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.)

Nekonekokoara reviews the Bandai Mugenbine MugenLio, MugenKnight, MugenUnicorn, MugenLeviathan, MugenPhoenix and the combined form, Mugen Arthur, from the Mugen Kenseijyuu trading toy set. (See also.)

MaruH102 reviews the Yamato Votoms Scopedog Turbo Custom The Last Red Shoulder Set 1/12-scale figure.

Hinatatiki reviews the Takara Tomy Transformers Henkei C-05 Hot Rodimus figure.

Ken Murasame reviews the Hasbro Transformers Animated Voyager class Grimlock figure. (See also.)

Ebi reviews the Hasbro Transformers Classics Astrotrain figure. (See also.)

Gamu reviews the Kotobukiya Square Enix Final Fantasy VII Play Arts Cloud and Hardy Daytona set. (See also.)

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

ka2-yuki reviews the Bandai HCM Pro Gundam Deathscythe 1/200-scale figure from the Gundam Wing series. (See also.)

Gamu reviews the Kaiyodo Revoltech YF-21 (Guld version) (part 2) from Macross Plus. (See also.)

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

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

Syuuamamori reviews the Kaiyodo Fraulein Revoltech Futami Mami (Gothic Princess version) and Futami Mami (Snow Strawberry version) Friend Shop exclusive figures from The Idolmaster game. (See also.)

Hiitan reviews the Max Factory Figma Saber (armoured version) figure from the Fate/stay night series. (See also.)

Retro reviews

Transformers Baka Ichidai reviews the Takara GaoGaiGar G-01 DX GaoGaiGar set and G-12 DX Goldymarg figure.

Kuronuko Yamato reviews the Takara Microman Military Force MF4-04 Virtual Task figure. (See also.)

Toy links

Lego Cosmo Crusher, Gaia and God Mars.
More fantastic MOCs by Johnny Tang.

Arthur the Pharaoh.
Combiners constructed from the Mugenbine combiners MugenArthur and MugenPharaoh.

Ruh roh!
A Scooby Doo Stikfas custom by Sabermaker.

Thom Zahler on toys.
“I think it’s natural for people who create comics, or people who want to, to be drawn to the comics toys. When you’re a kid, they’re not just toys, they’re the things that you use to tell your own stories when the comics end.”

Lego answers your questions.
“As your parents probably told you when you were young, there are some things that shouldn’t be eaten. Lego bricks are one of them. Please keep them away from your mouth.”

Robo Force.
“To go up against Transformers, with all the play value those things had, [Robo Force] just looked very much like a previous-generation type of a product.” (See also.)

Giants.
An excellent digirama by Hock starring the Hot Toys James Dean 1/6-scale figure. (Related.)

Cops and Cons.
Shaun Wong’s 1/6 figures are having a showdown.

Empire’s Cutest versus galaxy’s deadliest.
(See also.)

Custom costumes.
“Create a form-fitting costume for your action figure with Vince Callaghan of Project: Custom.”

New school

Zwei Grand Gattai by finalfusion
A Creative Commons-licensed photo by finalfusion.

(More Mugenbine fanmodes.)

Toy links

Bite his shiny plastic …
A fine Bender Stikfas custom by BullStik.

Sobek, the Mugen King.
A neat Mugenbine fanmode by GEE. (Click on the image for a closer look.)

Mach Slugger ver. 2.
Microman Kaito gets a new ride courtesy of Misodrill’s Meccano Multi Model 7 fanmode.

Extermi-knit, extermi-knit.
A knitted Dalek.

When doll customisation goes really, really wrong.
Ladies and gentlemen, the subject of your nightmares tonight.

Death by Playmobil.
See also: 1, 2, 3, 4.

Canadian Legends. [via]
It’s great to see children finally have the means to determine once and for all who would win in a fight between John A. Macdonald and Snake Eyes.

Gun play.
“It’s fascinating to see how Japan’s incredibly strict gun laws have given rise to an industry specializing in ultra-realistic simulacra of weaponry.”

On collecting.
“When we consume and dispose of everything, we throw a little of ourselves away as well; sometimes for the silly reason of simply wanting the newest or the biggest or the nicest something. Collecting old stuff helps me keep some perspective on the past and the way things use to be.”

Toy fad du jour: Bakugan.
“The collecting and battling game, designed for 6- to 11-year-olds, is a creative cross between marbles, Transformers and Pokemon. Across the country stores sell out of the toys as fast as they can get them in - often within the hour. … Recently a $4.99 Bakugan ball sold for $325 on eBay.”

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