June - August 2026 Loot

 
 Another sumptuous collection of loot accumulated over the course of the past three months. While this may look like a massive amount of loot, the overall cost of this batch is actually lower than some of my previous hauls, without being any less valuable when it comes to the core value of the collection. Pound for pound, the quantity in this three-month batch is actually relatively modest, but it truly shines in terms of variety, as I managed to bring home an assortment of model kits, action figures, and brick models.

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.

Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite Zaku Desert Type

 

A rather interesting new entry in the Gundam Fix Figuration Metal Composite lineup. While the series has already featured several Zaku variants in the past, this release stands out for spotlighting a less commonly represented unit: the Desert Zaku. Of all possible variants, Bandai’s choice is quite fascinating. Scheduled for release in December 2026 as a P-Bandai exclusive, the GFF Metal Composite Desert Zaku is sold at 30,000 Yen Price tag.

Among the many Zaku variants, the Desert Zaku has a notably interesting history in Gihren’s Greed. In that context, it goes beyond its intended role as a desert specialist unit, proving itself as a reliable all-round grunt mobile suit for Zeon’s Earth campaign against the Earth Federation Forces. It serves as a strong early game alternative to the standard Zaku II, and when paired with the Zaku Cannon, it becomes part of a highly effective frontline composition.

At 30,000 Yen. GFF Desert Zaku sits well outside my budget for a Zaku figure, so this will likely be a skip for me. That said, I wouldn’t mind seeing a newer model kit rendition of both this unit and the Zaku Cannon in the future.

Arknights Myethos 1/7 Kaltsit Esperanta

 

With the release of Kal'tsit Alter in Arknights CN—one of the main figures in the story—it was expected that she would quickly receive a high-end PVC figure from Myethos. This rendition of Kal'tsit comes as a highly detailed diorama-style 1/7 scale figure, scheduled for release in May 2027 at a price of 42,500 Yen.

This is undoubtedly positioned in the premium tier of PVC figures, largely due to its elaborate diorama base, similar in spirit to previous high-end releases like Skadi Alter’s premium version. In this figure, Kal'tsit is accompanied by a new incarnation of her guardian sentinel following Mon3tr’s given autonomy from Kaltsit. The design appears to blend elements reminiscent of Hitekai Ikaruga and Matrix Sentinels, featuring a more diversified range of offensive capabilities compared to Mon3tr.

Since Kal'tsit Alter has not yet reached the global server, it is still somewhat difficult to fully grasp her character on a more personal or intimate level. However, it is clear that she returns with even greater power and a renewed commitment to Rhodes Island and the Doctor following her banishment by the Priestess in Chapter 15. It will be interesting to see whether this figure line eventually extends to a Nendoroid release as well, especially with Mon3tr already confirmed to receive one in the near future.

Eddas 1/100 Nomes

Eddas has been consistently improving the quality of its model kit lineup, and its latest release is the 1/100 Nomes, a tactical urban combat mecha featuring a die-cast inner frame. Scheduled for release in Q3 2026, the kit is priced at 168 RMB.

In terms of design and loadout, Nomes appears to be a relatively lightly armored machine specializing in rapid assault and urban operations. Its armament is centered around lightweight firearms, with a submachine gun serving as its primary weapon, while a shoulder-mounted cannon provides additional firepower when heavier targets need to be dealt with. Overall, Nomes gives the impression of what an urban warfare counterpart to the Jesta might look like—agile, tactical, and purpose-built for close-quarters engagements rather than frontline slugging matches.

Despite its appealing design, the pricing may prove to be a tougher sell for overseas collectors. With the appreciation of the Chinese yuan in recent months, the overseas SRP rate feels less competitive than it once would have. Compared to Eddas' previously released Asgard—another die-cast frame real robot kit packed with weapons and equipment—Nomes offers a lighter loadout while costing slightly more. Even so, for collectors who appreciate modern tactical mecha designs over heavily armed super prototypes, Nomes still stands out as one of Eddas' more distinctive releases to date.

Fate/Stay Night EXQ Gilgamesh Prize Figure

 

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.

Dungeon Meshi Nendoroid Chimera Farlyn

 As fans continue to wait for the second season of Dungeon Meshi, another piece of merchandise featuring Chimera Farlyn has been announced following her Pop Up Parade figure. This time, Good Smile Company is giving her the Nendoroid treatment. Priced at 7,800 yen, the figure is scheduled for release in February 2027.

At 7,800 yen, I think Chimera Farlyn represents fairly good value. Considering her much bulkier design compared to the average Nendoroid, I wouldn't have been surprised if Good Smile Company had priced her even higher. Instead, they've kept her at the standard price point for many recent Nendoroids from popular licensed series that at times come with less accessories, making her a relatively good bargain.

She would also make a nice companion piece for my Dungeon Meshi figma collection, which I have already completed. While I'm still undecided on whether I'll pick her up, she's certainly one of the more tempting Nendoroid releases from the series so far.

SD Gundam G-Generation Robot Damashii Great Zeong

 

With the continued popularity of SD Gundam G Generation Eternal, another original mobile suit from the G Generation series has finally escaped limbo. A few years ago Bandai released the Phoenix Gundam, and now it is Great Zeong's turn to receive the Robot Damashii treatment. As expected, this massive release will be a Premium Bandai exclusive, priced at 32,000 yen with a scheduled release in February 2027.

I first encountered Great Zeong back in SD Gundam G Generation World on the PSP, where it stood out as one of the more powerful Zeon mobile suits among the game's original roster. Despite its enormous appearance, it is still classified as a mobile suit rather than a mobile armor, which makes it particularly fascinating. Often regarded as an advanced successor to the Perfect Zeong, Great Zeong combines technologies derived from the Zeong, Big Zam, and Apsalus projects, making it one of the most formidable experimental Zeon machines in the G Generation universe.

Although it sits firmly on the expensive end of the Robot Damashii lineup, I think Great Zeong offers better value than many previous Premium Bandai releases such as Kikeroga or Big Zam. Besides its imposing size, it also features a body-separation gimmick reminiscent of Turn X, giving it a unique play value rarely seen among Zeon mobile suits.

If G Generation Eternal continues to perform well, I wouldn't be surprised to see Bandai revisit even more original G Generation designs in the future. There are still plenty of memorable units that have yet to receive collectible figures, and Great Zeong feels like a promising sign of things to come.

Uma Musume Pretty Derby Kotobukiya 1/7 Grass Wonder

 

With the resurgence of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby following the Global server's debut last year, many of the older Uma Musume have finally started receiving new merchandise. After releasing Super Creek, Kotobukiya has now announced a 1/7 scale figure of Grass Wonder. Priced at 21,000 yen, the figure is scheduled for release in February 2027.

This figure depicts Grass Wonder in her signature racing uniform. Personally, I was hoping Kotobukiya would include her iconic naginata to better reflect her composed, warrior-like image, but it seems the company chose to play it safe with a more standard presentation.

Although Grass Wonder is one of the less popular members of the original starter roster, she has been my favorite waifu ever since I started playing the Japanese version of the game. Beyond her in-game personality, her real-life racehorse counterpart also enjoyed a highly accomplished racing career, making her one of the more distinguished horses represented in the franchise.

I'm seriously considering picking this one up since I'm a big Grass Wonder fan, although I'll need to see how my budget looks closer to release. Even if I end up passing on this figure, I hope Kotobukiya or another manufacturer eventually produces her alternate costume version. And if Grass Wonder ever gets a figma release, that would be an instant purchase for me.

Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana Revisited

 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.

Barabaride

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.

Front Mission Kotobukiya Zenith Girl Gray ver

Kotobukiya continues to leverage its expertise in the mecha musume genre through its collaboration with Front Mission. This time, the company has announced a new Gray Version of the Zenith Girl, featuring a color scheme that more closely resembles the original Zenith Wanzer. Scheduled for release in November 2026, the kit will be sold for 10,000 yen.

Although this release is essentially a repaint of the previously released Zenith Girl, I find the new gray color scheme noticeably more appealing. The urban camouflage-inspired palette gives the model a more grounded military aesthetic, making it feel closer to the look and atmosphere of the Front Mission series.

In terms of equipment, the loadout remains largely identical to the original release, although this version appears to include an additional melee weapon option. While there are no major changes mechanically, the revised color scheme alone may be enough to convince collectors who skipped the first version.

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..

 

Keeppley Pokemon Street Shop Review

 

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.

King of Fighters Joytoy 1/18 Ryo Sakazaki

 

Joytoy’s King of Fighters lineup continues to steadily expand its roster. Following releases such as Terry Bogard and Kyo Kusanagi, another major character joins the series—this time from the Art of Fighting lineage, with Ryo Sakazaki leading the charge, accompanied by Robert Garcia and Yuri Sakazaki. Scheduled for October 2026 release, Joytoy 1/18 Ryo Sakazaki will be sold for 46 USD Price tag.

The Joytoy KOF lineup has consistently been impressive. Compared to their Warhammer 40K series, the KOF figures tend to come with more generous accessory sets—likely due to differences in scale and licensing considerations. At 1/18 scale, Ryo Sakazaki appears to feature strong articulation, allowing him to recreate his signature karate-based moves, including his iconic finisher, the Haoh Shokou Ken.

Within the KOF series, Ryo Sakazaki also carries an interesting legacy. His design is often viewed as a counterpart to Street Fighter’s Ryu, a comparison that famously contributed to Capcom creating Dan Hibiki as a playful response. Regardless of that rivalry, Ryo was a go-to character during my teenage years in KOF, thanks to his straightforward playstyle and classic main-character appeal.

Looking forward, it will be interesting to see which KOF team Joytoy tackles next.

Girls Frontline 2 Exilium Pocket Art 1/12 Klukai Swimwear version

 

Following a series of rapid back-to-back figure announcements, GFL2’s poster girl HK416 (Klukai) now receives her third action figure release. This level of preferential treatment has unsurprisingly irritated some fans, especially given that Girls’ Frontline has no shortage of top-tier T-Doll designs that could easily take the spotlight. This rendition is produced by Chinese manufacturer Pocket Art and features Klukai in her swimwear outfit. Scheduled for May 2027, the Pocket Art 1/12 Klukai will be available in two versions: a standard edition priced at 14,000 yen and a premium edition at 17,500 yen.

Compared to previous figure releases, Pocket Art’s 1/12 Klukai appears somewhat lacking in body sculpt refinement, and those who obtained Klukai’s summer scale figures may immediately notice the difference. However, where Animester excels in motorcycle props and Figma leads in sculpt consistency, Pocket Art compensates through accessory variety and presentation. Alongside Klukai’s standard summer weapon loadout, this release includes a surfboard and a swimwear jacket, significantly enhancing the seasonal theme. For an additional 3,000 yen, the deluxe version also includes an alternate swimwear variant, mirroring her premium skin from GFL2.

The year 2026 has been particularly generous to Klukai fans, with a steady stream of in-game content and merchandise seemingly centered around her. At this point, it almost feels as if she is declaring, “I am all you need.” It would not be surprising if Klukai’s other skins such as Astral Luminous or her Oath outfit will receive expedited merchandise announcements as well. While this may be frustrating for fans of other T-Dolls, it is undeniably a strong marketing push that clearly signals where the current spotlight in Girls’ Frontline is focused.

Ys: Memories of Celceta Complete!

 

 With Ys IX: Monstrum Nox completed last month, only Ys X: Nordics remained as the stone left unturned in my Ys return journey, which has now spanned several months. Instead of going straight for Ys X, however, I decided to revisit some older Ys titles first, and one of them happened to be Ys: Memories of Celceta.

Ten years ago, I played Ys: Memories of Celceta on my PS Vita and even managed to earn the Platinum trophy. For some reason, though, I believe I lost the assets I had originally planned to use for my Ys Celceta articles. Fast-forward to 2026, and I have now completed my revisit of the game once again, this time on Nintendo Switch. However, I decided not to go all the way toward 100% completion this time around for personal reasons.

Aura Battler Dunbine Robot Damashi Dunbine

 

Tamashii Nations returns with a refreshed interpretation of Dunbine, the iconic protagonist mecha from Aura Battler Dunbine. It’s striking to realize that the previous version dates back over 13 years, making this long-awaited update feel especially significant. The new release arrived in June 2026, priced at 13,000 Yen SRP.

While this newer ROBOT Damashii version sits at a relatively premium price point, it delivers a noticeably refined aesthetic overall. The proportions are significantly improved compared to the earlier release, giving it a more balanced and modern silhouette while still retaining the distinctive design language of the original.

If Sirbine represents the archetypal exemplar bug knight mecha, then this version of Dunbine feels more fittingly like a “knight-errant” version of it, an eagerness to prove the worthiness itself . The visual lineage and design echoes of Sirbine are still clearly present, but they are reinterpreted in a more restrained and elegant form.

It would be especially interesting to see this updated design philosophy extended into the Metal Build line in the future, particularly since both Sirbine and Bellvine have already made appearances in that format. Given that trajectory, a Metal Build Dunbine feels like a natural next step.

Ginga Kikoutai Majestic Prince

I had not watched anime for nearly a year, and somehow the series I had to end up with is Majestic Prince. If you want a visually decent mecha anime with almost nothing memorable about it, Majestic Prince does the job. At its core, it feels like a less edgy version of Valvrave the Liberator with Hisashi Hirai’s trademark same-face character designs slapped onto the cast.

The premise is as generic as they come: a group of teenagers pilot advanced robots to fight alien invaders led by an ancient humanoid race suspiciously similar to humans. The series plays every mecha trope completely straight and never really attempts to do anything interesting with them. Among the many anime featuring Hisashi Hirai’s character designs, Majestic Prince is easily one of the weaker entries.

The production itself feels like an anime created simply to occupy a seasonal slot so the studio could keep itself running. The ingredients for something better are technically there, but the show constantly gives the impression that only the bare minimum effort was invested into it. The animation is competent enough, especially during action scenes, but there is no real ambition behind the storytelling, themes, or characters. The result is an anime that looks polished on the surface yet feels completely hollow underneath.

What makes Majestic Prince frustrating is not that it is terrible, but that it is aggressively forgettable. It is the exact type of seasonal anime people watch for three months and then never think about again. The only thing that left any impression on me was the main antagonist, who basically looks like Griffith if he piloted a mecha. Even some of the enemy mech aesthetics oddly resemble Gundam Bael from Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.

In the end, Majestic Prince is watchable if all you want is lightweight mecha action with decent visuals. But if you are looking for a series that actually pushes the genre forward or reminds people why mecha used to dominate anime culture, this is not it. Unfortunately, that applies to a huge portion of post-2008 mecha anime: technically competent productions made with so little ambition that they disappear from memory almost immediately after airing.

Final Fight Storm Collectibles 1/12 Cody Travers

Shortly after the reveal of Mike Haggar by Storm Collectibles, the spotlight naturally shifts to the main protagonist of this classic beat ’em up series, Cody Travers. Coming in his iconic Final Fight appearance, Cody is scheduled for release in Q1 2027 with a price tag of 75 USD.

Without a doubt, Storm Collectibles’ rendition of Cody is shaping up to be the most definitive 1/12-scale version to date, benefiting from the company’s strong experience in sculpting fighting game action figures. The only minor drawback I personally notice is the choice of hairstyle sculpt, which somewhat resembles a “Karen-style” haircut rather than Cody’s more familiar design. Nevertheless, this release clearly demonstrates Storm Collectibles’ commitment to the Final Fight lineup, and an action figure for Guy now feels like only a matter of time.

From a character perspective, Cody is a rather unique case within the Capcom universe. While Capcom has often left many of their classic characters behind into obscurity once their original series lost momentum, Cody has remained surprisingly prominent and arguably better developed than many of his Final Fight peers.

Among the Final Fight cast, Cody received one of the most extensive character evolutions: from a street fighter battling gangs to save his girlfriend, to a fugitive criminal in Street Fighter Alpha due to his vigilantism, and eventually a redeemed figure serving as the mayor of Metro City in Street Fighter V.

It will be interesting to see whether Storm Collectibles eventually explores his Street Fighter V incarnation in figure form.

Hemoxian Over Zero 1/10 Tastier Review

 

 A few months ago, I finally found the time to crack open one of my larger Chinese model kits and give it a straightforward snap build. Hemoxian remains one of the best-value Chinese model kit brands I've come across, especially from the era when the RMB exchange rate was around 20% more favorable than it is today. Combined with the industry's subsidies at the time, they were able to deliver impressively high-quality kits at very affordable prices.

I picked up this copy for just USD 30, which feels like an absolute bargain in hindsight. A kit of this quality would easily cost around USD 50 today. Overall, Tastier's Lone Shadow is an excellent cyborg mercenary model kit, featuring a striking design, several fun gimmicks, and an elaborate display stand that adds plenty of character to the finished build.

For now the review will be a straight build thus the poses will be limited. However this is one of the model kit that I will look forward to give a proper paint job.

I probably won't continue collecting the series unless a future design really catches my eye, partly because my backlog keeps growing and partly because the stronger RMB has made these kits noticeably more expensive. Still, I'm more than happy to look forward to work on Lone Shadow in my collection.

Vintage Toys - SD Gundam BB127 Jyuou Gundam

Every Gunpla fan has a memorable entry point into the hobby, and I am no exception. My first exposure to Gundam goes back nearly 30 years, around 1996–1997, when I received a gift from one of my father's guests. That gift happened to be my very first Gunpla kit. Fortunately, I was eventually able to identify the exact model years later thanks to its distinctive chain-and-sickle weapon and unmistakable samurai-inspired armor design.

The kit in question was Jyuou Gundam from the Shin SD Sengokuden lineup, originally released in 1994 with a retail price of 500 yen. Looking back, it was actually a fantastic choice for a first Gunpla, even though I did not fully appreciate it as a child.

The Sengokuden SD Gundam kits of the mid-1990s were quite different from the SD Gundam releases we see today. One of their biggest appeals was the removable armor system, which functioned much like traditional samurai armor. Jyuou Gundam was particularly impressive because it could not only equip and remove its armor, but also transform into a dragon form that reminded me of Goldran from the Brave Series. For a young child just entering the world of Gundam, that combination of armor-changing and transformation gimmicks was incredibly memorable.

In fact, the armor-wearing gimmick left a much stronger impression on me than the model itself. There was something special about assembling the character and then outfitting it with armor piece by piece, almost as if you were upgrading a hero before sending him into battle. It made the kit feel more like an interactive toy and less like a static model.

Naturally, the color separation was limited by the molding technology of the time, and the kit relied heavily on stickers to achieve its full appearance. However, the gimmicks more than compensated for those shortcomings. Like many classic SD Gundam kits, Jyuou Gundam truly shines when properly painted, bringing out all of the sculpted details that are easy to overlook straight out of the box.

Bandai rereleased Jyuou Gundam a few years ago which unfortunately I overlooked it at the time. But I ever come across one again, I will definitely pick up a copy, along with any of its available companions. It would be a wonderful opportunity to revisit the kit that started my Gunpla journey and finally give it the paintwork it deserves.

Ghost in the Shell SAC Hiyatoys 1/12 Motoko Kusanagi Battle Suit Version

 

Roughly two years after Hiya Toys released their first take Motoko Kusanagi in her standard Stand Alone Complex outfit, the company is returning to the franchise with a new release. This time, she appears in a fully equipped combat armor configuration designed for large-scale engagements. Scheduled for Q2 2027, the Hiya Toys 1/12 scale Motoko Kusanagi Battle Suit figure will be sold for 99 USD.

While combat-oriented versions of Major Kusanagi have previously been produced most notably in the Figma line, this appears to be one of the first interpretations of her Stand Alone Complex design specifically geared toward heavy assault gear. The figure comes with an expanded arsenal, including heavier weaponry such as an anti-materiel rifle, making it especially suited for high-intensity operations, particularly when paired with support units like the Tachikoma.

Interestingly, the face sculpt for this release appears noticeably different from Hiya Toys’ earlier Motoko figure, suggesting either a shift in sculpting direction or a change in contributing artists. Regardless, this remains a compelling release for Stand Alone Complex fans seeking a more militarized take on one of the franchise’s most iconic character designs.

Advance of Zeta Metal Robot Damashi Prototype Asshimar TR-3 Kehaar Space Type

 

Just a few months after I discussed Roda Asshimar, Tamashii Nations has once again met expectations with a new Metal Robot Damashii release: the Prototype Asshimar TR-3 Kehaar Space Type from the Advance of Zeta series. Released as a Premium Bandai item, this “Metal Roda” entry is positioned at premium price level comparable to earlier Metal Build releases. Scheduled for November 2026, the figure will be sold for 27000 Yen.

Despite its premium price point, this Prototype Asshimar stands out as a striking showcase of AOZ mechanical design philosophy. While not necessarily depicted as significantly more powerful than the standard Zeta-era Asshimar, its visual presence is undeniably impressive particularly in its Mobile Armor form, where its bulk and scale give it a true sense of weight and dominance compared to many other AOZ mobile suits.

Although it may be a long shot, there is still hope that a ground-type Prototype Asshimar—closer to the original Asshimar silhouette, could be produced in the future. In the meantime, it wouldn’t be surprising if third-party manufacturers, particularly in the 1/100 scale model kit space, attempt their own interpretation before an official release appears.

Ys Kotobukiya 1/7 Dana Iclucia

 

Ten years after the release of Ys VIII, this Kotobukiya figure remains what many consider the definitive rendition of the game’s heroine, Dana Iclucia. Originally released alongside Ys VIII: Adol Christin, it is now receiving a rerun scheduled for October 2026. This 1/7 Dana Iclucia rerelease will be sold for 28,000 yen price tag.

This 1/7 scale Dana Iclucia features a graceful, relaxed pose paired with a cheerful expression. As the high priestess of her civilization, Dana’s serene and composed nature is captured effortlessly here, she feels both divine and approachable. At the same time, there is a quiet strength in her stance, reflecting her ability to move from elegance to combat as fluidly as if she were dancing.

Given I finished Ys VIII not too long ago, Dana certainly left a profound impression to me being one of the best heroine that Ys series could come up so far, one of the worthiest main heroine for Adol that fans joked that she is being Feena 2.0. But without a doubt, she has what it takes to fill the void left by Feena within Adol’s heart if her fate had taken another direction.

As a result, I find myself particularly drawn to this definitive rendition of Dana Iclucia. While I would also welcome other versions such as a Nendoroid or Figma, her intricate design makes me appreciate why a 1/12 scale action figure would be technically challenging to execute without compromise..

JRPG Talk | Ys Heroines: Niena

Being one of the major elements in the Ys series, Ys Heroines is a topic I have been interested in discussing in depth ever since I took a deep dive into this legendary Falcom series 15 years ago. However, for various reasons, I only began writing this series now, starting with the heroine from what I consider the weakest Ys iteration, Ys V’s Niena.

Despite the overall weak execution of the game and its aesthetic design, which has aged poorly, Niena’s concept is well-crafted and without a doubt a worthy part of Ys continuity.

As such, I do not even mind Niena being the first candidate for this particular JRPG series, which I expect will eventually cover all Ys entries. It also serves as a good foundation in anticipation of future remasters of the series.

Warhammer 40k Joytoy 1/18 Jago Sevatarion

 

JoyToy has revealed another major addition to its Horus Heresy action figure line. After several years of expanding its Warhammer 30K lineup, the company is now moving forward with a highly anticipated release from the Night Lords Legion, beginning with their First Captain, Jago Sevatarion. Scheduled for release in September 2026, JoyToy 1/18 scale Jago Sevatarion figure will be sold for 80 USD Price tag.

The Night Lords are one of the original Space Marine Legions from the First Founding, whose path ultimately diverged into the ranks of Chaos. Under the leadership of their Primarch, Konrad Curze, they became infamous for their terror tactics, which ensured compliance during the Great Crusade at the cost of fostering extreme brutality and psychological instability among their ranks. Many of their recruits were drawn from the violent criminal underhives of Nostramo, further shaping the Legion’s grim reputation.

Among the Night Lords’ most notorious figures, Jago Sevatarion stands out as both a ruthless warrior and one of the few voices of restraint within the Legion. As commander of the Atramentar, the Night Lords’ elite Terminator bodyguard cadre, Sevatarion exemplifies the Legion’s lethal efficiency while retaining a sharp, sardonic intellect uncommon among his kin. He is also noted for his martial prowess during the Horus Heresy era, famously defeating Sigismund of the Imperial Fists in a duel through unorthodox methods, an impressive feat considering the Night Lords’ reputation for preferring terror over traditional honor dueling.

This JoyToy rendition is shaping up to be a must-have for Night Lords collectors. Sevatarion’s release also raises anticipation for future figures, particularly his Primarch Konrad Curze, whose eventual appearance would open the door for highly anticipated diorama setups—potentially even alongside other Primarch releases such as Vulkan, allowing fans to recreate some of the Horus Heresy’s most iconic rivalries.

Treasure X TMNT Blindbox Review

Some random Treasure X blind box toy I picked up earlier this year for what I remember was a bargain price of around USD 3. The concept is pretty fun—a miniature drainage pipe-shaped container that comes with a random Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figure. Even the packaging deserves some credit, as the pipe design is surprisingly sturdy and well made.

From this blind box, I ended up with Raphael, the hot-blooded sai-wielding member of the Ninja Turtles. At first, it felt like a completely random pull, but the more I thought about it, the more meaningful it became. After all, the four Ninja Turtles are named after famous Renaissance artists, and Raphael the painter is the creator of The School of Athens, my favorite Renaissance artwork. As a liberal arts student, that connection made this little figure unexpectedly special. Even though I'm not particularly a TMNT fan, this has become one of the more meaningful pieces in my collection.

Star Wars: Clone Wars (Genndy Tartakovsky)

 

Out of a strange curiosity sparked by iconic scenes from indie animation, I found myself drawn to this particular Star Wars adaptation by Genndy Tartakovsky. I’ve never been deeply invested in the Star Wars series, but I’ve been quite a follower of Tartakovsky’s work. While I never had the chance to fully watch all of his series in real time, I’ve followed his most iconic creations such as Samurai Jack and Primal.

Soul Calibur Play Toy 1/6 Fighting Goddess Alchemist Ivy Valentine

 

A rare and intriguing third-party release from the Soulcalibur series, which has historically been underserved in the merchandise market. This is a 1/6 scale action figure of one of the franchise’s most iconic characters, Ivy Valentine, scheduled for release in Q1 2027 with a price tag of around USD $200.

As a non-licensed product, expectations are naturally tempered, but the sculpt for Play Toy’s Ivy Valentine in her Soulcalibur IV design rendition already looks promising. Alongside Sophitia, Ivy stands as one of the most recognizable heroines in the series, often regarded as one of its most visually striking characters.

Within the Soulcalibur narrative, Ivy Valentine is a morally ambiguous figure driven by her obsession with destroying Soul Edge due to her bloodline’s connection to Cervantes. She frequently aligns with both heroic and villainous characters when it serves her goal, making her a classic anti-hero archetype. This complexity, combined with her commanding and elegant design, creates an interesting contrast to more traditionally heroic figures like Sophitia.

For Soulcalibur fans, this figure represents one of the more appealing interpretations of Ivy Valentine despite its third-party status. Hopefully, this signals a broader revival of Soulcalibur merchandise in the future, ideally including characters like Raphael Sorel as well, perhaps coinciding with the eventual release of Soulcalibur VII.

Sakura Taisen Special: Realm of Darkness 3 Million Milestone Celebration

Some of you may have noticed a minor change on Realm of Darkness over the past few days and you were not mistaken. As part of the blog's 3 million visit milestone, which was reached back in June, I commissioned a new illustration to further elevate this 16-year-old blog. Since the main banner was already redesigned for the 2 million milestone, I decided it was time to give the side banner the same treatment, starting with Sakura Taisen series.

The commission process took somewhat longer than I had originally expected due to a few minor delays on the illustrator's side, but I am still very satisfied with the final result. Among all the Sakura Taisen mecha designs, I chose Ichiro Ogami's Koubu F from Sakura Taisen 3. To me, it represents the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics, while ST 3 itself also remains my personal favorite entry in the series.

Spending USD 35 on an illustration that will end up compressed into relatively small pixel dimensions may seem excessive for an obscure blog maintained by someone living in Southeast Asia, but I still consider it money well spent. It is one of the few tangible ways I can express my continued commitment to a blog that I have maintained for more than 16 years. More importantly, it reflects my ongoing effort to strengthen the blog's identity and preserve its individuality, with the hope that it will eventually become a monolith that could withstand the test of time.

Reaching the 3 million visit milestone is also quite meaningful occasion itself. It took only four months to gain this latest milestone, compared to roughly 18 months for the previous million and around 13 years to reach the very first million. Seeing the blog's growth accelerate after so many years is both surprising and deeply rewarding.

Choosing Sakura Taisen as the first series to receive a redesigned side banner also symbolizes my renewed commitment to revisiting the franchise. After I complete my current journey with Ys series, I hope to finally return to Sakura Taisen and give it the attention it has long deserved.

Soulingtoys 1/12 The Sin of Dark Moon

Following the strong reception of their earlier heavy-hitter release, the Soulingtoys Daytime Meteor mecha musume model kit, Soulingtoys is back with another high-profile entry that has already caught the attention of the hobby industry. This time, they introduce a darker-themed mecha musume titled The Sin of Dark Moon. Scheduled for Q3 2026, the kit will be sold for 328 RMB Price Tag.

This new release marks a clear thematic contrast with their previous work. While Daytime Meteor presents a knightly princess aesthetic paired with a holy dragon companion, The Sin of Dark Moon takes a far more sinister direction, featuring an “evil nun” character accompanied by a massive metallic demon gargoyle guardian.

As a flagship model kit, The Sin of Dark Moon leans heavily into an edgy, elaborate design philosophy. The demon gargoyle is not only a towering companion unit with impressive presence and gimmicks, but it also comes with its own display pedestal, which includes additional mechanical features of its own.

Overall, this release stands in sharp contrast to entries like MS General’s Envy series, and would likely have been an instant hit under different global economic conditions. Even so, it remains one of the more visually striking and ambitious releases in the current mecha musume lineup.

Beast King War God The Gattai Dandivine

 

With Masami Ōbari’s new Super Robot series set to launch in 2026, Good Smile Company has been quick to announce the release of the series’ titular mecha, Dandivine. Two product lines are planned: the more affordable MODEROID series and the premium THE GATTAI line. This article will focus on the latter. Scheduled for release in October 2026, THE GATTAI Dandivine is priced at ¥29,500.

Overall, Dandivine is a mecha design that feels very much in line with expectations from veteran mecha director and designer Masami Ōbari. The design strongly evokes the 1990s Heisei-era Super Sentai combination mecha, with clear influences reminiscent of Gaoranger’s GaoKing and Gingaiger’s GingaiOh, while also carrying hints of Dairanger’s DairenOh. The humanoid core unit further reinforces that classic “lead mecha” aesthetic typical of Ōbari’s style.

Personally, the Dandivine design aligns very well with my taste, although I will likely observe the series from a distance before committing to a purchase, since the anime has not yet fully aired. If the overall production quality matches Ōbari’s earlier work such as Gravion, I may consider picking it up during a later reissue or rerun.