Instead of conventional firearms, this variant comes equipped with engineering tools such as a giant drill, a mechanical claw, and a backpack-mounted laser. For some reason, it also includes a greatsword, an unusual choice for an exploratory engineering mecha. The overall aesthetics of Tyrant Bolt also remind me of the Jesta Cannon and JoyToy’s North 04 mecha.

Lastly, if Tyrant can receive its own special version as a single unit, I wouldn’t be surprised if Moshow’s Illustrious Class Guardsman gets a similar treatment in the future.

Megaman X 1/12 Sigma Model Kit

Kotobukiya’s Mega Man X model kit lineup has finally reached Sigma! As the eternal recurring archvillain of the series, Sigma has often been overlooked in terms of physical collectibles. The last major figure of him was Bandai’s Figuarts Zero statue, released over a decade ago. Kotobukiya’s new model kit, released in 1/12 scale, will retail for 12,000 yen and is scheduled for June 2026.

Don’t be misled by the scale: Sigma easily reaches over 20 cm tall, making him an impressively towering figure. That kind of size suits an archvillain well. After all, his defining trait is not just persistence, but an uncanny ability to resist death. Kotobukiya’s version recreates Sigma’s Mega Man X1 appearance, complete with his cape and beam saber.

Before becoming the iconic villain he is known for, Sigma was a charismatic Maverick Hunter leader who took X under his care. His fate took a dramatic turn after he was infected by a virus during his encounter with a berserk Zero, ultimately becoming the leader of the Mavericks.

Looking back, Sigma’s story reminds me of Warhammer 40K’s Horus Lupercal. Both characters are charismatic leaders who embody humanity’s hope, only to fall into tragic corruption and become symbols of absolute evil. Given several loose similarities, I wouldn’t be surprised if Capcom’s development team drew inspiration from Warhammer 40K during Mega Man X’s inception. And, perhaps it’s no coincidence that X and the Ultramarinesbecame the iconic poster figures of their respective series for being blue.

Hexagear 1/24 Managarmr

Kotobukiya’s Hexagear line never fails to impress me. The company has consistently led the way in innovative design, and their latest release proves they’re still pushing boundaries—especially with a new take on an older style. The newest Hexagear unit, Magnagarmr, is a giant wolf mech set for release in June 2026, priced at ¥12,000. 

Zero no Tsukaima Nendoroid Louise 2.0

One of the early mid-2000s isekai classics, Zero no Tsukaima, has finally received a Nendoroid 2.0 renewal from Good Smile Company and it’s the main heroine who gets the honor! It’s been more than a decade since Louise received her first Nendoroid, and now she’s getting a full upgrade, which is truly a treat for nostalgic fans. Scheduled for release in August 2026, Nendoroid Louise will be priced at ¥6,800.

Zero no Tsukaima is the anime that cemented Rie Kugimiya’s status as the undisputed tsundere queen, thanks to her portrayal of Louise: an insecure apprentice wizard who hides immense power, having isekai’d high school boy serves as her familiar and eventual lover. I watched the series during my teenage years and still look back on it fondly.

As a classic tsundere waifu character, the new Nendoroid 2.0 Louise features a surprisingly mellow expression, which is a major win for nostalgic fans. Given that the series effectively concluded after the author’s passing, there may be no continuation of the story but I’m seriously considering rewatching the series from Season 2 to the finale just for the nostalgia.

Anko Miniblocks - Red Racing Car Review

A continuation from last month’s Anko Sports Car Miniblock post! For my first batch of Anko miniblock acquisitions, I picked up two Sports Cars. This is the second one inspired by the classic popular red sports cars of 80s and 90s.

Compared to the blue sports car model, this one looks a bit more monotonous due to the lack of decals, which might have been an oversight in the design process. Still, considering its price point, it offers great value and looks impressive when displayed alongside the rest of the series which Anko miniblocks still update.

So far, there are about 4–6 models available in the Anko Sports Car lineup. Let’s see if I can assemble and review more of them before the end of the year.

Attack on Titan as Parables – The Tybur Family Gambit

 

I rarely post this sort of article in Realm of Darkness but here it goes

Attack on Titan is undoubtedly one of the most successful recent Japanese manga, reaching audiences worldwide. There are many reasons why the series captivated so many, but for me, its appeal lies in the eschatological nature of its story, presented in a way that resonates strongly with younger generations, much like Neon Genesis Evangelion did decades earlier.

For Western audiences, both Evangelion and Attack on Titan tap into something deep in the subconscious. Their narratives echo elements of Biblical storytelling — not by direct adaptation, but by framing human struggle, morality, and existential threat in archetypal ways. In this sense, both works can be seen as modern parables: stories that help make sense of experiences and ideas that are otherwise difficult to comprehend.

Geppy-X HD Remaster

A rather surprising piece of news for mecha gaming fans but a welcome one nonetheless. A 70s mecha-themed PSX game, Geppy X, is getting a remastered version. Scheduled for a global release in July 2026, it will be available on all modern consoles, a rare and unusual treatment for a classic, non-mainstream PSX title.

Back when it first came out, Geppy X caught my attention as I explored the PSX’s mecha game library as much as I could. Considering I wasn’t really into the Super Robot genre back then, this one had mostly eluded me, but now it seems I have a good reason to revisit it.

In terms of gameplay, Geppy X appears to be your typical horizontal shmup, with a Getter Robo-style mecha as the playable character. What sets it apart, though, is the surprisingly high number of animated cutscenes unusual for a shmup, yet a clear sign of the developers’ passion for the project.

Nonetheless, I’m hoping for the best with the Geppy X remaster. Revivals like this are very rare in the mecha genre, and it’s exciting to see a classic like this getting a modern second life.

Densetsu no Yuusha Da Garn The GATTAI Land Bison

The first Yuusha series to receive the THE GATTAI treatment has finally come full circle. What began in 2021 as a revival project for Yuusha toy lines now reaches its conclusion for its first recipient, Densetsu Yuusha Da Garn, with the announcement of THE GATTAI Land Bison. Land Bison marks the completion of Da Garn’s supporting lineup, following Pegasus Saber and Seven Changer. Scheduled for a January 2027 release, THE GATTAI Land Bison will retail for 52,000 yen, making it about 2,000 yen cheaper than Pegasus Saber. 

Hardcore Mecha Mechatalk Part 1: UNF Mecha Catalogue

Having completed my journey with Hardcore Mecha and feeling overall satisfied with the experience, I’d like to reciprocate RocketPunch Studio’s passion and labor with a series of articles in Realm of Darkness. Before moving on to the main Hardcore Mecha feature article which will take some time to be completed in its proper form, I will begin with a Mecha Talk series focusing on the mecha units featured in the game.
 
This Mecha Talk series will be divided into three parts, with the United Nations Federation (UNF) faction be represented in part 1. The series will provide an overview of faction units available in Simulation Mode, as well as unit faction profiles from Multiplayer Mode. For easier navigation, the mecha roster will be organized into the main-lines.

As a mecha fan, I have to say that the sprite assets in Hardcore Mecha are truly top-notch. It would be a shame for such high-quality sprites to remain underutilized after the first game, especially since the game itself struggled somewhat with trying to do too many things at once.