Another one of those Interesting Chinese Model kit product, this time the manufacturer make something different compared to their usual 1/100 Master Grade Kits equivalent. Having released an Imposing 1/100 Mecha Legion of Thor before a cool looking mech that comes with Giant Hammer, a Chinese Manufacturer called 和模线/Hemoxian is releasing another kickass 1/10 Scale Model kit with codename Tastier. Scheduled for Q2 release, 1/10 Tastier will be sold for 188 RMB.
From times to times. I have expressed my profound interest toward High Fantasy RPG genre in Realm of Darkness and this is because there were handful of Video Games which were responsible in shaping my passion for this genre during my Childhood. If I have to list the Top 3 Video Games that contributes a major part for my love for JRPG or High Fantasy in general, apart from DnD Shadow over Mystara, Lufia the Legend Returns would belong to this list. Back then I have clocked in over hundred hours on this game and cleared many runs. I probably should have written this article when I finished my playthrough on 3DS Virtual Console Copy, but at very least I am trying to make some amend before I delve further into Lufia series once again.
Lufia was not exactly one of the most popular JRPG series out there but it did leave its marks in 16-bits game era and do get some loyal following from RPG fans especially through Lufia II: Rise of Sinistrals. The main premise of this series is about a group of heroes throughout generations banding up and with the help of Legendary weapon Dual Blade fought against the threat from Group of 4 Demigods called Sinistrals who intend on bring destruction upon the world through their Fortress floating on the sky called Doom Island. Most of the Lufia fans will probably got into the series through the Super Nintendo game but as for me it happens to be the GBC title; Lufia the Legend Returns that got me hooked into RPGs and left a lasting impression.
Time to put some Combo breaker for Chinese Hobby products and it is time for Final Gear 38th Mechatalk! Final Gear Global got about one month left before its closure and until then this series will keep going because I have already planned out the candidates for the remainder of this game's lifespan. Before Final Gear global server ends as scheduled, I can still churn out around 4 Final Gear Mechatalk articles and 2 of them will be in the full glory of their UR Form at least. But in the meantime we will have Favia, Hexel's Darkstar Witch Matriarch fill in the spotlight!
Chinese Hobby manufacturer are certainly on a roll this past few years! Another recently announced Diecast frame 1/100 Mecha Model Kit that caught my attention yet again and this time it is by a manufacturer called MJH Fission Craftsman Soul or 裂变匠魂 in Chinese. This particular product is dubbed 湮灭/Yanmie is a Red and Black colored mech which are armed to the teeth with heavy artillery weapon befitting its literal namesake "annihilation". Revealed since February this year, MJH 1/100 Yanmie will be scheduled for April 2024 release with 199 RMB Price tag.
When Netease still in partnership with Sluban to release some Bricks Toy product for Super Mecha Champion series, apart from the Full scale size, they did make some in Super Deformed style. Joining Sluban's Qbricks lineup, SMC Bricks logo come in 12 Variants in total released in 2 Waves. These bite sized Super Mecha Champions Mini Robots are sold for around 20-30 RMB. While not all of the designs are captured perfectly in this format, some of them do look quite good like Firefox and Trio of Enders. If Netease haven't been so lazy with their Marketing effort, we could have got some very cool Diecast Toys by this time. Hopefully this notorious dev could put better effort on the merchandising since the production value of SMC are quite good as shown with the recent patch.
Anyway look into the article for the full roster of Super Mecha Champions Qbricks which are sorted by the Wave release.
I was never really into Mecha Musume subgenre but there is this particular manufacturer called Snail Shell that have produced some highly intricate product over past couple years which lean more on Fanservice side. Then recently they dropped yet another bomb for their latest release called Pumpkin Princess. The announcement might seem out of place but the release timing is certainly not for this massive Halloween Themed Mecha Musume. Scheduled for November 2024 release, Snail Shell Pumpkin Princess will be sold for 649 RMB or 15000 Yen.
Apparently this particular design have been around since 2021 but it is not until recently that Snail Shell able to complete the prototype. Not surprised with the turn out of event because the design itself is relatively complex even compared to Act Mode Mecha Musume lineup given you have a Mecha musume that comes with Horror themed Pumpkin exoskeleton. Based on aesthetics Pumpkin Princess do resemble FGO Kama who is a close combat Mecha musume sadistic maniac type who had extra defensive capability with the Pumpkin Armor. With the Pumpkin Princess announcement, Snail Shell do catch my attention and I might be even willing to invest more on their products should they consider release more mechanized mecha musume products.
Tekkaman Blade is one of those great 90s Mecha series that had been relatively left in the dust by Japan for quite some time since we were getting Figma and Armor Plus as the last products. It was not until few years ago Sentinel decided to pick up the series to join Riobot Lineup. But it was the major player Orange Cat Industry that changed the playing board as they are releasing some quality Model Kit products for Tekkaman Blade series. What started from the regular Tekkaman Blade in 2022 now Orange Cat is ready to release the Tekkaman Blade in his Blaster Mode. Scheduled for dispatch from Q1, Orange Cat Tekkaman Blade Blaster comes in 2 variants, Regular and LED which will cost 198 & 288 RMB respectively.
In 90s Bandai did release some 1000 Yen Tekkaman Blade model kit which will require some work to look good and Orange Cat do make some much needed update required for Tekkaman Model Kit Lineup standing 22 cm tall which are as big as Gundam Master Grades. The LED Parts will definitely give the Voltekka effect of Blaster Tekkaman to full justice given it is easily the best part of Tekkaman Blade series, just look at Tatsunoko vs Capcom. Personally, I still wonder why Chinese manufacturer did decided to pick up Tekkaman Blade series out of the blue. Perhaps it has something to do with Iron Saga collab that expose the series to Chinese Market but it is still not pivotal enough. It would be quite something if Orange Cat decided to follow up this particular series by making Pegas Model kit to accompany Tekkaman Blade.
Being an avid mecha fans, Yokohama Life Size Statue was one of my main bucket list for Japan Trip and I was very grateful for the opportunity that I was able to complete the Hattrick for Gundam Life-Size statue with RX-78 F00 Yokohama being my final destination. The Life Size statue is definitely something to behold, but seeing the Gundam in full motion at close proximity is another whole kind of experience. To see the Gundam Life Size Statue to Walk with minimum support is impressive enough, but the Life Size statue is actually even able to kneel.
While it is a sad turn of even, given the apparent high operational cost and Japan's declining overall economy, RX-78 F00 end of operation at Yokohama is inevitable indeed I would say 3 Years are still more than enough for most Gundam Fans who are dedicated enough to visit this Pilgrimage site at least once given its relative convenience of access from Tokyo. Among the Life-Size Gundam statues, Yokohama RX-78 F00 probably rank up the highest for the experience itself. In any case it would be really sad if the whole Life Size Gundam to be scrapped completely and probably there is still a good chance of relocation given Yokohama's sea breeze was one of the primary concern for the Life Size Gundam Statue maintenance. To conclude this post, I will be leaving some Photos that I took at Gundam Factory Yokohama.
37th Final Gear Mechatalk is here and the series will keep maintain on its course until the destination reached! While it will take another 2 weeks for me to get another UR Pilot Upgrade, we can still have more characters with important backstory to be discussed for the time being. This time the Final Gear Mechatalk will feature the Former Kegha Guardian Knight Captain, Margaret! Kinda regret that I am unable to give proper attention that Margaret deserves, at very least she will have a Mechatalk Article dedicated for her.
Among the most highly successful Mobile Game series, Mihoyo's Genshin Impact probably present the biggest anomaly among its peers as the self-proclaimed Otaku Dev Companies treat this particular IP as an Ultra Premium piece of Real Estate. Thus, despite Genshin Impact has been running for almost 4 Years, we have been seeing a drought of merchandise unbecoming of this Massive series especially when it comes to Action Figure department.
The last time we had some proper Genshin Action Figure was Figma Mona which was announced 2 years ago and not long time ago Bandai have announced plans for SHF Paimon which could be turning point for the merchandise drought. However this new SHF action figure for Paimon by Bandai got some bullshit incorporated for its release yet again which will just perpetuate the stagnation yet again. Released a P-Bandai product, SHF Paimon will be released for September release with 6500 Yen price tag.
The biggest offender of SHF Paimon release is its status as P-Bandai item which will automatically inflate the SRP for average collectors and this will make this item easily cost more than Figma Mona despite the accessories are bare minimum. While Paimon is not exactly my favorite character from Genshin being a very impolite glutton leecher, I would have been willing to pitch in if this product to be given regular treatment at very least. But given Mihoyo chose to fall on their Hubris, I will simply won't play ball with this BS.
While I still believe Genshin Impact still have potential in years to come despite the Honeymoon phase with the Fans has worn off. Given the current direction of the Mihoyo, Genshin will just repeat the same mistake with FGO as the IP is owned and handled by Soulless Greedy Piece of Shit who gives no single F about Genshin aside from profitability. While I think the Core Dev member do earnestly try to create a quality product as shown with the Potion Making event and Seasonal banner, The marketing team are filled by people who obsess Style over Substance, thinking only about Exposures instead of putting some actual attention on User Experience. While I still play Genshin at regular frequency, At some point I might just give up on game because Mihoyo is not a company worthy to support despite their slogan of "Tech Otaku save the world".
Bandai's alternative Plamo kit 30 Minutes Mission lineup has come a long way indeed! Starting from its humble beginning in 2019 the original lineup have flourished quite well that now it has another new branching series apart from 30 Minutes Sisters dubbed 30 Minutes Fantasy! Just as the lineup name implies, this new series will focus on Fantasy series which will mean plenty assortment of Knights coming down the road. Making its inception since September 2023, 30 Minutes Fantasy is now ready to make its grand entrance this month with 2 Starter products dubbed Liber Knight & Rosan Knight along with some option parts for the Icing on the cake. This 30 MF Liber Knight will be sold for 2200 Yen with September 2024 release.
A modern fiction that takes on a secret government organization of Italy that turned Crippled young teenage girls into deadly combat cyborg fighting against Terrorist Organization, Gunslinger Girl is a Japanese modern take on Italian Tragedy, a popular subgenre that found prominence in Italian Opera where it has most of the main protagonist of the play dies off in the final act. While I am not particularly an avid fan of this genre, as a general manga reading fan I would say the intertwining tales of Classic Italian Vendetta and unrequited love of young maidens who lived as a killing tool certainly a good yet gripping read experience. As I grew older I also come to appreciate the story of North and South Italy conflict that results in Terrorism act which is used as the main them in Gunslinger Girl.
Early 2000s was a renaissance era for Japanese manga genre which was a fresh breath of air and a contributing reason why millenials like me had positive image toward Japan which unfortunately is not the same anymore. I would say the 2008 Financial Crisis is a major contributing factor that these sort of particularly exotic manga series ceased to exist as the whole industry begin to shift solely for profit instead of pursuit for fine arts. Perhaps at some point I will talk about another Manga series that had similar vibe with Gunslinger Girl.
After Da Garn and Mightgaine, The Gattai now ready to move onto new Yuusha series and the lucky one to be selected is no other than the 2nd Yuusha Series, The Brave of Sun Fighbird! Starting with the main Protagonist Fighbird himself, The GATTAI Fighbird will be sold for 24500 Yen with February 2025 release schedule.
Among 6 Yuushas First Form that wielded Sword, Fighbird is one of the Yuusha that relied heavily on his swordmanship even outside the Finisher despite it got some respectable amount of ranged weapon including some Laser Cannons and Missiles. Silly memes aside, Fighbird's biggest contribution in overall Yuusha series is from introducing Adult Lead protagonist which is continued on the penultimate Yuusha Gaogaigar. The GATTAI Fighbird might not be exactly the only modern rendition of Fighbird as Evolution Toys did make one few while ago, but it is definitely the best value overall especially when it comes to Playability and Sculpt despite some glaring flaw like limited articulation particularly the torso part. While Fighbird is not particularly memorable for lead Yuusha mech, I would say Great Fighbird is one of the better final form from Yuusha series as its designed are well balanced and not aesthetically ugly like Super Fire Dagwon or Great Mightgaine. I will look forward for the Gattai make one for Draias as well before they move onto J-Decker or Goldran.
Not sure if there are new GITS series lurking around but Goodsmile got a pleasant surprise for the fans as the best version of Major Motoko Kusanagi made her appearance in Nendoroid form. While there have been plenty of Nendoroid and Figma released for Major Motoko before, her Jacket+Leotard+Stocking getup combo is the best definitive version of her as it display the perfect balance of Strength and Beauty of Major Motoko. Nendoroid Motoko SAC version will be scheduled for September release with 6900 Yen Price Tag.
To be honest just like many Nendoroid made by GSC before, this version of Nendoroid Major Motoko is rather overpriced when it comes to the amounts of accessories as she only come with her Gun and Visor. For the price point, GSC could have considered made the jacket part removable but the weakening Yen in the global currency market is one of the main reason for this to happen. Regardless I will be still willing to wait for Figma rendition of this version of Major Motoko and might even be willing to get a suitable Tachikoma to complement hair. I am quite sure with several versions of Major Motoko got released, Major's second in command Batou would likely follow up in near future. Speaking of Ghost in the Shell Stand Alone Complex, I got to rewatch the series again last year and while I find 2nd Gig rather weak, SAC 1st season still hold very well until this day.
36th Final Gear Mechatalk is here and this one is another UR Waifu to be featured! This Final Gear mechatalk will feature one of the more popular waifu from the series which is no other than the Noble Fencer Taysia Graft! Being one of the earlier SSR Character to make appearance in the game, Taysia gets very Special treatment and in fact one of the few whose kit got revamped to be the equal peer with the Natural UR Pilots. Because at the time I picked Eloise over Taysia, It was not until Final Gear got into maintenance mode that I was able to allocate resources for Taysia and my persistence do Pay off I was able to get her reach the UR Upgrade that she deserve.
