Toy links

Shinobitron’s Batbike.
“I used the TFA Prowl and repainted the entire body black. I … replaced (Prowl’s head) with a Batman head from some figure from the mid 90s.” (See also.)

Transformers Animated Arcee.
A custom figure by pisuwo based on the Blackarachnia figure.

Kamen Rider Caucasus.
A SIC-style custom figure by Killing Monkey of the character from the Kamen Rider Kabuto movie.

La la la la la la la.
A Smurfing photo by paalia.

Lego artist Nathan Sawaya interviewed.
“… the sculptures are selling for tens of thousands of dollars.”

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

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.’”

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 …”

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