Planetes

 A long time ago i read this Sci-fi manga called Planetes that had Human Space Explorations as its theme and it lived up to its expectation as an award winning manga. Then Sunrise made 26 anime adaptation for this series back in 2003 which i gave a watch recently and it aged like a fine wine. Planetes narrates the story of an Astronaut working as Space Debris collector who aspire to own a Spaceship someday. Through his job as Space Debris Collector, the main character encounter various sorts of people with their own dreams and motives revolving around Space which makes up the story of the series. Planetes was renowned for its grounded and realistic depiction of the future Space Travel where humanity has reached the stage to attempt Space Travel to Jupiter and the struggles for such Goal. 

EVA-FRAME: Evangelion Shin Gekijouban Vol.01

  Over this past one year, Toys Manufacturer have been intensively milking the Eva franchise in anticipation of the final movie and now Bandai is making an interesting product for the series with their G-Frame lineup. After surviving for three years, Gundam Candy Toys lineup G-Frame now spread its wing to another mecha series, Evangelion with Eva Frame. Just like G-Frame, EVA Frame features 13 cm mecha action figure with detachable armor and inner frame as its main gimmick which Bandai give a very promising inner frame for this one. For the Price of 4000 Yen which cost roughly the same with a single EVA Robot Spirit, EVA-Frame will be scheduled for February 2021 release

  The first volume of EVA Frame series start with a solid bang as it features the classic EVA 00, 01 and 02 team which still remain iconic after more than 20 years. EVA-Frame came in 8 Boxes for each package which contain 6 Boxes for Eva Unit inner-frame and armor Parts then 2 boxes for Hangar and additional weapons. The Volume of EVA-Frame also came with Premium version which include positron rifle and shield to reenact Yashima Operation. 

Given the potential of the new EVA-Frame lineup, i think the series could last for 3rd volume at least which Bandai probably will throw in some Angels and other obscure EVA designs. I hoped the first volume could have included the Magorok E-Sword but probably that one will be reserved with Armored EVA-01 in the future EVA-Frame release. Given its size, EVA-Frame also had quite good compatibility with Shodo Ultraman so you can pit Eva units against some Kaijus for varieties. Lastly i am quite sure Evangelion will get another candy toys possibly Ensemble or even Chogokin Hello Kitty by Bandai given it already got several like Coonuts and Gasha Portraits.

Final Fantasy Chocobo Mascot Coin Bank Review

 Just a Chicken Mascot passing by

Fate/Grand Order Conofig Saber Artoria Pendragon

 It appears that Aniplex tried to make something similar to GSC Pop Up Parade with their new Semi-Premium figure lineup, Conofig! Sold for 5000 Yen Price tag, Aniplex is opening their Conofig lineup with figures for 3 Servants; Mash, Artoria and Merlin with July 2021 release schedule. In terms of sizing, the Conofig figure is designed as non scale by Aniplex but the scaling will be roughly around the same with Max Factory Figma.

 Up until now Aniplex only release premium sized 1/7 Figure for FGO series but i think they are seriously try to step up their game with Conofig series. While the Conofig figure series is even smaller than Pop Up Parade, the lineup still has great potential if handled well by Aniplex. 

 With their firm grip of Fate Grand Order brand, Aniplex could use this lineup to release Figures for Servants which are not popular enough to warrant Premium PVC treatment.As long as Aniplex paid extra attention with the Packaging and Presentation, Conofig should have plenty opportunities to flourish. Because devoted FGO Fans are willing to invest on the lineup as long as the sculpt quality does not differ much with Pop Up Parade

I am looking forward to the second batch of the Conofig series which got Jalter in her 3rd Ascension!
 

Hinowa ga Crush

 An ongoing direct sequel of Akame ga Kill and this one doesn't disappoint as it still has plenty bloodshed compared to its predecessor! After the bloody conflict in the Empire concluded. Akame sets on a journey to a far eastern land akin to Warring States Period of Japan in order to undo her curse from Murasame and Hinowa ga Crush basically covered this story part. During her travel, Akame landed on a small village of a small nation which was under invasion by a Strong Military nation led by Nobunaga Expy. In the village Akame befriended a group of talented youths which the main heroine Hinowa whose name used as the manga title are among them. The story of this manga basically cover the story of Hinowa to reach her Dream as a Military General with Akame serving as support character. But since Hinowa ga Crush shares the same setting with Akame ga Kill, grimdark bloodsheds and gruesome protagonists deaths are included in the package.

So far the manga series has been running for 33 chapters and it has not betrayed the expectations. There is this particular mary-sue male friend of Hinowa who fell in love with a princess and ambitiously rise through the ranks in order to court the princess. He was close to attain his dream only to die a dog's death by the hand of Nobunaga Expy who complete the deal with NTR. I think Hinowa ga Crush story will rely on the Nobunaga Expy for the majority part of story to keep things interesting and most likely only handful of the main characters will survive by the end of the series. I will keep a tab on this series only for waiting Akame to regain her power someday which she will no doubt unleashed some epic kills once that happens.
 

Dialone DA-65 Battle Convoy V-Max

 Another kickass entry for Diaclone series and this one is even bigger than Big Powered and even better gimmick. Back thenTakara Tomy made a Diaclone called Battle Convoy which later more become well known as Optimus Prime and this time the Modern Diaclone Redesign is on the whole another level. Diaclone Battle Convoy V-Max will be scheduled for February 2020 release with 32000 Yen Price Tag.

 G1 Optimus Prime is well known for its iconic Trailer Truck design and the new Diaclone version made the trailer container into awesome Operation Base. There are plenty of configurations to go for the trailer Container base which even capable to contain other Diaclone vehicles making it an essential playset if you are a collector for Diaclone series. If it was not due to the ongoing pandemic, this Diaclone probably gain the hype it deserve.

Fate/Grand Order Figma 381 Lancer Scathach Review

The Warrior Queen has comes forth from the Land of Shadows!

Fate/Grand Order Nendoroid 1440 Alter Ego Okita Souji Alter

 Few months after the Gudaguda Teitou event ended, GSC announced the Nendoroid for the star of the event, Okita Souji Alter or Okitan up for preorder! The Nendoroid Okitan will be released in her 1st ascension form on April 2021 for 5500 Yen which is just when the Teitou rerun event around the corner. For some reason the Nendoroid doesn't include Okitan Sleepy faceplate which is one of the more iconic expression of Okita's dorky alternate version. In FGO, Okita Alter is the Counter Force version of Okita who was sent to deal with abnomalies that occur from mysterious Holy Grail Wars in paralel world version of Tokyo where Nobunaga clan was reigning supreme. Okitan proves to be another instant popular servants during her debut due to the combination of her character and her solid kit that enables her to be strong Cavalier class farmer. In the Fandom, Okitan often depicted as younger sister of Saber Okita whom the latter is constantly jealous at for her lack of crippling illness and another competition for Ritsuka's affection,

I am quite content with my Desktop Army version of Okitan so i will wait for the eventual Figma version instead which i think Max Factory should put more effort so that the figure able to stand properly.

Valthirian Arc : Hero School Story

 A Promising RPG series made by Indonesian Developer

Journey POP UP Parade The Traveler

 From one of the best selling PS3 game, Journey; Good Smile Company made a POP UP Parade figure for the enigmatic main character, The Traveler! Priced at 3800 Yen like other figures in the lineup, POP Up Parade Traveler will be scheduled for January 2021 release date. Journey was one of a kind experience game that left a lasting impression to me. The game dev of Journey, Thatgamecompany are renowned for their abstract gameplay that offer immersive experience. While Flower is my personal favorite, Journey is definitely the game that made the devs left a lasting legacy on Video Game Industry. There is a certain kind of charm of having the player traveled on Desolate landscapes on the journey of death and rebirth and this game manage to make it a meaningful one. Merchandise aside, Journey is easily a must play game if you enjoy artistic value in video game.

Bandai 1/12 Imperial Fist and Salamanders Primaris Marine

 Seems like the sales for 1/12 Ultramarine Primaris Marine action figure was good enough that Bandai decided to continue the lineup, with another two additional Founding Space Marine chapters this time! For the second batch of Bandai's Space Marine action figures, Imperial Fist and Salamanders make it to the cut. The Preorder will be available in two weeks and each of these two Space Marines action figure comes with distinct pattern of Bolter for variety purposes.

 Unlike Ultramarines Chapters Space Marines who are renowned for their versatility, Imperial Fist and Salamanders had their own specialities. Imperial Fist Chapter specialize in Defensive Siege fight and they had bad blood with Traitor Space Marines chapter called Iron Warriors due to complicated relationship of their respective primarch. Whereas Salamanders Space Marines are well known for their craftsmanship and preference for Flamer and Melta weapons, making them perfect opponents against Orks and Tyranids. Personally i would love to get the Salamanders Space Marine if they are available for Preorder at my local toy distributor. Because they are one of the few Space Marine Chapters that retain their humanity and will give it their all to save any Imperium citizen in the zone of conflict.

While i expect Blood Angels or Space Wolves are the ones to be made for the second batch, either of them will still likely make an appearance if the lineup continue for 3rd wave.

Reincarnated as a Sword

 Another gem that has potential from the oversaturated Isekai Genre and i think the author for this series must be a fan of Rance series or something. While Isekai series tend to have reincarnated beta males as protagonist who gathered harems with their new acquired overpowered abilities, Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita had the main character reincarnated as a sentient sword whose fate intertwined with a beast girl named Fran. After saving the beastgirl from a fate of slavery, the main character sets on an epic adventure with the girl. I started Ken Tensei from the manga and so far the worldbuilding quality is cut above the average isekai series. I think the author probably got some of his inspiration from Rance series, a high fantasy series well known for its writing quality and Ken Tensei main character is essentially less perverted version of Demonic Sword Chaos.

 Since the serialization is still far from finished i can't really put a final verdict for Ken Tensei but certainly it still has plenty of room for growth. I am quite sure at some point this series even could get its own Anime adaptation as long as it maintain its consistency.

Boku no Hero Academia Grandista All Might Review

Because I am here again!

Ayashi no Ceres

 Another great Shojo classic by Fushigi Yuugi mangaka which i should have been reading for a long time ago. Watase Yuu Sensei had a great talent at incorporating mythologies at her works and for Ayashi no Ceres she take good spin on the celestial robe tale. Ayashi no Ceres storyline has the formula of your standard Shojo series where some bishies are fighting over the main heroine.

 Since Ayashi no Ceres was intended for mainstream audience at the time, the main heroine character is probably designed to be insufferable just like Miaka from Fushigi Yuugi. However Watase Yuu managed to perfectly capture the image of a Divine Beauty in this series through Ceres, a resurrected Celestial Maiden who is hellbent to destroy her descendants due to some betrayal by her consort and reclaim her lost Hagoromo in order to return to the Heaven.

 To me the main strength of Ayashi no Ceres comes from Ceres, a seemingly tragic heroine who tread on the path of vengeance due to complicated relation with her former lover and the last two volume concludes her story quite well. Overall Ayashi no Ceres is another good read if you enjoy Fushigi Yuugi.

Swordbreaker the Game

 High Fantasy and Adventure game is always a winning combination for me and there is this recent western game that fits the bill. Swordbreaker is a short interactive novel made by Russian Developer DuCats game and it is another good game for a modest price. Illustrated with Gorgeous Comic Book style visuals, the game narrates the story of a swashbuckling adventurer called Swordbreaker in a quest for treasure hunt in a mysterious abandoned castle.

 Swordbreaker will need to rely on his skills and wits to overcome the Monstrous creatures and Traps that gets in his way with the treasure. To put it in a DnD term, Swordbreaker offers a mini campaign story of a mid level Fighter/Rogue Hybrid exploring a Castle Dungeon that resemble something from Ravenloft setting. There are plenty of ways that Swordbreaker to die horribly but if he overcomes all the perils of the castle, there are three possible ending routes to go for. The three branching routes are Heroic, Coward and Killer which are chosen depending on the choices made by the Swordbreaker, though it boils down on how the Swordbreaker deals on the obstacles in the castle.

 I feel that there are potential for Swordbreaker series as the game manage to establish itself with its well crafted protagonist. With the Main Protagonist served as the solid foundation, the Developer could craft another campaign for him to set on an epic adventure. For now i will be patiently waiting for the Swordbreaker Origin getting a Switch port.

Here are the Ending CGs for each route if you don't have time to play the game