Toy review roundup

BigGuido reviews the Mezco Toyz Hellboy II: The Golden Army Hellboy (cigar variant), Liz Sherman and Johann Krauss 7-inch-scale figures. Excerpt: “The paint on all of Mez’s Hellboy figures has been above par for the most part, but these figures aren’t up to Mez’s usual standard.”

Michael Crawford reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Star Wars Heroes of the Rebellion Han Solo Smuggler: Tatooine Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figure. Excerpt: “It is an improvement over the Bespin Han, and it is recognizable as Solo, but this isn’t going to be the be all end all version.” (See also.)

WIKD reviews the Takara Tomy Zoids Malder Guylos Specification e-Hobby/International Tokyo Toy Show 2008 exclusive kit. Excerpt: “… a welcome addition … ” (See also.)

Poe Ghostal reviews the Hasbro Iron Man Iron Monger (opening cockpit version) figure. Excerpt: “The new Iron Monger (v2, as it’s known among collectors) is superior in every way to the first version except for one thing …” (See also.)

David Yeh reviews the Sideshow Collectibles Lord of the Rings The Fellowship of the Ring Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins Sideshow exclusive 1/6-scale figures. Excerpt: “There are a few things that I wish were handled differently or better, but overall I really enjoy having these characters join the rest of the Fellowship at last.” (See also.)

Josh Bernard reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech Lazengann figure from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Excerpt: “Lazengann is a typically great Revoltech release, if you can overlook the wrists.” (See also.)

EVA_Unit_4A reviews the Bandai Go-Onger Engine Gattai Series Engine Gunpherd toy. Excerpt: “It’s a good little toy, though a bit featureless compared to some of the others.” (See also.)

Michael Crawford reviews the Medicom Star Wars Vinyl Collectible Dolls Wicket figure. Excerpt: “This figure was one of the bigger disappointments in awhile.”

Shogundan reviews the Taito Super Mechanics Cosmo Zero prize toy from the Space Battleship Yamato series. Excerpt: “… I was disappointed with the lack of paint detail on this model.” (See also.)

Artemis reviews the Mezco Toyz Cinema of Fear Nancy Thompson diorama from A Nightmare on Elm Street. Excerpt: “… I can’t really bring myself to like this ‘figure’ that much - for all that it’s an interesting attempt …”

Retro reviews

Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Metal Joe Fighter Lock, Dial Lock, Armor Lock, Chain Lock and Sword Lock figures. Excerpt: “… anyone who likes cute twists on the transforming robot idea - not to mention high quality manufacturing and some good, compact designs - should keep an eye out for these little guys.” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)

Leonardo Flores reviews the Bandai Spiral Zone Protect Suit Bull Solid 1/12-scale figure. Excerpt: “… 30 years later they still hold their value and art design very well …” (See also.)

yo go re reviews the Hasbro G.I. Joe Comic Book Pack # 26 Tommy Arashikage, Lonzo R. Wilkinson and Classified three-pack. Excerpt: “It would be worth buying this set just to get the comic, let alone the three figures!” (See also: 1, 2, 3.)

Tom Prankerd reviews the Bandai Godaikin DX Bio Man, DX Daimos and ST Laserion sets.

Tom Prankerd reviews the Popy The Chogokin ST Voltes V figure. Excerpt: “Whatever the faults of the ST figure as a transformable toy, it can’t be denied that it looks good in robot mode.” (See also.)

Tom Prankerd reviews the Select Convertors Bulldozer figure. Excerpt: “The robot is an odd looking thing …”

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.

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.)

Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Binaltech BT-20 Argent Meister figure.

Yuki Bune reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Encore Omega Supreme figure.

Shishioh, Gamu, K2O and Hima-toy review the Bandai Saint Myth Cloth God Cloth Pegasus Seiya figure from the Saint Seiya Hades Chapter Elysion OVA.

Shishioh, Mojya and G.S.R. review the Bandai Souchaku Henshin Kamen Rider Kiva (Dogga Form) figure.

K2O reviews the Bandai In Action Offshoot Knightmare Frame Gloucester (Cornelia version) from the Code Geass series.

Mojya and SR../Blood Zwei review the Bandai HCM Pro Gundam Heavyarms 1/200-scale figure from the Gundam Wing series.

Ka2-yuki reviews the Bandai HCM Pro Wing Gundam 1/200-scale figure from the Gundam Wing series. (See also.)

Ramuna reviews the CM’s Corporation Mecha Action Series Dancouga Nova figure. (See also.)

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

Damien Sancho reviews the Yamato GN-U Dou Macross Plus YF-19 figure. (See also.)

Ebi and Pokotannu review the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-05 Hot Rodimus figure. (Note: Pokotannu removed the gold plating from the rear spoiler.) (See also.)

Ebi reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei D-03 Astrotrain figure. (See also.)

Hinatatiki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-03 Grimlock figure. (See also.)

Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech YF-19 (Isamu version) from Macross Plus. (See also.)

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

G.S.R. reviews the Banpresto SCM (Special Creative Model) EX Z Gundam figure. (See also.)

Kaz reviews the 3R Imperial Japanese Army Nakamura Ryuichi 1/6-scale figure.

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

Yuu-yui reviews the Max Factory Figma Takamachi Nanoha (Barrier Jacket version) figure from the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS series. (See also.)

Syuuamamori reviews the Max Factory Figma Izumi Konata (Cosplay version) Wonder Festival and mail order exclusive figure from the Lucky Star series. (See also.)

Gamu reviews the Basil Lady Roses Coral 1/18-scale garage kit. (See also.)

Damien Sancho reviews the Maisto Wild Rides Fresh Metal Blurred Vision and Blue Speed 1/18-scale toys.

Retro reviews

Ebi reviews the Popy Big Scale Goggle V Goggle Caesar toy.

Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara Transformers Galaxy Force GC-16 Liger Jack figure.

Hirohiro reviews the Bandai MSIA (Mobile Suit in Action) Sky Grasper Dengeki Hobby Magazine exclusive toy from the Gundam SEED Destiny series.

Toy links

Kaiyodo Revoltech AssembleBorg figures previewed.
Taoo takes a thorough look at sample figures of Mr. Assemble, Baron and Cyber which he won. The frequently delayed AssembleBorg line is due to be released this December.

Onua drill tank.
A fantastic transforming Lego Bionicle MOC by kawazu1120. (More.)

LiGaiGar.
Transformers Baka Ichidai’s fanmode combines the Transformers Galaxy Force Liger Jack and the GaoMachines from the DX GaoGaiGar set.

Groundmaster Hyper Alan.
Misodrill’s Microman Masterforce fanmode.

Optimus Magnus.
Transformers Animated Optimus Prime gets a fanmode trailer in the form of Micron Legend Ultra Magnus which also transforms into a command chair. (Click on the thumbnail for a closer look.)

Kamen Rider Kiva DoGaBaKi Form.
Shishioh shows how to reproduce the DoGaBaKi Form with Souchaku Henshin figures.

Yamato GN-U YF-19 modded.
Damien Sancho shows how he improved the articulation of the figure and approximated the pinpoint barrier system with jewellery stickers.

3Rs and toys.
“Can the rising price of gas discourage the production of collectors’ action figures and other toys?”

Grover Miller’s wooden toy masterpieces.
”You could sell them for a fortune … I don’t need [the money]. Giving them away is more fun than selling them.”

Toys for the elderly.
“Japan is the first developed country to register more annual deaths than births and the elderly will outnumber children two to one within five years … ‘The (toy) industry is addressing the problem by widening its target age. The idea is toys aren’t just for kids.’”

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