Toy links
Santor.
Master of joy and good cheer.
Ho ho ho.
Beware a red-suited man breaking and entering premises with goods (possibly stolen). Do not attempt to apprehend him as he’s said to be suspiciously “jolly”.
“Like a big fat drunk disgruntled Yuletide Rambo.”
(Related.)
Santa smash.
So be good for goodness sake.
Celebrate, celebrate.
The festive Daleks.
Toy review roundup
Dave Van Domelen reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Blurr, Swindle and Blazing Lockdown figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Blurr) A very good updating of the original toy, and an amazingly solid toy in its own right.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Leader class Ultra Magnus figure. Excerpt: “Ultra Magnus is fun in both modes, and has lots of play features all around.” (See also.)
Michael Crawford reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Order of the Jedi Ki-Adi-Mundi: Jedi Master Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “The smaller body, combined with the elongated head, makes him appear very stubby.”
Artemis reviews the Yamato VMF (Variable Motion Figure) Motoko Kusanagi 1/7 -scale figure from Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Excerpt: “… with nothing more radical than elegant design, you can have a figure that looks like a statue and moves like a breakdancer.” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars Order 66 Obi-Wan Kenobi and ARC Trooper Commander, Anakin Skywalker and ARC Trooper, Tsui Choi and BARC Trooper, Emperor Palpatine and Commander Vill, Luminara Unduli and AT-RT Driver, and Master Sev and ARC Trooper Target exclusive two-packs. Excerpt: “I mostly got them for the Clone Troopers, but the other figures that came in these two-packs are also very impressive.” (See also: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.)
Artemis reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection Quarren Soldier figure from Clone Wars. Excerpt: “He’s got a certain line going in sturdy warrior poses, but any kind of fighting stance is out of the question.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Legacy Collection Mon Calamari Warrior figure from Clone Wars. Excerpt: “… good figure, shame about the knees.” (See also.)
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Resolute Duke figure. Excerpt: “… this is the greatest Duke that the line has seen.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Scarlett (pilot version) figure. Excerpt: “… consider this an homage, an in-joke that only the most inside fans will get.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Marvel Legends Red Hulk Series Adam Warlock Target exclusive figure. Excerpt: “… the toy is well made, shows some growth on Hasbro’s part …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Iron Man Titanium Man figure. Excerpt: “Pretty impressive, really.” (See also.)
Erin Snyder reviews the Mattel DC Universe Infinite Heroes Crisis Series Raven figure from the Starfire, Captain Boomerang and Raven three-pack. Excerpt: “I don’t feel the need to start over in a new scale… especially at this price.”
EVA Unit 4A reviews the Bandai Power Rangers Jungle Fury Deluxe Jungle Master Megazord set. Excerpt: “… despite its simple transformation and functions, I like the Deluxe Jungle Master Megazord best of all the mecha from ‘Power Rangers Jungle Fury’.”
Retro reviews
Tom Prankerd reviews the Takatoku Toys Kahen Mecha Series Batrain C-3 SL Type (normal colour version) figure from Galactic Whirlwind Sasuraiger. Excerpt: “While Batrain doesn’t have the quality or design of contemporary Popy efforts, the bizarre mixture of a very childlike train mode and a very serious-looking robot mode is interesting stuff …” (See also.)
Engineernerd reviews the Palisades Muppets Vacation Pepe ToyFare exclusive figure. Excerpt: “Great look and great accessories make for great figures.”
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Saga Collection Foul Moudama figure from Clone Wars. Excerpt: “He could really use some more articulation … and you may need a rubberband to keep his weapon in place.”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Bandai Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Mission Response Vehicle set. Excerpt: “It’s an impressive looking vehicle, with an interesting effect.”
Leonardo Flores reviews the Clover Diecast Gundam (versions 2) 1/132-scale figure. Excerpt: “The not so subtle transition from the Chogokin era to the Real Robot era.” (See also.)
Leonardo Flores reviews the Matchbox Robotech Dana Sterling figure. Excerpt: “… I like this figure for one reason and one reason only …”
Toy links
Transgals Rampage.
Another Predacons inspired BJPM creation by misodrill.
Machine Girl custom.
“She is fully posable and has a removeable machine gun arm which can also attach a chainsaw – just like in the real movie.”
Heads, I win.
A fine repaint by Claws based on the Warcraft Orc Grunt.
The Star-Spangled Avenger.
A custom figure by glorbes.
Spin Master and Bakugan hit big.
“Marketing has been key to Bakugan’s success, as well as to Spin Master’s. The company, started by three friends in 1994, has grown to a 650-employee operation that calls itself the fifth-largest toy maker in North America.”
The V&A Museum of Childhood.
“An archivist at the museum will oversee a three-and-a-half-year project to display its collection of toys.”
Checklist (Enpatsu version)
Updated Figma checklist with Shana review link.
Japanese toy review roundup
The following reviews are in Japanese but they include a generous amount of photos so they’re well worth checking out.
(Please do not hotlink images on these sites.)
Ramuna reviews the Bandai Tamashii Spec Limited Yatenkou and Muzura Tamashii Web exclusive set from Martian Successor Nadesico.
MaruH102 reviews the Miracle House Shinseiki Gokin New Getter Robo (Proportion Renewal version) figure.
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Arc and Kamen Rider Rey B-Shop exclusive set from Kamen Rider Kiva: King of the Castle in the Demon World.
Kaz reviews the Hot Toys British Army Blues and Royals Regiment in Afghanistan Lieutenant 1/6-scale figure.
Gamu reviews the Yamato Bubblegum Crisis Boomer Action Figure and AD Police Figure Set mail-away exclusive 1/15-scale set.
Kaz reviews the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Kamen Rider Gatack figure from Kamen Rider Kabuto. (See also.)
Kanon, Mojya and K2O review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Gawain figure from Code Geass. (See also.)
Kuronuko Yamato, Sousuke and Satocchi review the Bandai Robot Tamashii Union Flag Custom II figure from Gundam 00. (See also.)
Gamu (part 2), Soh-dr, Koshihara Hitoshi and K2O review the Bandai SDX Knight Gundam figure. (See also.)
MaruH102 reviews the CM’s Corporation Mecha Action Series Blocker Gundan IV Machine Blaster Robocules and Bullcaesar set. (See also.)
Toyhunter reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Binaltech BT-22 Convoy figure. (See also.)
Hinatatiki reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Sentinel Prime figure. (See also.)
Shishioh reviews the Max Factory Figma Shana (Enpatsu version) figure from Shakugan no Shana.
Supa, Machu and Natsume review the Max Factory Figma SP Saber Lily exclusive figure from the Fate/Unlimited Codes SP Box. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Max Factory Figma Asakura Ryoko (uniform version) figure from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya series. (See also.)
Syuuamamori reviews the Max Factory Figma Kagamine Len figure from Vocaloid2. (See also.)
Mondo reviews the McFarlane Toys Halo 3 Spartan-117 Master Chief (Series 3 Campaign version) figure.
Retro reviews
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Yuusha-Ou GaoGaiGar DX Sayuu Gattai G-15 GekiRyuJin figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Galaxy Force Longrack figure from the GS-02 Runabout versus Longrack set.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Gattai-oh Shovelking figure.
Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Changerobo Hikari Kami figure. (See also.)
G.S.R. reviews the Bandai Souchaku Henshin GE-05 Garo figure.
Nekonekokoara reviews the Takara Tomy Microman ML-SP02 Fujiko versus Microlady Set.
Ganhoo (part 2) reviews the Bandai Gekisou Sentai Carranger DX VRV Robo set.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Rumble figure from the 17 Soundwave set.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars Metals D-59 Jaguar figure.
Red reviews the Takara Transformers Beast Wars Metals X-9 Jaguar figure.
Gun0826 reviews the Toy Biz Marvel Legends Showdown Booster Pack Berserker Wolverine figure.
Toy links
This summer the cats come out to play. [via]
Brilliant.
Bi-Beast.
A phenomenal custom by fastfreddie.
American Legothic.
Marco Pece’s homage to Grant Wood.
Transgals Razorclaw.
Another Transformers-inspired BJPM creation by misodrill.
Fan.
A fine portrait by tanyBUG.
Thanks!
To show our appreciation for the contributions to the Fanmode Flickr pool, we’ve increased the number of thumbnails displayed on Fanmode to 20.
Toy review roundup
yo go re reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Cyborg Superman figure from the Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive Cyborg Superman and Mongul Super Enemies Figure Pack. Excerpt: “Just because there are some problems with the toy, it doesn’t mean he’s not worth buying …”
Steve Pietrangelo reviews the Mattel DC Universe Classics Batgirl figure from the Toys ‘R’ Us exclusive Batgirl and Azrael Batman Figure Pack two-pack. Excerpt: “I’m not a huge fan of the female sculpts that Mattel uses for these female DC action figures but Batgirl is probably one of the better ones …”
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Indiana Jones German Soldier with Motorcycle set from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Excerpt: “Hasbro really went all out with this.”
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Resolute Cobra Trooper figure. Excerpt: “… puts the old school blue shirts to absolute shame.” (See also.)
Justin Bell reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Dreadnok Torch (single-carded 2008 version) figure. Excerpt: “He can’t grip his weapon, he can’t bend fully at the elbows…just bad news.” (See also.)
Artemis reviews the Hasbro Star Wars The Clone Wars Ahsoka Tano figure. Excerpt: “She’s the newest of Star Wars’s perpetually limited supply of women, so go buy a figure to show your support …” (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Hasbro Star Wars 30th Anniversary Collection R2-B1, Surgical Droid 2-1B and Clone Trooper (Hawkbat Battalion) figures. Excerpt: “… this is definitely the most impressive 2-1B action figure yet created.” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)
Michael Crawford reviews the Toynami Futurama Calculon and Super King figures. Excerpt: “(Re: Calculon) … one of my top favorites of the line so far.”
yo go re reviews the Mattel The Dark Knight Coin Blast Two-Face figure. Excerpt: “This figure is in the same line that has the ‘kiddiefied’ version of the Joker, lacking the scars and drippy face paint, and yet we get much of the scarred tissue on Two-Face.” (See also.)
yo go re reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Deluxe class Sentinel Prime figure. (See also.)
Thomas Wheeler reviews the McFarlane Toys Halo 3 Spartan Soldier [Mark VI] (red version) figure. Excerpt: “… it’s an extremely cool figure, and any Halo 3 fan would enjoy having him around.”
android17 reviews the Takara Tomy Zoids Graphics Extra Orudios kit. Excerpt: “Such a long wait, but it’s worth it!”
Retro reviews
Thomas Wheeler reviews the Takara Microman Ryukendo MA-31 Ryuguno figure. Excerpt: “…highly ornate, highly articulated, and well-made — if in need of being handled gently …” (See also.)
Updatedude reviews the Tomy Zoids NeoBlox NBZ-06 Brachiorakete kit. Excerpt: “I’d recommend picking SEVERAL up, so you can mix and match.”
Updatedude reviews the Tomy Zoids Blox BZ-020 Leogator kit. Excerpt: “… Leogator suffers from a case of a gimmick severely restricting a toy.”
Toy links
Sasquatch.
This Marvel Legends Icons Beast-based custom by fastfreddie features some phenomenal sculpting.
Sixth-scale Cyclops.
A cool custom by loosecollector with work-in-progress photos as well.
Shoodoran and Castle Doran (ver. Lego).
Neat little MOCs inspired by the creatures from Kamen Rider Kiva.
Vroom vroom.
Vehicular Assemble Borg fanmode ideas from the ToyTribe Assemble Borg blog.
HellShinki.
“Primary 002 ‘Galette’ head, Blank black body & Blank Flesh v2 body, Plastica Yovkodori black … Gundam D-Hellcustom …”
From Hell.
A fine shot by Mark.
JR-X-ko.
The 2008 winner of the Best Use of Train Cabs in a Transformers-inspired Human Gestalt competition. (Click on the image for a closer look.)
Hot Toys interviewed.
“We tried to release the ‘entry level’ figure before, but fans were not expecting Hot Toys to do ‘simple’ figure.”
The Stick review roundup.
“Did anyone else not get instructions? Can you read them online somewhere?”
“Jesus Christ action figure heals the sick!”
“… we did sell a lot of action figures as a result of the articles, we got returns from people who didn’t get healed by it.”
Checklist henshin
Figma checklist updated with Saber Lily review links.