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.)

Gamu reviews the Yamato Bubblegum Crisis Transforming Moto Slave and Priss (part 2) 1/15-scale set.

Mojya reviews the Kotobukiya Square Enix Final Fantasy VII Play Arts Sephiroth figure.

G.S.R, Gamu and Tom review the Bandai S.H.Figuarts Shocker Rider figure from the Kamen Rider the Next movie.

Ken Murasame review the Bandai MSIA (Mobile Suit in Action) Tieren Ground Type figure from the Gundam 00 series.

Kaz reviews the Bandai Mugenbine MugenKnight, MugenLio, MugenUnicorn, MugenLeviathan, MugenPhoenix and the combined form, Mugen Arthur, from Mugen Kenseijyuu trading toy set. (See also: 1, 2, 3, 4.)

Gamu and Mondo review the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Gloucester (Cornelia version) from the Code Geass series. (See also.)

Ken Murasame reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Macross Plus YF-21 figure. (See also.)

Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech YF-21 (Guld version) from Macross Plus. (See also.)

The G reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Lazengann figure from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. (See also.)

Acro_characin reviews the Max Factory Figma Koizumi Itsuki (Uniform version) figure from The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. (See also.)

Nekonekokoara reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe 25th Anniversary Cobra Viper figure. (See also.)

Gun0826 reviews the Hasbro Indiana Jones Colonel Dovchenko figures from Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. (See also.)

Pokotannu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager Cybertron Mode Megatron figure. (See also.)

Pokotannu reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Optimus Prime figure from The Battle Begins: Optimus Prime versus Megatron set. (See also.)

Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Hasbro Transformers Allspark Power Overcast figure.

Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers MD-17 Payload figure. (See also.)

Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Tomica Hero Rescue Force Hero Tools Series DX Rescue Crusher role-playing toy.

Hikutori reviews the Plastica Outerskin Yovkodori (black and white versions) costume accessories for Busou Shinki MMS figures.

Retro reviews

Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Takara Microman Magneforce MagneMicroman Achilles figure.

Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Kenner Transformers Beast Wars Iguanus figure.

Fanmode faves

Fanmode presents about a few hundred toy-related links every month and it’s possible a few may have slipped your attention. Here are ten of our favourites for June ‘08.

Lady Roses Coral.
Bike transformers are tough to pull off. We consider the Gobots Throttle to be the best of the 80s and Transformers Animated Prowl to be the cream of the crop in modern times. That is, until we saw Basil’s 12,000 yen 1/18-scale garage kit. Takara Tomy, get this man a job.

Sonic Diver Rei-jin in action.
Tamaki’s Little Treasure may update infrequently but we still check the site almost daily because the new digirama is always a treat.

Barricade Girl.
A remarkable Transformers-inspired custom figure by shibamura_prime. (See also.)

What’s this?
Plamoo’s stop-motion toy videos are typically brilliant and nigh incomprehensible.

Cobraganda.
Wars are not won with ninja commandos alone. Chris Sims takes a look at G.I. Joe’s efforts to win hearts and minds.

The Meat.
We’ve seen some strange toys over the years but this accessory set from the JAKKS Pacific Rocky line was completely unexpected.

Cosmo Crusher, Gaia and God Mars (Lego-style).
Johnny Tang’s Lego reproductions of classic super robots are always link-worthy.

Gizmodo goes to Lego.
Learn what Lego calls its pieces, why both “Lego” or “Legos” are wrong, how many pieces have been produced since 1958, why Lego sets are expensive and what the best-selling set is among other things.

Cutar.
This isn’t the most intricate of Lego MOCs but we simply love the fact izzo was inspired by his son’s drawing. (More.)

Lego Darth Vader.
He’s more Lego than man now.

Toy links

Sonic Diver Rei-jin.
Scroll down for typically awesome digirama by Tamaki’s Little Treasure.

Fortress Maximus.
A terrific Transformers custom by Corvus.

Downtown Action Brown.
“… one baaaaaadass mammajamma!” (More.)

Strarf on graph.
A striking shot of a Busou Shinki Strarf figure by Don Solo.

Vroom vroom.
A nice photo by ANVRecife.

Iron Man Mark 1.
Oh wait, sorry … this is Iron Man Mark 1.

Tiger the Great.
A Microman custom figure of the villain from Tiger Mask.

Attack of the 50-foot Janitor.
A diorama by Leo Lau.

Political figures.
“Our competitor isn’t offering the fundamental change that purchasers of mass-produced, candidate-related toys are seeking in this presidential election.”

Pixar’s toy stories.
“Toy love–the child’s belief that a piece of cloth or a machine can have life, feelings, personality–is at the heart of many Pixar movies …”

Toy links

Kabuto.
Grandmother said this: Killing Monkey makes outstanding SIC-style custom Kamen Rider figures.

Tim Shinn’s Movie-style Soundwave custom.
“Made from everything but the kitchen sink.” (More: 1, 2, 3.)

Doctor Doom: Sorcerer Supreme.
An excellent custom by ResIpsaLoquitur.

Freezing Hoth.
Your Trooper will freeze before you reach the first marker!

08th Mobile Suit Team Strarf.
A very cool Busou Shinki Strarf custom using parts from the Master Grade RX-79(G) Gundam kit.

Noeling’s Cher custom.
“Original factory paint was completely removed and fully repainted very painstakingly to resemble a young Cher.”

My Little Chopper.
A highly unusual My Little Pony custom by AnimeAmy.

The Lord of the Lego.
“Best. Homemade. Gift. Ever.”

The 10 greatest playsets of all time.
“… toy companies are making fewer and fewer playsets available … which is why we gratefully look back at the 10 greatest playsets of all time.”

The downside of the Xevoz Rune Slayer.
“All my life I wanted to be an Arcaster …”

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